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  MANAGED IT & CONVERGED COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS
The SynerTel Sentinel  Online Edition 
Halloween 2012   Issue 180
In This Issue
New Toshiba Cloud Phone System
Managed IT Care Improvements!
669 Area Code Debuts Oct 2012
OS Upgrade or no? Ask the experts
Billing Scam - beware!
Welcome & Thanks!
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 News you can use!
 
Ben Stiegler
  
Short and sweet: Enjoy some holiday nonsense from us - then get serious about saving $ by taking advantage of section 179 deductions for 2012. The IRS allows you to deduct the whole enchilada in this tax year - and pay for it over time.

Sweet! and it may not repeat - so see below for how this will benefit your organization.     
 
.

Ben Stiegler, CEO
415 746 1811

 



SynerTel's Monster Mash ...
 
There's really no way to apologize for this ... 
MMAsh
Click to see us Mash it up

    

  

   

but you'll be humming it for days!         

  

  

Don't Miss out on Sec 179 Deduction this year - $139K deduction now - AND lease it over time

  

Roach   

 

 Many business owners are unaware that you can lease a technology solution with  a $1 purchase option lease AND qualify for the tax break provided under the IRS code  Section 179. 

 

What does that mean for you?  

 

Section 179 allows taxpayers to take an outright deduction of the  full purchase price of qualifying assets purchased during the tax year - EVEN if its leased.  A $1 purchase option lease  is considered a qualifying purchase under the Internal Revenue Code.


The limitations on the deduction for tax years that begin in 2012 include:


(a) a $139K  aggregate cap on the Section 179 deduction
(b) a dollar-for-dollar reduction in that cap to the extent that the cost of qualifying equipment
placed in service during the tax year exceeds $560,000
(c) the deduction cannot reduce taxable income below $0
(d)  Contact your tax advisor to confirm how you may benefit from this tax break - then  ...  

 

lets get hopping on the server upgrade, workstation refresh, new phone system, or video security system that you've been putting off. The asset MUST be in service before 1/1/2013 to qualify.

 

Call us today  at  415 746-1801 or email sales@synertel.com to get the ball rolling - don't miss out! 

 

 

SF Bay Area - new 669 Area Code overlays 408 - Oct. 12 changes affect YOU!

  

Roach 408 Area Code Map Its been a while - but the Bay Area is again running out of phone numbers - this time in the South Bay.  A new 669 area code will overlay the existing 408 territory.  Starting October 12, 2012, from inside the 408 area code on landline or mobile, you MUST dial 1 + 408 + NNN-NNNN to make calls - which formerly were only 7 digit dialing. Its fine to reconfigure today - 11 digit dialing is already accepted by all carriers for 408. 

 

Starting in November2012 , new telephone numbers will likely be assigned mostly from the new 669 area code.

 

Automatic dialing systems (alarm panels, entry control systems, speed dials, modems, securiy gates, call forwarding settings,  fax speed dials, etc.) will also need to be re-configured and tested.

 

You may also want to update email signatures, business stationery, pet rescue tags, marketing materials, etc. to ensure that all 10 digits are specified.  

 

If you need assistance with reconfiguration or testing, please contact our customer support team at 415 746-1800 or support@synertel.com

 

More information is also available at www.cpuc.ca.gov/408areacode  

 

Server 2012?  Windows 8? IOS6?  Eeek!

  

Roach Microsoft 2012 Logo  Many new software products were released in the last few months - and many of you are asking us "what should we do?".

 

Here are our short-term recommendations:

 

 Windows 8 - WAIT. While there's a lot of cool stuff, W8 is really about touch screen functionality (and Windows-based tablets and smart phones). In the meantime - developers and support teams for software you use and rely on are still shaking out compatibility issues - and (as often happens), device drivers for trusty old printers, scanners, web-cams etc. that you are using may not be updated soon (or ever) for Windows 8. Give this one some time - and if you feel strongly about W8 -do a thorough assessment of your applications, drivers, and hardware before deciding.  Need help? Give us a call! 


SERVER 2012 - GOOD TO GO!  Server 2012 mostly introduces a new concept of licensing which works well in virtualized server environments.  Licensing is much simpler than the dizzying array of options for Server 2008. You choose Standard or Enterprise - then buy additionall licenses for processors (cores).  Each Standard license allows the use of 2 virtualized servers - which is more economical than doing virtualization under Server 2008.  When purchased through SynerTel's Microsoft Open License program, end users receive down-grade rights - which means you can continue to run Server 2008 (and perhaps 2003 in some cases) using the 2012 licenses. Ask us for a consultation if you're ready to think about virtualization, cloud hosting, or are wondering if your current Microsoft licensing is in compliance.

Apple IOS6

 

APPLE IOS 6 for iPhone - WAIT. Apple Maps is not functioning well (though you can use Google Maps thru the Safari browser),  Street View is lost, and Apple Flyover is very limited. And if you upgrade - there's no going back to a prior IOS if you don't like the results. . Hopefully a month or 2 will see the rough edges in IOS 6 smoothed out.   

 

Confused or want some help? Call us at  415 746-1800 or email support@synertel.com

 

 

Beware UST Billing Scam! We've seen this many times ...
 
 

Scam Alert!SynerTel is alerting customers about  questionable invoices from a California company.  You may receive an invoice for $450 for "Telecom Maintenance" from UST, which also calls itself US Telecom.

  

  

According to the invoices, the business is located in La Verne, California. It even has a seemingly legitimate website, 800 number and FAX number.

  

The scam is simple. UST sends invoices to companies in the hope that they are too busy to question it, and will simply write a check and send it along. The company has left a trail of complaints nationwide. USV example

According to the Better Business Bureau in California, UST claims that the invoice is not for services rendered, but for preventative telephone system maintenance for the year to come, making it a "solicitation".

The BBB believes this invoice is misleading and does not meet solicitation requirements set by the U.S. Postal Service.

SynerTel advises customers to be on the lookout for this scam by carefully reviewing all bills and invoices. When encountering an invoice from an unfamiliar firm, verify it with the person in your company who gives purchase authorization for telecom services. Or if you're unsure - just give us a call!

  

Need help with your telecom services, network support, or communications systems? Want a complimentary audit of your IT and telecom spending?  We are here to help!  Call  800-359-8357 or email sales@synertel.com        

  

  

 
Welcome New Customers! & our thanks to existing clients for major new projects

Building Futures with Women & Children - East Bay

North Point Apartments - SF

Wilsey Bennett - SF

Zerve - SF and NYC

Black Box Network Services - Islip, NY

Bar Method - Marina Studio - SF

A Squared Ventures - SF

MythBusters - SF

Jaffe & Abkin LLC - SF

Mitchell Law Group - SF

Morningside Translations - SF

Murphy McKay & Associates - Lafayette

United Valley Insurance Services - San Rafael

Giampolini & Co - Emeryville

Mercy High School - SF

Tsar Nicouli Caviar - SF

Myers Urbatsch PC - SF

Holtorff Medical Group - SF

Margolin & Biatch - Oakland

Wu Yee Childrens Services - SF

Salitos - SF

DPK Consulting - SF

Iconiq Capital - SF

Broadway Pharmacy - Burlingame

Anil Verma Associates - Oakland

ABC Supply - Oakland

Akay Sull - SF

Crab House - SF

Western Hydro - multi-states/locations

100 Webster LLC - Oakland

Amber Investments - SF

Friends of the Urban Forest - SF

The Gardener - Berkeley

Urban Stratagies - SF

SF University High School - SF

Midwest AgriCommodites - San Rafael

Summit Technology Group - Salt Lake City

Coventry Park - SF

East Bay Childrens Law Office - Oakland

Piedmont Apartments - Oakland