Tony is principal analyst with the Bradley Strategy Group, providing analysis and insight on tech trends. He is a prolific writer on a range of technology topics, has authored a number of books, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. More by Tony Bradley
What do you do when you call a co-worker but they’re not at their desk to answer the phone? You might send a text message to their mobile phone to try and reach them, but people using their own mobile devices may be reluctant to share their personal mobile number for business purposes. RingCentral may have a solution for that.
It is adding a new feature to its cloud-based business phone service that enables your business number to be the focal point for text messaging as well as voice and fax calls. The text messages can still be routed to an iOS or Android personal mobile device, but the sender only needs to know the business number, so there is a consistent, professional point of contact that also maintains a veil of separation between work and personal life. A "Do Not Disturb" feature enables users to stop receiving business-related communications after hours--and RingCentral simply holds the texts, calls, and fax messages until it's enable again.
RingCentral Office lets managers send a text message en masse to entire departments without having to look up each individual phone number. The RingCentral tool also makes it easier for users to keep track of business voice, fax, and text messages by organizing them together in one place.
Tony is principal analyst with the Bradley Strategy Group, providing analysis and insight on tech trends. He is a prolific writer on a range of technology topics, has authored a number of books, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. More by Tony Bradley
I’ve had a month to play with the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT tablet. Microsoft faces a serious challenge to compete against devices like the Apple iPad, Google Nexus 10, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, and other full-size tablets. But, Microsoft deserves some kudos for engineering a very solid, capable device to show off the Windows RT platform.
When I box the Surface RT tablet up and send it back to Microsoft, I’ll just go back to using my trusty iPad. But, there are a number of features of the Surface RT that I will miss.
The kickstand makes the Surface RT function like a laptop.Read more »
Tony is principal analyst with the Bradley Strategy Group, providing analysis and insight on tech trends. He is a prolific writer on a range of technology topics, has authored a number of books, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. More by Tony Bradley
Lync 2013 has a variety of benefits that businesses can take advantage of to make internal and external communications more effective and efficient.
Lync, which comes bundled with Office 365 business subscriptions, is Microsoft’s server platform for unified communications. In a former life, it went by the longer, but more accurately descriptive name Office Communications Server. Lync ties real-time presence information with instant messaging, video conferencing, and voice communication, and it integrates with Exchange email and Microsoft Office applications.
Here are 5 reasons businesses can benefit from adopting Lync 2013:
Tony is principal analyst with the Bradley Strategy Group, providing analysis and insight on tech trends. He is a prolific writer on a range of technology topics, has authored a number of books, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. More by Tony Bradley
The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is a suite of tools available to Microsoft Software Assurance customers that enables IT admins to manage Microsoft environments more effectively. App-V—one of the tools included in MDOP—has been updated with significant enhancements IT admins and users will appreciate.
What is App-V
Let’s start with a little background on App-V, which is short for application virtualization. Rather than having you install separate copies of software on individual PCs, App-V enables organizations to host the application and deliver it virtually to users. From the user’s perspective, the software looks and acts as if it’s installed locally, but from the IT admin’s point of view it is much easier to manage and maintain a single instance of the application.
Tony is principal analyst with the Bradley Strategy Group, providing analysis and insight on tech trends. He is a prolific writer on a range of technology topics, has authored a number of books, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. More by Tony Bradley
Encryption can be a bit of a double-edged sword for organizations. It is an effective and essential tool for protecting sensitive data, but it often comes with a healthy side of user confusion and help desk calls. Microsoft hopes to simplify the process of implementing and managing BitLocker data encryption with the launch of Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Management (MBAM) 2.0 Beta 2.
A Windows for Your Business blog post announcing MBAM 2.0 Beta 2 points out that many states have data breach legislation in place, and that the penalties associated with failing to protect data can get quite costly. “I think this proves that the rules and stakes for data security are rapidly changing and there couldn’t be a more important time to ensure your understanding of data breach laws, and protect your corporate and customer data from the ramifications of a potential breach.”
BitLocker encryption has been around in some form or another since the launch of Windows Vista. It is an effective means of protecting data, but can be a major headache to manage—especially for small and medium businesses that generally have fewer dedicated IT resources.
Tony is principal analyst with the Bradley Strategy Group, providing analysis and insight on tech trends. He is a prolific writer on a range of technology topics, has authored a number of books, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. More by Tony Bradley
I’ve been using the Surface RT tablet for a week now, and so far I have found a lot to like about it. In many ways, it is a more functional mobile productivity device out of the box than the iPad or other tablets. However, it has a distinct Achilles heel that will render it useless for many: VPN.
The Surface RT has a solid, comfortable feel. The kickstand combined with a touch or type case essentially turn the tablet into an ultrabook of sorts. There’s definitely something to be said for a mobile device that provides an experience consistent with that of Windows 8 on a desktop, and that comes with the familiar Office apps built in.
Microsoft has woven access to cloud-based file storage into Windows 8 and Windows RT using its own SkyDrive service, and Box has taken the initiative to develop its own Windows RT app. Access to cloud data makes it easy to transition from desktop to mobile device without losing productivity. I can start a document at my desk, and pick up where I left off to finish the job while I’m on the go.
Tony is principal analyst with the Bradley Strategy Group, providing analysis and insight on tech trends. He is a prolific writer on a range of technology topics, has authored a number of books, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. More by Tony Bradley
The dust is settling on Microsoft’s big Windows 8 launch event, but Microsoft isn’t the only company with news today. Box also had some details to share about its new Windows 8 app.
While Windows 8 is a bold shift for the venerable desktop operating system, the big unveiling was less than impressive. The Microsoft presenters often seemed more nervous and flustered than excited and confident, and the whole thing came off like Microsoft was hosting a QVC infomercial for a plethora of third-party OEM hardware options.
Overall, there wasn’t really anything new unveiled by Microsoft today, especially not in the area that most people seem to be most concerned about—apps. The significance and success of the Windows 8 Start screen—the Modern UI—seems to hinge largely on the apps that are available to provide value.
