Microsoft Says 'Laptops Are Obsolete' - We Say Differently

The article, Microsoft Just Made Laptops Obsolete, by Chris Lau provides me with a message I am all too familiar with. Sure, there are some great points being made - however, reading it may also result in a headache. I find there's a lot of tech-talk that doesn't really tell you why Microsoft will make laptops obsolete. Sure, "technically" you wouldn't need the power of a laptop or desktop once Windows 10 is completely in the picture, and the processing power of the smartphone is increased tenfold in a few months, other bits are made smaller and faster, and batteries improve, and RAM is shrunk and expanded, and the list goes on and on.

I love my job and I love technology, and I personally live on my smartphone. But, in the working world where we deal with documents, spreadsheets and presentations - you need a device large enough that makes viewing these documents effortless. 

While I am not a huge fan of Microsoft, I do live and breathe many of their other products. The knowledge of being able to go to a client's site and have a PowerPoint presentation on my phone for display on a larger screen, knowing it will work, is simply amazing. As we at High Tech evaluate these Microsoft products for our clients so we may consult and recommend certain software, we take into consideration the fact that technology is moving forward and software is constantly driving better business efficiency.

Take a look: http://www.itworldcanad.com/blog/microsoft-just-made-laptops-obsolete/374455

Using Unified Communications to Improve Your Chain of Command

I normally do not post on these types of topics, but this one I found interesting. About three quarters of the way down the article it talks about how Dr Martens used Unified Communication to improve internal, not external, communication. We often talk (and sometimes struggle) with who and why Unified Communications will benefit an organization. The message is old and stale and almost a ‘been there, done that’ attitude.

Here is a great example of how this successful organization implemented simple technology to improve communication within an organization, better communication between Quality Control and Supply Chain / Manufacturing across the Globe. Not the same old never miss a call as a sales person.

Take a read, I can point to a few of our own clients who have done the same thing, but sometimes it is just nice to look across the pond to see how a client and their needs are very similar no matter where you go.

http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/analysis/2393025/dr-martens-selects-value-for-money-shoretel-over-cisco-avaya-mytel

Is It Time to Rethink the Desktop Phone?

Now this comment is true mainly because I am in the technology field, but I often get into the conversation around desk phones versus, well, whatever the alternative is. At one point I thought as many others did, and that the desk phone was dead. No one wanted to spend the money on a piece of hardware that would sit there and collect dust. I have actually had CEO’s and President’s come up to me and say they want all phones removed from our quotes because no one wants a desk phone anymore. While I applaud the notion that we are evolving into something new, I believe that the desk phone will be with us for the foreseeable future. I am up to debate this, and I will also debate it with myself; but even through all of the hype over the latest smartphone, softphones, and how no one can live without these devices when you go to the office a desk phone is still there waiting for you.

Where do I see the change happening soon? As a sales person on the road I never want to see a desk phone. Simply because there is no point. As a service technician of any nature I never want to see a desk phone. Again, a headset on a mobile is better. Given the way technology can adapt and integrate, this makes perfect sense. Now, as someone who is tied to your desk, say inside sales or accounting then desk phones should still exist. Well, even then some would argue but I say bring the argument on. I enjoy talking about the merits of how the world will change because Apple came out with a new device and ShoreTel has a dock for it. Oh wait…I have an Android.

Enjoy:

https://www.shoretel.com/blog/millennials-rethink-desktop-phone

Extending Your Business Over Cellular

I found the article very interesting, I myself have spoken to hundreds of customers about the flexibility and functionality you could get by extending your business over Cellular.  The true mobility, the enhanced redundancy, the ability to have really small offices communicating seamlessly over a cellular device…the possibilities are endless. 

I can’t think of how often I have looked at extending service through the Internet for the offices with one and two employees, here we have a developing technology that will (again) truly revolutionize how businesses expand and roll out into new territories.

Imagine a sales person starting up in a new town, someone who requires voice and data applications that seamlessly integrate into the corporate infrastructure… all from their Smartphone. If their voice communications (IM, Video, and Voice) is on ShoreTel, then let the sales team grow!

https://www.shoretel.com/blog/difference-between-voip-and-volte

Top Ways Businesses Should Manage Mobile Workers

When I read articles posted by our partner, ShoreTel, I traditionally think Telecom and Unified Communications - as do many of our clients. However, I read this and I was a little taken aback, but in a good way. In bold is a statistic, "24.7 percent saving on fuel costs". First things first, why is ShoreTel talking about fuel savings?

It's not less time on the road because they saved three minutes per day over fifty users talking 25% less to someone somewhere. It's an app one of their clients deployed and integrated into their mobile application that traditionally was used for eliminating the roaming charges on cell phones.

Really? That's pretty cool. The article also talks about establishing policies, but that's a given. Take a read, and once you are done, call High Tech - because we would love to chat about this to get out of the day-to-day traditional conversations.

https://www.shoretel.com/blog/top-ways-businesses-should-manage-mobile-workers