Modern Recruitment Processes

I was drawn to this blog due to the title…"Recruitment Efforts Bolstered by Integrating Applicant Tracking Systems”.  I was drawn to it as I have a difficult time finding great talent in the industry, and being a Sales VP, that is one of my top 5 concerns.  Our organization, just like all of the others, must stay on the front line of recruiting to ensure your resources are as effective as possible.  I was intrigued by this article not only because we can be the provider of the software but because the very resources I use to assist in my recruiting efforts could and would benefit from it.  If the recruiters I use are using this software they are sure to get my business because I know they are investing in both their future and my future.

Here is the article: https://www.shoretel.com/blog/recruitment-efforts-bolstered-integrating-applicant-tracking-systems 

The Rising Importance of Video Surveillance

It isn’t often I write up about the new camera technology we see every day. I should, as it is a part of our business that fascinates me, but I don’t think it gets enough attention because it seems to be a “been there - done that” type of business. Surveillance technology has been around for a long time, thereby, I think what gets forgotten is the fact that it too changes daily and the stuff we see is amazing.

I read an article written by Jill Delaney from our partner, Exacq Technologies, and on the surface it seems boring, just another dome camera. But what you read when you get into this article along with the video - is insane. So much so that homeowners like myself should start taking this seriously.  Facial recognition in low light / high contrast situations could mean an end to security breaches, theft, curb violence and vandalism and, therefore, provide piece of mind.  Now, of course the Big Brother theory will get tossed around, but there is a happy medium in there somewhere. Especially given the fact the Internet has proven time and time again that Big Brother is already here and in our face, whether we like it or not. 

Every company out there should look into video surveillance, invest in video surveillance, and utilize it more frequently. Click through our website or call us to find out more. Here is the article on the new camera I looked at recently:

http://blog.exacq.com/blog/2015/07/08/introducing-illustra-pro-3-5-megapixel-mini-domes/

Finding the Best Cloud Storage for You

Our marketing team found the attached article, I thought it was a good read and wanted to share it out with our followers. Now, High Tech does not often get into the sale of cloud storage so you may wonder why this topic has come up. The answer is simple: Technology is so tightly intertwined that we often get into value conversations with our clients on every aspect of their business. Knowing what (or where) to the answer is important even if this is not part of your business. I pride myself and our firm for helping companies locate useful information. When business’s look for storage we talk SAN and VM Servers and Terabits, but more often than not the users themselves just need something and send a large PowerPoint to a client or share an Excel file real time across the city. This easily solves those business related issues.

Now, back to the article. At the very end, the most important set of points can be found in the summary. High Tech uses multiple options here from Dropbox to iCloud to OneDrive, and to be honest, each person will say theirs is better than someone else’s for whatever reason. I am a Google fan, I use Google Drive. My kids use iCloud as they are iPhone/iPod users. After reading it and evaluating my own requirements I realize that they are all great, for the most part free, and will provide most people with more storage then they will ever use in their lifetime. Just make sure that when you choose one (or more than one), the other parties you intend to use it with (if this is for business) can access it as easily as you can.

Enjoy:  http://www.zdnet.com/article/whats-the-best-cloud-storage-for-you/

The Importance of Staying Current

“$4!^ happens, design for that fact”. By far my favourite subtitle yet in any of the articles that I have been writing on. This article from GFI, a long standing partner of High Tech, simply points out that staying current, listening to instructions, and ensuring change control measures are in place are positive practices to have in your business.

The best part of the article talks about the stuff you don’t plan for... So plan for it. People believe their businesses are immune to failure or errors, but they are not. The worst part is that many people do not plan for it because they believe it is complicated and expensive. I will draw a comparison to ShoreTel, a communication system solution we implement. In order to provide true and lasting redundancy your simply need to add an appliance. If that sounds simple, it's because it is.

When GFI talks about redundancy, it is along a similar path. Add in a secondary server or migrate to Cloud or VMWare. Build yourself up and keep the infrastructure current. Nothing is worse than having a state of the art facility from 2010 when it is 2015. How do you effectively implement a state current solution? That is where we come in, but before we do, please read this article and ask yourself if you think a few minutes of your time is worth the discussion.  And before you answer, yes it is. Make the time, have the conversation, keep your technology current.

http://www.gfi.com/blog/on-the-importance-of-patching-and-staying-current/

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

Microsoft Vs. Google: The Debate Forges On

Microsoft versus Google… The debate continues. To me, this is no different than Apple versus Android - to each their own, and if you choose one that you like better because of the look and feel, just stick with it. I prefer Android for those that care, but if I was to look at Google versus Microsoft, I prefer Microsoft. Why? I am familiar with it - pretty simple really. For years I have perfected my macros and shortcut keys to the point where I am faster without a mouse then with one. As long as Microsoft stays current with its upgrades and feature sets, and the competition charge for their services equal to what Microsoft charges, change is hard to justify. Now, with that said I have looked deeper into this and evaluated both technologies for my personal use. I am not one to stay status quo without doing my due diligence as I recommend each of you do as well.

If you want to cheat, the chart right in the middle of the article gives you most of what you need to know.

http://www.cio.com/article/2936001/cloud-computing/office-365-vs-google-for-work-a-cloud-comparison-for-small-businesses.html

Out With Windows 2003 and In With Windows 10

Well the day is here, I guess it has been coming for a long time and will drag on for even longer - but Windows 2003 Server end of support is upon us!  I was reminded of this fact after reading the attached article from Justin Warren, a contributor to Forbes. The style of this article reminded me of how I would write a full article. My favourite part was at the bottom of the 2^ndpage, a comment about the underlying reasons for the Windows Upgrade mess and how it is a Business Problem… Not just an IT problem.

He commented that 25% of users did not want their systems offline for too long. I would argue that figure is much higher, and in many cases it is business critical that when going through Server Upgrades the infrastructure is not offline at all. One truth we live in day to day is that our clients simply do not have the IT resources to make this happen, or to execute on this type of upgrade. Justin does bring this to light in the article in addition to some other great points… Take a read:

 

 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/justinwarren/2015/07/12/windows-2003-deadline-hightlights-its-maintenance-issues/

Are Businesses Too Slow to Seize Digital Tools?

I have always somewhat suspected that businesses are leery when it comes to implementing newer technologies based on how customers have reacted during previous conversations, and this article by CTV News solidifies that. It also points out something I've mentioned to my customers before - as a society, we seem to be at ease upgrading our technology systems at home, but when it comes to the work space that mentality is significantly lacking.

I've shared it with you here:
https://mail.hightechcommunications.ca/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/google-canada-boss-says-businesses-too-slow-in-seizing-digital-tools-1.2403467

Google's Managing Director, Sam Sebastian, says only half of small and medium businesses in Canada have their own website, while fewer than one in three use cloud computing.

ShoreTel Mobility and the Apple Watch

ShoreTel recently announced their new version of ShoreTel Mobility that is designed for the Apple watch. While I think this is pretty cool (I use ShoreTel Mobility on my Android Smartphone today), I like the fact this article spoke about other applications that were relevant to the everyday business user.

Now, I am the first person to wonder why I need an Apple Watch…What will it give me that will make my life easier? This article actually did steer me into the direction of wanting this new gadget.

Why? Well…Being a person that delivers a ton of presentations, and occasionally has brilliant thoughts at random intervals throughout the day, this device has the perfect app for handling both. Read on through to see what I am talking about:

 https://www.shoretel.com/blog/top-business-apps-apple-watch

Health Care Professionals Are in Need of Better Communication Technology

When I read the attached article, I could only nod my head and agree. High Tech Communications Inc. works with a large number of health care facilities from small Doctor offices to a few large Hospitals, and we see the struggle these institutions have with their technology. Often budgets are not there to make the desperately needed improvements that would allow the facility and its staff to become more productive, and it is scary how long it could go on before these updates are implemented.

With constant cuts to budget and staffing, I believe the improvement to overall health care in this province must come from multiple sources and multiple approaches. One of those approaches should be to better enable the staff that are on the front line by equipping them with technology to make their tasks easier and enable them to become more productive. If you agree let me know, if you don’t I would love to hear your take on this issue also.

https://www.shoretel.com/blog/medical-professionals-need-better-communication-technology-survey-finds

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

What is SIP Trunking?

In the ever changing world of technology, our clients look to find the better, faster, cheaper methods to communicate. One surefire way to lower your monthly operational expense is to explore the world of SIP trunking. One of our partners, OneConnect, recently posted this article that describes SIP trunking and some of the benefits associated with the technology.

Now, as a value added vendor who has recommended, installed, and repaired SIP trunking issues; I have to say that yes... SIP trunking is something that we recommend clients explore, BUT, not jump right into without first clearly understanding the risks (and rewards) this technology will offer.

So, what are these risks and rewards? Well, they differ depending on the needs and wants of the client, so it's sort of impossible to list them all. In fact, I will mention only one of each because this deserves and entire afternoon of discussion on a sunny patio somewhere. That being said, the biggest benefit of SIP Trunking is definitely cost. This technology can and should save you in monthly cost if the network you are running on is already in place. Even if it's not, partners like OneConnect make it easy to get there. On the other side of the matter, the biggest risk to SIP Trunking is networking. The network you ride your SIP Trunk across must be solid and well provisioned if anything at all. Will a standard DSL service handle the call volume of a 40 user call center? No secret here... not a chance. However, there are cost effective ways of reducing and eliminating this element of risk that clients have been, and should continue to explore.

http://www.oneconnect.ca/whatissiptrunking