KnowledgeWave/Log On to Learn Blog

This is a great video from Ron Owens from the Microsoft Word Blog. Ron shows us how to use the co-authoring (simultaneous editing) tool in Word 2010. He notes that you can “Cut your all-nighter in half”. He’s not kidding! This video also highlights how authors can be in different locations utilizing SkyDrive, Microsoft’s Cloud storage solution. Our two cents, at just under three minutes this is a great video and worth the watch.

Video Link: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/redir/va102757656.aspx

Don’t miss the opportunity to attend a great custom combined SQL BI course. We combined both the 6235 and 6234 3-day BI classes to make one 5-day class. The classes are normally $1,495 each, as a combined 5-day class it’s only $2,495.  Contact us about our special promotional offers that can discount this class to $1,500!

This custom combined course is targeting both SQL 2008 integration services and analysis services. Join us the week starting November 28th, 2011.  This class will be taught in-house by our very own Daniel Cogswell. Dan brings real world deployment and hands on SQL experience to this class instructor led class. He’s an expert on the subject matter and is sure to bring you valuable information.

Not local? Get ask how you can attend this live class via our RCI, Remote Classroom Instruction model. Get the same great instructor-led training experience from your home or office.
Course Outlines:
MS 6235: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration Services

MS 6234:Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services

To register contact, Eric Sokolowski at 800-831-8449

How do you use Microsoft Word? Join us October 12 at 3:00pm EDT if you’d like to learn about Microsoft Word 2010.

Product(s): Microsoft Word
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: October 12th, 2011
Start Time: 1:00 PM EDT (US)

Event Overview:
Word, the backbone of the Office Suite and, for most of us, the application we
spend most of our time in no longer looks like Word. How dare they? Along with
the new look comes valuable and useful new functions. Many of the new features
either save time doing things we used to do, or help us share our documents with
other users or applications in the Office Suite. This webinar explores the new
user interface, galleries, review, prepare, the backstage view and the various
methods to distribute documents.

Use code ‘LOB10′ at checkout to attend this webinar for FREE!

Date(s): November 7th– November 11th, 2012
Duration: 5 days
Format: Live Instructor-led, Classroom training, Attend Live or Remotely from your Location.

KnowledgeWave is pleased to introduce MS10174 Configuring and Administering Microsoft SharePoint 2010. This course teaches students how to install, configure and administer SharePoint, and also manage and monitor sites and users by using SharePoint 2010

Location: 30 Community Drive, Suite 5, South Burlington VT 05403
Remote Attend: Yes Contact us for information on how you can attend from your home or office.
To Register: Click here or call 800.831.8449

Objectives:

Module 1: Introducing SharePoint 2010
Module 2: Creating a SharePoint 2010 Intranet
Module 3: Administering and Automating SharePoint
Module 4: Configuring Content Management
Module 5: Configuring Authentication
Module 6: Securing Content
Module 7: Managing SharePoint Customizations
Module 8: Configuring and Securing SharePoint Services and Applications
Module 9: User Profiles and Social Networking
Module 10: Administering and Configuring SharePoint Search
Module 11: Implementing Office Web Apps
Module 12: Installing and Upgrading to SharePoint 2010
Module 13: Implementing Business Continuity
Module 14: Monitoring and Optimizing SharePoint Performance

Complete Oultine: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=10174A#tab2

Would you like to enhance your Microsoft Excel 2010 skills? If so, join us October 12 at 3:00pm EDT.  If you missed this date our event is now available on-demand.

Product(s): Microsoft Excel 2010
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: (This event is now available on-Demand!)
Previously held Live on October 12th, 2011

Event Overview: This entire session is
centered on a single notion. Excel is a powerhouse. Many of us have only
scratched the surface of its potential. Formulas and Functions are the gateway
to this functionality. Utilize the built-in formulas that Excel has to offer and
get accurate results in a snap! We’ll discuss the difference between a formula
and a function and unlock the power contained in these tools. This session is a
must for moderate to heavy Excel users and those looking to expand their Excel
IQ.

This Free Live Event, is not availabe on-demand. Access this webinar and 1000′s of other related topics for Microsoft Office applications at Log on to Learn. www.logontolearn.com.
Complete access to all of our content is included in the $59 fee.

Whether you’re a business owner, college student, or professional graphic designer, Adobe InDesign is a useful tool to have in your arsenal. It allows you to create brochures, magazine layouts, business cards and other promotional materials, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’d like to kick off the Autumn season by offering a free, one-hour webinar on this design program.

Product(s): Adobe InDesign
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: September 27th, 2011
Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT (US)

Event Overview: Adobe InDesign is a powerful layout and design tool. However, because layout is the final step in the design process, it’s imperative to have high quality materials on hand to place in your InDesign files. In this session, we’ll discuss the importance of color modes, resolution and size of graphics. We’ll look at ways to see what you’re getting and what we can, and can’t, do about it in InDesign. We’ll also take a look at bringing in text to InDesign and how to edit text, if necessary, in InDesign. Finally, we’ll demonstrate different output options and why you would use the particular settings that InDesign offers.

Click here to register for this free webinar.
Use Code: SEPT99 at check out .

Cloud services are easy to use, cost-friendly, and allow for online collaboration between employees.  In fact, PCmag.com reported in March of 2010 that “seventy percent of Microsoft employees are doing something related to cloud computing; in a year, that figure will be ninety percent.” Cloud computing is shaping up an international, mobile work-force. 

Most of the technology needs of small businesses can be satisfied with a desktop operating system and browser combined with cloud-based offerings. One of the cloud’s greatest qualities is its flexibility. Cloud solutions can work for both large and small enterprises. 

Cloud-based solutions are usually subscription-based, although basic services are usually free. The merchants typically charge on a monthly or annual fee. The services listed below, recommended by pcmag.com, follow this payment model.

Storage and Backup
Egnyte Hybrid Cloud Solution
$19.98 – $69.98
A business of any size is concerned with file storage and backup. Egnyte’s Hybrid Cloud Solution offers online file storage, file sharing, and file backup.

Dropbox
$4.99 – $49.00
Dropbox is a cloud-based, automatic file-synchronization service that lets consumers share and store files in a virtual space. There is also a desktop download available which seamlessly links your documents to an online server.

Efficiency
Google Docs
Free
Online office suite Google Docs is efficient and allows for document collaboration from anywhere. It’s more compatible with Microsoft documents than other online services of its kind, making it a valuable tool for those small-businesses currently using Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Office Live Small Business
Free
Microsoft Office Live Small Business offers companies to the tools to successfully conduct business online: 500 MB of storage, 1 year of domain registration, web-site building tools, business apps and more. It’s a fantastic toolkit for businesses on a budget.  

Financial and Accounting Purposes
Outright.com
Free
Outright.com is an online bookkeeping service that fits small-business accounting needs, such as tracking bill obligations. It organizes all accounts into one place, complete with charts and graphs, so you can see where you’re money’s going.

Bill.com
$25, per month (1 user)
Bill.com automates small-business accounting by providing a service which organizes payment processing, customer invoicing and documents.

Collaboration and Communication
Salesforce.com
$65 to 250, per user per month
Salesforce.com provides a plethora of features like managing sales, marketing campaigns, and running reports.

Skype 4.0
free
Skype’s sleek new interface makes video calling better-looking than ever and is a handy tool for conducting business conferences on the go.

DimDim 5.5
$0.00 – $75.00
Save money on business trips and installed phone-system costs with Dimdim. Dimdim takes video conferencing to a user-friendly platform without sacrificing on features, such as an online schedule which reminds users of conference calls.

Virtual IT Tools
Meraki WiFi Stumbler
Free
Small businesses may not have the resources for an on-site IT staff. Meraki Wi-Fi Stumbler is an online wireless network analyzer that’s simple enough for anyone at your business to use. It provides information on nearby wireless access points, channels and signal strength allowing you to maximize your wireless networks efficiency. 

If cloud computing has you mystified, hopefully we can clear the clutter. Simply put, the cloud provides infrastructure as a service. You can collaborate on projects with co-workers, easily keep track of email, calendars and tasks in a central location and maximize the computing power of existing machine. This is all available through a secure host server. The cloud keeps all computers within your company in sync, which means sharing documents, pictures, and data reports with co-workers is easier than ever.

The Cloud Defined

The term cloud refers to any pay-per-use or subscription-based service which directs and stores data at a location outside your company’s four walls.  Its services can include the delivery of software, data storage over the internet, and sharing.

You may already use the cloud and not even know it- Gmail, Skype, and LastPass are three (free!) examples.  For small businesses, a cloud-based solution means you can save on IT costs, such as an in-house server, and application licenses (if you go with an option that comes with web applications)  .In addition, it frees your IT team to focus making sure everything runs smoothly. 

Secondly, there are many misconceptions around data storage on the net.  In reality it is simple and efficient to share information on a site like Box.net or Dropbox.com (online workspaces for file sharing and collaboration).  These solutions are safe, relatively inexpensive and centrally located, unlike storage on individual machines.

How safe is the cloud?

 Security is an issue of paramount importance, and most cloud services have greater privacy settings than many social media sites and built-in anti-virus software.  As with any computer software, there is always the possibility that a server could fail.  Many cloud solutions offer multiple redundancies to ensure the safety of your data.

Keys to making the cloud work for you:

If you’re trying to get a whole work force to use the cloud, start small.  Many cloud solutions offer some level of free version or free trial.   Ask workgroups  to use the different solutions and get feedback before committing. Then, scope out service options to find the best one to suit your needs. Look at the main functions of cloud computing and break them down to determine which components will work best in your environment. In addition, more and more companies are turning to the cloud.  Ask around and see what’s working for them, and what’s not, then get ready to embrace the future- a world where your files, photos, videos and documents are accessible with the click of a button, from anywhere in the world.

Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we will be talking about the best cloud services for small business.

Via Log on to Learn, KnowledgeWave is pleased to offer this Great Mastering Queries in Microsoft Access 2010 Webinar event this August.

Product(s): Microsoft Project
Audience(s): Business Professional Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: August 31st, 2011 Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT (US)

Event Overview:
Get started and ignite your knowledge with this 60 minute webinar on Project 2010. Easily handle even the most impossible projects without the stress, frustration and worry. Learn how to unleash the power of Microsoft Project and complete all your projects, large and small, on time and on budget. This innovative webinar will walk you through many of the software’s incredible built-in features and you will learn how to use them to improve the way you manage your tasks.

Register Online: Click Here
Event Free: $99, but Usecode: SUMMERFREE at checkout to attend free!

Register Online: Click Here
Event Free: $99, but Usecode: SUMMERFREE at checkout to attend free!

Via Log on to Learn, KnowledgeWave is pleased to offer this Great Mastering Queries in Microsoft Access 2010 Webinar event this August.

Product(s): Microsoft Access
Audience(s): Business Professional Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: August 31st, 2011 Start Time: 1:00 PM EDT (US)

Event Overview:
Queries are an essential part of any database; they are how you extract meaningful information from your database to help answer key business questions. We have designed this webinar to make the Query labyrinth easier to understand. This webinar will cover how Table Relationships and Queries interconnect to make a database more dynamic. We will begin the session with a swift overview of Table Relationships and then dig deep inside the world of advanced Queries. We will be covering Action Queries such as Make Table, Update and Delete Queries. We will take an in-depth look at Single Level and Multiple Level Parameter Queries. Lastly, we will demonstrate how Microsoft Access Crosstab Query enables users to summarize information in a compact format which is similar to a spreadsheet.

Register Online: Click Here
Event Free: $99, but Usecode: SUMMERFREE at checkout to attend free!

Register Online: Click Here
Event Free: $99, but Usecode: SUMMERFREE at checkout to attend free!