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January 23, 2012

Choosing the right Managed Service Provider

Filed under: Managing Systems — Tags: , , , — Administrator @ 6:02 pm

MSP graphic

Previously we covered why your business needs a managed service provider, here is a recap:

MSP’s are a cost effective way to run your business by providing the capabilities of an internal IT department without large initial capital costs and staffing fees. With an MSP you have the benefits of reliable equipment, 24/7 support, updates and security, and more. When making your choice for an MSP it is important to look at certifications, equipment that is used, as well as support provided. While doing your research, keep the following questions in mind.

Do they offer proactive monitoring of critical network devices and components?

Constant monitoring of your critical IT infrastructure is important to avoid costly downtime of both your voice and data systems. The provider should offer around the clock support and alerting of critical issues and security problems. It is best to combine both voice and data to provide comprehensive coverage.

Does the MSP provide reporting and communication?

Along with the constant network monitoring, your MSP should provide email and phone access to you for support and questions regarding your system. Scheduled status information should also be shared such as a monthly email report detailing the overall health of your network. Detailed tracking of help desk issues are also important activities for you MSP to offer.

Is remote management available?

After the initial setup period, your MSP should be able to manage and maintain your network remotely during normal operation. Giving remote assistance as well as providing patch updates and network administration duties can be done outside of your office. Services in some cases may include an on-site visit as part of a contract which is a nice feature to have for those concerned with remote management.

Spaulding Hill Networks provides quality MSP services to businesses from small to large, learn more here.

Image: xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 7, 2012

Spaulding Hill Networks, LLC – Announces addition of NEC Sphericall IP PBX

Filed under: News & Events, nec — Tags: , , , — Administrator @ 8:35 pm

Nashua, NH, January 5, 2012 –Today, Spaulding Hill Networks, LLC announced their plan to carry NEC’s Sphericall product line.

Under the agreement, Spaulding Hill Networks, LLC will offer the Award-winning NEC Sphericall IP PBX. NEC Sphericall is 100% software and interoperates with a wide variety of standards-based telephony devices, SIP trunking services, gateways, conferencing and other communications endpoints. Through its unique distributed software architecture, Sphericall scales to 30,000 ports and achieves 99.999% reliability.The Sphericall product line will complement and extend Spaulding Hill’s product portfolio, which includes the Cisco SBCS, NEC Univerge and NEC DSX family of phone systems.

About Spaulding Hill Networks, LLC:
Founded in 1999, Spaulding Hill Networks, LLC has provided clients throughout New England with innovative technology solutions to meet their networking and communication challenges. Spaulding Hill Networks, LLC provides cost-effective Networking Solutions to clients helping them to be more efficient and productive. For more information, visit www.spauldinghillnetworks.com or call 866-441-7469 today.

About NEC America:
NEC Corporation of America is a leading provider of innovative IT, network and communications products and solutions. Empowered by innovation, its solutions, products and services are backed by the leadership and expertise of one of the most successful global companies of more than 100 years. NEC Corporation of America delivers one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of technology solutions and professional services to carrier and both SMB and large enterprise clients across multiple vertical industries. For more information, visit www.necam.com.

January 2, 2012

Does your business need managed data and voice solutions?

Filed under: Managing Systems — Tags: , , , — Administrator @ 6:13 pm

Managed Services

If any of the following describe your business or organization then adding managed IT services should be a goal for 2012.

  • Trouble Staying up-to-date with new technology and IT skills
  • Trouble maintaining and managing hardware and software
  • Reducing overhead costs and remaining competitive
  • Increasing services and/or expanding new markets
  • Move focus from support elements to core business
  • Concerned with protecting against security and privacy threats

How managed services will help you in 2012

Quality Networks

In this increasingly global economy where rivals are competing 24/7 a quality communication network can make or break any business. Having the best technology available to your employees will enable them to reach their highest potential. Remember having a quality network is nothing without the means to secure, update, and maintain it.

Freedom To Do What You Do Best

Managed services let you focus on what you do best and leave technology to the professionals. Running a business has many challenges but IT doesn’t have to be one of them, using managed services will allow you to focus on your strengths and reaching your clients with less worry. When you partner with a company that has a passion for IT and stays current in their field, you can’t lose.

Cost Effective

Utilizing managed data/voice services benefits you by avoiding initial capital costs, maintenance fees, staffing, and more. You have the advantage of support from qualified and trained staff with the latest technology at a fraction of the in-house costs. With a predictable fixed cost, managed services will put your mind and budget at ease.

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to asses your business and find areas to be more efficient and save money. Continual care of your communications equipment and networks will likely cost less and increase productivity rather than waiting for something to break. Make it a goal this year to reduce your technology worries and see if managed services are right by getting a free assessment.

Learn about the managed services Spaulding Hill Networks offers here.

Read more about the benefits of managed services here.

Image: cooldesign / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

August 9, 2011

Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controller

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — Administrator @ 12:09 pm

Teleworking has never been as prominent in the work place as it is today. With the cost of fuel and the environmental factors, businesses are striving for their employees to be able to access their networks without safety concerns. The newly release Cisco Wireless Controller is the answer for most businesses.
The Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controller enables system-wide wireless functions in small to medium-sized enterprises and branch offices. The 2500 Series provides low total cost of ownership and flexibility to scale as network requirements grow.
There are many benefits to the Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controller such as the ability to have up to 50 access points and 500 clients/employees connected at any given time, which is essential in today’s world. This cost effective Wireless Controller can save companies the headaches of hacking while keeping their network secure with the trusted Cisco name.
Contact our Sales Department at 866-441-7469 for more information.

July 21, 2011

Cisco’s Latest Small Business Phone Solution UC300

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — Administrator @ 2:24 pm

Cisco’s Latest Phone System for Small Business
Have you always wished for the best brand name on the market phone system but it was out of your budget? Well Cisco has finally made an affordable solution for the small business market. The UC300 Series is an alternative for the small business owner with most of the bells and whistles that Cisco provides with less of a hit on the wallet.
The UC320W is designed to support up to 24 employees with the same Cisco business class with full key system and small private branch exchange (PBX) features. The system will support a variety of Cisco SPA Series IP phones. With this product you can lower your expenses and improve productivity with peace of mind. The system is also designed with growth in mind.
Some of the features included in the UC320W are: voicemail, auto attendant, voice mail to email notification, support for Cisco SPA300 and SPA500 IP Phones, licenses for up to 24 phones, and state-of-the-art, web –based configuration, to name a few.
Contact our sales team for more information on the latest and greatest Cisco phone system at sales@spauldinghill.com or (866)-441-7469.

July 7, 2011

The Cisco Cius Tablet

Filed under: Cisco, tablets — Tags: , , , — Administrator @ 2:37 pm

If you are one of our many Cisco Customers then this tablet may be for you! The Cius (see us) Tablet is geared for businesses looking for desktop capability built into a tablet. Cisco is planning on launching the new tablet July 2011. Read the full article here http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/37936/?p1=A1&a=f   As the launch date gets closer we will continue to provide our Cisco Customers more information on the tablet.

June 15, 2011

The Desktop The Dinosaur

Filed under: Cloud — Administrator @ 1:12 pm

Will the desktop become a dinosaur? Some experts say “yes”. With all of the new technology today between laptops, smartphones, tablets and applications such as Cloud Computing, the desktop will no longer be useful to most.

Personal computers have dropped significantly in price so have the sales because of the surge in laptop purchases because the price of laptops has also decreased. They are no long just a luxury for CEO’s and traveling executives which is why so many more people are opting to skip the big and bulky desktop purchase and go straight to the laptop.
And let’s not forget about the Smartphones and Tablets of the world as well. Smartphones and tablets are taking the IT world by storm with their size and ease of use. More and more people are using them as their primary connectivity to the internet.

It is hard to say if the desktop will become extinct (maybe irrelevant) in the future but it will certainly become less of a tool as most work and communication will be done by use of a laptop, smartphone or tablet.

May 25, 2011

Are you ready for a Tablet?

Filed under: Teleworking, smartphones, tablets — Tags: , , , , — Administrator @ 1:42 pm

The tablet has gone from being an overpriced, market curiosity to one of the best-selling forms of computers today. Despite their limitations, tablets such as the Apple iPad have found near-universal consumer acceptance, with about 15 million of that particular model sold since its launch in April 2010. Tablets offer a more fully-featured web browsing experience than smartphones, and their larger size allows them to be used as ultra-mobile computers in a pinch. These reduced-size computers do not have physical keyboards, instead using the larger screens to present a virtual keyboard which is easier to use than those found on smartphones. The current range of tablets bridges the gap between smartphones and netbooks, combining the best of both worlds to create a new style of computer that has become a favorite amongst mobile users. We’ve narrowed down the picks to three of the best models offered today.

iPad 2 – At first glance, the iPad 2 looks just like the iPad which it replaces. It’s not until you examine the iPad 2 carefully that the differences start to emerge. First, the iPad 2 comes with two cameras compared to the iPad’s zero. The rear camera is capable of capturing 720p video, while the forward-facing camera is used for Face Time video chat. Then, there’s the optional Smart Cover which is useful in more ways than one. The bottom side is microfiber, which cleans the screen every time you roll the Smart Cover down. Covering the screen will also automatically place the iPad 2 in sleep mode, thanks to embedded magnets underneath the surface. When rolled back, the Smart Cover can be used as a small stand that props the rear of the iPad 2 up for a more ergonomic typing position. The iPad 2 is also much slimmer than the original – in fact, the new model is slimmer than the iPhone 4, while utilizing a new dual-core processor and increased RAM for drastically improved performance. The newest iOS 4.3 also contributes to the increased performance, and brings with it more user-friendly updates. Everything else remains the same with the iPad, including the responsive 10-inch touch screen and intuitive design. As before, the iPad 2 does not support Adobe Flash. Apple has kept the prices steady, though you can now buy a white iPad as well as a black one.

Motorola Xoom – All of the hype surrounding the Motorola Xoom was focused on its iPad-beating performance. The 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of DDR2 RAM give the Xoom plenty of power, allowing it to outperform even the iPad 2 in many aspects. The 10.1-inch screen is larger than what you get with the iPad 2, and the 1280×800 resolution means sharper image quality as well. Two cameras are included – a rear-facing 5 megapixel camera that can capture 720p video, and a front-facing 2.0 megapixel camera used for video chat. The Xoom is certainly not cheap, especially considering that some of the features have been disabled at launch for a future update. The Xoom runs the latest Android 3.0 operating system modified for tablet use, and Motorola promises 4G compatibility on Verizon’s network at a later date. Ultimately, the Xoom loses out to the Apple iPad 2 for the time being due to its teething problems that mar the overall experience.

Samsung Galaxy Tab – If the other tablets seem excessively large to you, consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The 7-inch screen size falls in between the 4-inch screens of smartphones and the 10-inch screens of standard sized tablets. The resolution of 1024×600 pixels means that the smaller screen does not give up too much screen real estate, while the two cameras are positioned in a way where video chat is made possible. The rear camera is a 3 megapixel unit that can capture video, while the front-facing camera is a more basic 1.3 megapixel setup used for video chat apps. The one key advantage that the Samsung Galaxy Tab holds over the Apple iPad (and the iPad 2) is Flash compatibility, allowing you access to more of the web. While the Galaxy Tab is definitely not lacking in terms of features and performance, some potential buyers may be turned off by the mandatory wireless carrier commitments.

May 10, 2011

Blackberry vs. Droid – The Smartphone Great Debate

Filed under: Teleworking, smartphones, tablets — Tags: , , , , , , , — Administrator @ 3:33 pm

The I-Phone is the most popular Smartphone on the market. However, you are limited to only two network providers, AT&T and Verizon; not to mention there are still kinks to be worked out. If you’re on other networks, such as T-Mobile or Boost, Blackberry or Droid is a comparable alternative. But which one is best for business purposes?

Well that answer depends on what features are more important to you and your business environment.

Email – If email is the feature that matters most, then Blackberry is King. Many users praise the Blackberry’s full QWERTY keyboard and claim it is easier and faster to use than that of the Droid touch screen. Blackberry’s sync with all different email accounts, such as those from unique domains like a company’s website or webmail accounts like Gmail. Droid phone can sync with multiple types of email as well but requires different apps in order to access each one. For instance, accessing pop email and a Gmail account requires using two different applications. The Blackberry can access multiple email accounts using the same application. For mobile professionals who need to read and respond to emails quickly, the Blackberry is the best choice.

Web Browsing – The Droid has a huge advantage when it comes to web browsing thanks to most models’ larger screen and touch screen controls. The Blackberry is competing in this area with the release of the Blackberry Torch which offers a larger screen and touch screen controls, although it has been noted that it is significantly slower than the Droid. With this being said, users who want a better web browsing experience, the Droid is the way to go.

Apps – There are apps being developed on a daily basis for both platforms. However, the track pad navigation of Blackberries makes using some applications more difficult. If you’re looking for an I-Phone-like experience, again, Droid is the answer.

Conclusion – Blackberries were developed as a PDA device for mobile professionals while Google developed the Droid as a competitor to the I-Phone. Blackberries are a better solution if email is the main reason of use but if you want an overall better experience, then the Droid is the best solution.

April 22, 2011

Why Mobile Broadband is a necessity for business on the go

Filed under: Lean, Teleworking, smartphones — Tags: , , , , — Administrator @ 11:22 am

Are you someone who does a lot of business on the go? Being prepared is essential for meetings or appointments on the fly and so is the right connectivity. Today’s advancements in technology make it easy to mix business with travel. No longer are the days of making sure you’re around a Wi-Fi hot spot, with mobile broadband you can be worry free about your Internet connection.

What is mobile broadband? Mobile broadband is the use of devices that allow wireless connection to the Internet using a mobile device such as a cell phone, tablet, MP3 players, Netbooks or laptop. The devices can be in the form of Mi-Fi, USB modems, and PC Cards.

Why not just use Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi is a type of technology set up for Internet café’s, hotels, restaurants, airports and other public areas. This limits your ability for productivity, as you now have to look for a place providing such “hotspots” and sometimes pay a fee. With mobile broadband technology, Internet is available wherever your cell phone is. Enhance productivity and reduce paper waste by being able to take down client information while at an appointment. With one device, you can access Internet anywhere and because of technologies such as Mi-Fi you can connect up to 5 users at once – now that’s a power lunch!

When upgrading to a mobile broadband plan, it’s best to consider factors like time spent on the road and budget before making purchases on products and plans based on your business needs.

Maximizing efficiency on the road requires more than Wi-Fi “hotspots”. With mobile broadband you don’t have to wait to find a hotspot – whether you are in a hotel or in a taxi you can be conducting business with anytime, anywhere access to your data.

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