New technology shouldn't scare small businesses

Investing in technology is an unavoidable cost for businesses today but also the means of gaining competitive advantage. Every week there are new machines, networks, software and systems out there that we need to get our heads around. Understandably businesses are inclined to shy away from new technology in current times, however whilst cost efficiencies can be derived from existing IT, with proper research and a long term plan, new systems can add value. Making effective and efficient technology purchases results in your business doing things faster, smarter and better in the long run.

We have devised a number of recommendations and questions to ask vendors when implementing new technology. The vendors should always be happy to answer any questions to help ensure a good return on your investment. Technology can, and should, help your business reduce costs and become more competitive.

Identify an area that needs improving
It is important to make sure your business is operating in the most efficient way possible, new techologies could improve production or administration processes so keeping an eye and ear out for ways to improve operations is highly beneficial. In the same breath, however, you must also make sure that you don't pay out for systems that are not entirely necessary. Do your research beforehand and ask for impartial opinions.

Are you going to make me the systems integrator?
If you have made a decision to buy new machinery or integrate a new system, smaller organisations may not have the skills or desire to put together a complicated network so it is important to ask this question. A competent supplier will offer full integration and implementation as well as components. The idea is to make the business easier to run, not harder so this will ensure greater efficiency.

Have you any strategic partners?
This may sound like waffle but asking this question will help you find out, for example, whether the hardware seller has a direct relationship with the manufacturer and has tested their systems in a working environment. Certified that it conforms to recognised industry standards such as Recording standards e.g. ISO 9660.

Is there a product strategy?
Technology improves and speeds up all the time. You need to know whether the networking product you are about to buy is a "spot" product designed to be a one off purchase or whether a better option is expected to come along in a few months time. Depending upon the product, look for a solution which can be upgraded with a three year contract.

Can I see a reference site?
Vendors should be prepared to demonstrate their product in a working lab. They may also be willing to put you in contact with customers who have already bought the product and be able to provide case studies.

Research the vendor?
Any after sales service or warranty work is going to be honoured only if the company selling the goods or service is still in business. Are they a solid company?

Investing in new technology can, and should, help your business reduce costs and become more competitive. With thorough research your decision should maximise the company's ROI on its technology investment but make sure you ask the right questions.

British Academy Video Game Award Winners

It was a successful night for the games industry. Nintendo walked away with a smile as Super Mario Galaxy was announced as Best Game.

Another big winner was Call of Duty 4:Modern Warfare who collected awards for Gameplay, and Story & Character. Little Big Planet scooped the award for Artistic Achievement and Fable II came first in the Action and adventure category.

Other winners included Boom Blox, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Left 4 Dead, Dead Space, Race Driver: Grid, Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution, Spore and Boro-Toro.

The 2009 British Academy Video Game Awards (BAFTAs)

The games industry is set to be catapulted into the spotlight once again when the British Academy Video Game Awards holds a captivated audience on Tuesday 10th March 2009 from the London Hilton, Park Lane.

The Awards are a fantastic opportunity to show appreciation to an industry where so much hard work goes into creating original gameplay, advanced graphics and a smooth user experience which, more often than not gets taken for granted.

As such, all areas of expertise are acknowledged in the following award categories:
Technical Achievement, Best Game, Hand Held, Sports, Strategy, Original Score, Artistic Achievement, Multiplayer, Casual, Story and Character, Use of Audio, Action and Adventure, Gameplay, BAFTA One’s To Watch Award in association with Dare to Be Digital and the Game award of 2008.

Set to be an exciting awards ceremony with fierce competition, you can expect to see Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare up for no less than 8 awards, Grand Theft Auto IV up for 6 awards, and Little Big Planet up for 5 awards. Other popular games up for awards include Rock Band, Assassin's Creed, Mario Kart Wii, FIFA 09, Ninjatown, and Wii Fit, to name just a few.

We enjoy working successfully with the games industry, providing services such as duplication, packaging and fulfilment so we will be following the awards with bated breath!

For more information and a full list of the nominees, visit the official website here...

The importance of data security for small businesses

In recent months we have heard stories about large corporations losing CDs and USBs containing confidential details of millions of customers, including bank details, health records and other sensitive information. The general public are understandably worried about the safety of their confidential information, and the companies that store this data have a duty to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

The stories that dominate the news relate primarily to larger businesses, however this does not mean the same security lapses aren’t happening in smaller enterprises. In fact, the possibilities of data loss are just as likely, if not more so, because of budget and personnel constraints. But this shouldn’t be an excuse.

In the current economic climate, businesses should treat their customers like gold dust. Repeat business is vital to the prosperity of most SMEs and confidential information should be protected in an appropriate manner.

Human error is always an added risk and unfortunately mistakes are made despite best efforts to avoid them. However, if SMEs become more vigilant and follow simple rules to protect their data, even in the event of piracy or theft, they can reduce the chances of data loss dramatically. Both they and their customers will be safe in the knowledge that their data is protected from unauthorised access.

A new product on the data protection market reaches out to smaller businesses helping them password protect, encrypt and record their data. It is ideal for those needing to backup or distribute sensitive data quickly and very simply without compromising the level of security.

AutoSave Encrypt contains a pioneering embedded technology (CDSoft-R Cryptex) which means you won’t need to install any software in order to burn and encrypt your files to disc. The files are password protected when the data is initially transferred onto the disc. If your Cryptex disc is lost or stolen, it will become totally useless without the original disc or the password to access it.

For more information on this product and other security products visit this website: www.storeandprotect.co.uk

By increasing the awareness of the importance of data security, we hope SMEs and corporations take responsibility for protecting private information.

From a business and personal perspective, it is the right thing to do.

Turning up the volume on your ipod

We have all sorts of discussions here in the office and amongst a lot of rather insignificant trivia we thought this was one worth sharing!

There are many hacks and utilities to increase the volume on your ipod but what most people miss is the fact that in itunes all tracks are set to play at half volume. This is fine if sat at home or listening to music quietly on your own but if you're on a plane or outside running, then sometimes it would be nice to drown out that background noise.

If you right click on a track in itunes and select Get Info. Then in the Options tab you will see the volume adjustment which you can increase accordingly. If you wish you can highlight your whole library and then repeat that process and this will update them all.

Now you'll be able to run your ipod at half volume and turn it up accordingly if needed rather than always running at max volume and it not being enough.

This will also resolve the issue with tracks being set at different volumes when you download them. Even in itunes the volume can be different from track to track so you're forever making adjustments when listening back but to listen to those quiet acoustic tracks on the plane, this is the easiest and quickest fix available.

Set your iPod volume to a safe level.
If you experience ringing in your ears, reduce the volume or discontinue use of your iPod.
Warning: Permanent hearing loss may occur if earbuds or headphones are used at high volume. You can adapt over time to a higher volume of sound that may sound normal but can be damaging to your hearing. If you experience ringing in your ears or muffled speech, stop listening and have your hearing checked.

The louder the volume, the less time is required before your hearing could be affected. Hearing experts suggest that to protect your hearing:

• Limit the amount of time you use earbuds or headphones at high volume.


• Avoid turning up the volume to block out noisy surroundings.


• Turn the volume down if you can’t hear people speaking near you.

The Benefits of Microsites

Our most successful marketing direction to date has been the implementation of microsites for product specific content. The following sites have all been designed with the customer in mind, providing more detailed information on each subject than we are able to provide on our main website. They are proving a valuable resource for attracting new customers, guiding existing customers through specific product details and increasing traffic to our main site:

www.disc-printers.co.uk
www.macduplicators.co.uk
www.storeandprotect.co.uk
www.blu-rayduplicators.co.uk
www.microtechx100.co.uk

Microsites may be something that could benefit you and your business. Read on to see how...

Microsite Benefits
Microsites are mini-sites consisting of one main promotional page with the option of a contact page and a form request or a promotion page. They give you the opportunity to include more detailed information on the core subject and therefore become a valuable resource to your customers. These multi-purpose sites are ideal for online marketing promotion campaigns and can encompass a wide range of traffic-generating and business-building solutions.

Microsites can be used for:
* Landing sites for email campaigns
* Marketing vehicles for brands, products or services
* Targeted satellites of larger web presences
* Dedicated sites for time-sensitive initiatives
* Effective stand-alone web presences
* Variations on themes for different audiences

Features can include:
* Content optimised specifically for search engine purposes.
* Various marketing-related elements (eg Quick Questionnaire, Free Contest, Event attendance confirmation)
* Products/Services/Promotions at a glance.
* Focused calls to action.

Microsite designs can be developed as an addition to a current web site design theme or be uniquely customised to specific services and products. If you would like advice regarding website design our expert web team will be happy to help.

The importance of getting value in difficult times….

We are all facing big challenges and businesses face a bumpy ride in 2009.

The downturn in the economy has many of us reading advice from business press on steps we can take in order to help us through these times. The advice given follows a similar theme regardless of which publication or website you are reading. This article gives our take on the situation and the measures we are taking to safeguard our success:

1. Watch cash flow
 
A daily task we are in control of on a long and short term basis and one we appreciate the value of.

2. Review head count
 
We run a very tight ship and have the right team for our needs to run an efficient and productive business.

3. Review supplier contracts and costs
 
Our strong supplier relationships and regular negotiations with them ensure win-win results

4. Remain positive - there is still business to be done
 
By continuing to deliver great service, our quality products and services continue to offer a return on investment and we remain confident of doing business

5. Focus on specialist areas of your market
 
Grow and adapt. Our expertise, originally in CD and DVD, has grown as technology has to now include Blu-ray and flash memory such as USB.

6. Find new markets
 
Much like watching cash flow this seems to be stating the very obvious, it is something we do on a daily basis.

7. Hold onto existing customers
 
Nothing could be more important to us right now. We view customer service as the series of activities before, during and after an order is placed. Whether that order is for a product or service, that experience is the key to keeping existing customers and attracting new ones.

8. Be open and honest with staff

We have always had a policy of sharing our targets and results with the entire company . If we all have the same goals and measure against them, it makes it easier to achieve objectives and work together as a team.

9. Form alliances and partnerships
 
We will continue to evaluate the market and consider mutually beneficial opportunities that build on our current offering and make us stronger.

10. Proceed with caution
 
We will be sure to do so, there is no other way right now.

We at CD Team, will be heeding this advice and ensuring we remain a very strong and successful business coming out of this recession. Many of our customers have relied on us for the entire 14 years we have been trading, others for less time however, their reliance is just as great. When placing an order with us, they know they can trust in us to deliver on time and within budget. At times like this we all need to know we are getting the best value for money, when budgets are squeezed we want to know that every pound spent is necessary and done so wisely.

Call to speak with one of our Account Managers to get the best advice today on how to store, share and protect your data - you can be sure of getting professional, friendly service from one of our team.

Jo Fone

Managing Director