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ABC Computers eNewsletter                                                                                                November 2011

800-834-7700                                                                                                        www.ABC-Computers.com
In This Issue
Microsoft Software Licensing: How You May Be Wasting Money
3 Lessons Learned from a Thanksgiving Car Crash
10 Tips & Considerations for Planning a New Network
Save Thousands and Get the Solutions You Need NOW by Combining Year-End Microsoft Promotions with the Tax Benefits of Section 179
The Top 10 Most Expensive Computer Disasters that Wipeout Businesses & How to Prevent Them from Happening
Upcoming Webcasts
Shop Floor Data Collection for Dynamics NAV Now Available from ABC Computers
ABC Holiday Hours

In observance of the upcoming holidays, our offices will be closed on the following days: 

  • Thursday, 11/24
  • Friday, 11/25
  • Friday, 12/23 (at Noon)
  • Monday, 12/26
  • Monday, 1/2
However, staff will be on call for emergencies. 
ABC Computers

Offices in Waupaca, Rhinelander and
La Crosse, WI, as well as South Bend, IN.

Staff located throughout the Midwest including Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago.

 Headquarters
1990 Godfrey Drive
PO Box 546
Waupaca, WI  54981
 
Phone
800.834.7700
 
Technical Support support@abc-computers.com

General Inquiries

Website
ABC-Computers.com 
  
ABC Computers
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Tips & Tricks
After Hours with ABC Team Members
Get to know the personal side of our team members as they share thoughts and experience from outside the office.
 
 
 
ABC Customer Comment
"I can speak for our owners and our entire company when I say that ABC's customer service is awesome. The expertise and teamwork of their employees along with meeting our deadline dates made a real impact on our company."
Carol Dierck, CFO
Especially for You, LLC

Capital Building
  

Never lose valuables again!

 

With the Cobra Tag, your belongings are secure from loss or theft. After synching your device to the free smartphone app, simply attach it to your key chain, purse or laptop bag in order to protect those items.

 

November Quick Quiz

Enter our monthly Quick Quiz drawing for your chance to win the shiny new gadget of the month, a Cobra Tag

 
Question:

In addition to Thanksgiving and Veteran's Day, what else takes place in November in the United States?

 

a) National Beard Month

 b) National Tobacco Awareness Month  

c) National World Kindness Day

d) All of the above

 
Submit your answer to
info@abc-computers.com.

A winner will be drawn from the correct responses on
December 9, 2011.

October Quick Quiz Winner! 

Question:
Which of these great construction and engineering achievements in American history was unofficially opened on August 15, 1914?

a) The Panama Canal
b) Alcatraz
c) Mount Rushmore

Answer:
a) The Panama Canal

Congratulations go to
Troy Hutchinson from

LIDS Team Sports who won

a LOGiiX USB Power Cube.

Greetings!  

 

Each November I look for new ways to embrace the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Of course, I take pause to reflect on the things for which I am grateful. But, this year I also took time to remember the Pilgrims and why they made the arduous journey to America.

 

During the process, I stumbled upon a great article written by Rob Goldberg called, "5 Lessons Every Business Can Learn from the Pilgrims."  Here are the highlights:

 

Lessons 1 - Rules of engagement are important. Before they arrived, the Pilgrims wrote the Mayflower Compact, a set of rules for community members to follow. Every company struggles with getting team members on the same page from time to time. Developing a charter and putting your strategy in writing ensures employees know the "whys" and the "whats."

Lesson 2 - Don't be afraid to change the business model. Plymouth started as a "labor in common" model. When that wasn't working Governor William Bradford changed the model to "individual enterprise."  The change increased harvest output and the Pilgrims never went hungry again. Recognize when things aren't working and modify your plan.

Lesson 3 - Be open to learning new things. The Indians taught the Pilgrims how to grow native crops. By embracing this knowledge, the Pilgrims forged a partnership with the Indians Capital Buildingand learned how to provide for their people. Businesses thrive when leaders take an active role in the industry and build in-depth knowledge of the marketplace.
 

Lesson 4 - Share the bounty of a successful harvest. Nothing builds a better sense of pride and ownership then sharing success with the group.

Lesson 5 - Persevere.  Every business has hardships. The ups and downs will test your leadership abilities. Stay focused, don't over react, reflect on the situation, and be willing to make changes. 

 

The Pilgrims were thankful for being able to provide for themselves and developing a good working relationship with the natives.
 

During this time of thanks, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our customers for their loyalty and confidence, and to our employees for their hard work and dedication. Without you, ABC's success would not be possible. 
 
Warm wishes for an abundant holiday season,  

Donovan's Signature 

Donavan Lane, CEO
ABC Computers, Inc. 
Microsoft Software Licensing: How You May Be Wasting Money
 

There's no doubt that you've heard the saying, "Too much of a good thing."  This is true in everyday life as well as business.

 

One such place where you might own too much, and be spending extra money, is with Microsoft software licensing. Read on.>>

3 Lessons Learned from a Thanksgiving Car Crash
 
Capital BuildingThanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
 
As you prepare to hit the highway with millions of other motorists this holiday, take these 3 lessons learned into consideration.
Computer Network Design: 10 Tips & Considerations for Planning a New Network
 

Network DesignA new computer network for your business presents plenty of possibilities and can be a huge asset for accommodating new growth.

 

Like any complicated project, creating a new computer network design, and then building it, requires a variety of skills and plenty of planning.

 

Use these 10 network planning tips as a checklist of considerations to review with your IT department or outsourced IT service provider.

 

Save Thousands and Get the Solutions You Need NOW by Combining Year-End Microsoft Promotions with the Tax Benefits of Section 179
 

 

If you've been contemplating a software or hardware purchase, there is no better time than now to take action.  Microsoft is running a number of year-end promotions that offer HUGE savings on the products and solutions you need now. 

 

Combine these discounts with the benefits of the Section 179 tax deductions and you gain a savings opportunity like no other. It's like putting your wallet on steroids! 

 

Check out these 5 opportunities for extraordinary Microsoft savings and learn about the tax benefits of Section 179.

 

The Top 10 Most Expensive Computer Disasters that Wipeout Businesses & How to Prevent Them from Happening to You
 

 BadDady

Have you ever lost an hour of work on you computer? It was frustrating, wasn't it?

 

What if your network went down and you were unable to access email or your business applications for hours or days? Imagine losing your client database, financial records, and all of the other files your company produces. 

 

That wouldn't just be frustrating; it would be devastating!  Unfortunately, it happens more frequently than you might think.

 

Based on our work with more than 300 area businesses, we determined that 6 out of 10 will experience a major technology disaster that could have been avoided.

 

To ensure you're not one of them, ABC Computers is offering a complimentary report called, "The Top 10 Most Expensive Computer Disasters that Wipeout Businesses & How to Prevent Them from Happening to You."

 

When you download and read the report, you'll discover: 

  • Critical security measures every business should have in place
  • The single, most costly mistake most businesses make when it comes to protecting their irreplaceable company data
  • How to avoid costly network repair bills
  • A simple way to protect your network that won't cost you a dime

 Get your complimentary copy at www.ABC-Computers.com/Top10.

 

Upcoming Webcasts

WebinarWednesday, 11/30: Using Dynamics NAV and agilesWorkflow to Help Employees Focus on the Right Tasks at the Right Time

 

Attend this webcast and learn how agilesWorkflow can help identify, analyze and optimize business processes both inside and outside of Microsoft Dynamics NAV.  Register to reserve your spot and receive login instructions.

  

Wednesday, 12/14: How to Cut Costs and Unify Your Communications with Microsoft Lync

 

Email. Phone. Instant Messaging. Video Chat. Online Conferencing. Desktop Sharing.  Oh My!


All of these tools are very helpful for communicating with co-workers, customers and partners. But, logging into a half dozen apps every day is a real hassle.  Not to mention, it's expensive and time-consuming to maintain the supporting systems.


If you're thinking, "There's got to be an easier way to utilize and manage all these communication tools," you're right.  There is. And, it could save you a ton of money to boot. 


That's why we're excited to introduce you to the latest addition to the Microsoft Unified Communications lineup: Microsoft Lync.


Attend our December 14th webcast and discover how Microsoft Lync can help you:

  • Dramatically cut communications and IT costs.
  • Connect with others anytime, anywhere, and from virtually any device using a single user interface for email, presence, IM, voice, video, calendaring, and desktop/application sharing.
  • Enhance teamwork and collaboration - whether you're across the hall or across the country.
  • Improve operational efficiencies while reducing administrative burden.

Register to reserve your spot and receive login instructions

 

Shop Floor Data Collection for Dynamics NAV Now Available from ABC Computers

ABC is pleased to announce that it has developed a solution that makes it easier for Dynamics NAV users to calculate actual production costs more quickly and accurately.


Let us show you how we've brought data collection directly to the shop floor where you can capture labor and output against a production order in real-time - swiftly, efficiently and affordably. Contact us at 800-834-7700 for a demo.  
 

 

 

 
About ABC Computers 

ABC Computers has been providing a unique blend of business software solutions and computer support services to businesses - small and large - since 1984. Over the last 25+ years, we have earned a reputation for exceeding clients' expectations and developing lasting relationships by first listening - learning about your business - and only then suggesting solutions to help you achieve your objectives. 

 

With 3 locations in Wisconsin (WI), 1 location in South Bend, IN, and staff throughout the upper Midwest, ABC offers business consulting and IT services through two distinctly related teams. Our business management systems group specializes in financial management and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision) and Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains). ABC's computer support services team specializes in troubleshooting IT problems that disrupt business operations and transforming technology from a burden into an asset.

 
Donavan Lane, as well as each team member of ABC, is dedicated to your complete satisfaction. Thus our commitment to implementing "Business Solutions...Your Way."