What new Technology are you implementing this year?

[UnleashedIT]

There are lots of new trends in the IT world, BYOD and Virtualisation but what are planning on doing that is new and innovative this year?

 

[smo]

We implemented our "new" server (had it nearly a year now!) running SBS2011 and have got a virtualised machine running XP PRO on it too for an old legacy 16bit software which is core to our business.

Other than that we are considering upgrading some old machines with XP to windows 8 whilst the upgrade offer is on and will no doubt be investing in more expensive machinery as the year goes on.

None of that is particuarly new or innovative though!

 

[RemoteTechs]

We have pretty much done everything we can internally, most of our systems are on the cloud or have some form of cloud fail over.
We will be focusing on helping our clients with their projects mainly, lots of Office 365 migrations and SharePoint administration, also we have a nice project with WDS (Windows Deployment Services) that should really help one of our clients streamline their delivery of training.
Busy start to the year so far, lets see how it goes!

 

[Talay]

Making a big move to cloud based backup with constant updates, implementing a server based environment and then, "sometime later in the year", trying to spec a bespoke logistics and appointments system or at least have some development work done to an off the shelf package.

 

[Spotamo]

We've made some great costing cutting savings on IT recently..

Moved from paying for emails to Google Apps - Which means we get all the GMAIL goodies, (Drive, Docs, Calendars) for FREE!

Implemented our own server to run our website, mobile app, and host all internal systems, rather than paying for managed services from hosting companies. Which has given us freedom to work anywhere in the world.

Switched from using standard phone lines to VOIP, giving us a lot more flexibility in terms of the number of extensions, how calls are routed, and most importantly saved a lot of money. We now have 3 numbers, unlimited outbound lines, unlimited calls to 01,02,03 numbers for less than £24 a month inc VAT. We can now scale up and down without involving installing new hardware, or paying for engineers. Oh and we ditched the fax machine for Fax to E-mail, saved money on the phone line, but more on paper and ink.

 

[darren atkinson]

Can't think of any new business technology I'm going to implement however at home I'm looking at installing a home media server of some type, perhaps XBMC along with a big NAS box, think it's the way forward.

 

[Paul_Rosser]

Can't think of any new business technology I'm going to implement however at home I'm looking at installing a home media server of some type, perhaps XBMC along with a big NAS box, think it's the way forward.

Sure is, got a 2TB NAS with DLNA for under £100, is very handy when used with the PS3, Tablets etc.

 

[garyk]

Me too Darren, just about to get a QNAP TS-212 4TB NAS.

Just about to launch a new venture around mobile, geo-location, local and remote push notifications and also on device and in-browser HTML5 apps (both business and leisure)

Gary

 

[darren atkinson]

Yeah, my idea is to begin ripping dvd's and blue rays to it so that I can build a content library that is available on our tablets, laptops, computers, tv's, consoles etc...

Not entirely sure which is the best route to go, someone showed me XBMC working once and I thought it was pretty amazing to be honest, need to research how I'd get this all up and running seamlessly as I don't want to have to do it twice!

 

[johnlaster]

Well as technology is growing day by day so I am going to use one of them. I will use an online invoicing software for my invoicing needs.

I am just trying to use it. I know it will save my time even I got a month Trial for using "Invoicera"

So I would love to use it.

 

[S-Marketing]

New technology, I'm still struggling with the old technology.

 

[cjd]

What new Technology are you implementing this year?

Absolutely loads. We've spent around £350k and two year's development on a new cloned platform and network that is just going live and there's a lot new services planned.

But one product that we're very hopeful for is something we call GeoDivert (TM) that we're currently waiting for Apple to plonk into iTunes.

GeoDivert(TM)

This free GeoDivert App automatically diverts calls from your Voipfone telephone number to your iPhone when you move away from your usual location.

So, if you usually work from an office, but travel a lot, just set your office location in your phone, then whenever you move leave, your calls will be sent to your iPhone. When you're back in the office, the divert is automatically switched off. Change your location anytime. No fiddling around, no passwords, no forgetting, simple.

 

[garyk]

Yeah, my idea is to begin ripping dvd's and blue rays to it so that I can build a content library that is available on our tablets, laptops, computers, tv's, consoles etc...

Not entirely sure which is the best route to go, someone showed me XBMC working once and I thought it was pretty amazing to be honest, need to research how I'd get this all up and running seamlessly as I don't want to have to do it twice!

I'm probably gonna go with plex http://www.plexapp.com/ just because of its support across mobiles. That said I also have an existing app on ipad/iphone called cineX player which can play DivX, Mp4 etc etc and can stream to the device from a remote server and even airplay onward to an appleTv (provided its mp4 format).

I think the key is choosing your format, historically I have always gone for xvid as I thought it was the best for quality/file size but I think there isnt much in it between that and mp4.


Gary

 

[garyk]

But one product that we're very hopeful for is something we call GeoDivert (TM) that we're currently waiting for Apple to plonk into iTunes.

Nice!

You know its a pity you cant intercept calls and block those without CLI or not in a whitelist, apple's t&c for the SDK wont allow it. Could be a goer on android though.

Mind you just did some checking and there is something like this already called Call Bliss but I guess yours Colin is a nice value add for your customers and/or nice USP.

Gary

 

[garyk]

New technology, I'm still struggling with the old technology.

O well as for marketing stretchy it doesnt change all that much does it?

Whenever I need to write copy I read and absorb from the past greats and still refer to ogilvy (70s), maxwell sackheim (50s) and robert collier (30s!!!)

Gary

 

[S-Marketing]

O well as for marketing stretchy it doesnt change all that much does it?

Whenever I need to write copy I read and absorb from the past greats and still refer to ogilvy (70s), maxwell sackheim (50s) and robert collier (30s!!!)

Gary

You are right there. Good marketing strategy will never change. A good solid understanding of research, leveraging advantages and relationship building will always be hard to beat.

The only bit that changes is the promotional bit right at the end. People who can effectively communicate to the market using new fangled techniques are 10 a penny. The money is in knowing how to gain an advantage and leverage that advantage to give you something worth communicating.

 

[cjd]

You know its a pity you cant intercept calls and block those without CLI or not in a whitelist, apple's t&c for the SDK wont allow it. Could be a goer on android though.

Already done

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/PB_Call_Barring.php

 

[FIZIX Agency]

We have to keep technically up to date so we're always on newer things.

Most of the "new" stuff we're on at the moment is stuff that we have been working with for the last year but are starting to work with more heavily as it starts to transition more into the mainstream market and/or demand increases.


At the moment we're working quite a bit with Adobe Edge (authoring environment & sdk for HTML5 interactive applications; kind of like a replacement for Flash).

The new version of Unity is extensively different; with broader platform support so I guess that might count.

While not totally new; we're working more with Smart TV SDK's; there seems to be an increase in demand there.

Augmented Reality stuff seems to be taking off as well. We have a couple of clients right now who's projects are next gen.


Again, while not "new", interactive kiosks appear to be in more demand; we've had a few companies scoping interesting stuff so I can see us possibly working more in that field this year.

I want something like a theme park to get in touch; got an idea for how they could use large screen interactive kiosks.

 

But one product that we're very hopeful for is something we call GeoDivert (TM) that we're currently waiting for Apple to plonk into iTunes.

That actually sounds like it could be very handy ..... is there an Android equivalent?

Reason I ask is because I've just today taken one of your 0845 VOIP numbers (excellent service from yourselves btw, and all very simple to sort out), and I've been resisting the temptation to take up an offer from my mobile supplier of a new iPhone5.

This would be majorly handy though, as I'm always rushing and remembering to put divert on/off will be a constant headache I expect

 

[iclebyte]

We are continuing the fibre to the home broadband deployment at work and I would imagine starting to offer some cloud services.

 

[cjd]

That actually sounds like it could be very handy ..... is there an Android equivalent?

There will be an Android app, but it'll be a few months after the Apple app.

 

[LindsayManning]

Our office machines now running Windows 8 which to be honest is a mare.

Were also running Visual Studio 2012 which I do like. It is rather nifty.

I now use a multitude of new tools (Phonegap and FlashBuilder) for cross platform mobile devices (I could write a blog on ups and downs of those)

But the best new technology we are using is in gaming. I've written 2 games using the Kinect device now and am looking forward to getting my development kit for the Oculus Rift and trying to revamp Virtual Reality again.

I'm loving the CES this year, it has far more than just tablets (last years offerings) and I am living in an exciting time when I get to help play and develop some cool new things.

Cheers all and Happy New Year,

Lindsay @ altFusion

 

[Talay]

I'm probably gonna go with plex http://www.plexapp.com/ just because of its support across mobiles. That said I also have an existing app on ipad/iphone called cineX player which can play DivX, Mp4 etc etc and can stream to the device from a remote server and even airplay onward to an appleTv (provided its mp4 format).

I think the key is choosing your format, historically I have always gone for xvid as I thought it was the best for quality/file size but I think there isnt much in it between that and mp4.


Gary

I've got that set up at home with a HP Microserver N40L (new model out in a few months), running Windows Home Server 2011, backed up with house wide in wall Cat5e, multiple routers as prime and extenders / switches, 11TB of storage in the NAS with unlimited cloud backups assisted by apps to deliver it all to phones, tablets, tvs and pcs but with Plex as the major homer theatre delivery mechanism through WDTV live boxes.

There are a couple of great apps to deliver your NAS to your ipad outside of wi-fi (we have it linked to an unlimited internet phone providing a hotspot) but Plex works great when set up - and that is a challenge if you are running huge storage. That said, 95% of the challenge is in the getting set up, not managing it.

One day I'll put together a layman's blog on setting it all up as I'm not an IT expert (am more now though !) but suffice to say that the greatest challenge was getting all the right drivers backed up on the NAS and then getting Plex to agree which computer on the network was the Master. You have to tell al computers whether they are Master or not because historically, one of them will be listed as the boss.

Let's say it took me a few days and lot of hours before I was happy with everything.

 

[cristeena150]

I started my year with upgrading windows .. new Metro style applications and platform looks good.

 

There will be an Android app, but it'll be a few months after the Apple app.

lol I might struggle through til then ..... I'm not a big fan of the iPhones and would much prefer to stick with an Android-based phone

 

[cjd]

Our free iPhone GeoDivert app is now in the Apple App Store.

If you'd like to play with it search for 'Voipfone' in the app store from your iPhone

Instructions here:

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/support-how-to-use-the-iphone-app.php

 

[garyk]

Our office machines now running Windows 8 which to be honest is a mare.

Were also running Visual Studio 2012 which I do like. It is rather nifty.

I now use a multitude of new tools (Phonegap and FlashBuilder) for cross platform mobile devices (I could write a blog on ups and downs of those)

Yes the joys of cross platform development! We are just looking at jquery mobile as well HTML5 for deployment to Android, WM8 and BB10 and possibly iOS (which I currently do natively using ObjC).

Gary