Preferred Technology Solution

Posted 7 months 2 weeks 6 days ago
Posted In: preferred technology solutions

Tagged As: Preferred Technology Solutions |

Posted 7 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago
Posted In: preferred technology solutions

The past decade witnessed massive IT advances and new challenges at businesses of all sizes, educational institutions and government agencies across the country. New initiatives rolled out to address rapidly increasing mobility, and the demand for seamless connectivity to support tech-savvy users. Meanwhile budgets tightened and lifespans not intended for infrastructure equipment became more the norm.

So, how do you meet pressing new demands while adapting to austere budgetary conditions? And what do you need to know about current wireless network architecture challenges in order to get the most value out of your investments?

With a Wireless-N upgrade, you can cover more area and boost performance to 300Mbps or more – creating a better user experience, with less equipment required to cover your location. But there are some important questions that need to be addressed first before you upgrade, such as:

• Can you accommodate the new, engaging, high-bandwidth applications that put your organization on the path for growth?
• Will your existing backbone offer the kind of performance necessary to support 802.11n to the edge of your network?
• What sort of budget considerations should be planned for your particular implementation?
• With options liked Cloud managed Wi-Fi and Unified management – who can I turn to for the knowledge and expertise I need to deploy the right solution for my budget?

Find the answers to these questions and the key information you need to successfully upgrade to Wireless-N and how to do it more cost-effectively than you ever thought possible.

Email Sales@PreferredTechnology.com or call us at 972-644-1992 to find out how D-Link Systems business class wireless solutions and better economic model can meet your needs large or small.

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Posted 7 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago
Posted In: preferred technology solutions

D-Link Systems has named Preferred Technology an authorized provider of D-Link’s networking, storage, wireless and IP Surveillance solutions for customers buying off the TX DIR contract. Here are just two examples of the cost savings available now!

• D-Link DGS-3100-48 Managed 48 port gigabit L2 switch with built-in stacking port w/HDMI cable. Up to 6 switches can be stacked under a single IP Address, providing up to 288Gbps total bandwidth. If you are eligible to buy off the TX DIR your discount is 47%!
  – MSRP: $1569.99; TX DIR Contract Price: $883.12
• D-Link DGS-3627 xStack® fully managed 24-port layer 3 stackable gigabit switch.
  - MSRP: $2839.00; TX DIR Contract Price: $1596.94
• D-Link includes a Lifetime Warranty on its xStack® switch line and a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all of its other business switches – there are no additional recurring maintenance costs.

Email Sales@PreferredTechnology.com or call us at 972-644-1992 for details on how you can save 47% off MSRP on D-Link’s business class products today!

Tagged As: Preferred Technology Solutions |

Posted 7 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago by used with permission from Microsoft at Home
Posted In: preferred technology solutions

For most people, the keyboard is the main way to enter information into and control their computer. But are you controlling your keyboard, or is your keyboard controlling you?

If you make typing mistakes or find your keyboard a bit uncomfortable, it’s not hard to correct those problems. Here’s how to quickly and easily change your keyboard settings and comfort options.

1. Get to know your keyboard
Even if you’ve been using a PC for a long time, there may be features on your keyboard you don’t know about. Take a moment to get to know your keyboard so you can be more efficient when you're working.

2. Change keyboard settings
Once you’ve gotten more familiar with your keyboard, there are a few settings you can change to help you work more smoothly.

You can alter:

• How long you need to press a key before the keyboard character starts repeating.
• The speed at which keyboard characters repeat, which helps you to avoid typing errors.
• The rate at which the mouse pointer blinks, which can help its visibility.

3. Take shortcuts
Even if you're a whiz with the mouse for Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP, keyboard shortcuts are typically a more efficient way to work. They're called shortcuts because they reduce multiple clicks into one quick press of keys, like hitting a chord on a piano.

Getting to know a few keyboard shortcuts for the things you do all the time, like saving or closing files, can make using your PC much easier and faster.

Here are just a few popular keyboard shortcuts.

Press this	To do this
Windows logo key	Open the Start menu
ALT+TAB	Switch between open programs or windows
CTRL+S	Save the current file or document (works in most programs)
CTRL+C	Copy the selected item
CTRL+Z	Undo an action
Windows logo key +F1	Display Windows Help and Support
ESC	Cancel the current task
Application key	Open a menu of commands related to a selection in a program. Equivalent to right-clicking the selection.

For more, see the detailed list of keyboard shortcuts for Windows Vista, or Windows XP. Note: shortcuts for Windows 7 are the same as those listed for Windows Vista.

4. Make it easier to press multiple keys
Do you find it difficult to press multiple keys at once? For example, if pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL is an acrobatic feat, you can set up Sticky Keys. With Sticky Keys you can hit one key at a time in a keyboard shortcut. You can even set it to make a noise so you know it's working.

You can set up Sticky Keys in Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP. (Hint: Press your “SHIFT” key 5 times in a row, then click on the link, to get going with Sticky Keys in Windows 7 or Windows Vista.)

5. Find a comfortable keyboard
It might also be time for you to evaluate the ergonomics of your desktop. Microsoft offers a full line of Natural and Comfort Curve ergonomic keyboards to ensure you're comfortable when you're working on your computer. Having the right keyboard can really make a difference!

Tips for using your keyboard properly
If a new keyboard isn’t in your future, be sure to use your current keyboard properly to avoid soreness or injury to your wrists, hands, and arms. This is particularly important if you use your computer for long periods of time.

Curious about how to create a more ergonomic work space for yourself? Check out these tips to help you work more comfortably and reduce your risk of painful injuries or disorders.

Here are some general tips to help you avoid problems:

• Place your keyboard at elbow level, with your upper arms relaxed at your sides.
• Center your keyboard in front of you. If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, you can use the spacebar as the centering point.
• While typing, use a light touch and keep your wrists straight.
• When you're not typing, relax your arms and hands.
• Take short breaks every 15 to 20 minutes.
• Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so that you can use your whole arm to reach for distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.
• Avoid resting your palms or wrists on any type of surface while typing. If your keyboard has a palm rest, use it only during breaks from typing.

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Posted 7 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago by Joanna L. Krotz reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center
Posted In: preferred technology solutions

It's the 21st century. Do you know how your employees answer the phone?

Good phone manners have always been important, of course. Yet too few companies make any effort to train employees in phone etiquette, says Nancy Friedman, president and founder of the Telephone Doctor, a St. Louis-based customer service training company. The result is often lost business, irate customers and squandered opportunities, she says.

Two decades ago, Friedman and her husband Dick founded their company after Friedman suffered some particularly bad (and clearly inspirational) service from an insurance company. Friedman says she's still amazed at the number of corporations, small businesses and even call centers that ignore basic phone courtesies.

The No. 1 complaint from business professionals and consumers alike, according to Telephone Doctor surveys, is being put on hold. "Always ask, 'Are you able to hold?'" Friedman advises. "Putting people on hold without asking permission is a no-no."

Rudeness rising

Coincidentally, or not, rudeness is on the rise nationwide, according to the most recent survey on courtesy conducted by Public Agenda, a nonprofit research arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts. A whopping 8 out of every 10 Americans (79%) say that a lack of respect and courtesy should be regarded as a serious national problem. One dramatic finding was that rudeness knows no boundaries, as all regions and demographic audiences in the United States were equally at fault.

Customer service by phone evoked one of the survey's most negative reactions. Some 94% of the respondents called it "very frustrating" to call a company and be greeted by a recording rather than a person.

I canvassed communications and customer-service experts to bring to you the worst 10 things you can utter on a business call. These are, of course, in addition to that peremptory no-no: "Hold on." Keep in mind that phone courtesy, like all good manners, is largely based on common sense. You want to respond in the way you like to be treated.

So, if you want to keep and add customers, keep your employees from saying these things on the phone.

1. "That's not our policy." This ubiquitous and pathetic excuse to avoid taking action on complaints or requests is not only poor manners, it's also damaging. Who cares what is or isn't "policy." Think: How can any company policy rationalize hanging up on dissatisfied customers? If an employee cannot grant the request or fix the complaint, he or she ought to consult a superior for advice or be given authority to find alternatives that will transform the customer from disgruntled to appreciative. Either way, keep the customer informed at every stage.

2. "That's not my department," or "That's not my job." Like we care. Everyone and anyone working for the company must be prepared to field any and every caller's needs. At the very least, if the employee lacks knowledge or responsibility, he or she should get a phone number, ask a manager for help and call back, expeditiously, with information that does the trick.

3. "Could you call back? We're real busy right now." This one boggles the business mind. But employees say it more often than you'd think. It always makes me wonder: Busy with what? Lunch dates? Make sure no staffer you hire ever gets away with saying anything even close to this.

4. "My computer's down," or "We're having trouble with our servers." This is simply not a caller's problem, nor a reason to suspend service. Business runs with or without active monitors. Even if the caller is a supplier that you hire and fire, apologize for the fact that you cannot help. Then pick up a pencil, write down the phone number, and (read this carefully) get back to him or her as soon as you can help — unfailingly.

5. "Didn't you get my voice mail?" In the bygone days of human operators, there was always that handy someone to blame when you wanted to duck a call or pretend you never got the message. But this tech update won't fly. Today, with 24/7 voice mail and (duh!) recorded timestamps, it's patently transparent. You cannot pretend a response when there wasn't one. If you fail to return a call in a timely and courteous manner, just face the music and apologize. This advice further applies to people who make a habit of returning calls during off-hours, like 7 a.m., lunchtime or 10 p.m., when respondents aren't likely to be at their desks. Oh, witless wonders: Timestamps tell all.

6. "I was just waiting to get more information before calling you back." Ditto about transparent pretexts. Everyone knows this is a ploy. If you were really gathering info, you'd send an interim e-mail or leave an explanatory voice mail — which is what every pro does with important contacts. All this phrase does is insult the caller by signaling that he or she has no priority in your schedule — or else that you're incompetent. Either way, if you're avoiding someone's calls, be more creative.

7. "Hi. Is Pat or Sam or Morgan or Tyler there?" Increasingly, people have gender-neutral names. Sam is often short for Samantha. If you ask for Sam when she answers her phone, "you signaled in three seconds that you're a cold call," says Chris Tessier, manager of public relations for Pitney Bowes in Stamford, Conn. "Before making any such calls you ought to look up the company's Web page or do a search for the person you're calling." Do your homework.

8. "Wait a sec. I'm putting you on my speakerphone." Like the hold button, this shouldn't be used without first gaining caller permission. Many experts think it's fine once the caller says OK, but, personally, I'm always opposed to speakerphone conversations. I find them awkward and annoying. Voices bounce and echo. You can never quite hear anyone or figure out who's talking. You also never know who's listening in and what kind of impression you're making on the gang who's eavesdropping. I always feel like I'm talking to a club that didn't vote me in.

9. "I'll see that she calls you." This is pure self-protection. "You should only promise to deliver the message, not that there will be a return call," Friedman says. It's not up to you to promise someone else's attention. If there is no return call, you've created unnecessary disappointment or irritation.

10. "I just buried my mother." Honestly, I wouldn't have thought it necessary to tell anyone not to mention personal tragedies or traumas during business calls. But this one actually happened to me. I called an online retailer to ask about a purchase that hadn't shown up after three weeks. The e-tailer owner first said she was "at the mercy of the manufacturer," which was very slow. She then excused her delay by literally saying her mom had just died. My take: She's got all my sympathies, but she lost me as a customer. Never bring your personal problems into business conversations, unless you have a long-term and personal friendship with the caller.

These days, says Pitney Bowes' Tessier, "phone calls are more about maintaining the customer relationship and less of a tool for customer acquisition." Attitude matters. Courtesy counts. Tone tells all. Every time an employee picks up a receiver, the possibility of gaining or losing business is on the line. Make sure your opportunities don't go unanswered.

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