Even a small investment in productivity enhancing software and hardware can have a positive impact on your business.
Since the acquisition of Macromedia by rival software giant Adobe, graphics pros and Web designers have eagerly awaited the fruits of this union. The new Adobe Web Bundle ($1,899) integrates the graphics and publishing power of CS 2's Photoshop and InDesign with the website development clout of Studio 8 . It includes Dreamweaver and Flash for creating virtually any look, feel, and function for your Web presence, plus Contribute to provide a simple, secure way for non-technical managers to update relevant aspects of the site.
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 ($399) is the latest version of a powerful, cost-effective tool for creating or modifying brochures, presentations, and other visual communications. Context-sensitive help gives business users rapid access to dozens of advanced graphics tools, such as the Cutout Lab (to change picture backgrounds), and a nifty Fit Text to Path tool. CorelDRAW's Translation filters enable simple import, editing, and export of PowerPoint, AutoCAD, and dozens of other file types.
Superior Peripherals
Razer, a well-respected name among gamers and engineers, recently released its Pro Solutions line of peripherals, which includes a new high-res mouse and pad. These ergonomic devices enable you to improve speed and accuracy, particularly while working with presentation graphics, CAD, and large spreadsheets. The Razer Pro Click v1.6 mouse ($60) for Mac and PC, features a 1600 dpi encoder for precise and rapid cursor control. Its 7 buttons are easily automated with macros to increase productivity and reduce fatigue.
The $30 Razer ProPad delivers a large (10.4" x 13" x 0.1") two-sided mousing surface on an anodized aluminum base. The smoother side provides greater speed and the reverse offers ultra-precise control.
Konica Minolta
High-Performance Color Laser Printing
The KONICA MINOLTA magicolor® 5440 DL gives you extreme performance for maximum business value. It uses a single-pass laser imaging technology to print 2400 x 600 dpi black-&-white and color prints at an impressive 27 pages per minute. With a total paper input capacity of 1,600 pages, high-yield toner cartridges, and a 60,000 print per month duty cycle, the magicolor 5440 DL effortlessly handles large volume print jobs.
The entire office can share the printer's powerful capabilities via the built-in 10/100BaseTX Ethernet® and high-speed USB interfaces. Backed by five years of toll-free, U.S.-based technical support, you can rely on this investment for years of trouble-free printing.
For more information, call 1-800-523-2696 or visit www.buymagicolor.com.
Easy Shared Storage
Network attached storage (NAS) offers an easy way to keep everybody in a growing business on the same page, and ensure regular backup of important shared data. Multimedia NAS drives such as Buffalo's LinkStation HomeServer NAS 400 GB ($549) , enable smooth distribution of complex files, including video and presentations. This unit includes an FTP server for up to the minute remote access, and DLNA certification assures compatibility with most multimedia network receivers. The 1000 GB, sub-$900 TeraStation HomeServer features swappable drives, plus Mirroring and RAID 5 capabilities for even more secure backup.
Other top-flight NAS drives include Maxtor's DLNA compliant, 500 GB Shared Storage Plus (under $500), and LaCie's portable (6.3" x 6.8" x 1.7"), 500 GB d2 Ethernet Disk mini for about $469. Key factors to consider in choosing NAS drives include the unit's ability to handle streaming media files, expandability through USB ports or plug-in drives, compatibility with both Macs and PCs, and the features of bundled backup software.
For a heavy-duty NAS solution, check out EMC's CLARiiON AX series. With a maximum capacity of 6TB, this system offers an expandable, secure, and easy to manage solution for the backup of large amounts of critical data. Systems start at $5,600 for 750 GB raw capacity.
However you choose to invest in productivity enhancing technology, it's a good bet that you'll come out a winner.
