There is much to be learned from Jobs about business, especially if you are a CEO.

He was a college dropout, and established his reputation early on as a tech innovator at 21 years old, when he and his friends Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne founded Apple Computer Inc. in the Jobs family garage in 1976.

Jobs turned Apple into the largest retailer of music and helped popularize computer animated films as the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios, which he later sold to Walt Disney Co. He was a key figure in changing the way people used the Internet and how they listened to music, watched TV shows and movies, and read books.

“Mr. Jobs chose the name, in part, because he was a Beatles fan and admired the group’s Apple records label,” said Wall Street Journal reporter, Jim Carlton.

Steve Jobs died on Oct. 5, 2011 at age 56 from pancreatic cancer. His death is a tremendous loss, to not only the company he founded and built, but to the American industry and millions of people around the world. News of his death came a day after Apple unveiled its newest device, the iPhone 4S, without him on stage.

Steve Jobs has not only left a permanent mark in this era, but according to the CEO Magazine, he has also left 3 core ideas that CEO’s should ponder when it comes to business:

1. Passion: Be passionate not just about products but the intersection of design and business values as expressed in products.
2. Accepting: Never underestimate the importance of people, teamwork, and organizational culture in achieving innovation;
3. Revolutionizing: Keep developing new ideas until you reach your goal.

Through all Jobs fame, fortune and business, he maintained uncompromising standards for the company’s hardware, software, and Apple stores.

According to Apple,  the processing power of iPhone 4S is twice as fast as its predecessor, and the graphics performance on iPhone 4S is 7 times faster than iPhone 4.

Here are the big differences you will notice:

Siri :

Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more. Ask Siri to do things just by talking the way you talk. Siri understands what you say, knows what you mean, and even talks back. Siri is so easy to use and does so much; you’ll keep finding more and more ways to use it.

Dual-core A5 chip:

Two cores in the A5 chip deliver up to two times more power and up to seven times faster graphics, and you will  feel the effects. The iPhone 4S is quick and responsive, which makes all the difference when you’re launching apps, browsing the web, gaming, and doing just about everything. No matter what you’re doing, you can keep on doing it, because the A5 chip is so power-efficient, iPhone 4S has outstanding battery life.

The iPhone 4S is great for gamers. The A5 chip pushes graphics up to seven times faster. So games run smoother and they’re even more realistic. And graphics-intensive apps perform even better.

New Camera:

This just might be the best camera ever on an iPhone. And with all-new optics, it just might be the only camera you need. Behind every shot, you’ve got 8-megapixel resolution and a custom lens with a larger aperture. It also has  an improved backside illumination sensor, excellent auto white balance, advanced color accuracy, face detection, and reduced motion blur. It all means that no matter how many people, how much light, and how much action you capture, everything looks exactly as it should. And just wait until you see the photos.

The iPhone 4 will be available with AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint on October 14 starting at $199.

Should you buy an iPhone 4S? Here is a brief comparison between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S:

If you want to learn more about how slashBlue can support your iPhone, go to www.slashblue.com.

According to the Wall Street Journal, employees are sometimes responsible for network security breaches. This could be the result of hackers being clever at breaking into companies by misusing kind-hearted employees.

The good news is that small-business owners and their employees may be able to prevent cyber attacks by learning and avoiding the top 5 network security mistakes: 

1. Lack of Education: Most viruses and malware are invited by the user of the computer. If you want to prevent employees from downloading viruses, educate them on common scams, so they don’t unknowingly let hackers into your network. (Search through the blogs at slashBlue)
2. Lack of maintenance: It is critical to keep your security up to date; otherwise your software will be vulnerable to hackers. (If you are business less than several hundred employees, use a managed services provider who will be accountable for this.)
3. Plug and surf: Security needs to be configured. This should include virus protection and a firewall at the very minimum. (To be truly protected, several strategies need to be employed. Ask your IT Support provider what they are doing.)
4. Do it yourself: Setting up a network can be tricky. Small business owners should ask f or advice or even hire help. (Once you have a business that is worth protecting, make sure to hire an expert in disaster recovery and security practices.)
5. Weak Passwords: Everyone knows that a strong phrase for a password, is not “password,” yet this is still the number one password used by computer users. For maximum security a strong password should contain: numbers and letters, both upper and lower case, and even some symbols. (Your IT Outsourcer should be able to help you manage this better. Everyone has so many passwords to remember these days, it can be quite a hassle unless you have the right tools and you are supported well by your IT.)

If you have a business that is worth protecting, make sure you take security seriously.

 At slashBlue, we not only save you time, but also the hassle of applying proper security measures.

If you are lacking a network security plan or have any questions about your network security, visit www.slashblue.com.

Here are 3 keys every executive needs to know to ensure IT is doing their job in planning:

1. Business Justification- If there is not a specific business justification for doing it, such as: increase revenue, reduce costs, improve your staff’s productivity, protect your business, or improve capability to serve your market, there’s a good chance it’s not worth doing.

2. Responsibility- Many times your IT Support, or IT outsourcing company, will encourage the organization to implement some new technology, but then the success of the project will depend on other users in the organization.  Who will be responsible? Who has authority to execute?  Responsibility without authority doesn’t work.  It is unfortunately common for executives to hold IT responsible will not kidding authority. Out. It is even more common than IT does not articulate well how the technology relates to their responsibility. Make sure your IT support or IT outsourcing will uphold responsibilitly and that you give them the appropriate authority and budget to meet that responsibility. (Look for what they guarantee, and evidence that it is upheld.)

3. The Cost- There is always an initial cost and an ongoing cost. Make sure that you get planning budget numbers that includes everything.  It is unfortunately common that IT can represent the upfront cost, but not the ongoing cost. Total cost is not often considered. But, this is even more critical in IT planning, since shortsighted decisions have large, long-term costs. Ask your IT or managed service provider what the total cost is before you implement their budget.

At slashBlue, we present a total budget with upfront and ongoing costs. 

If you are concerned that your IT planning is falling short, contact us so that you can focus on your business.

Here are 7 ways to help keep your tablet secure:

1. Do not leave it lying around- This may be a common sense thing, but it is violated often. As tablets become more popular they will be more easily targeted for thieves. Tablet devices will be stolen, if you leave it in plain view in your vehicle.
2. Use a password- Although this may not be 100% security, it will block users from accessing personal information.  We have helped our clients to enforce this requirement when appropriate. 
3. Consider enabling remote wirpe/automatic data erasing- With some tablets you can set it up to where it erases your device after 10 failed login attempts. 
4. Limit the capabilities- Setting restrictions such as, access to Safari, YouTube, or other apps will also help the security.
5. Install software updates- Make sure you have the latest security updates to protect against viruses and hackers.
6. Only connect to trusted WiFi networks- When you connect to another network, make sure you know what you are connecting to and who is providing the network.
7. Store your critical data in the cloud, not on the device. – Apple iCloud, Dropbox, Box.net are available as apps so you can access your content on all devices.  

Tablet devices are overall very appealing devices that are difficult to put down, but when put down, make sure they are in a safe, protected environment.  Your IT Support should have guidelines for  these items.

If you need additional  IT Support for an Android tablet, iPad, or other tablet, contact slashBlue.

According to Alan Beaulieu at ITR, the economy is actually on track for modest growth through 2012.

What does that mean for your business?

Do not miss out on this opportunity to invest in your business!  If you do, you may let your competition overtake you!

According to Beaulieu, here are three actions every executive needs to consider:

1. Watch for employee burnout – Many have put in long hours and have been overloaded during this downturn.
2. Borrow before inflation comes, and invest in business for the long haul that will produce cash, move into new markets
3. Invest in competitive advantages, marketing position and customer service.

What does this mean for IT?

1. Take away stress and hassle – Give your employees every resource available to do their jobs. If their computer is slow, or they do not have the tools they need, invest in them now.
2. Take advantage of capital loans, capital leases, and operating leases to fund business expansion and updating your IT environment. (e.g. Our clients enjoy rates of 4.99% or less currently.)
3. By equipping your employees, giving them time back, and eliminating hassle, they will be much more satisfied and your business will grow faster.

During this downturn, our clients have invested this way and grew an average of 14.8% last year versus 3.8% for the overall market.

Contact us for a slashBlueprint business and technology planning audit to give you steps to take now to make your business more productive.

One way that slashBlue is staying green, is by having employees work from home two days per week.  Employee’s of slashBlue save, on average, one hour per day of travel time.  This not only saves time, but uses less gas, and saves money.

For each of our staff, each year, that saves:

• 100 hours of their time.  This contributes to happier staff who can spend more time with their families.
• 200 gallons of gas.
• $770+ on gas.

All of this just by working remotely.

Here are 3 ways to save your company money on utilities and IT services.

1. Go Virtual: Desktop Virtualization is a process of replacing expensive, power-sucking computer workstations with a less expensive option. This not only cuts down on the power needed, but also reduced hardware and maintenance costs because they are easier to maintain. Organizations have learned that acquiring desktop or mobile personal computers, installing software, training and supporting the users of these systems, updating the software on these systems and even maintaining these systems is a costly and time-consuming business.
2. Go Paperless: It is simple, easy, and more affordable. Not only does going paperless cut down on paper and ink, but it is also far easier to file, find, and share documents. Having documents lost or stolen are greatly reduced when “going green” and paperless.
3. Go Remote: This is one of the more efficient “going green” options, because even just working from home one day a week, will cut down on gas significantly. Some businesses are choosing to go completely remote, in return, saving them a ton of money on rent and utilities. For some businesses, that option is not possible, but at least think about going remote one or two days a week.

If you need help thinking about going green, and need IT Support for it, please contact us or visit us at www.slashblue.com.

Here are a few criteria to look for when selecting an Android tablet for business:

1. Synchronizes with your Email and Collaboration platform.
2. Stability and Reliability.
3. Your business applications run on it. (Your IT Support should help you determine this.)

Here is what Engadget has to say about a few of the latest tablets and how they rate against each other:

Motorola Xoom:

The Motorola Xoomhas received a score of 7 out of 10. The Xoom is clearly meant to be used in landscape mode more than portrait. The display on the Xoom is slightly larger than the iPad’s 9.7-inch screen, and higher resolution. The Xoom has been said to have more like a real net book or laptop replacement. Despite the drawbacks, there is actually a lot about the Xoom to like. The tablet is fast and sleek, and while not exactly being really future proof, the fact that there is a path to a 4G upgrade is tremendous.

Is the Xoom a real competitor to the iPad? Yes, it out performs the iPad in certain ways.

The Good:

-         Android 3.0 onboard

-         Super fast, super capable

-         Front and rear-facing cameras

The Bad:

-         OS is still buggy (At the time of review)

-         Some issues with hardware buttons

-         Very little native software available

HTC Flyer:

The HTC Flyerhas received 8 out of 10. The HTC has quickly built up a desirable reputation in the Smartphone space with smart design and innovative handsets. The Flyer’s curved sides are classic HTC and help make it easy and comfortable to handle. When strapped with a 3G radio (compatible with T-Mobile USA), the Flyer can actually serve as your Smartphone replacement.

The Flyer will find a market for itself, and there will be a group of very satisfied users for whom it will provide a unique blend of functionality.

The Good:

-        Great screen size and quality

-        Magic Pen is both useful and fun

-        Aluminum construction ensures durability

The Bad:

-         Price and Value

-         Heavy and chunky

-         Few apps optimized for screen size

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer:

The ASUS Padhas received 7 out of 10. The Eee Pad Transformer is a 10.1- inch tablet very much keeping with the current trend. It also has an optional keyboard dock that turns it into an instant smart book. The Transformer’s chief competition at the moment is provided with two well-known devices, Apple’s iPad 2 and Motorola’s Xoom. Overall, what attracts people to the Transformer over the Xoom is the intelligent button and camera placement. Being able to quickly access the tablet’s unlock button is actually pretty high on the list of priorities.

Is the ASUS Eee Pad a competitor of the iPad? Unfortunately, it is hindered by software troubles, which prevents it from challenging the Apple iPad.

The Good:

-         Lovely IPS display with wide viewing angles

-         Tegra 2 dual-core processor

-         Dock adds connectivity, keyboard and battery life

The Bad:

-         Broken camera software

-         Highly reflective glass

-         Honeycomb still has issues to iron out

Samsung Galaxy Tab:

The Samsung Galaxy Tab received 7 out of 10. The Galaxy Tab has been a hit even before it was released. Samsung has announced finally that all four major U.S. carriers would be getting Tabs to call their own. These four companies include: Verizon, T-mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. Its crisp display, compact form factor, touch-friendly software and dual cameras undoubtedly have what it takes to win over the average tablet seeker.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Taba competitor to the iPad? The Tab is one of the first true competitors to the iPad.

The Good:

-         Compact and extremely solid build

-         Great quality 7-inch, capacitive touchscreen

-         Two cameras

The Bad:

-         Not all apps scale to the screen

-         Little support from Google

-         No decent video calling software

As tablets become more popular, they need to be incorporated into your business technology planning and as part of the responsibility of your IT Outsourcing.

Contact us or visit us at www.slashblue.com for more information.

What does a phishing email message look like?

Figure 1- http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx

Here are 6 ways to identify an email scam:

• Lottery statement: The email has something to do with either them winning the lottery or it states that you have won the lottery.
• Relative statement: The email will state that a relative who died left a lot of money and he or she wants to store this extra money into your account.
• Personal information: They ask you for any personal information, including your Social Security number and the state you live in.
• Spoofing of popular websites or companies: The email states that they are a non profit organization that needs money for relief efforts.
• Security threats: If you receive a threat that your email account will be closed if you do not respond to an email message, this is another way of identifying an email scam.
• Bad Grammar: Usually professional organizations have editors that double check all the work that is being sent out before they mass email the letter. Scammers do not check very well before they send out an email, because they don’t use a program that checks for grammar and spelling.

To try and avoid email scams, talk to your IT Support to make sure you stay protected.

Please contact slashBlue for more information or visit us online at www.slashblue.com.

Apple products are thought of as virus free, but the reality is they have not been targeted as much as Windows systems, until now.

According to a  2010 Google study of search poisoning, 14 percent of all the compromised sites they saw included drive-by download attempts to which OS X computers, or Macintosh computers, could get a trojan, and even more malware or viruses.

If a Mac user visits this type of page on a system and they do not have all recent security updates for OS X and their browser, they could be extremely vulnerable.

Here are some tips on keeping your Mac protected from security threats:

1. Use an anti-malware program – This recommendation also extend to Android, Windows Mobile, or an iPhone smartphones.

2. Keep up with security patches, updating your Apple Products via Software Update at least once per week.

3. Be aware of what you are doing, clicking on, or downloading.

Only a tiny percentage of Macs run anti-virus software, and Mac users have been conditioned to believe they’re immune from Internet threats. Over time, this has been changing.

Using awareness, security updates, and and anti-malware programs can help minimize your risk.

Contact slashBlue if you are concerned about your IT Support of Apple iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, or Macintosh desktops.