Teltek IT

NEC Earns Two MES XCellence Awards

cgreen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:00:39 +0000

In early May, IT executives attended the Midsize Enterprise Summit East in Chicago, IL. This event is an opportunity for IT leaders to participate in discussions with their peers and attend lectures about topics ranging from business intelligence to desktop virtualization. The format of the summit consists of new product demonstrations, seminars and networking opportunities.

It’s also a great time for these business leaders to reconnect with their vendor partners to learn about what’s new in technology support and how their companies can benefit from it.

NEC was a Gold sponsor of the event.

As they do at every MES event, attendees had an opportunity to weigh in on how prepared vendors were to help them meet their challenges and succeed in their roles. The Midsize Enterprise Summit XCellence Awards gives IT leaders a chance to vote for the vendors they believe should be honored for outstanding performance—for exceptional products, programs and technologies that can be assets to any midsize enterprise team.

IT execs voted on twelve categories: Best Midmarket Solution in the categories of Hardware, Software and Managed Solutions; Best Execution of a Midmarket IT Solution; Best Demonstration of ROI; Best Midsize Enterprise Summit Newcomer; Most Innovative Technology Vendor; Best Executive Presentation; Best Boardroom Case Study Presentation; Best Quick Fire Vendor; Best Solutions Pavilion Booth and Best of Show.

The XCellence Awards are voted on solely by the approximately 230 attending IT decision-makers, who directly influence their companies’ and their peers’ technology-buying decisions. The awards were presented to the winners at a gala dinner that was held at the Midsize Enterprise Summit East.

NEC took home awards in the following categories:

• Best Midsize Enterprise Summit Newcomer

• Best Executive Presentation

Teltek is proud to be a NEC Dealer and promote their outstanding telecommunication and technology support products.

Teltek is a Certified Avaya Business Partner, NEC Dealer, and Microsoft Partner with two locations in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. We specialize in providing one call technology support for small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits in Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

We offer IT services as the fourth component to our multi-systems approach as your single source technology services company. This Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering completes our longstanding goal to provide our clients with a one-call resource for all of their business technology needs. IT outsourcing, remote back up and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, computer network relocations, security products and server/desktop virtualization are just a few of the services available.

How to Determine the size of your PST File for Hosted Email

cnicoli — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:05:46 +0000

If you are considering migrating your email outside of the office to a cloud-based or hosted Exchange provider like Microsoft 365, Inbox Solutions, or one of the thousands of others, undoubtedly the size of your PST file in Microsoft Outlook will be a topic of conversation before doing so.

So just what is a PST file?

As defined by Wikipedia: “ In computing, a Personal Storage Table (PST) is an open, proprietary file format used to store messages, calendar events, and other items within Microsoft software such as Microsoft Exchange Client, Windows Messaging, and Microsoft Outlook.”

To Normal People: it is the size of the file that holds your existing email, contacts, calendar information, etc. that is currently stored in your Microsoft Outlook. Each individual email address has their own PST file (i.e. the size of xxx@myteltek.com’s PST file will be different then yyy@myteltek.com); while the total size of every user is relevant typically hosted email providers set limitations on individual users PST file sizes).

This is important because the larger your PST file gets the more costly it will be to maintain in the cloud. Also, once it gets to a certain size there can be difficulty maintaining your email in a hosted or cloud environment.

The link to the Teltek guide below, “How to determine your PST file size in Outlook” you will find step by step instructions on how to identify your version of Microsoft Outlook and then the size of your PST file. Be sure to use this information when considering hosted email providers as size limits and costs vary based on the size of each mailbox’s PST file. If you have any questions about how to determine the size of your PST file or if Hosted Exchange is right for you feel free to give the Teltek Helpdesk a call at 410.552.6580 or 1.866.9.Teltek.

How to determine your PST file size

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Ask The Teltek Tekspert – How Can I Protect Myself From Cellphone And Tablet Theft?

cgreen — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:26:23 +0000

Carrie in Baltimore, MD asks:

I’ve seen a lot of disturbing stories in the news about the increase of cell phone theft on buses and in other public places. How do I keep from becoming a victim myself?

Theft of cellphones and other portable electronic devices is on the rise and in some cases, violence is involved. Some victims are being physically assaulted and seriously injured, others may be threatened with guns or knives. It was reported that there were 579 thefts of cellphones or tablets in San Francisco from November to April of this year.

Here are a few tips to decrease your chances of being a target or to minimize the damage if it actually happens to you:

1. Unless you are home, keep your phone out of sight with the ringer turned off, this includes the office and your car. If it’s not seen or heard, it’s less tempting to take and harder to get. Criminals like easy targets

2. Pay attention: Many victims report that they were engrossed in reading an email or in a verbal conversation when they were attacked. People who are distracted are specifically targeted since that gives the bad guy the advantage of surprise

3. Keep your device locked with a password or PIN. If someone does get ahold of it, this could prevent them from accessing your personal information or at least buy you some time to recover your device

4. Download and install software that can remotely track or wipe your phone, Apple has the Find My iPhone feature

5. Use an ultra violet pen to print your street address and an alternate contact number onto both your mobile handset and battery. This makes your device easily identifiable as your property if it’s recovered. The ink will wear off after a few months, but you can redo it at that time

If you find yourself in a bad situation:

6. Give it up: hand your device over if someone demands it. It’s not worth risking your safety

7. Notify the police and your carrier immediately in the event of loss or theft

8. Request an immediate, formal investigation from your carrier and file a police report

9. If you do have a track or wipe app installed, activate it as soon as you can. The device needs to be turned on in order for the track or wipe to work and If the thief powers the device off, you may be out of luck

10. In addition to reporting your phone lost or stolen, you should also disable your phone number (not account number) so that no further charges can be made to your number

For more information on the best methods for protecting the integrity of your electronic devices and your sensitive information in and out of the office, call Teltek IT today!

Teltek is proud to offer IT services as the fourth component to our multi-systems approach as your single source technology services company. This Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering completes our longstanding goal to provide our clients with a one-call resource for all of their business technology needs. IT outsourcing, remote back up and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, computer network relocations, security products and server/desktop virtualization are just a few of the services available.

Teltek Gets Charged By The Voltage Awards

cgreen — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:21:29 +0000

On May 9^th, Chris Nicoli of Teltek attended Smart CEO’s Baltimore VOLTAGE Awards event held at the Westin, BWI in Baltimore, MD.

This event celebrates the role that technology plays in the Baltimore business community and the future impact the technology sector will have on the city’s economic growth.

A photo of Voltage Award recipients
taken by Chris Nicoli, Teltek

Awards are given in categories of Innovators and Implementers and each category has sub categories based on company size; emerging, small, medium and large.

Innovators are defined as organizations that are developing new technologies that improve operational efficiencies. Companies that are using technology to enhance their competitive advantage are classified as technology Implementers.

The finalists are selected by an independent panel of business leaders selects finalists from applications submitted to Smart CEO.

In addition to being honored at the event, VOLTAGE award finalists will be profiled in the May issue of SmartCEO magazine.

Chris enjoyed the event very much and reported that he felt “privileged to take part in an event where so many technology innovators were honored for their developments and achievements”. As a technology company, Teltek appreciates the accomplishments of our colleagues in the technology realm.

Now Is The Time To Upgrade Your FaxFinder Server, Trade It In!

cgreen — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:31:59 +0000

Multi-Tech Systems recently announced a Trade-In program for their FaxFinder product. Existing FaxFinder fax server customers have the opportunity to upgrade their FaxFinder to the last FFX40 models and receive a manufacturer’s rebate of up to $800!

FaxFinder models that qualify for the Trade-In program include:

FF840

FF440

FF240

FF240-IP-2

FF240-IP-UPGRADE-2

The FaxFinder all-in-one fax server provides distributed faxing capabilities over a WAN from a corporate office to small remote offices and to field sales people. Inbound faxes are converted to PDF or TIFF files and delivered to a recipient’s in-box or a network folder or printed on a network printer. Outbound faxes can be sent by web client or through Microsoft Office applications. The FaxFinder provides secure, convenient faxing for LAN users offering a high degree of privacy for both the sender and recipient.

Why would you want to upgrade to the new FFX40 model? Enhanced features of course! Here’s what the FFX40 has to offer:

HIPAA Compliance
Integration with existing business operations
Multiple routing options for inbound faxes
Multiple ways to send faxes
Enhanced fax log
Access to global contacts
PDF-based cover page support

Both outbound and incoming faxes can be sent and received using an email client. This removes the need for a manual fax machine and therefore no special security measures need to be taken to safeguard the data or the equipment. This feature makes the FaxFinder ideal for medical, legal and other offices that handle confidential information.

If you would like to take advantage of this trade-in opportunity, call Teltek IT today! The offer expires November 15, 2013, so you will want to act quickly.

Please also contact us if you would like more information on the benefits of fax to email. It’s a greener and more secure way to send faxes!

Are You Behind The Wheel Of SkyDrive?

cgreen — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:57:39 +0000

Microsoft recently announced that its cloud service product, SkyDrive now has over 250 million users. For those of you not taking advantage of SkyDrive, here is what you’re missing out on.

SkyDrive is a tool for hosting documents, photos and more and it allows you to sync your files across multiple devices. You can share the documents you choose and set the rest to remain private. SkyDrive is free if you sign up for 7GB of storage; more space is available for a fee.

The product, which has been around for over five years, has become very popular in the last few months following the debut of Windows 8 in October of 2012. A short while after that, Microsoft made SkyDrive the default save location for the new Office, updated the SkyDrive app for iOS, and improved its uploading performance. Other upgrades include two-step verification and Extended Validation Certificates. Outlook.com just announced that they are offering a new feature that allows you to insert SkyDrive files directly into an email message.

SkyDrive comes with free versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. It also works well with other apps including EasyBib, HelloFax, IFTTT , OneNote, DocuSign Ink and PDF Expert for iPad.

For more information on cloud storage options and Microsoft products, call Teltek IT today!

Since 1997, Teltek has become an established resource for nearly 2,000 client’s telephone systems, voice and data cable installations, and carrier services. As a Microsoft Certified Partner and Dell Registered Partner, Teltek has the knowledge and resources necessary to keep your computer network and IT infrastructure current and functioning efficiently with the personalized service Teltek clients have grown to admire. With office locations in Baltimore and Westminster, Maryland, we serve clients across MD, DC and VA.

Ask The Teltek Tekspert – How Do I Test My Bandwidth?

cgreen — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:22:08 +0000

Charles in Baltimore, MD asks:

My computer at home seems very slow and a friend told me it could be a bandwidth problem. What is bandwidth and how can I find out if this is what’s causing the issue?

Bandwidth is defined as the maximum data transfer rate of a network or Internet connection. It measures how much data can be sent over a specific connection in a given amount of time. (TechTerms.com)

To find out if you are receiving the amount of bandwidth you are paying for, test this online. I recommend Speed Test to accomplish this. It is free, fast and easy to use. This service performs over 50 million tests every month. If you create an account on the Speed Test site, you can log in to test your bandwidth and then compare that to previous tests you have done to see a history.

Go to http://www.speedtest.net/. You will see a laptop graphic in the middle of the home screen with a green “Begin Test” button. When you click on that button, a large speedometer appears and your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is identified. In our case, it’s Comcast Business Communications. Then the test begins. Your computer will be tested for ping, upload and download speeds and you will be shown the results when the test is complete. Compare these to the speeds you were promised by your ISP.

You are given the opportunity to share the test results via Twitter or Facebook. Results can also be shared by copying the url and pasting it into an email.

For more tips and advice on how to ensure that your internet connection is as fast and secure as possible, call Teltek IT! We would be happy to come to your home or business for a site survey to evaluate your equipment, configuration and other factors.

Dell Announces End Of Support For Some SonicWALL Products

cgreen — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:51:04 +0000

Dell recently released a 60-Day Notification regarding some of their SonicWALL products. Support will end for Gen4 (and older) firewalls on July 1, 2013.

What does this mean if you are currently using a SonicWALL firewall? It means that after July 1st, you will no longer be able to receive technical support, software or firmware updates or hardware replacement from Dell or other vendors for these specific products.

Please refer to the chart below to see if your SonicWALL product will be affected by this notice:

All Gen4 firewalls that are covered under a Comprehensive GMS support contract are subject to this End of Support date. For Gen4 firewalls covered under a stand-alone support contract, Dell SonicWALL will honor the support contract until its expiration date, even if that date extends beyond July 1, 2013.

End of Support is also planned for the TZ 180 and TZ 190 series of firewalls. Sometimes referred to as “Gen4.5″ products, the TZ 180 Series and TZ 190 Series continued to be sold after the products listed above were no longer available to purchase. Therefore, the End of Support date for these particular products is July 1, 2014.

If your firewall can be found in this chart, please call Teltek IT as soon as possible so we can evaluate your situation and get a plan in place before July. To maintain the integrity and security of your system, it would be best to either replace or upgrade your firewall well before July 1st, but we would be happy to conduct a site survey of the equipment at your office and review all options with you.

As a Microsoft Certified Partner and Dell Registered Partner, Teltek has the knowledge and resources necessary to keep your computer network and IT infrastructure current and functioning efficiently with the personalized service Teltek clients have grown to admire. With office locations in Baltimore, Bethesda and Westminster, Maryland, we serve clients across MD, DC and VA.

Ask The Teltek Tekspert – How Can I Extend Battery Life On My iPhone 5?

cgreen — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:38:43 +0000

Sam in Eldersburg, MD asks:

I love my iPhone 5, but I’m constantly recharging it. Do you have any tips on maximizing my phone’s battery life?

One of the most common complaints with iPhone 5 users is the somewhat short period of time between when you need to re-charge your device. Since the iPhone 5 is widely used at Teltek by our technicians and account executives, we have a few tips to share with you:

1. Adjust your mail setting: this is how often the phone contacts the server to check for new messages. change the mail setting from “push” to “fetch manually”

2. Stop background applications: you may not be aware of this, but some apps continue to run even when you’re not using them. Double click the home button and you will see the icons in your bottom tray. Press and hold one of the icons and they will all start to move. You will see a small red circle with a minus sign in it. Tap the icon to quit that App

3. Disable bluetooth and wifi when not in use. so your phone is not constantly searching a signal

4. Turn your brightness down by going to Settings > Brightness and Wallpaper

5. Disable location services for apps that don’t need to know your location

6. Shorten the auto-lock time to 1 minute, the longer your phone is unlocked, the longer your apps continue to run

7. Turn off “Raise To Speak” for Siri. This activates Siri when you raise the phone to your ear, so unless you use this often, it’s not necessary

8. Battery Improvement apps are also available to download if you want to try one of those

For more information on integrating mobile devices into your office or if you have questions about battery life and back up options for your computers and business phone systems, call Teltek IT today!

Use Technology To Make Your Workplace Safer

cgreen — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:11:48 +0000

After watching the events of the Boston Marathon bombing unfold, we all have a new appreciation for technology and the role it plays in the war against terrorism and violence in general. The perpetrators were identified and tracked using video surveillance and other measures.

These high tech tools are not just for police departments and the FBI, there are many electronic devices that can be incorporated into your office to keep your employees and equipment secure.

Most of the articles we post deal with information security and cover subjects like creating strong passwords and protecting your PCs from viruses, but Teltek cares about our employees and yours, so here are a few measures you can take to keep your people and property safe.

Video Cameras: these can be mounted within your workspace and outside the building as well to monitor your server room, lobby, parking lots, alleys and your front door.

Door Phones: a door phone mounted outside your front or back door allows your customers and delivery people to call from the front door to be allowed access and prevents unwanted visitors from entering.

Paging Systems: More than just a broadcaster of elevator music, paging systems can alert everyone at once if there is an important message to deliver, like evacuation instructions.

Security Systems: It’s a good idea to have a security system in place and some of them, such as proxy card systems, can also be used to monitor when employees enter and exit the building.

As your one source technology solution, Teltek is happy to assist you with the implementation of these devices into your workplace. Call us today for a free site survey to evaluate your security measures.