The technologies that keep an office running smoothly are often the ones we take for granted.
Consider the programs that protect our PCs from virus attacks, keep our hard disk drives running smoothly, and help us backup critical business data. On the hardware side, a copier or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) may not possess the sizzle of the latest smartphone-but these essential tools play a critical role in the success of many businesses.
Soft Savers
Best-of-breed utility software can be worth its weight in gold. Diskeeper 2007 can make your computer work better and faster by providing real-time hard disk optimization and preventing fragmentation of critical system files. The latest version of this application also includes new technology designed to enhance OS multitasking capabilities and maximize system performance-even during data "crunch-time."
Important business data can be lost forever if regular backups are not part of your office routine. EMC Retrospect 7.5 Professional for Windows ($129) provides simple, reliable, incremental backup of a single PC to an internal or external hard drive. A Single Server version ($699) provides automated backup for critical data on your network.
It may seem to be beyond belief, but there are thousands of SMBs that still do not provide updated automatic virus protection for all their desktop and laptop computers. The use of an inexpensive program such as Norton AntiVirus 2007 ($39.95 for a single user) can protect your business data from viruses and spyware.
A good disc burning utility can turn an often frustrating chore into child's play. Roxio has released two new suites of powerful software for this purpose. Toast 8 Titanium for Macs ($100) offers advanced audio editing and video transfer functions. It can also catalog and track content of data discs, and easily locate a file even when the disc isn't in the drive. Easy Media Creator 9 for PCs ($120) is MS Windows Vista-ready, and makes it easy to manage the transfer of content to portable devices such as iPods and the PSP.
Utility Players
It really pays to invest a little time in selecting basic business hardware that suits your work style and will provide a boost to office productivity.
Color laser multifunction printers (MFPs) can save you time, space, and money-especially if you frequently need to copy and print multi-page documents. Samsung's latest color laser printer, the CLX-3160FN, provides print/copy/scan/fax capability. This $599 unit features a USB port for printing directly from a digital camera.
Inkjet MFPs offer photo print quality superior to laser-based units, but the cost-per-page is higher. The Epson Stylus CX7000F ($150) features Epson's DURABrite Ultra pigment inks for long-lasting, water resistant prints.
APC's new Back-UPS RS series enables users to work through extended power outages with runtimes of up to 136 minutes on the BR1300 ($199) model, and 154 minutes on the BR1500 ($249). Both models feature LCD displays that provide 20 status indicators. Surge protection, battery backup, automatic voltage regulation (AVR), and management software make these units ideal solutions for protecting data loss caused by power problems.
Paying a little extra attention to the software and hardware "utility players" on your office team can help you to maintain your winning ways.
Diskeeper
Enhancing File System Performance-Automatically
Diskeeper® 2007 makes all your computer systems run faster than new. Diskeeper automatically eliminates potential system performance and reliability problems on the fly, IN REAL TIME without affecting system resources or intruding on system demands.
Packed with powerful features, with Diskeeper 2007 you can regain and maintain peak performance on all your computers. Simply install the software -Diskeeper takes care of the rest.
Any organization that is looking for savings and benefits from increased computer performance without costly system hardware purchases must have Diskeeper.
Try new Diskeeper 2007 free for 45 days by visiting www.diskeeper.com/inc3
Volume licensing available! For more information, call 800-829-6468 code 9253 or visit www.diskeeper.com.
