October 2019

630.850.9039 Continued pg.2 We love this stuff! We are committed to helping businesses use technology to run their organization successfully and profitably. Your Image Here What’s New This monthly publication provided courtesy of Catherine Wendt, President of Syscon Inc. October 2019 I love October—I can indulge in those candy corn and pumpkins, or enjoy a pumpkin scone or latte; got to love early Fall. We’ve been busy making plans with our clients to replace Windows 7 computers and 2008 Servers before the January 2020 deadline. This is a big project! The whole world has to say ’good-by’ to these old operating systems, usually involving new equipment. We have a couple of articles in this issue which should help clarify what’s going on. Halloween can be a lot of fun. With the shorter days and so many children out and about, be careful when driving that night. Enjoy the changing colors, too! - Catherine Wendt We have a number of clients with servers that need to be replaced before the January 2020 end-of-life deadline from Microsoft. Just to bring you up-tospeed, any server running 2008 OS, or any SBS server needs to be replaced. Microsoft has already retired these products and as of January 2020, they won’t provide any security updates, putting you and your network at risk. So, what are the options? REPLACE YOUR PHYSICAL SERVER You can replace the physical server as you’ve done in the past. Many clients have taken this option and are very happy with the result. This is a chance to purchase the latest server equipment and the latest models are more energy efficient, definitely faster, and have better cooling designs. Many rackmounted servers have dual power supplies, another safeguard to keep your systems up and running. This is a capital investment of hardware and software, plus the labor to set it all up and move your data; no small feat! Along with the new Operating System software, you’ll have to purchase other licenses that are needed in a network. Be sure to check if your mission-critical software is compatible with MS 2019 OS, or if you’ll have to downgrade to MS 2016 OS (Sage 100 Contractor clients, this is for you!). Some clients are buying the equipment outright, others have chosen to finance. In either case, check with your tax accountant about possible tax write-offs. PRIVATE HOSTING Another option is to move to a private hosted server. We provide hosting to our clients and we have a lot of clients taking advantage of this service. You essentially ’lease’ Replacing End-of-Life Server 2008 Operating System R I P -- 1 of 4 - All Things Tech October 2019 (continued from page 1) the hardware and software; more resources can be easily added as you grow, it’s a smaller up-front investment, and the server is fully backed up, which has been critical for a number of clients. When you have a hosted server, it is available from any computer with an internet connection. This is great for staff who may work remotely, from home, or from different office locations. Remember, you have to have an internet connection, so consider having a mobile hot spot as a backup in case internet service is not available, or unusably slow. HOW TO CHOOSE What are some hot reasons to choose one option over the other? We’ll have a ‘live’ webinar on the topic, giving you a chance to ask your questions so you can make an informed decision. Here are a few things for you to consider:  Replacing aging equipment has a higher upfront price tag. You’ll have to purchase all the equipment, software, and license cals. Setting up a new server is laborintensive, as well.  When moving from a local server to a hosted server, there will be some changes your staff will have to get used to. Working in the cloud is different.  For a local server, you need to be sure you have a solid, imagebased backup (not just a copy) that allows for disaster recovery.  In a private hosted environment, it’s important to find out how the data and the server are backed up. WHAT ABOUT SAGE 100 CONTRACTOR? Sage does NOT have any plans to move S100C to the cloud. They have a commitment of 10 PLUS years of support and new features, but not in the cloud. However, with our cloud hosting, you can access S100C from any computer with an internet connection. For clients who don’t want to keep an onsite server and who want access when traveling or for their Project Managers who are at job sites, moving to a hosted server has been a big win. So, if your server is running Microsoft 2008 Operating System (OS), it’s time to decide whether you’ll replace the server and OS, or move to a cloudbased server. There are some important things to consider and we strongly recommend reaching out for some guidance; but don’t wait. The change needs to be in place before January . That means all planning, purchase/setup, needs to be done and everything moved, prior to that date. Cathy and Larry Sightings Catherine attended a 3-day business training in La Jolla (beautiful) and an IT industry event with Mary in Nashville. Larry played second horn with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra. The event was so well attended, there were people standing in the lobby! ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is NOT AN ACT, but a habit.’ - Aristotle 630.850.9039 I heard Chad Carter speak at the C12 Currents event in Atlanta, GA in May. The topic was hiring, which seems to be THE hot topic at every event and webinar I attend! Mr. Carter’s career has been focused on hiring; getting the right person in the right role to fit the company. His presentation was great; I bought this book for all of our Leadership team. Even in the introduction, we are cautioned that this is a process. He says that the number one reason leaders make bad hiring decisions is that they compromise and settle; they don’t have the discipline and tools (and patience) in place to hire the best person for the job. This is an incredibly expensive mistake when you consider out-of-pocket costs, training costs, training time with other staff, the hit to morale, on boarding expenses including IT setup, and all the pieces that make up the hiring process. I strongly recommend this book! - CMW The Five Attributes: Essentials of Hiring by Chad Carter “Another option is to move to a private hosted server.” -- 2 of 4 - Shiny New Gadget Of The Month: Research suggests that when you wake up naturally (that is, you aren’t jolted awake by an alarm or radio), you feel more refreshed and energized during the day. The Philips Somneo Sleep & Wake-Up Light puts this research to the test. It’s designed to simulate a natural sunrise right in your bedroom. You can set it to your specific needs, and it will slowly and steadily brighten when you need to wake up. It can also simulate a sunset for the opposite effect when you’re going to bed! You can even use the light as a reading lamp — and it has a built-in radio, too! The Philips Somneo Sleep & Wake-Up Light is a versatile device, perfect for anyone who wants to get a better night’s sleep. Find it at Amazon and many other electronic retailers. Windows 7 Upgrades/ Replacements We’ve sent newsletters, video blogs, email blasts; we’ve even included it in blue (now pink) ink on our invoices— in January 2020, the Windows 7 Operating System is end-of-life and will not be supported by Microsoft. This means no more security updates or patches, making each computer vulnerable to hackers. If these computers have important data or sit on your network, you are at risk! We’re past the mid-year point. We’ve seen Intel Processor shortages (the ‘brains’ of the computer) earlier this year; now back orders for PC’s and laptops. The whole WORLD has to make this change, so as the day gets closer, it will get harder and harder (and maybe more expensive) to get computer replacements before the deadline. Don’t wait until the end of the year to address this, or you may run out of options and have to shell out a lot more money. We’ve had a few clients reach out to do this planning. In the coming weeks, we’re going to continue to work through our client list asking for time to review what you have, what you need, and to get things started so you’re not between a rock and a hard place as the deadline approaches. Please accept our call and block the half hour to do this planning! One final thought—we, and every other IT company, expect to be VERY busy in November and December (and probably January) with companies that didn’t plan ahead. Maybe we’ll be able to help them beat the deadline, and maybe not. Maybe there will be computers in stock, and maybe not. Don’t get caught in the middle. Give us a call to book a time to go through the list of equipment and put together a plan! - CMW These Are The Biggest Privacy Threats You Face Online Today Webcam Access—While it’s rare, there are known exploits that allow others to access your webcam (such as malicious software or software security flaws). Putting electrical tape over your webcam isn’t a bad idea, but more webcams are coming with kill switches and shutters for peace of mind (or we’ll send you one of our webcams). Phishing Scams—Don’t ever expect these to go away. People still fall for them. NEVER click links in e-mails from anyone you don’t know (and even if you do know them, verify that they sent you a link—e-mail addresses can be spoofed). Web Browser Plug-ins—Vet every browser plug-in and extension you install. Many extensions collect your browsing history and sell it. Read the terms of service before you click install (a good rule of thumb for software in general). Ad Tracking—Web ads (and web ad providers, such as Facebook and Google) are notorious for tracking users. They want to know what you like so they can cater ads directly to you in the hopes that you’ll click the ad, which gives them ad revenue. It’s one of the many reasons why people use ad blockers. Device Tracking—If you have a smartphone, chances are it’s being used to track your every move. Again, it comes back to delivering ads that are relevant to you so you’ll click on them. For companies like Facebook and Google, users are the product. Inc., 7/19/2019 All Things Tech October 2019 630.850.9039 The Philips Somneo Sleep & Wake-Up Light From the Techs -- 3 of 4 - All Things Tech October 2019 Technology and Lead (Pb) Is One Like the Other? Our use of technology isn’t just sitting down at a computer; it permeates our entire day, every day, from your morning alarm on your phone all the way to the end of the day. Even when we’re on the road, we’re focused on where we can plug in or recharge our devices so we can stay connected. We use technology to get our work done, stay connected with friends and family, attend school, handle our personal finances and paying our bills, order take out, and on it goes! In Ed Stetzer’s excellent book, Christians in the Age of Outrage, he asks us to consider the potential long-term implications of our unchecked embracing of technology, using an example from the not-too-distant past. The introduction of Lead (Pb)—Lead is dangerous when consumed by humans. But when it first came out, it was considered a miracle:  It helped house paint dry faster  Lead pipes were bringing drinking water straight to our homes  Lead was added to gasoline to help boost octane levels for power and efficiency The result?  Contamination of air, dust, soil, drinking water, and food crops  Harmfully high human blood levels of lead, especially in children Not a lot of testing was done to determine potential long-term implications of adding Lead into our lives, and we definitely suffered as a result, ultimately going through great efforts, and expense, to pull all this lead out of our lives. So, back to technology and I’ll tie this together. What about our acceptance of all things new when it comes to technology? Have you invited Alexa or its counterpart into your home? Does your shower, garage door, lights, and entertainment system all run through a computer and over the wi-fi? How many times a day do you check your email, your phone, Facebook, Twitter, and the list goes on... In Adam Alter’s book, Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked, he talks about addiction, something we usually associate with heroin, nicotine, and alcohol, to name a few. We have a whole new addictive set of behaviors when it comes to technology. Here are a few facts Mr. Alter cites:  We spend 3 hours a day on cell phones  Teenagers are spending hours and hours, day after day, playing video games alone in their rooms  One report says that kids open Snapchat more than 18 times a day! When it comes to this addiction to technology, it’s not a matter of will power. There are many people on the other side of those screens whose job it is to keep you engaged, break down your self-regulation, and keep you addicted. Consider your consumption of technology; how about your family members? We don’t know the longterm effects to us or the next generation. Be careful who and what you invite into your heart and mind, not to mention your home and business. —CMW Collecting Time From the Field Just Got Exciting! You won’t find a better, fully integrated, field time collection solution than ours because we wrote it to do what our clients told us they needed! Interested? Want to enjoy Mondays again? Join us Friday, October 25th, 1:00pm Central Time to hear all about it! 630.850.9039 This month’s trivia question: Which of the following is the correct order for the next three preϐixes after “Mega‐”, from smallest to largest? a) Peta-, Giga-, Tera- b) Tera-, Giga-, Peta- c) Giga-, Peta-, Terad) Giga-, Tera-, PetaCongratulations to last month’s Trivia Contest winner, Lisa Feger with Mid‐State Steel in IL! Lisa’s name was drawn from the ϐishbowl for last month’s correctly answered Question: These keys were originally programmed to always send the same sig‐ nal/code. Which of these keys can now have a different instruction set for every operating system and/or application? d) Function keys Who Wants To Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card? To enter: Go to www.Syscon‐inc.com/Trivia and type in your answer. All correct answers will be put into a ϐishbowl and we’ll randomly draw the winner. The Winner will be contacted shortly after the deadline and will be announced in next month’s newsletter. Deadline: October 21, 2019 -- 4 of 4 -