With Microsoft reporting that 39% of Small to Medium sized companies are expected to pay for Cloud Services over the next 3 years, we thought we would explain ‘The Cloud’ in the most simple terms possible to those of you that haven’t already come across it.

‘The Cloud’ is simply another term for ‘The Internet’.

Dunston IT refer to Cloud Computing as Hosted IT and here’s why.

It’s a bit like the difference between owning a house or renting it.  If you use any form of Hosted IT you are renting an aspect of your IT whether it be email, backup, server or software etc.  It is hosted on the Internet by another company and you access it via a Broadband line.

If you don’t use Hosted IT then it is likely that you own a server for your email, backup at your site or have software running on each of your individual machines.  You can work without using the Internet as you are the host/owner of all these facilities at your office.

Hosted IT is benefitting some companies by decreasing costs, allowing increased storage levels of data, automating IT administration, providing flexibility and assisting with mobility of workers.

To review whether your business will benefit from Hosted IT, contact us on 01252 406420.

When I moved from Office 2003 to Office 2010 I found it extremely frustrating.  Not only could I not find some of the features I had used previously, but there appeared to be lots of new functions and I had no idea how to make use of them.

The overall appearance of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint had changed and I felt like a beginner again yet I considered myself at least Intermediate level for Excel and Word!

Many of our customers are upgrading to Microsoft Office 2010 and, like myself, have found it slightly off-putting and time consuming trying to work out how to do activities that they previously could do quickly in the past.

If you are experiencing the same issue then do not despair, we can help you by showing you the changes, functions and new features in Office 2010.

Our Microsoft Certified Trainers have designed a course specifically to help you and in one day you can learn What’s New In Office 2010 so that when you return to the office you can perform your day to day work without constant interruptions.

With over 15 years’ experience in IT Support, we understand that some of our customers focus on using one or two applications more than others depending on their job roles.  That’s why we also offer courses that highlight new features but also help you to advance your skillset so that you streamline and become faster in your use of packages such as Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Why not visit our Microsoft Office training page and find out more or email me at jo.hopkins@dunston.it for a full course schedule and future proposed dates.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Jo Hopkins

Dunston IT

At Dunston IT, we have seen a growing number of our customers opting to replace their desktop PCs (Fat Clients) with Thin Clients.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with the term “Thin Client”, here’s some information on what they are and how they work.

How do Thin Clients work?
A Thin Client has no hard drive so all applications and data that are used on it comes from a central server (Terminal Server).  They run an operating system locally using the flash memory rather than a conventional PC hard drive.  Users still experience the same look and feel as they would with a PC as the Terminal Server that they log on to uses Microsoft Windows.

The Benefits of Thin Clients
By having no hard drive or floppy drive, Thin Clients are protected from unauthorised software and viruses as no data can be uploaded to the Thin Client.  All data goes through the central server which makes it easy to manage and monitor system access, enforce security policies and procedures, which minimises security risks internally.

All software & hardware upgrades, security & application changes can all be made on the central server and roll out immediately to the Thin Clients.  This makes the process of backing up data much more simplified.

As all Thin Clients are logging on to the same central server, there is consistency as all users are using the same technology and hardware such as the same Microsoft Office suite and version.

Cost Implications
Thin Clients can work out a cheaper option than a PC environment.  They can last 7-10 years and require lower on-going expenditure and admin costs.  They also use less power and the green benefits can save companies up to 85% on their power costs.

Between lower capital investments for deployment, reduced maintenance and administrative costs, and lower energy bills, Thin Clients’ total cost of ownership is much lower than traditional PCs.

Considering Thin Client Technology?
Dunston IT provide Network Support and IT Consultancy to SMEs in Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire and London.

For a review of your current IT system or to find out more about Thin Client technology and whether it is suitable for your business contact us.

Call 01252 406420 or email info@dunston.it

The What’s New in Office 2010 course is for all those users who have recently moved over or are moving over to MS Office 2010 from an earlier version.

This course incorporates all the new features and changes users experience in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.  It has been designed to teach you how to use the software efficiently and effectively.

View the What’s New in Office 2010 / Upgrading to 2010 Course Outlines

A maximum of 8 delegates may attend this course.  Let us know if you are upgrading to 2010 and require help learning the new features and changes.

Call 01252 406420 to check availability and book your place.

Dunston IT offers Microsoft Word Training Courses at its Head Office in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Dates for Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010 Training Courses can be found below.  Dates in black highlight the Early Bird Booking Deadline and if you book your chosen course before this date you are entitled to the discounted rate of £165 plus VAT per delegate.

Microsoft Word 2010
Introductory – 29th March – Book by 8th March
Intermediate – 17th April – Book by 27th March
Advanced – 19th April – Book by 29th March

Microsoft Word 2007
Introductory – 1st May – Book by 10th April
Intermediate – 3rd May – Book by 12th April
Advanced – 8th May – Book by 17th April

For more information or to find out other dates available please contact training@dunston.it

The next PowerPoint Intermediate/Advanced 2010 course will take place on Tuesday 10th April 2012.  Book before 20th March 2012 to get your discounted rate of £165 plus VAT per delegate.

Research has shown that people remember much more if they have seen and heard the information, rather than just hearing it.

PowerPoint is a great tool for anyone that needs to help an audience or group of people understand and remember things.  You will learn how to save time by creating templates and creating custom colour schemes to ensure your branding is consistent.  Customising the toolbars and menus allows you to keep useful commands and features at hand.  Linking and embedding documents will allow you to show information created in other programmes during your PowerPoint display.

The Intermediate/Advanced Level of Microsoft PowerPoint teaches you how to make a more sophisticated presentation.  Movies and sound will grab your audience even more.  You will also be shown how to create a presentation that can be used for other than a stand-up talk.  Our Microsoft Certified Trainer will also tell you what not to do, so that you can avoid “Death by PowerPoint”.

To book your PowerPoint Course email training@dunston.it

Click here to read the full course outline

To find out about PowerPoint Introductory Courses email training@dunston.it

Dunston IT offers its customers a discounted rate on IT training courses for Microsoft Office 2007 and 2010 as well as Social Media Training courses.  All you need to do is book before our Early Bird Rate.  Below is the list of courses with Early Bird Deadlines in February.  Book your course today and get your discounted rate of £165 per delegate per course!

• Tues 6th March – Excel Introductory 2007 – Book before 17th Feb
• Thurs 8th March – Excel Intermediate 2007 – Book before 16th Feb
• Tues 13th March – Excel Advanced 2007 – Book before 21st Feb
• Thurs 15th March – PowerPoint Introductory 2010 – Book before 23rd Feb
• Tues 20th March – PowerPoint Introductory 2007 – Book before 28th Feb
• Weds 7th March – Getting Started in Social Media – Book before 15th Feb
• Weds 14th March – LinkedIn – Book before 22nd Feb
• Weds 21st March – Facebook – Book before 29th Feb

Contact training@dunston.it to find out more and to check availability.

Dunston IT are pleased to confirm their training schedule for 2012.  Remember to book early to get your Early Bird Booking Rate of £165 plus VAT.

View the social media course outlines

Dates for 2012 are as follows:

• 7th March – Getting Started in Social Media
• 14th March – LinkedIn
• 21st March – Facebook
• 28th March – Blogging

A maximum of 8 delegates can attend a course.  Book early to get your discounted rate and to secure your place on the course.

Every company has a busy period where heavy promotion is essential, for many it’s Christmas, but whenever it is for you – expect email to become an unruly marketing asset.

Why is it unruly?  You need to push your brand hard for two solid months but you might leave email untouched and virtually unbranded.

Email is still one of the most heavily used corporate communication mediums, exploiting its potential takes three key tactics.

Consistent Signatures
Get everyone’s signature on the same page – but far from identical.  Give sales a more interesting, vibrant graphic, but give support or customer service something simpler and calmer – yet all should be of the same theme.

That alignment, from advertisement, to sales agent, to customer service rep, creates a fluid experience for the customer: they can’t forget your brand because it’s always there.

And if they forget your brand, they can’t buy from it.

Promotional Saturation
By putting your brand everywhere a customer, or potential customer, can look and they can’t escape your brand.

Combined with the consistency in tactic 1, branding on every email keeps attracting the attention of customers.

Promote deals, monthly sales and high-margin products in a banner beneath your signature: even rotate them so that each email will promote a product that’s new to the reader.

Compliant Disclaimers
Work is not at the forefront of most minds during December, whatever your industry.  Winter can be slow or fast for your company – but it will always drag by for your staff.

Keeping a disclaimer on every email is vital to protect staff from stumbling into legal trouble, whether unintentionally agreeing to unfavourable terms, giving questionable advice or other blunders – you can be sure your company and co-workers are safe.

Try Exclaimer’s signature software range free for 30 days –
and get free support with the software during this period.

1) Update everyone’s signature instantly
2) Add a banner that adjusts itself automatically to get its pitch perfect.
3) Put a disclaimer on every email (and keep staff from altering it).

Call 01252 406420 or email info@dunston.it for more information.

As of 1st February 2012 there will be a change in the management structure of Dunston IT.

Richard Brain will take over the reins from Malcolm Hearn and will head the company as Managing Director.

Malcolm will continue his input into the strategic direction of the company in his role as Chairman and on a day to day basis will focus on directing the sales and marketing.

Both will be closely assisted by Deb Thomas who celebrated 10 years of employment at Dunston IT in September 2011.