December 2012
In this issue:

Our service team is another engineer strong! Please welcome Terry Allen to the HTS family.

Terry is based in our Joplin office. He is an IT professional with 15 years of experience who is passionate about his faith, family, and technology. Terry is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and previously worked as an IT consultant serving clients in manufacturing, banking, retail, and healthcare.

We're very happy to have Terry with us!

As we approach the end of 2012, we want to say thanks for your partnership with HTS. We are glad you made the choice to work with us if you are a new client and we appreciate your continued support if you are a long-time client. We may sell technology but everyone in our company knows that at the end of the day we are in the people business. We count it as a privilege to serve you.

This Christmas we send you our best wishes for a time filled with the true blessings of the season. Rejoice, for unto us a son is given.

With the new year rapidly approaching, now is the time to start thinking about what projects you’ll be implementing throughout 2013 and beyond. Microsoft has already released many new products in the past year - Windows 8 and Server 2012 - with more to come in 2013 - Office 2013.

What better time to start learning about all of these new programs and how they can impact your business?

In conjunction with Microsoft, we are presenting an educational webinar series over the next 3 months to let you see and learn more about each of these!

We are kicking off this webinar series on December 18th with a look at the brand new Windows 8. Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014, so now is the time decide the future of your organization!

Microsoft’s Surface tablet was made available for purchase October 26, 2012. This is the first version of Microsoft’s response to the current most popular tablet, Apple’s iPad.

Currently available Surface tablets run Windows RT – a slimmed-down operating system optimized for touchscreen interaction and app usage – and include the main Office apps; Surface tablets that run the full version of Windows 8 Pro are expected in January 2013. The Surface’s screen is 10.6” and its resolution is 1366x768 at 600 dpi. It can recognize up to five different points on contact on its touchscreen. The Surface has an HD out port, a Micro SDSX slot, a micro HDMI port, and a USB port. It weighs a mere 1.5 lbs.

What are the pros and cons? Continue reading »

Business Continuity Tip:
Make It Your Business to Fight the Flu

No one looks forward to flu season, but it's a time of year that is especially challenging for employers. When one employee comes down with the flu, it's usually only a matter of time before most of the workforce starts calling in sick. Projects stall. Productivity levels plummet. And once that happens, all you can do is wait for the flu virus to run its course.

Because of the recognized risk flu season presents, many employers are now taking a proactive approach to protecting employees against seasonal flu. One effective plan is to offer a workplace flu clinic. Offering a clinic in the workplace makes it easy for employees to get immunized without taking the time to find one on their own or scheduling a doctor's visit.  

According to the CDC, the flu costs businesses $10.4 billion in direct costs annually, so it's a wise business decision to host an onsite flu vaccine clinic. More employee participation leads to fewer employees sick with the flu, less sick time paid, less absenteeism and ultimately more productivity. 

For more information about hosting a workplace flu clinic, download the CDC's Seasonal Flu Vaccine Toolkit for Businesses and Employers.

Just for Laughs

Quote of the Month

"Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others."

—Unknown

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