RCG

The spring weather we’ve been waiting for is finally here! As you bid winter “farewell,” and begin the spring tradition of re-organizing your house and tending to your yard, don’t forget about another important part of spring cleaning: the cleaning of your gadgets and computing devices. If you’re not sure if this should be a necessary part of your spring cleaning routine, take a moment and reflect on your day-to-day actions at the office and ask yourself these questions:

• Have you ever politely covered your mouth to cough and then returned to typing or talking on your phone?

• Have you ever gone to the restroom and taken your cellphone with you?

• Do you ever not have a tissue handy, sneeze and then return to work on your keyboard, mouse or phone?

• Do you have a hand sanitizer at your desk? Do you re-fill it?

And finally, this disturbing statistic: recent studies have shown that a keyboard carries more than FIVE times the dirt and germs a toilet seat does. If your answers to the questions don’t convince you, the statistic should do the job. All the devices, gadgets and tech accessories you use are the forgotten ones when it comes to cleaning. This can have detrimental effects to the device and more importantly, to your health. There are easy rules you can follow to make sure you and your favorite gadgets are clean and sanitary to use.

1. Power it Down The number one rule to keep in mind before cleaning your computing devices is to make sure you turn off the device and unplug it from any chargers. Not only will this ensure your own safety, but it will avoid the opening of applications and/or clicking of random keys or buttons. Though it may pain you to turn off your phone and be disconnected for even a short amount of time, trust us, it’s necessary.

2. Keep it simple There is no need to go out and buy expensive cleaners for electronics. However, don’t use a cleaner you have lying around the house either. Bleach and even some multi-surface cleaners can scratch the screens of many gadgets. The best solution is to mix rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Always spray on a microfiber cloth first and then apply to the device. Never spray directly on the device.

3. Be Detailed When it comes to gadgets and tech accessories, remember to be tedious about the cleaning. Simply wiping down your keyboard won’t do the trick. Use Q-tips or a small electronic brush to clean out between the keys where most dirt and bacteria live. Also, canned air is a great tool to help you reach the tiniest places.

4. Wash your hands Think of washing or sanitizing your hands as the other golden rule. You never know what germs are circulating through your office and with the invention on hand sanitizer you have no excuse not to have clean hands. The more you do this, the less likely you are to spread germs to others and yourself. So do yourself and co-workers a favor and please, wash your hands!

Your gadgets will be good as new if you follow these simple rules. Happy Spring Cleaning!

The introduction of Microsoft’s Office 2013 like all updates, has been met with mixed reviews since the update came out earlier this year. If you have made the jump, you’ve seen that there are significant differences in the content as well the lay out of the applications. If you are avoiding the update and dreading learning a new Office version, avoid and dread no more! We at Rouse Consulting Group want to fill you in on 10 features you didn’t know you loved about the new Office. This blog will (hopefully) help you embrace and thrive with the 2013 update.

1.     Embrace the SkyDrive

Even if you’re still scratching your head on what exactly, “the cloud” is, you will enjoy using SkyDrive which is Microsoft’s take on cloud computing. With this Office update, you have access to your own personal SkyDrive, which you are able to use anytime you’re online. SkyDrive allows you to collectively work on files with co-workers in a simple, easy-to-use way. Whether it’s a PowerPoint presentation, an Excel workbook or a Word document, all of these files can be shared and edited by multiple people via SkyDrive. This makes collaborating on a project much simpler and enjoyable without the constant back-and-forth of emails.

2.     Inline Replies

The inline reply in Outlook is a feature I didn’t know I needed but now I couldn’t imagine my email without it. When you hit “Reply” to an email in Outlook ‘13, your email no longer pops out but instead creates a new line within the email. We find the inline reply option to be faster and more efficient than the old way. However, if you are a fan of the pop-out reply option, you simply click “Pop-out” in the 2013 version and all is well.

3.     The Unread Option

If you are the type of the person who dutifully keeps track of all emails, making sure you read each one as they come in, this option may not excite you as much as it did our office. In Outlook ’13, there is now an “Unread” option at the top of your inbox that allows you to easily fish through an inbox full of both read and unread messages. When selecting “Unread”, you are automatically filtering your email so it only displays all unread emails.

4.     Resume Reading

This new feature doesn’t require a long explanation but instead is a simple, new addition to the program that makes all the sense in the world. Resume Reading does just what it sounds like. In Word, when you re-open a document after having looked at it previously, it takes you to where you left off. It is an automatic bookmark that comes in handy most with large documents that you are unable to read in one sitting.

5.     PDF Editing

Microsoft finally made it possible for you to not only open PDF’s but also, to edit them in the new Word 2013. The update has made it possible to arrange lists, paragraphs and pages in a PDF as easy as it is in a Word document. Bravo, Microsoft!

6.     Manage your People

Generally speaking, the section of Contacts in Outlook has improved all around in this update. Microsoft has renamed this section “People” and moved it to one of the four tabs that make up the bottom menu in the application. The “People” section helps keep all your contacts in one place and makes it much easier to find a specific person or email address.  Your contact list reads more like a phone contact list rather than a collection of tiles like in Outlook 2010. However, if you miss the old lay-out, you can click “Business Cards” in the top menu and you will see a more familiar view of your contacts.

7.     New Templates

When you open Excel, Word or PowerPoint in Office 2013, you will right away notice a difference in the start-up menus for each application. On the left side of the menu are recent projects you have worked on and the right is filled with updated templates. Along with the updated, more user-friendly templates, Microsoft has provided a tour option with the applications that help you learn the new features. We suggest you utilize this as it is a quick but informative look at all every update.

8.     One workbook = One window

A great new feature in Excel is that each workbook is its own window. This makes the process of working on two different workbooks happen with much more ease and much less hair-pulling. If you are someone who works with multiple monitors and looks at spreadsheet after spreadsheet, you will especially appreciate this upgrade.

9.     Attachment Reminder Feature

Are you that person who gets the “Hey, you forgot to add the attachment” email on a regular basis? Forget no more. Now, Outlook will warn you if you have forgotten to put in the attachment of an email. The Attachment Checker will recognize words like “attached”, “attaching”, “enclosed” or “included” that will trigger a reminder to you if you hit send without an attached file. This feature echoes a similar G-mail feature but regardless is a handy tool that can be enabled and disabled through the options window in your Outlook.

10.    How’s the Weather?

One of my favorite new features of this update is the ability to view your local weather within Outlook. By clicking the “Calendar” option on your bottom menu, you not only have all your calendars in a new, clean layout but you also have the weather for the next three days running across the top of your screen. Also, you can add locations and manage which city’s weather you are viewing. Again, this is one of those options I didn’t have before but I now couldn’t do without. 

Change is not a bad thing! We hope that you have learned a little bit more about the features you can use on the new and improved Office 2013.  Good luck!

From Trend to Necessity

Tablets were first acknowledged by tech experts as a “trend” when they arrived in 2010. However, as we move through 2013, we are seeing that word disappear as tablets have laid their foundation in the market as a legitimate computing device. The Internet, your email and a whole world of apps wrapped up in a device that is designed to accompany you on-the- go is why tablets are making such a splash in the technology world.

Experts report that web-browsing is the most common use consumers are buying tablets for. Tablets allow access to the Internet on a device bigger than your smartphone but without the bulk of a laptop making them, the happy medium. This year it was reported that tablets passed smartphones in global web page views. The margin was dismal, 7% compared to 8% but it is the rapid growth that is getting everyone’s attention and making tablets the reason even the biggest companies are adjusting their strategies.

Read On

When it comes to consumer use for tablets, reading or “e-reading” is right up there with email and web browsing. Amazon and Barnes & Noble have been successful in recognizing this and finding their niche in the tablet world. Devices like Kindles and Nooks allow the most avid readers to store over 1,000 books in one seven inch tablet. In the beginning of e-readers, many people were critical of the modernization of the peaceful act of reading a book. Admittedly so, I was one of those people. I have gone full circle: detesting the idea of e-readers while clutching my paperback, to attempting to read a few books on my iPad (first generation) and finally, breaking down and buying a Kindle and realizing how awesome an e-reader actually is.

The Kindle and Nook have taken reading to new heights with the no-glare screens, multi-media capabilities and affordable prices. The two companies stepped it up with the release of the Kindle Fire HD and Nook HD that compete with any mini tablet in the market. A side-by-side comparison is the only way to decide which one is right for you. They both deliver great experiences in a 7 inch screen for an affordable price.

The Big Players

It is nearly impossible to discuss anything in the technology world without mentioning names like Google, Microsoft and of course, Apple.  All three of these companies have a device in the tablet war but which one should you buy? It all depends on what you are looking to get out of your tablet.

When comparing the tablets, the iPad will come out on top. Not because of its infinite App Store but because of its advantage on the market. Most apps and games come out first for Apple’s platform giving the consumer a sense of importance when purchasing one. Also, iOS is an unarguably a strong operating system that has the “street cred” many brands dream of. Android, however isn’t far behind in that sense. Google delivers a solid experience in the Nexus with more device options than Apple for about $100 less.  All considerations in the ten inch tablets boil down to budget and personal preference.

Microsoft and Windows RT are not the best choice, yet. The price is not right for a device that is proving to be sub-par to its less-expensive counterparts. However, like we said in part one of this blog, no one has counted Microsoft out as they are just getting started in the tablet world.

Mini is the New Black

Predictions are circling in the digital sphere that 2013 is the year of the mini. Consumers especially are praising mini tablets because they are driving down the cost of all tablets. Companies are delivering the full experience of a tablet in a smaller, more efficient package. Compared to 9-10 inch tablets, the 7-8 inch tablets are hitting a sweet spot in consumerism we didn’t know existed – that is, until the iPad mini.

The iPad mini changed the tablet world because it offered the full Apple experience in a less expensive and more portable package. It was speculated that the Mini sales grew rapidly to the point of taking away sales from the original iPad. The most impressive factor is that it’s the first model Apple has put out in the 7-8 inch market. However, rumors of the second model speculate that the best has yet to come for the iPad Mini. That is why Microsoft is supposedly putting out a mid-range priced 7 inch tablet later this year. With the success of minis like the iPad Mini, Nexus 7, Nook HD and the Kindle Fire HD, companies can’t ignore the demand for the minis. No definite announcements have been made by any company but one thing is for sure: mini tablets have become a larger part of the market than anyone expected.

The debate on whether tablets are in position to replace PCs is one that we’re tired of hearing, but one fact cannot be ignored in the PC vs. Tablet ring – the PC market is indisputably on the down fall.

This past holiday season tablet sales increased to more than half of those of personal computers; to the tune of 52.5 million. The number of PCs sold was 89.9 million, but that was a significant drop of over 6% since 2011. Nevertheless, tablets are not the first device to disrupt the world of computers. With the arrival of the laptop, people began to think that PCs were not only on the decline, but also unnecessary. Once the hype cooled down consumers came to the realization that a portable computing device is great and necessary for many, but there was still a role for the desktop computer to fill. The tablet trend is a little different because, unlike desktop computers and laptops, there are several different battles to be won in the tablet war.

For instance, look at Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Apple’s iPad. Both are successful tablets, but they are vastly different. The tablet industry is being made up of companies finding their niche and not necessarily companies attempting to deliver the same experience as a personal computer in a handheld device. However, two tablets come very close to just that; the newest generation iPad and the Microsoft Surface RT.

The Surface and the iPad compete in the corporate tablet battle. Many companies are investing in iPads for employees or allowing them to bring their own in the spirit of BYOD. Now, with the Surface on the market, they are forced to make a choice – which one is better for work? The quick answer is the iPad.

More than any other reason, the iPad is on its 3^rd generation and the Surface is just on its first. The first iPad wasn’t perfect and the same is true of the Surface. Many believe that it is a notebook pretending to be a tablet. Experts agree that it is almost awkward to use without the attachable keyboard and isn’t the point of a tablet to be handheld? Another con is that there are not nearly as many apps for the Surface as there are in the App Store. Also, if you have a Surface, hopefully Bing is your favorite search engine because that is forced as your default unless you download a separate Google app.

The Surface, though, has one big feature the iPad doesn’t (and may never) have – Microsoft Office built in. This is reassuring for companies and their employees. However, it does make the Surface less of a consumer device and more of a business tool. The average consumer who purchases a tablet for personal use doesn’t have an overwhelming desire to make a PowerPoint presentation or type a Word document.

It is important to know that the iPad does not win by default. Apple has earned its top spot in the tablet world. Its design is sleek, stylish and, most importantly, easy to hold. The App Store offers an infinite amount of options to make your iPad a device that works just for you. It is user friendly, holds a charge, and has the awesome retina display.

What are the iPad’s main issues for business? The lack of Office and too many choices for a keyboard. The iPad’s fatal flaws are the Surface’s main strengths, making your choice for a tablet a decision that could make you go in circles. For now though, the iPad is the best choice.

Stay tuned for part two of this blog next week that will focus on tablets used for everything BUT business!

At Rouse Consulting Group, we aim to keep every aspect of our business current and innovative. This is not only evident in the services we provide for our clients’, but also in how we communicate. Another objective is to be as accessible to our clients as possible. When there is a problem at a site, 9 times out of 10, it needs to be addressed immediately. Therefore, we have made sure that there are multiple different ways that our clients can contact the RCG team. As a client, by using these different means of communication you are not only getting faster service but you are helping RCG improve the ways we connect with you.

1. Chat – Our chat feature is the best way to get ahold of the RCG team. It is the most efficient and an instant way to connect with an RCG technician. By going to our website and submitting a chat request you are sending an immediate alert to the whole RCG Team. Your chat will be answered our next available technician and he will be able to assess your problem right then and there! Our live chat support option makes RCG a step above the rest in communication technology. Chat us up so we can help YOU out.
2. Text – We realize that not everyone has a computer in front of them 24/7, however, more likely than not, you do have a cell phone in your hand. That is why we have created the text option for our clients. Save the number 309-524-5086 as ‘RCG Support’ in your mobile device, that way, whenever you have an issue, you can text your name, company and issue to RCG so we can assist you immediately.
3. Customer Portal – When you become a RCG Client, you receive a user ID and password in our Customer Portal. This feature allows you to do many things, but one option is you can create a service ticket. The ticket you create then is sent to our Support Board and assigned to one of our dedicated technicians. This communication option is quick, efficient and can be done in a matter of seconds.
4. Email – We know that email is a big part of most our clients’ work days which is why RCG has the email support option.  By emailing support@go2rcg.com, you are sending a service ticket request. That request then goes straight to our Support Board and is assigned to an RCG Technician. It is a very simple and a very direct way to connect with the RCG Team.
5. Desktop Icon – See the green “R” icon on your desktop, in the start bar down by the clock?  Clicking that icon will bring up a menu with SERVICE REQUEST, CHAT WITH RCG, and CLIENT PORTAL, among other things.  Another easy way to contact us!
6. Phone – An oldie but a goodie; call us at 309-762-3589. Your calls are very important to us; when you call, our Client Advocate will answer, assess your issue, and create a service ticket for your company that will go straight to the Support Board. From there, the ticket will be assigned to of our technicians and they will resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
7. Tweet/Facebook – Although this is not a way to submit a support request, social networking is great way to give feedback to RCG. We update our Facebook and Twitter pages daily to bring you the latest in RCG and technology news. Facebook and Twitter strengthens our relationships with our loyal clients because it allows them to reach us on a different level than support tickets. If you had a good experience with a technician, like an article we post or want to give us a shout-out, our social media sites are the a great place to communicate!

We are living in the new age of marketing.

Social networks, SEOs and smartphones have transformed communication.  Whether it’s on Facebook, in Google World or within the Twitter-sphere, brands large and small are expected to have a presence to build stronger relationships with their customers.  Also, the development of programs to manage and measure customer service and satisfactions has become more and more sophisticated.  The productive combination of statistics and technology give all companies the opportunity to pick from thousands of different databases that can tell you who’s buying what, when their buying it and why they do.

As an IT firm, Rouse Consulting Group welcomes new technologies with open arms and we pride ourselves on being a current and relevant company. However, we believe in the power of one number more than any other percentage or database: the number one.

RCG’s goal is to go above and beyond for every client with our level of IT support to the point that they would recommend our services to another company. One client recommending us to any other one company, in our opinion, is the most powerful marketing tool.  That is why we have created the RCG Referral Program.

Our Referral Program encourages our loyal clients to spread the word about RCG Services with the opportunity to reap some benefits as well.  Should the business you refer sign up for one of our plans, RCG will gladly write you, your business or you favorite non-profit a check for $100.

We put no limit on the amount of referrals you can make because we believe the influence of one happy, satisfied client makes them the most valuable kind of client.

In the early 90s, a significant shift happened in the retail industry with the advent of online shopping. Instead of drudging in and out of stores and dealing with unwanted lines and crowds, you had the option of browsing stores from the comfort of your home. With a few clicks and a shipping fee, your order was en route and at your door in 5-7 business days.  Almost overnight, the entire experience of shopping was transformed.

Nearly twenty years later, another development is on the brink of changing how consumers purchase their goods. Mobile payments are slowly, but steadily, proving they are an efficient means of currency and more importantly, the next level in the retail industry. The birth of online shopping changed how customers shopped. Mobile payments, on the other hand, are changing how customers pay. In addition to being able to pay for your goods by mobile device, some innovators are working on technology that can even identify you via your smartphone. Essentially, technology is moving in a direction where your credit card, cash and ID are obsolete and your wallet can be left at home. Before a wallet-less world can happen though, mobile payment technology must be better understood.

The term “mobile payments” covers an array of transactions making it important for businesses to have a focused and thought out strategy before entering the mobile payment world. Many businesses are weary of moving to mobile payments because of the security and privacy concerns for their customers. Nonetheless, paying with a mobile device is the future and a good investment for retailers as well as the customer. Some companies are merely dipping their toe in the mobile payment water, other companies such as eBay and Starbucks are diving right in.

eBay’s PayPal system got the ball rolling early on in safe and secure mobile payments. Many companies choose their system because of its proven reliability and success. PayPal has a spectacular free mobile app that easily and efficiently allows the user to manage their account. PayPal is not the only contender in the mobile money race, though. Recently, Starbucks’ choosing to use Square, Inc. was a strategic move that didn’t go unnoticed by other big corporations.

For some background, Starbucks already has a successful mobile app that among other features, allows customers to pay with a virtual Starbucks card. Their partnering with Square, Inc. is in hopes to introduce a new trend in mobile payment apps called, geolocation technology. This technology will be able to identify a customer via their mobile device when they enter a Starbucks as well as their customer history (ie: their drink order). The customer will order and pay without searching their pockets and purses for their phone or wallet. Suffice to say, Starbucks is ahead of the game which is why big names like Target, Wal-Mart and 7-11 are teaming up to develop an app and calling themselves the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX) in an effort to be a contender in the mobile money race. Also, Google’s recent release of Google Wallet has gotten mixed reviews but no one is ready to count them out just yet. With a company as relevant as Google, their app and strategy is guaranteed to continually grow and improve.

Moreover, mobile payment is still in its infancy. Why? In a word, it is confusing. With every business trying to be the “top dog”, the consumer is left deciphering which store takes what type of mobile payment. In order to avoid confusion and time at the register, they will swipe their plastic or if they’re feeling nostalgic, pay with cash.

Are we moving to a wallet-less society? Yes. It is going to happen soon? Not quite.

Bottom line, when you control how consumers pay for something, you control a lot which is why the competition won’t be ending anytime soon. However, there was a time when consumers had a specific credit card for every one of their favorite retail stores. Quickly for efficiency reasons, that evolved into having just one Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. The mobile payment trajectory seems to be similar to that of the credit card companies. It is safe to say that not until the companies develop a seamless way to make any type of mobile payment anywhere, all efforts are considered in the beginning stages.  In the meantime, the next time you go out to purchase the new Blu-Ray, get a new pair of shoes or buy groceries – don’t forget your wallet.

This Wednesday, Apple enthusiasts will be clutching their iPads and zeroed in on their iPhones to listen to the long awaited Apple press event. There has been much talk about an updated iPod and the iPad mini swirling around the circuit but judging by the event invite, we will still be in the dark on the details of their arrival.  On the invite, a bold “12” representing the date of the event is casting a shadow of the number “5” foreshadowing that the conversation will be focused around the arrival of the iPhone 5 and nothing else. Considering the amount of predictions, rumors and “leaks” around this product, it is safe to say they will have plenty to talk about.

To say the next generation iPhone is highly anticipated would be a gross understatement.  A day hasn’t gone by in 2012 without a new leak of the screen dimensions, the icon display, the connector jack or a video of the alleged “prototype”.  Though we will not know for sure until Wednesday, here is a round –up of what will most likely be addressed and what Apple buyers can expect to be revealed at the event.

What we (think) we know

Less glass, more metal: Countless Apple users experienced the following awful scenario: for whatever reason, your iPhone drops. You slowly pick it up, dreading the probable damage that has occurred. You look at your screen to see it has violently shattered. Cell phone carriers had enough customers come in with this situation for the Apple engineers to take this into account when redesigning.

The past iPhone models have sported a glass back and front adding to its chic-ness and also to its not-so-pretty ability break upon dropping. A return to a metal back of the phone is a throwback to the 2007 iPhone however, many leaks report a wider and thinner design making the new model much more innovative than the old, metal iPhone.

Downsizing of the dock connector: The rumor of the new model going from a 30-pin port to an 8-pin one is the most recent and exciting rumor. The very wide 30-pin connector being ousted would allow for more battery space which would delight its users. However, this new feature could have one major drawback: all your 30-pin accessories will be essentially useless, that is, until a proper adapter comes out.

4G LTE: This feature is the one that users are wishing and hoping for the most. The lack of 4G LTE on the most current iPhone model is obvious especially after the new iPad’s lightning speed of 4G with its long battery life was put on the market.  The upgrade seems to be a no brainer except for the fact that it will alter who carries the iPhone because of Sprint’s subpar LTE network and T-Mobile’s lack of one at all. Verizon Wireless and AT&T with their stronger LTE networks will be the leaders of the pack in sales if 4G LTE is one of the new features.

Up in the Air

New headphones: The iconic white headphones have been rumored to be changing up with the arrival of the next generation iPhone.  Pictures of the so-called “new headphones” have a new, rounder shape with some exposed speaker on the sides. Still white and still Apple-esque, this is one feature that may very well be just a rumor, but Apple users are intrigued, nonetheless.

Siri update? With the latest iPhone will come the latest Siri. It is speculated that Siri will be easier to use in the car and within other apps with a new technology Apple is calling, Eyes Free.  More details will hopefully be revealed at the press event on Eyes Free and Siri’s status.

What we’re excited about:

What’s In a Name? With the underwhelming name of ‘The New iPad’ last year, many users are wondering if the next generation iPhone will follow suit as ‘The New iPhone.”  Many internet forums and reports have taken to calling it the ‘iPhone 5’ however, if anyone is counting this will be the sixth release of the iPhone. Regardless, we are all anxiously awaiting the official name that Apple comes up with and with all the new innovations that are hopefully all that users expect, and much more.

Upcoming Microsoft Office 2013

For more than 20 years, Microsoft has held more than 90% of the business productivity software market. If your occupation involves a desk and a computer, chances are you are more than familiar with Microsoft Office 2010 or an earlier version. This software runs the lives of billions of people who have grown to have a love/hate relationship with the likes of applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook. Microsoft hopes to lift the “hate” from these relationships with the highly anticipated release of Office 2013.

The official release is to be determined however the consumer preview Microsoft has started to build the excitement for “the biggest, most ambitious Office” to date. The new Office introduces an array of new features that are bound to please the countless users who have stared at the old version for quite some time.

At first glance, the most obvious change is the overall look of the application. Microsoft was smart to spiff up the layout. The consumer preview sports a metro-influenced design in contrast to a desktop application. The layout is clean and unified and a refreshing step up from the same old interface that people are used to seeing. This improvement will help cure the everyday, mundane interaction with Office users have grown to resent.

The interface makeover is a noticeable change. However, the most significant is the new collaborations Microsoft has included in Office 2013. This version was designed with the cloud in mind. Instead of saving to the C-drive, users will now be saving to SkyDrive. The SkyDrive is the user’s vehicle to ensure their latest spreadsheet, Word document, or PowerPoint presentation, made it safely to the cloud. By default, all files will be stored online, therefore, it is much easier to share them. By going to the “Share” menu, you can now post your document to a social network, email it as an attachment, or allow others to edit your document. However, the downfall to the recent customer preview is that all Office applications do not automatically sync to the latest version of the document on each device you use. For instance, If you edit a document on your tablet and “Save and Close”, and later on, go to work on that same document on your local PC, you could have at least two different versions of the same document. Microsoft would be wise to consider this in their final release to avoid much confusion and frustration.

Other interesting new features are Read Mode, editing of PDF files in Word, Presenter View in PowerPoint, and “Peeks” in Outlook. All of these changes, whether subtle or dramatic, are significant to the user. It is evident that Read Mode was deliberately created for tablet computers. Once you enter ‘Read Mode’, your document takes up the entire screen like an e-book with the pages scrolling from side to side instead of top to bottom. Also, Microsoft has finally accepted that PDF’s are not going away, and now allow easy editing of them in Word, as if they were a Word document. This is a very subtle change that may not affect all Office users, but the ones that are, will be very appreciative. The Presenter View however will be received well by many. It offers a grid that displays the entire PowerPoint presentation. This allows you to jump wherever, whenever quickly and without exiting out of slideshow mode. It saves the anxiety of messing with your presentation as your entire audiences watches. The Peeks feature is another small, but handy, change in Office. In Outlook, you now have small, fly-over menus that will pop up when you put your mouse over icons. For instance, by putting your mouse on your calendar icon, you will know what your upcoming appointments are without having to click through multiple tabs. Again, the look in all these applications have been altered to the metro-style as well, but it is the new features that are going to be the most exciting for consumers.

Microsoft has been very hush-hush about the official release date, but it is suspect to come on the scene early in 2013. The preview is a step forward and is making users anxious to get their hands on the newest version. The new polished version is on track to please its countless users and will once again prove Microsoft as the top dog in office productivity software in the world.

With the arrival the iPhone, a significant shift happened in the ever-changing world of technology: users became the ones with the most cutting edge IT devices. This shift has led to the unwillingness of people to leave their shiny, new device at home and in turn, use an older, less updated computer in the workplace. As a result, a growing trend in business is the “BYOD” policy, or, Bring Your Own Device to the office.

Many businesses are encouraging “BYOD”, because of the benefits that their employees gain from this new idea. However, is it all good things in the BYOD way of working? Before you implement such a policy, it is important to understand all the pros and cons that come with having your employees supply their own PCs or mobile devices.

The Good:
When you use the same phone or computer for personal and working reasons, it is inevitable that you will become better accustomed with your device. More time will be spent on the device outside of office hours and as a result, the user will become more knowledgeable and more comfortable with their computer, tablet or mobile phone. This advantage is in the employee’s favor. The second perk to BYOD benefits the IT employers. By allowing BYOD in your business, it will cut your costs and shift those costs to the user. Unexpectedly, reports have shown that employees do not mind covering the price because the device they have chosen to bring is the technology they prefer to use creating a win/win situation for each party.

Lastly, the final advantage with BYOD policy is it keeps your business current. Users want to bring their own PCs or mobile devices because it is the latest in technology, therefore your business will be up to date in its hardware. Also, the user is in control of updating software on the device and won’t have to wait for the business to run an update on every office computer.

The Not-So-Good:
Although the benefits are many, there are downsides to your office being BYOD. With each employee bringing their choice device, the company may lose control over the IT software or hardware and what is done on the PCs or mobile devices. When everyone is using hardware issued by the organization, it is much easier to implement regulations.

Employees may not be as willing to follow certain guidelines when they are using their own computers they have paid for themselves. For instance, they may be more inclined to visit social networks, online shop and do other non-work related activities during office hours. In this sense, the workplace becomes less productive and BYOD is working against itself. Alongside this, by carrying a device back and forth from home and work, the employee is more likely to get a virus on their device and inadvertently upload it to the office network. To avoid these problems, your company must have a clear and detailed policy outlined regarding bringing their own devices so everyone knows what is expected.

Another difficulty that comes with allowing BYOD, is that the employee’s personal computing device will leave the secure office network and therefore, can cause major problems for the organization. This opens the possibility for classified or private information to leave the hands of the worker into non-secure networks or worse, being hacked.

The last disadvantage of BYOD is that it tends to position the employees to always being “wired in”. Their gadget or device that was purchased to make their life (working and personal) easier could become an ever-present symbol of work related stress. Anxiety of constantly being connected to work can cause disconnection from other important aspects in their personal life. Learning to hit the “off switch” from the constant flow of work and information, is important for workers who BYOD.

Bring Your Own Device, is the beginning of the new age of IT workplace policies. Whether you decide to embrace the policy or not, make sure you are aware of the advantages and disadvantage that come with it.