Issue 6 Volume 3 June 2007

Poll: 1 in 5 vacation with their laptop

One in five people toted laptop computers on their most recent vacations, an AP-Ipsos poll released this month said. Along with the 80 percent who said they brought along their cell phones as well, the survey shows going on vacation no longer means being out of the digital loop.

The cause is partly due to today's array of devices that can easily keep people digitally connected to workplaces, friends and family. Reasons vacationers performed work-related tasks include an expectation that they be available; a worry about missing important information; or in some cases the enjoyment of staying involved, according to analysts and some of those surveyed...Read More (Source: Newsfactor.com)

Going Green: "e-cycling"

Continuing our discussion from last month's newsletter, we thought we would highlight another important electronic recycling topic: television sets. Did you know that according to the latest U.S. Census, the average American home has 2.5 television sets for a grand total of 268 million TV sets? Even more interesting is the fact that an upcoming mandate in February 2009 will require all TV stations to broadcast only in digital. This means the millions of old analog TV sets will either need to be fitted with converters, hooked to a cable or satellite box or consumers will replace them with new sets in order to best display the new technology. So what happens to the discarded ones? The Consumer Electronic Association (CEA) has been promoting their site, mygreenelectronic.org, in the hopes that more people will recycle their old electronics - everything from TV sets to cell phones, preventing hazardous materials from piling up in our nation's landfills.

If you need assistance in recycling old equipment and even replacing it with new hardware, let Concerto Networks help you find the answers, Contact us today!

Technology Watch: USB

Security threats to your business could include everything from unsecured wireless access points to an unlocked server room. One threat we thought we would highlight in this month's newsletter: Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drives. Employees or visitors can bring USB devices easily into your office and within minutes be able to walk out the door with confidential and proprietary information. The devices are so small these days they can fit in your pocket or on a key chain, and they can hold a large amount of data. USB devices make our lives easier but they can also pose a potential security threat.

So what can you do to keep your business protected? CDW's publication, BizTech Magazine discusses the best practices to keep your mobile data safe in a recent article: Click here to read the article.

Tell UPS Your Story, Win $25,000 

Does your small business think big? If you have a unique business idea that you have transformed into a working operation and your 2006 revenues were at least $250,000 but less than $10 million, you can enter the contest before September 1, 2007 to win US$25,000! This is the third annual UPS Best “Out-of-the-Box” Small Business Contest.

Previous winners include The Alzheimer’s Store, which provides products and services for people with dementia. Another 2006 winner, Money Savvy Generation, developed the Money Savvy Pig®, a “piggy bank for the 21st century,” along with a curriculum to teach children about money.

To get more details and to enter the contest, visit the contest website at http://www.outofthebox.ups.com

Concerto Networks Latest News:

Former Viking Systems CFO Appointed to Concerto Networks Executive Team

Concerto Networks, Inc., a multi-national franchise company that provides complete business technology solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has appointed Gregory Decker to Vice President, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). His ultimate responsibility is for strategic, operational and financial planning and execution leading to the expansion of Concerto Networks.

Mr. Decker brings over twenty five years of senior operations and executive finance experience with both Fortune 500 and development-stage companies to his new post. Prior to joining Concerto Networks, Mr. Decker spent the last year as CFO of Viking Systems, Inc., a publicly-traded medical appliance device company, where he successfully completed several complex financings. Mr. Decker earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College where he majored in International Relations.

Press Release (pdf)

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About Concerto Networks® 

Concerto Networks, Inc. is an international franchise business providing professional, consistent-quality computer and business technology solutions to small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Concerto Networks goes beyond simple troubleshooting and repair, providing the same holistic approach to IT support and director level management enjoyed by large companies, while offering significant savings and value to SMBs. The company's model is to build an international business technology solutions network with the expertise, processes, systems and support necessary to provide superlative service to SMBs. Franchises are independently owned and operated by experienced business and technology professionals.

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