Monday -- 6 July 2009

e-newsletter volume 5

Welcome back to Macro Connect's e-newsletter. You may have noticed that it has been awhile since our last edition. We have been busy working with our clients and have switched to a new e-newsletter vendor and format.

Our goal is to provide our readers with relevant technology stories and tips as well as updates about our company and clients. Please let us know what you think!

News

June 2009 - Daniel Stacey joined the Macro Connect team as our resident SharePoint expert; Greg Little became a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Vista - Configuration

April 2009 - Reatta Jefferson, current Wayne State student and former Ambassadorial Scholar to Mexico, hired as MC's intern; MC Staff became First Aid Certified by 1st Response Medical Education; Doug attended TechEDG Government Education Conference in Washington D.C.; Gordon and his wife Vicki's first child, Carter Thomas, was born on Monday the 27th (view a picture).

May 2009 -Doug's Rotary Club put on its 3rd annual Birthday Party at The Chilren's Center; Greg worked with Beyond Basics to tutor the winner of the Daimler Holiday Card Art Competition Read more details on our website

Read more details on our website

Tech Tips: Purchasing a Smartphone

At Macro Connect, we are often called upon to help clients integrate mobile phones into their business. More and more, clients are turning to smartphones to help them stay connected. While there is no universally accepted definition of a "smartphone", for this article we will define them as mobile phones that also have the capability to access the web and manage contacts, email, and calendars.

Today, consumers have a variety of choices when it comes to smart phone operating systems. Popular models include BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, iPhones, and Palm. There are advantages and disadvantages to each operating system, but for business users there is a clear winner.

For clients running an Exchange server, we strongly recommend phones running Windows Mobile (we also use Windows Mobile devices internally). Windows Mobile phones can easily and inexpensively be set up to synchronize with an Exchange server. Users can choose which items are synced and how often the process will take place. Our second choice for the business user is the iPhone. Syncing with an Exchange server is less customizable, but can easily be accomplished via the iPhone.

In the past, we have also recommended Palm based devices. However, the traditional Palm OS has been phased out in favor of a new system for the just released Palm Pre. We have yet to test a Pre, so we cannot speak to its usefulness. Usually, we find it is a good idea to wait a few months before adopting a new product to allow the problems to get worked out. Google Android is another up and coming smartphone platform that has yet to be utilized on a wide-spread basis in the business community.

For most clients, we recommend against purchasing a BlackBerry. The costs involved with purchasing and maintaining or paying a hosting fee for a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, prove to be prohibitive for smaller organizations. Additionally, wireless carriers typically charge higher fees for Blackberry data plans than for competing products. Work-arounds to the Enterprise Server are available, but include significant limitations not seen in Windows Mobile devices and iPhones.

Please contact your Macro Connect representative prior to purchasing a new device. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have about integrating smartphones into your technology environment.

Cool Stuff: Microsoft Sharepoint

Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based information tool that groups and project teams of all sizes can use to support new and collaborative ways of working. It is formally recognized by IT experts as an Enterprise Content Management System ("ECM") and is the fastest selling server product in the company's history. SharePoint is commonly used to tackle many common problems that your organization may face today such as:

Sharing work files through email is a cumbersome process - SharePoint eliminates this by allowing files to be stored in one location, allowing easy access to all team members over the internet.

Maintaining and sharing team calendars can be time consuming - SharePoint has centralized calendaring that seamlessly integrates with your Microsoft Exchange server. This is also available over the internet for remote workers.

Today's work occurs over multiple locations, whether it is in different countries, office locations, separate departments or at your home office - SharePoint enables teams and individuals to connect and collaborate together regardless of where they are located.

It's difficult and time consuming to create and maintain internal web sites - SharePoint allows anyone to create sites for use within their company's Intranet, as they are needed, whether they are departmental sites, document libraries, meetings sites, survey sites, or discussion boards.

In addition to solving these problems, the product is hugely popular because the standard version known as Windows SharePoint Services ("WSS") is free if your organization uses Microsoft Server 2003 or 2008. The product can be rolled-out quickly and efficiently without custom programming. So, getting a functioning SharePoint site installed is a straight-forward and cost effective way to solve your organization's document management and collaboration challenges. Microsoft Office SharePoint Server ("MOSS 2007") is an extension of WSS that adds advanced business intelligence, site templates and workflow features. It requires the purchase of licenses.

Macro Connect is currently expanding its service offerings to include SharePoint planning and implementation services. We would be pleased to discuss how the product can help solve your collaboration and document management challenges.

edtec central is a educational service provider that offers a wide range of services, including curriculum development and enhancement, school improvement, compliance and reporting, special project assistance, consultant and staff support, technology wrap-around, and resource coordination.

edtec sets themselves apart through their ability to adapt and customize their services and products to each organization's individual needs by first understanding its mission and vision, and then supporting those mission-critical processes that are essential to successful goal attainment. Each client's special needs drive their approach in the selection, design and delivery of all services, uniquely setting them apart from the competition.

At Macro Connect, we have been providing support to both edtec central and the schools it manages for almost two years. Macro provides a wide range of services to edtec and its clients, including: onsite and remote infrastructure support, end-user support, as well as support for PowerSchool (a web-based school information system).

Company Overview

Macro Connect is a full service, technology consulting firm specializing in support for businesses, non-profit organizations, and schools. We provide an extensive array of consulting services including:

- Network design, construction, and maintenance
- Software selection, installation, and support
- Computer support including virus & spyware removal
- End-user application support & training
- Security analysis and firewall implementation

Excellent customer service is our hallmark. We have been in business for more than 12 years and are still serving our very first client.

Thank you

for taking the time to read our newsletter. Please feel free to respond to this message with any feedback. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link below.

Also, please feel free to pass this along to anyone who might find it useful.

Sincerely,

Matthew Morin
President & CEO
Macro Connect, Inc.