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Letter from the CEO
For me, the most exciting news from the tech world this past
week was Research In Motion's announcement of the free version of
BlackBerry Enterprise Server. I can say from personal experience
that the BlackBerry and Microsoft Exchange Server are two of the
most invaluable tools available for any business, and this
development makes their integration affordable for almost
everyone.
The financial benefits of mobile technology are real, and
the technology that makes it possible will continue to advance and
grow until the concept of the physical office is obsolete. It's
fantastic to see the influential players in driving that
development, like Research In Motion, pushing to make their
technology more available.
If you have any questions about any of this, be sure to let
us know.
Regards,
Jim
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www.switchfast.com
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Free Version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server Coming Soon
Great news for the SMB market: Research In Motion (RIM), the
company that manufactures the popular BlackBerry, has announced
that it will offer a free version of its BlackBerry Enterprise
Software (BES) beginning in March.
The BES software is essential for BlackBerry users that want to
sync their smartphones with a Microsoft Exchange Server and get
updates to their email, calendars, and contacts in close to
real-time. While this service is considered essential for users to
get the most from their devices, RIM has always charged licensing
fees for the software on a per user basis. For many customers,
those fees have been a barrier to entry.
RIM's free version of BES will offer the core functionality,
including all basic security features, at no cost. Businesses will
only need to cover the cost of the installation and setup itself,
making the entire process significantly cheaper than before. The
free version will be compatible with Microsoft Exchange 2003, 2007,
and the forthcoming 2010. Some advanced features will be scaled
down, such as customized security policies, monitoring, or
exceptionally high availability, but for most small to mid-sized
businesses who would benefit from this free version of BES, those
features won't be necessary.
READ MORE >>>
Build a Strong Brand Alongside a Booming Business
It has become quite apparent that the power of social networks
is immense - so much so that quantifying it has become an epic
landmark for marketing companies looking to hone in on
consumer targets. But when small businesses get caught up in their
day-to-day work, it's easy to forget that their brand can take on a
life of its own within a social media circle.
The average consumer (and business owner) has multiple platforms
to "speak" - both on a personal level and a professional level and
there is plenty of value (and hard work) in taking responsibility
for your brand's online presence.
In a post by Ross over at crowdspring.com, he discusses four
reasons why it's particularly important to have a strong brand
presence online:
READ MORE >>>
Beware: Rogue iPhone Apps that Steal Data
There's no question that the iPhone was an anomaly that quickly
spawned a revolution in the realm of mobile technology; a deviation
from the norm that was so engaging, it inspired everyone in the
industry to rethink the role, design, and potential of a cellular
phone.
However, the popularity that has ensued has put Apple in a
position in which they are not accustomed. The iPhone has become
popular enough that it has transcended the usual "high-end niche"
status of most Apple products, and its market share has made it
more of a target for cybercrime than anything it has released
before.
As CNET reports, there have been a numerous
and growing number of instances in which iPhone apps are stealing
information for the users who download them. Apple, still perhaps
too lax in the domain of malware security because it isn't used to
its products being targeted, has done little more than remove
malicious apps from its store on an "as-needed" basis.
Unfortunately, by the time these apps have been discovered as
harmful, the damage has already been done to those who have
downloaded the software.
READ MORE >>>
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