Office 365, Microsoft's cloud-based productivity suite, is one of the more popular systems that businesses of any size can employ. The 2013 version brought a number of changes to the existing product, including the introduction of SkyDrive Pro. The question many have asked is, "what exactly is this and how does it work?"

SkyDrive is Microsoft's online cloud storage service. Users can create, edit, share and store all manner of documents, including those from the various Office programs. SkyDrive Pro is the business oriented version of SkyDrive.

According to Microsoft, "SkyDrive Pro is your professional library - the place to keep your work documents and other files." Using either your company's SharePoint server or SharePoint Online, your files are synced and stored in the cloud. This enables you to easily share them with colleagues, access them from mobile devices, and work on files offline.

Your files are stored in what Microsoft calls a Library. Think of this as a virtual hard drive. You can add files and folders in the same way you can with a normal hard drive, only they are online instead. You can access this by logging into Office 365 using your browser and clicking on SkyDrive (in some sites SkyDrive Pro is referred to as SkyDrive and clicking on this will take you to SkyDrive Pro).

How to set up desktop syncing with SkyDrive Pro One feature of SkyDrive Pro is that it allows you to sync files from your desktop to the cloud, for easier access. If you have a version of Office 365 installed that includes Office 2013, you should already have access to SharePoint Pro. In fact, it should already be installed on your computer.

Before you try to set up desktop syncing, it is a good idea to check with your system administrator to ensure that SkyDrive Pro syncing has been enabled and downloaded. Then, you can set up syncing by:

1. Clicking on Start and searching for SkyDrive Pro. It should be found in the Office 365 folder.
2. Launching the desktop app. You should see a window pop-up asking which Library you would like to sync. Don't enter anything unless your IT partner has provided you with a specific IP address.
3. Opening Office 365's Web portal on your browser and clicking on SkyDrive.
4. Clicking Sync in the top-right of the Office 365 window in your browser.
5. Selecting which library you would like to sync with your desktop and clicking Sync Now.

The PC based application you opened in step two above should automatically start syncing. It may ask you to log into Office 365, and after you do so, you should be able to access your online Library from your desktop.

By default, the Library will be placed in your Favorites folder which can be accessed by opening any folder and looking to the left, under Favorites. Saving files into the SkyDrive Pro folder should upload and sync them to your account.

If you would like to learn more about using SkyDrive Pro or any Office 365 program please contact us today.

To many Google fans, the tech company's I/O conference held in mid May is the best time of the year. It is at this conference that Google introduces new products and updates to existing services. One of the bigger updates announced at this year's conference is that Google Maps is getting a new look, one that could have a big impact on your business.

Here is an overview of the upcoming change to Google Maps and what it could mean for your business.

What's changed? The new version of Maps aims to bring a more personal map to users. It is currently an invite only update, but Google has noted that all users will be updated sometime between August and November this year.

The first thing you will notice when you see the new layout is that the maps themselves have been visually updated. Major roadways are now highlighted, while smaller roads are muted. This generally makes the map look less cluttered and easier to read. In truth, it looks a lot closer to the mobile app. Beyond that, Google Earth has been integrated into this new version of Maps.

While the new maps are easier to read, the biggest change is to the overall layout. In the existing Maps, when you search for a business or location a bar on the left of the screen displays search results and highlights businesses on the map with pins. The new version does away with the results bar and instead provides a drop-down card with businesses and locations shown as red dots on the map.

How the new Maps will work Google has made the new Maps more dynamic. In the current version, when you search or simply look at a map everybody sees the same results and a static map is shown to all users. In the new version, the map will be different for each user. Search results and identified businesses will be different based on your preferences, reviews, friends and search history.

Beyond that, the map itself is highly flexible. If you click on a business or landmark, it will change to show you similar businesses in the area, with closely related businesses bolded and popping out at you. Clicking on a bolded business will bring up a card on the left of the window with more information, including contact details, reviews, Street View, 360 Panoramas, (if available), and photos. Clicking on the card will open the business's Google+ page.

What does this mean for my business? The most important factor to note about the new Google Maps is that Google has made your Google+ page an incredibly important part of your online presence. When a user searches for a business on Google Maps, they will be able to filter results based on top reviews and their Circles. What this means for you is that if you have had some less than positive reviews, or don't have a Google+ presence, your business will show up lower on search results, or may not even register on some personalized maps.

Essentially, Google wants to promote quality businesses that have an active presence on Google+. If you haven't been focusing on your Google+ profile, it is time to start doing so. You should ensure that your information is correct and up-to-date, and that you are posting content on a regular basis. You will also need to build up your contacts and encourage customers to review your business on Google+.

While the new version of Maps won't be out for a few months yet, it is wise to get ready for it today. If you would like to learn more about the changes and how you can prepare for these, please get in touch with us.

An electronic medical record (EMR) or practice management system is only the first step in bringing your practice into the modern era; you must also use the systems appropriately.

When it comes to software, functionality is important to health-providers—but if you're hung up on software functionality, you may not be taking care of what drives the software.

So, in many cases, you’ll need to review and adjust the processes used in your practice—but how? If you’re not familiar with practice management strategies, you may not know where to start.

A good IT firm or software provider will help by offering personalized attention. Look for a team of highly trained professionals who understand the intricacies of scheduling, coding, billing, and reporting. Ideally, this team should take the time to get to know your practice well by studying your scheduling and billing patterns, the way you engage patients, and the other ways you work.

While it may take more time up front, this methodology will allow your partner to develop insight, which will in turn let it provide guidance to help you do more with less—something that’s essential in today’s world of increased competition and decreased revenues.

Achieving Stage 2 is so much more difficult than achieving Stage 1. According to some reports, many healthcare providers will be caught off guard.

Many thresholds will increase significantly in Stage 2, so health-care providers who are not yet accustomed to performing at levels specified in Stage 1 may have a hard time operating or even meeting the increased levels specified in Stage 2.

In some cases, health-care providers have delayed addressing certain measures. For example, according to one firm that specializes in meaningful use, the majority of health-care providers have deferred a "transitions of care” measure in Stage 1. This will now be required in Stage 2. Public reporting and patient engagement are also Stage 2 requirements that may trip up some healthcare providers.

One tool that could help make the transition easier is an electronic medical record (EMR) platform. An electronic medical record (EMR) is only the first step however. In order to compete in the new electronic healthcare environment, you must use the EMR appropriately. And, in many cases, that means adjusting the processes used in your practice.

If you have recently integrated an EMR, or are looking to get your firm ready for Stage 2, please contact us today to see how we can help you get the most out of your software.

The internet has made it easier for businesses across all industries to distribute products to a wide audience. Retailers taking their products online need to manage packing and shipping. Service companies can add revenue streams by stocking and selling complementary products. Even plant nurseries can safely ship their fragile stock to the other side of the country.

Maximize profits with ERP

While the internet makes it easy to connect to customers everywhere, there are business challenges unique to distribution. Fulfillment, stock outs, overstocks and lost shipments can reduce profits and take time away from the primary business.

With an ERP system, you can not only manage your primary business but also simplify and control distribution. Supply chain management through an integrated ERP system will:

1. Keep track of inventory and pending orders.
2. Manage invoicing automatically.
3. Streamline purchasing and receiving processes.
4. Identify customer purchasing trends.
5. Reduce inventory costs with better forecasting.
6. Help you negotiate better terms with vendors.
7. Track customer purchase history.
8. Import the orders placed on your website.
9. Allow anyone in the company to answer customer questions…on the first call.

Simplify distribution processes

The ability to build stronger relationships with customers through product sales that complement your primary business is a huge opportunity made possible by the internet. To ensure a good experience for each of those customers, you need to set up the systems that support good distribution practices.

Let’s talk about how you can add new revenue streams with ERP. Build your business with better customer relationships.

One of the more common security issues revolves around the passwords you use to access various Internet sites, your computer, and even your work systems. Chances are, you don't use the same password for all these different systems and accounts. While this increases the chance of your private information and files remaining secure, it can be a pain to remember so many passwords. That's why a password management system is helpful. The question is, which kind?

Below is a brief overview of the four types of password management system you can use.

1. Cloud or Internet-based These systems are usually cloud based and accessed through an app or browser plugin. Apps ordinarily store your passwords, or generate one to use, and will automatically apply this when you visit a site that requires a password. These systems are great for breaking the one password habit, However, because they store all of your passwords in one place, they could become a target for hackers.

2. Cloud or Internet-based with two-factor authentication The next step up from the cloud-based password management system is one that supports two-factor authentication. Your passwords are still stored in the cloud, but you will need to provide another piece of information before you can access sites.

The interesting thing is that many of the cloud based password systems actually offer this in their premium offerings. So, not only do you get better password protection, but it's with the same system meaning you likely won't have to switch.

The cloud based systems are a good idea if you use more than one system on a regular basis and if you work from outside of the office.

3. Computer-based Computer-based password management systems are similar to the cloud versions, only the passwords are stored on your computer, and accessed using a master password. Because many hackers usually don't go after individual hard drives - they have to get through your network and then find the program and try to break the password - the chances of your passwords being exposed are minimized.

The only problem with systems like these is that you normally have to log in for the service to work. If you forget to log out and someone walks by, they will be able to access everything. However, for the manager who wants a secure system, this is a better option than the cloud based versions.

4. USB-based There are a number of USB devices that have a smart card in them that can store passwords. When you plug in the USB to your computer, the software on the USB can input the stored passwords when needed. These devices are typically more expensive, with some costing as much as USD$100, but they offer the highest amount of security as your passwords are kept with you.

The main downside to these devices is that they aren't the biggest and are usually about the size of a standard USB stick. This means that they are easier to lose, making getting your passwords back even tougher.

If you are looking for a better way to keep track of your passwords, please contact us today to see how we can help.

With the rise of the Internet and social media, it's now expected that many more companies have an Internet identity. Be it a website or social media, you can guarantee that your customers are looking for you online. While having an online presence is positive, it can also open you up to negative feedback, which can ruin, or at least damage, your company's reputation and brand. Therefore, it is important that you practice some form of reputation management.

Here are five reputation management practices you can employ to better manage your online brand.

1. Don't remove negative content If you see a negative comment or post online it may be your first impulse to delete it. This isn't necessarily advisable, as the main rule about the Internet is that nothing ever goes away. If you delete negative comments on a regular basis, customers could notice and this may lead to them losing trust in your company and ultimately, to lost sales.

What you should be doing is replying instead and encouraging any users who complain online or make criticizing posts to contact you directly, or through a more private medium like email. That being said, if you see malicious posts or content that is posted just to incite a negative reaction (trolling), there is nothing wrong in deleting. Just make sure to acknowledge this by posting a warning that states something along the lines of: "Please note, malicious content will be deleted."

2. Address complaints promptly You should have someone monitoring your online platforms for complaints or negative feedback, so that you can respond promptly. This will also show customers that you actually use your platforms and are willing to engage. If you do not take steps to address negative material, you could be sending the message that you don't care enough about customers, which could drive them away.

3. Provide people with a place to complain Being proactive is important when it comes to reputation management. Instead of waiting for complaints to be posted on various review sites, blogs or even social media, which are all out of your control, why not provide a place that you can control, for all types of feedback.

Having an easy to see form, forum or other similar area on your website, where customers can interact with you, could go a long way in helping limit where complaints pop up. If you are in control then you're more likely to see complaints sooner and better able to answer them quickly too.

4. Ensure colleagues and staff are all on the same page Two things that turn almost customers off of a brand are a company that isn't organized and being told different things by different people within the same company. If you have more than one staff member managing your online reputation you need to ensure everyone is on the same page. If a client asks a question they should get one answer and if there is a complaint there should be one response or person handling it.

It is a good idea to establish how to deal with complaints, who will deal with them and when they will be dealt with, and communicate this with all staff, not just those handling your online presence. A unified procedure could go a long way in minimizing the harm negative feedback can cause.

5. Monitor online activity We don't mean monitor the activity of your employees, we mean take a look at the different communication channels used by your customers and the public at large. If your business relies on reviews, simply monitoring your own profiles and website isn't enough. Many customers complain on review sites like Yelp, Ripoff Report, or their own blogs. Taking time to search for, and browse these sites could help you gauge the general perception of your company. If you see an increasing number of negative reviews for example, you know it is time to look at what needs to be improved.

Having a well managed online reputation won't guarantee new customers will come flooding in the door, but it can help decrease customers from going out the door, taking valuable sales with them. If you would like to learn more about reputation management please contact us today.

The Internet has brought about a massive change in the way we think, act and spend our leisure time, not to mention our online time at work. It's not uncommon for people at work to watch a YouTube video or log onto a social media site. While this could cause a decrease in productivity employees can balance this out with apps that help improve how they work.

Here are four productivity apps that could help make you more efficient.

1. Doodle

A common hindrance to productivity are meetings. Everyone has to take time out of their day to attend, and it can be even harder to schedule a time to actually meet, especially when your colleagues are so busy. Doodle is an app that helps users find a time and date to meet.

It works by the meeting leader setting a number of dates and times for a potential meeting. Doodle then creates a calendar with these times and dates, allowing users to click on. The app aggregates the feedback and then suggests a time and date that works for all invitees.

The Doodle app also integrates with Outlook, Google Calendar, Yahoo and iCal, which means you can schedule meetings and send invites directly from the calendar. The basic app is free, but you can also sign up for the Premium version which gives you more functionality, such as being able to send reminders and mobile support. Click here to learn more.

2. Any.do

As a business owner or manager, you are likely busy and have a never ending to-do list which may get out of hand from time-to-time. Any.do is a beautifully designed and simple to use task manager for your mobile device and Web browser. When you enter a task on your mobile device it will seamlessly sync with other versions, meaning lists will be the same wherever you view them.

An interesting feature that sets this app apart from many similar apps is that you can share lists and tasks with people to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what needs to be done today, tomorrow or later. It's free and available for most browsers, Apple and Android devices. Visit the Any.do website to learn more and download.

3. Due

Sometimes being productive means you actually have to be proactive. You may need a little nudge or reminder to get an email written, or file your tax return if you can't ever seem to find the motivation, best time to start, or even to remember.

Due is an app for the iPhone whereby you set reminders for yourself. A flashing a message on your screen acts as a reminder and continues to alert until you have completed the task and marked it as such in the app. It could be annoying, but just the right prompt you need to get important tasks started. You can download the app from iTunes for USD$4.99

4. HootSuite

There's a good chance that you, or someone you work closely with, spends a seemingly inordinate amount of time each day on social media. Maybe it's maintaining your company's profile or finding interesting content and physically posting this. If you have more than one social media account this could prove unproductive.

HootSuite is a social media dashboard that brings all of your social media platforms into one app. You can schedule posts for all of your networks at once, and easily view each service from one screen. This cuts down the amount of time you spend on social media and allows you to focus on running your business. The app is free for up to five social media accounts and one user, and USD$8.99 a month for the Pro version. Check out the HootSuite website, to learn more.

There are countless apps available that can help improve your productivity, or at the very least make you work in a more efficient manner. What are your favorites? Let us know.

For Google fans, the middle of May has become one of the most looked forward to times of the year. That's when Google hosts their yearly conference, I/O, covering all things Google. Last year, 2012 saw the announcement of the incredibly popular Nexus 7 tablet, along with a number of new services and a new version of Android. Now that this year's I/O is over, many business owners are wondering what new products and features Google will be releasing during 2013.

Here's an overview of the four most interesting and potentially useful products for businesses that were introduced at I/O:

Google+ is set to explode (in a good way!) During the I/O Keynote, Google unveiled a new version of Google+, with a whopping 41 new features. This includes a revamped layout and a new pictures function that makes sharing and editing content even easier. The menu bar, (vertical bar on the left side of the window), has also been changed and looks great.

What's interesting is Google launched the updated Google+ almost as soon as the event finished. If you haven't logged in since May 15, do so and you should be given a tour of all the different changes.

It's time for Hangouts It's long been rumored that Google has been working on a way to merge all chat apps into a single platform. At the Keynote on May 15, Google announced an update to Hangouts, their video messaging platform on Google+.

Hangouts is now the main chat app and is integrated across Gmail, Google+, Android, iOS and your desktop. It replaces all previous chat apps with one centralized app that has video and group chat for up to 10 people, emoticons, and syncs messages across all platforms. This is great for businesses, especially if you have colleagues on the road using different devices. They can join in the conversation without any compatibility issues.

You should be able to upgrade to Hangouts by clicking on your picture in Gmail. For mobile devices simply update the Google Chat app you have installed and it should automatically upgrade to Hangouts.

Desktop search gets conversational Conversational search has become a popular tool on mobile devices, and it's now integrated with the desktop version of Google Search. If you have a microphone on your computer, you could use your voice to search on Google, instead of spelling out words, by pressing the Microphone symbol in the search bar.

At the I/O Keynote Google previewed an upcoming upgrade to voice search: Conversational search. This means you will be able to ask Google Search questions using a natural form of conversation. For example, if you are going to a conference in San Diego, you can simply ask Google: "What will the weather be like in San Diego next week?" Google will then provide the weather forecast. Beyond that, the voice search will always be on, so you can initiate a search by simply saying, "OK Google", and then asking your question.

This change from a keyword oriented to vocally induced search could change the way we search for businesses. Business owners will have to think about what questions people will ask when looking for certain types of companies, and develop keywords accordingly. While keyword search might be on the way out, the reality is that this is still important, even if natural sounding spoken searches are set to increase.

Google Maps gets a facelift Possibly the biggest announcement, for businesses at least, is that Google Maps has been re-engineered. The current version is static, so every user sees the same map and businesses when they search. The new Google Maps has been visually updated and is being billed as a personal experience. The map learns about you over time, and will highlight places based on what you are looking for, your previous search history and recommendations. From what we can see, the new Maps will be out sometime in August, but you can sign up to use it here.

This development could influence the way you use not only Google's services but also what services you use. Because it looks like results and recommendations shown on the maps will be heavily based off of reviews which are connected to your Google+ profile, you will probably have to pay more attention to Google+. We will cover more about this change in next week's Google article, so stay tuned.

If you would like to learn more about the changes Google has recently announced please contact us today.

Love it or hate it, Facebook has become one of the most popular and arguably important communication tools for businesses and the socializing public alike. If you have a personal account, you likely log in on a fairly regular basis. But there may come a time when you forget your password or need to recover your account information. This may prove to be tough if you can't remember specific information. However, Facebook has recently introduced a feature that could help make account recovery easier.

Trusted Contacts was officially introduced by Facebook in early May 2013, after nearly two years in testing. It is a potentially really useful feature that could help you out one day.

What exactly is Trusted Contacts?

According to Facebook, "Trusted Contacts lets your friends help you if you’re having trouble logging into your account." If you have been previously using the Trusted Friends feature, this has now been renamed and merged with Trusted Contacts.

Trusted Contacts allows users to set up to five Facebook friends who can help you regain access to your account. For example, if you forget your password your nominated friends can send you a phrase to enter so that you can get back into your account.

It is a good idea to set this up, but beware that at least three friends who you set as a Trusted Contact will need to send you a private code before you can regain access. The friends will only have access to the code if they log into Facebook, so make sure you  pick someone who is able to log into Facebook regularly.

How to set up Trusted Contacts

You can set up Trusted Contacts by:

1. Logging into your Facebook profile and clicking on the cog at the top right-hand side of the window.
2. Selecting Account Settings followed by Security in the window that opens.
3. Clicking on Edit beside the Trusted Contacts field followed by Choose Trusted Contacts.
4. Typing the names of three to five reliable friends. You should see the name of each friend in a blue box below the search bar.
5. Clicking Confirm.

Facebook will notify the contacts you've selected with more information about how the process works.

If you are having trouble accessing your Facebook account you can tell your trusted friends to visit facebook.com/recover to get the code and then pass it to you. Once you have entered three codes, provided by your friends, you should be able to get into your profile.

Trusted Contacts could be a useful tool, especially if you don't use or access your personal Facebook profile on a regular basis. It's important to stress that you pick someone you trust, and who is reliable.

If you would like to learn more ways you can keep your Facebook account secure, please contact us today.