Several years ago, we invested in leading edge software for IT Managed Services. This has proved to be a fantastic tool to help maintain our clients' networks!

For participating clients, we're able to respond quickly to minor incidents without needing to make a site visit or struggle blindly on a phone support call, by simply remoting in to the user's PC or server. The user can view our efforts as we resolve the problem, or they can just get us to look at it while they go off and get a coffee. This saves valuable time getting to site and minimum site visit charges. The client gets their issue resolved quickly without having to wait to schedule a site visit. Everyone's happy.

But the system can do much more! We can deploy network wide software updates without going around each PC. Comprehensive scripting enables automation of almost any software package deployment.

But there's more! We can use the Patch Management function to automatically deploy all the latest patches & updates to workstations & servers, controlling the reboot process and avoiding the need for workstation users to have administrative access. By ensuring PC's have the latest patches, it keeps them from falling prey to exploitive code that can compromise a PC or server and therefore network security, data integrity etc.  Not to mention costly down time and the really big one: ANNOYANCE FACTOR!

Other features include Computer Inventory & Audit, Network Monitoring & Alerts (check backup status, drive space availability, antivirus definitions date etc), Help Desk & Trouble Ticketing, comprehensive reporting, Network Policy Enforcement and more. All with maximum security.

It's as much a "must-have" for PC's as anti-lock brakes have become for cars. There was a time when it was considered an expensive option; now it's standard equipment for so many obvious reasons.

Ideal Technology Solutions provides extensive training for a wide variety of hardware that is used in everyday tasks.

Here are some areas for which we provide training:

• Internet access, shortcuts, do's & don'ts
   
• Virus protection and awareness
   
• Managing files and directory using copy, move, delete
   
• File System structure and layout of the
   
• Customizing desktop and menu layouts
   
• Hard drive maintenance using Scandisk, Defrag etc
   
• Data backup and Preventive maintenance

Networks are a vital part of a business's data flow and productivity. They can also be a point of frustrations when they're unreliable and/or when not set up and maintained properly.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Is your network reliable?
   
• Is your data secure?
   
• Is your network technology out of date?
   
• Are you looking at new technologies like wireless?

Ideal Technology Solutions has the experience and know-how to handle all your networking needs. Let ITS help make your network a dependable resource you can count on.

Call us to talk about how we can help you with your network, new or existing. Or take a few moments to fill out your details and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Please note, * denotes a "required" field to insure we can get back to you.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a hot topic these days, with a slew of companies promising all sorts of results to help increase web site exposure and search engine "hits".

Our advise is to exercise caution before engaging some of these "professionals", many of whom we believe are regrettably little more than snake oil salesmen. Some of the "tools" or services may have some effect on your site ranks, but many are only very superficial utilities designed to create income for the "service provider" while only nominally improving your site.

While there are a lot of complex factors that can affect how your web site ranks with search engines, there are a number of simple steps you can take that can cost little or nothing, but make a LOT of difference to how your site ranks.

The first thing is to have a site map. This is the primary document by which search engines index your site. This page is a simple html page that contains simple html links to every page on your web site. This page, once submitted to search engines, will be regularly revisited for subsequent re-indexing of your site.

Another significant element is to have links from other (independent) web sites to yours.

A great way to achieve this is to work with your existing vendors and clients to request links to your site from theirs, in return for posting a reciprocal link on your site to theirs.

Simple links are enhanced when the link contains a brief description of products & services that correspond to the key words for which you wish your site to be optimized.

If you'd like to be listed in our link exchange program, please send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Another important factor is content. The more "content" your site has, the more there is to index. So add as many pages as you can to your web site with content relevant to your business. That includes everything from helpful hints, additional resources, in depth information about products and services and so on. Make sure each page you create is readily accessible from your navigation menu and that there is a link to it on your site map.

Free Resources:

Below are some free resources which you may find useful when working with your web site:

SEOmoz.org - an article on search engine ranking factors
Website Grader - a free tool that measures the marketing effectiveness of a website.
Search Engine Land - a site that discusses trends in search engine technology and more
Search Engine Watch - another resource for SEO
Search Engine Roundtable - another worthy SEO resource

Viruses, SPAM & All That Other Stuff
The threat of viruses, internet worms, phishing, keylogging and all manner of spyware and other nasties is immense and ever prominent to anyone that uses a computer and has access to the Internet &/or e-mail.

Though it's unusual for viruses to destroy ALL of your data, the consequences of an infestation can be extremely severe. These include identity theft, being blacklisted for propagating SPAM and many more. They can be very time-consuming and expensive to remove; especially when you factor in the cost of lost work time and the frustration of passing problems on to your clients and friends. The increasingly sophisticated threats propagating on the Internet make it vital to have professional-quality protection.

Oh, and let's not even get started on all that annoying SPAM.

But we can help with everything from virus & SPAM protection software & devices through to helpful advice in preventing attacks and problems using settings in existing software & equipment.

Computer technology is what we do. Let us help you find your Ideal Technology Solution. We'll get it right - the first time!

Whether you want to add new data/voice circuits to your existing building or wire a new office complex, Ideal Technology Solutions can help.

Typically, we run plenum rated CAT6 cables for data and CAT5 for voice.

A typical "drop" includes cable, termination, wall jacks, labeling and testing.

We pride ourselves on neatly organized cables, properly printed (& accurate!) labeling and cleaning up our mess!

Our smalled job: a single data line.

Our largest job: over 22 miles of voice & data cables in a multi-floor new build facility in Durham, NC.

In addition to voice & data cabling, we also run CATV & control cables of various kinds, depending upon the application.

Call for a highly competitive quote.

• Installation of the latest drivers, service packs, and bug fixes to keep your machine running at the latest release levels.  This has become of critical importance recently as there are significantly increased "vulnerability attacks" which install spyware and viruses.  This is a process we can even automate & monitor using our "Virtual Server Administrator" software.
• Application, Internet, and temp cleanup of files the system is no longer using.
• Hard drive clean up and defragmentation for smoother and better drive use and efficiency
• Physical cleaning of hardware of dust and dirt that can build up on fans and surfaces which can cause your machine's fans to work harder than necessary and cause premature hardware failure

Ideal Technology Solutions provides on site repair & support for name brand and clone network and computer equipment and installations. This can include:

• Replacement and repair of failed computer and network equipment
• New equipment installation
• Network upgrades
• Server replacement & migration
• Upgrades of RAM, hard drives, optical drives, and other hardware
• Firewall, router, switch, and network card replacement
• Data transfers from old systems and servers to new equipment
• Virus, Spyware, and Adware detection and removal