Apple OS5 Review

Apple OS5 Review
Apple is making a monumental strive towards cloud computing with the release of the new operating system for Iphone, ITouch, and IPad. The change is revolutionizing how our smart devices store and backup crucial data and eliminates the need for a PC. In addition to cloud-based storage with all OS5 capable devices the operating system itself has overhauled many long anticipated features. Here are what I believe to be the greatest benefits to upgrade to OS5.
1) Backing up is SIMPLIFIED. Users have two options: Backup to ITunes like normal or backup to the cloud. The backup process takes place at night while the phone is charging without your involvement. It is also possible to sync to ITunes over Wi-Fi!
2) Tether free! Apple has officially cut the cord. The company who brought us the original PC has now told us they are obsolete. IPhone, IPad, and ITouch are now 100% configurable without a PC. All purchases from Apple can be downloaded to any and all devices with a simple push. Or, if you prefer, when a song, app, or book is purchased on one it will automatically download to all devices that use your Apple ID without even prompting you.
3) Cloud-Based storage. Email (@mac address, or @me.com addresses), reminders, contacts, app data, pictures, and notes are all stored on the cloud. If you edit a note on your iphone the change will be reflected on your IPad. This is essentially MS Exchange for everyone who owns an apple product.
4) IPad Keyboard Change. Although it needs a little tweaking, the IPad’s keyboard can now be slightly separated for easy thumb typing. This was a very nice upgrade.
5) Siri. Siri can only be found on the IPhone 4S. Siri takes normal voice to text processes and runs circles around them. It is simply amazing how it understand basic questions and provides the right answer. Simple questions like “Will I need an umbrella today?” will return answers such as “No. There is no rain in the forecast for today.”. Giving certain commands such as “Remind me when I get home to call my sister” will create a geo-fence around your home alerting you to call your sister when you actually arrive at home. Of all the features this one is probably the most substantial.
All of these features are available (except Siri) for free on all Apple products. Although there are more features and updates I think these are the most noticeable and impressive. OS5 has certainly changed everything again.

-Brett Haralson


7-15-2011 Moving to Cloud Nine

by Brett Haralson

It was not long ago that a major milestone was reached when a computer screen could display simple mathematical computations. Since that time a single computers have evolved into pocket sized, dual-core processing, 500 gigabyte hard drives that are readily connected to anything available in a multi-mile radius. Similarly our business network infrastructure has morphed from single computer stations into multi-computer stations with a central server controlling it all. What does the future hold and where will it all go? Into the cloud.

Imagine a world where all of your files, pictures, and emails exist on your handheld device as well as any desktop PC. You would edit a document on a PC at home and have the same document immediately on the office PC with real time synchronization. There would be no worries if data was backed up in the event of a PC/Server crash because the data never existed on the PC/Server. Emails would flow directly to your phone and your PC/Mac at the same time – and would delete from both when you deleted from either. All of this would be easily accomplished without a server.

Welcome to the cloud. It’s server-less, readily available, redundant, and there are no software upgrades, compatibility issues, or front end expenses. Cloud computing originally allowed multi-location organizations to access the same data simultaneously by hosting data in data centers. This structure is still used today by many large corporations like Wal-Mart. The data never solely exists where it is accessed. For example when you purchase an item at Best Buy the transaction information doesn’t reside at that single location. An item purchased at Best Buy in New York could be returned to a store located in Mississippi because all Best Buy locations have access to the same transaction data. Similarly when a business moves their documents to the cloud infrastructure the files are available to that business from anywhere in the world.

So why is this so appealing? There are several plus’s and several minus’s. Let’s take a look at the pros first.
#1 No hardware required. One of the largest investments a business can initially make towards their network is a server. The initial cost can range from $2,000 to $6,000 and even higher in multi-server networks. This doesn’t include security measures, power failure backups, data backups, and other must-have network provisions. Data is backed up for you and older versions and deleted files are available from most providers. Take the old tape backups and use them as table and desk stabilizers!

#2 No upgrades needed. This is a relatively new concept that has taken flight. SaaS (Software as a service) is becoming a massive industry. Freeing users of the software licensing bonds for a small monthly fee is a price many are eager to take. There are services available that will simulate popular software titles through web-based applications and allow users to open, edit, and create documents. There is never a need to upgrade your own software because it is all handled by the SaaS provider.

#3 Availability is everything. Most providers of SaaS or online document storage have already integrated with newer app based phones. Access to documents, emails, and pictures are a thumb-press away. If a PC/Mac/Handheld is near so are all the documents on the cloud.

#4 Fixed Costs. It is the same every month.

What are the cons?
#1 Who owns your data? That is a very serious question and the answer is not always clear. Depending on the policy of the provider the answers may vary.

#2 Who can see my data? Privacy is a large concern for many businesses. Certain information is privileged and should not be accessible to prying eyes – but are they prying? How do you know? Does placing confidential information on a remote server (that you do not own) violate privacy? How long will it take for hosting companies to figure out how to data mine our files and market it? It may not happen, and maybe the IPhone doesn’t really have the ability to record our every move.

#3 Never-ending costs. Cloud users will always have a monthly fee. Convenience is the price and ownership is not always included. It might still be more cost efficient to move to the cloud opposed to purchasing a new server. This is always dependant on the business processes and the costs should be weighed carefully.

#4 Downtime is bad. It has happened before and it will happen again. Files that cannot be accessed are no good at all.

The cons bring to light several controversial concepts and the pros simply offer a sometimes better solution for a lower price. At Matrix we provide both solutions and support each equally. A balanced infrastructure should utilize the pros of both systems while diminishing the undesirable parts. It is not always possible to increase availability, sustainability, and privacy while maintaining low cost and lowering required support. We recommend a healthy mixture, however several clients wish to exist only on the cloud and we seamlessly facilitate their requests. It is important to weigh the options and costs and evaluate providers to avoid pitfalls. Your data is your business and it should have all the safeguards one can put in place.

** Matrix Solutions is a leading provider of business networking services, on-site service and support, network monitoring, computer repair, and basic technology consulting to businesses in Central Mississippi. We cover Jackson, Madison, Ridgeland, Richland, Brandon, Canton, Clinton and surrounding cities. Visit our website at matrixsolutions.com**


June 2011 New machine specs

Time for a new workstation?

Here are our current recommended specs:

Processor: Intel i3 or i5 processor.
OS: Windows 7, Professional ( or Ultimate,) 64-bit
RAM: 8GB Minimum
HD: 250GB is plenty for office environment where most data is stored on the server
DVD Burner: Get it. You'll need it at some point.
Dual Monitor Video Card: Get it. You will want 2 monitors if you don't have them already!
Office 2010 Home/Small Business. Comes with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Acrobat X Pro: Yes it costs more, but the PRO version has text recognition, Bates stamping, and tools to shrink the size of your resulting files.

Remember, we can spec out, order and deliver this to you for our cost + 10%. Call us and let us handle the purchase for you!

** Matrix Solutions is a leading provider of business networking services, on-site service and support, network monitoring, computer repair, and basic technology consulting to businesses in Central Mississippi. We cover Jackson, Madison, Ridgeland, Richland, Brandon, Canton, Clinton and surrounding cities. Visit our website at matrixsolutions.com**