Have Phone, Will Travel
InformationWeek (10/08/07) P. 49 ; Bulk, Frank

Fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) technology aims to give workers a single device, a single phone number, and a single voice-mail box so that they can be reached whenever and wherever. The definition of FMC changes as new products emerge, but it generally involves the seamless transfer of calls between landline phones and cell phones. For some vendors, FMC means instant messaging, visual voice mail, push-to-talk, and voice-dialing. FMC might even involve integration with the corporate directory, so users need only enter a few digits to call a co-worker. There is no set FMC device, with the use of smartphones or dual-mode handsets that switch between Wi-Fi and cellular networks possible. Deployment of enterprise FMC can be complicated by the fact that not all products are interoperable; ease of installation also depends on whether the firm supports VoIP and has a wireless local area network. Vendors in the FMC arena include Aruba Networks, Avaya, Varaha Systems, Siemens Enterprise Networks, FirstHand, and DiVitas Networks.
http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=0DTTM
GM3N5WL4QSNDLOSKH0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=202201382&queryText=fixed-m
obile+convergence

Looking After the Servers
Processor (10/05/07) Vol. 29 , No. 40 , P. 1 ; Gain, Bruce

Regular maintenance of a company's data servers is one of the most important tasks an IT department can perform to avoid data disasters, but experts say it is a task that often is overlooked. Experts recommend IT administrators spend about five hours per month maintaining each server, performing such tasks as rebooting, defragging, updating antivirus protection, cleaning up directories and files, and deleting temporary files. However, IT staff should keep in mind that each server has its own special maintenance needs, and experts also believe application type and direct user connectivity play a role in how often maintenance should be performed. Experts recommend in-house server maintenance, especially because critical data is involved; and there are several software products on the market to automate server and network monitoring. These include Ipswitch's WhatsUp, Orion from SolarWinds, and SNMPc from Castle Rock Computing.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?Article=articles/p
2940/20p40/20p40.asp&GUID=

Paperless Office? Get Real
Small Business Computing (10/03/07) ; Martin, James A.

Despite years of speculation that the paperless office was on the horizon, many offices, in an attempt to become paperless, ended up shifting their paper production to different processes. However, using less paper in an office can reduce overall toner and ink costs, result in lower office lease costs as less square-footage is necessary, and other expenses. With the advent of various online collaboration and electronic workflow tools, employees at small business firms can view, comment, and adjust documents and projects at the same time, without worrying about potential errors prone in paper-based work environments. Efficiency is greatly improved by electronic documents, and as workers access documents from mobile devices and their homes, customer services requests are more readily answered. To avoid traditional pitfalls of a paperless office conversion, small businesses need to first scrutinize their operations and prioritize their goals before devising a plan. Once a plan is developed, managers will want buy-in from workers and carefully researching the available technologies to accomplish corporate goals beforehand can be helpful. Tools in a paperless office range from scanners to document management systems to private networks, but businesses must backup electronic documents periodically in case of disaster or power outages.
http://www.SmallBusinessComputing.com/biztools/article.php/370313
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Disaster Recovery: Plan or Bust
TechTarget (10/04/07) ; Mehling, Herman

Without a disaster recovery plan, small and midsize businesses might not be able to recover following a major data loss. If the disaster recovery plan is to be created and managed in-house, small firms would be wise to examine their disaster risks and how their operations would be affected. The results of the assessment will be used to build a disaster recovery framework, setting a timeline for data restoration and a goal for keeping data current. To facilitate data recovery, firms should opt for a storage area network and virtual servers, as well as consolidate servers and data. Companies without the staff for in-house disaster recovery would benefit from outsourcing the process, as third-party providers charge only a few thousand dollars annually, utilize the Web for data backup and replication, and take only 48 hours to fully restore data and applications. Additionally, all firms should replace tape backup with USB flash drives or CD burners, install surge protectors and uninterruptible power supplies, purchase backup generators, and ensure fire alarms and fire extinguishers are in working order.
http://searchsmb.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid44_gci1275287,00.
html

Voice Over IP Makes Convergence Possible
InformationWeek (10/01/07) P. 42 ; Ginevan, Sean

Forrester Research Reports that 47 percent of companies are installing IP PBX systems, while 29 percent are testing the technology. Companies hoped that telecommunications costs would fall once Voice over IP was installed, many have found those cost savings are not enough to offset the installation costs of an IP PBX system. However, vendors are answering the call for Voice over IP to become a productivity catalyst through an integrated communications platform. The integrated communication platforms allow users to access email through voice mail and vice versa, as well as provide IT staff with greater auditing control and cost savings. Fixed-mobile convergence systems also allow users to place calls through PBX via Wi-Fi or cellular connections, and can feature instant messaging and presence. However, firms will need to investigate which communications platforms are best suited to the capital and goals of the firm, and then receive buy-in from managers and workers before PBX systems can be implemented. These systems will not only simplify communications and save money, but also foster greater collaboration and increase productivity. Microsoft Office Communications 2007, developed in collaboration with Nortel, launched earlier this year to compete with products from Cisco, Avaya, and other firms.
http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202102
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Automating Workflow
WebCPA.com (10/01/07)

Many accounting firms are implementing various applications to automate workflow. CPA Crossings strategic advisor John Higgins says firms typically install electronic workpaper software to handle trial balance-based engagements, document management software to lessen their dependence on paper, and automated scanning tools. Also popular, according to Higgins, are client portals, online billing systems, Web conferencing applications, and workflow automation software to handle scheduling and routing tasks. HKMP Technologies partner Stephen Barrett says automating tax and audit workflow "has had a striking impact on our firm's ability to produce higher quality work more efficiently." To Barrett, automation means a particular event launches various processes that do not need human intervention. When users input client data, for instance, the system automatically creates the necessary files and imports the data in the appropriate fields; Barrett's firm uses CaseWare Working Papers and Practice Engine to facilitate the process. Other workflow automation applications available to accounting firms include CNG-SAFE, CCH fx Engagement, Performance Accounting Plus, Doc.It, Expensewatch.com, SurePrep Verification, Write-Up CS, and XCM Solutions.
http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=25450