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Virtual Teams, Real Work

May 18th, 2011

Companies have to move fast to compete successfully in the 21st century global marketplace. With the economy still rough worldwide, modest and mammoth organizations alike are using virtual teams to overcome constraints of time, location and logistics. Today’s blog is not about how to reach your virtual team members, but how to lead them in doing real work.

We have reported on collaborative workflows, as well as apps for smart phones and iPad rentals that allow review and markup of project files – PDFs, MS Office documents and more. The challenge is no longer primarily technological, as the barriers that used to exist between different document types and Operating Systems (OS) are pretty much gone. The challenge is not dealing with too few tools, but too many. This is where good management comes in.

Communication is key

Virtual teams, of course, have to do real work, but management can now construct teams without regard to employee location, choosing the best people rather than the closest ones. Of course, the “cloud” that everyone is talking about (including us…tech forecast is for clouds) is a global one, so getting everyone connected to the right workflow is no longer a 1980s nightmare. For the project manager, it’s about establishing protocols for scheduling, creating, editing and finalizing the work across time zones and borders (those antiquated things).

The availability of great iMac rentals, mobile work platforms of all kinds and true “pocket PCs” does not negate the need for strong leadership – which experts insist must include (you guessed it) good communication skills. Therefore, your initial focus should be to set up your virtual team with simple, stable, fault-tolerant procedures for staying in touch with (a) the cloud-based project files and (b) each other.

Virtual team, real work

Like the headline says, virtual teams really can do real (and vital) work. Establish your protocols and make sure everyone can access the files, mark them up with comments and get in touch with one another. No longer must you ensure that they all have the same computer, OS or program – today’s tools are, like the cloud itself, “cross platform.” Whether team members use one of CRE’s potent PC computer rentals, an Android tablet or a Blackberry phone, they can see the files and add their two (or three) cents.

If you are getting your wires crossed trying to set up a virtual team, CRE Rentals can make sense of it for you. Whether you’re setting up a global team, or equipping a branch office with everything from PCs to office equipment rentals, CRE is your solution. Call or e-mail an experienced Account Executive, or tell us what you need with the Quick Rental Quote form. Either way, we’re ready to help right now!

Sanity Saving Basics for PC and Mac Computers

April 28th, 2011

Even if your work computer is maintained and repaired by the IT department, and your spouse takes care of the ones at home, you really should know the basics of troubleshooting. Since about 90% of issues are caused by about half a dozen things (on PCs and Macintoshes both), any time you put into learning basic troubleshooting is a good investment. Troubleshooting Tips for PC and Mac Computers We’ll take a look at a few of the most common issues.

The PC side

On PCs, that “90% of all computer problems” phrase means that your computer likely suffers from one or more of the following conditions: a fragmented hard drive; Windows registry errors and improper settings; too many programs loading at startup; and adware, spyware, malware and viruses. Bad RAM, dying hard drives, faulty motherboards and other serious problems cause the 10% of cases that require expert repairs.

CRE computer rentals, of course, arrive in perfect working order, but there’s no magic involved, just the generally accepted PC regimen: Use a decent defragmenter (the one that comes with Windows is notoriously bad); use a registry cleaner; get your startup routine in order; and use a well-rated tool for removing adware, spyware, malware and viruses. If you don’t have time to study all the alternatives, a recent PCmag.com article discusses the best maintenance and tune-up tools.

On the Mac

One recurring problem with Mac OS X is programs crashing (freezing). It can happen even with well-maintained iMac rentals, but the solution is easy – press Command-Option-Escape or choose Force Quit from the Apple menu, and select the unresponsive program from the resulting list. Forcing a crashed program to quit will rarely affect other programs or the OS itself, and the application should run fine when restarted. If your Mac is beginning to slow down and feel sluggish, on the other hand, it could be many things – but remember, the chances are nine out of 10 that the problem is among the basic ones we’re discussing here.

At least 20% of your hard drive should be free space (with Windows, too). Check yours by highlighting the drive icon in the Finder and pressing Command-I (Get Info). If there’s not enough free space, throw out garbage, offload files and/or buy a bigger hard drive (internal or external). You also may need to repair permissions, which you do with the Disk Utility program. This application will also “verify” your drives and “repair” a number of common problems with files and volume structures. The same problems that can crash an iMac can bring down the mighty Mac Pro rentals, too – but never fear, Disk Utility comes on every Mac.

Bottom line reminders

If you learn the basic steps in this article, and read the other instructional blogs that we publish regularly, soon enough you will only have to worry about the 10% of computer problems that require expert intervention. Speaking of experts, our Account Executives are ready to reply right now to your call or e-mail. Of course, you can use the Quick Rental Quote form if you know what you need.

Work Smart and Stay Safe

March 31st, 2011

Because of all the sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the workplace – from phones, monitors, computers, radios, etc. – some people have concluded that American office workers are at heightened risk. Is this true? Do iMac rentals contribute to a “toxic work environment” or are American offices generally safe places?

Get the facts

There is no reason to worry about the non-problem of EMFs, specifically, or your office workplace in general. According to the National Safety Council, you are “safer at work [than] at home.” If you wish to put your mind at ease about EMFs, there are many Web sites, like EMF Safety Network, that have all the information you need. As for the other (and real) safety concerns for office workers, here’s what you should watch out for in today’s office environment:

Falling

Workplace Safety - Falling & Slipping The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says falls are by far the most common workplace accidents and cause the most disabling injuries. Interestingly, office workers are up to 2.5 times more likely to be disabled by falling than non-office workers. The most common causes of falls are tripping (furniture, cords and cables, loose flooring, rugs), using a chair instead of a ladder and slipping on wet floors. Whether in the office or at your trade show booth with CRE office equipment rentals, make sure to reduce risks by properly positioning and securing cables and cords.

Lifting

Lifting even light objects incorrectly can cause injury to your neck, back and shoulders, so know your limits. You should lift things correctly by squatting to the floor and using your thigh muscles (not your back) to rise up, keeping your back straight and holding loads close to your body (don’t twist or contort your limbs). You won’t injure yourself setting up CRE plasma rentals at your trade show booth because we handle setup and breakdown for you, and that goes for any of our convention rentals. Safe and easy.

Office obstacles

Office workers are also hit by objects and bump into things. This includes running into desks, things falling off shelves, dropping items on feet, etc. Over time, too, bad workstation and chair design can cause preventable musculoskeletal problems.

Yes, there are real dangers in the office, but they don’t include cell phones and laptop rentals. There is zero evidence of harm from these devices, while paper cutters and extension cords cause cuts and sprains all the time. Focus on prevention, and you will fare better – but focus on the right things, not the latest scare stories.

Our focus, of course, is on you – equipping and empowering you to blast through production bottlenecks or blow away your breakout session audience. Call or e-mail an experienced Account Executive, or fill out the Quick Rental Quote form, and let’s get it done.

Doing More with Less in Tough Economic Times

March 8th, 2011

Budgets are busted all over. The federal government may shut down. The State of California is nearly bankrupt. There is strong agreement at all levels of government that we need to do more with less. In tough economies, some businesses have to do the same thing.

One very important benefit of CRE computer rentals, like all our high-tech rentals, is a straightforward financial one: You save money. If you need render farm rentals a few times per month, purchasing the equipment is not a good investment for you. You have to maintain it, repair it and upgrade it – and ultimately you have to replace it. It’s a costly cycle. For monthly training sessions, getting a dozen or 20 iMac rentals is a bargain compared to buying the computers to sit idle most of the time.

The dismal science

Every business has a unique situation with respect to equipment needs, budgets, production demands and so forth. Yet no matter what your needs, CRE has you covered. As just one example of the real-world edge CRE offers, we know that your marketing and trade show dollars need to go farther and do more than ever. CRE convention rentals will bring your exhibit area to life.

You could have your interactive product demos running on touchscreen LCD monitor rentals, or stop passers-by and show them the same thing on the bright, colorful screen of our iPad rentals. Send some of your team members around the conference center, with iPads or even tablet PC rentals, and they can stay in touch with Wi-Fi, capture information from attendees, show product videos or PDF brochures, and check work e-mail. Work efficiently, follow your plan, remain positive – and you will stretch that budget.

Micro and macro

On the micro level – you, your company – it’s easy to see the benefits of CRE for everything from the aforementioned tech gear to office equipment rentals. There’s lower capital investment, reduced production overhead and predictable expenses. On the macro level – everyone else, the rest of the planet – CRE rentals are a nice shade of green. With multiple production companies, studios and animators using potent Mac Pro with Kona Card rentals just when they need them, there is no “inefficient ownership.”

CRE offers efficient rentals to counter the inefficiencies that some businesses experience with costly hardware that needs continuous upgrading. Whether it’s one of our Xserve RAID rentals or a slick way of enhancing your small firm’s presence in a cavernous conference center, we’re ready to equip you for whatever it is that you need to do. Call or e-mail an Account Executive and we’ll show you how efficient and effective CRE service and support can be.

The Difference Between Security and Spying

February 17th, 2011

For years, companies that suffered theft from employees, visitors, customers and/or vendors had few unobtrusive means of monitoring the workplace. Difference between Security & Spying Today’s security and surveillance technologies – small, diversified, high in tech and low in cost – have come to the rescue, but have also precipitated debates on privacy. We’ve blogged about security and surveillance before, mostly describing the hardware and software components. Today’s blog is about how it’s done – and how it’s explained to skeptical employees.

The company side

Cameras are still the front line of defense, and are so small they can easily be hidden – and they’re wireless, too. The technology continues getting better and cheaper, but tremendous advances have also been made in monitoring employees’ computer use “from the inside out” – meaning network security measures or spyware (like ”keystroke capture” software) installed on individual computers. CRE computer rentals, of course, arrive to you completely free of malware, spyware and everything else. But what about the computers at your business?

Few responsible business owners favor unrestrained spying, and would have a hard time keeping employees if they did. The law is still evolving in this area, but there are already limits on workplace monitoring – there are some federal laws, but state laws differ. Within these constraints, though, business owners have the legal and fiduciary responsibility to know how employees are accessing data, and keep track of its use. It is a multi-part issue – intellectual property rights, data ownership, employer rights, employee privacy and other topics are involved.

The employee side

Management must clearly inform employees about company security policies, and disclose what is taking place. When companies make it clear that they are not doing wide-ranging eavesdropping or surveillance, most employees are cooperative. One should never, ever do personal work on an employer’s computers (or their CRE iMac rentals), much less leave files on them. Some firms routinely erase document directories (even entire drives) after archiving the week’s work, so you would not only lose your files but create a permanent record of them in the company archives. Not good.

The security solution for your firm should fit the circumstances, not create more problems. Employee monitoring is a touchy subject, and employees must be brought into the process so as not to create a morale issue. If employees are treated with respect they will understand your reliance on certain safeguards. With up-to-date knowledge and a little time, you’ll have a customized plan that’s just right for your unique situation.

CRE knows what technology you need for your unique situations, too, from AJA Io HD rentals for post-production to a full range of convention rentals for your trade show booth and breakout sessions. Call or e-mail our Account Executives, or fill out the Quick Rental Quote, and you’ll get a customized plan to tackle any equipment-related obstacle.

Learning from Apple (and Walmart)

January 18th, 2011

It’ s been a rough couple of years for the global economy, but both high-tech Apple and down-home Walmart are doing quite well. Each succeeds like any other business, by giving customers what they want, but they also keep people spending regardless of the direction the stock market is going, a rather more difficult challenge. We’ve blogged about financial challenges facing today’s businesses, and today we can learn from these two firms about strategies for success.

Apple’s triumphant decade

Apple Logo Over the last several years, tributes to Apple CEO Steve Jobs have appeared in such premier publications as Fortune magazine (“Steve Jobs: CEO of the Decade”), the Harvard Business Review (“Steve Jobs, Best-Performing CEO in the World”), the Wall Street Journal (“Steve Jobs: Person of the Decade”) and Adweek (“Apple: Brand of the Decade”). Our many customers with Mac Pro rentals and other Apple products already know how good the technology is, but what lessons can we learn to help our own companies?

Apple succeeds because it is focused and cuts no corners. From industrial design to the “user experience,” every Apple product has to meet not just high standards, but the highest ones. As every user of CRE’s iPad rentals knows, Apple doesn’t follow trends, it sets them. And the world follows, as the CES 2011 avalanche of wireless “padlets” proves. Lesson: Commit to quality, aim for excellence, work hard and don’t settle for second best.

A different kind of focus

Sure, Apple is on a roll, but Walmart Logo Walmart has done well over the latest decade, too. Their success is built on their famous “always low” prices, of course, but is solidified by their unrelenting commitment to A-plus customer service. Walmart spends considerable time and money to discover what it is doing wrong (and right – the stores don’t have iMac rentals but they do have iPods, iPads and iPhones), and the results of the most recent internal customer survey are interesting. Know what keeps Walmart on top? The greeters.

According to survey results going back some 40 years, the store’s greeters are second only to “low price” (and way ahead of quality) in keeping Walmart customers loyal. The key business insight gleaned from the surveys, of course, is that business is really very personal, and people value being treated with politeness, respect and a smile.

Service at every step

CRE believes in the customer service model, too – 100%. We also stay on technology’s leading edge so we can always offer you the best possible alternatives while keeping things simple, easy and glitch-free. It starts with a call, an e-mail or our Quick Rental Quote online form. An experienced Account Executive will give you the best possible service, and every contact with CRE will prove just how hard we work to do that. Your success is our success, it’s that simple.

Top 5 New Year’s Tech Resolutions

January 4th, 2011

2011 is now upon us, so people will be resolving to pursue a zillion different diets, new jobs or exciting relationships. “Top 5 New Year’s Tech Resolutions” contains much more practical advice, and will help Top 5 New Year's Tech Resolutions anyone who works regularly with a computer (or an office full of ‘em).

1. Think “safety first” – The Macintosh and Windows Operating Systems (OS) both update components automatically, with your approval, of course. This keeps your security patches and other OS components current, and many of your installed productivity applications have the same feature. Use Software Update under the Apple menu in the Mac OS, and the Windows Update application in Vista and Windows 7. CRE computer rentals, of course, are always updated and good to go.

2. Check the basics – Whether you need MacBook Pro rentals or A/V equipment, CRE will supply flawless working devices with perfect, flexible, unkinked cords and cables. The fact is, power cords, USB/FireWire cables, printer connections and other cables do go bad, especially when bent 90 degrees behind furniture or crushed under heavy peripherals on desks.

3. Firewalls and weapons – In addition to a constantly updated OS, a comprehensive security strategy includes a good firewall and several powerful anti-malware and anti-virus utilities. No single approach catches everything, so get a few well-reviewed products. Since e-mail brings most viruses and Trojan horses to your PC, it’s vital that your anti-virus program scan incoming messages and attachments. CRE ensures that all desktops, laptops and tablet PC rentals are 100% trouble-free.

4. Keep cool – High-tech equipment tends to get warm (some kinds more than others), so always maintain enough airflow over, under, around and through the various components to keep them cool – the computer itself along with monitors, external drives, printers and the rest. When layers of dust build up over time on components inside your PC, printer or other device, overheating can result. A quick blast of canned air once a month or so will keep things cool in both tower computers like Mac Pro rentals as well as rack-mount servers, printers and other devices.

5. Back up to go forward – Storage is so cheap that you can make a complete backup (or clone) of system components, work documents, program files and everything else. Your PC’s internal hard drive is likely your primary drive, but if you have external or online storage you need to back up those devices, also. Windows Backup in Windows 7 is a good tool, as is Time Machine in Mac OS X. Both can automate backups in customized ways.

CRE Account Executives are the people to call when you need powerful tools for your digital workflow or expert event production services. Give us a call, send an e-mail or fill out the Quick Rental Quote form, but remember.– whatever your goals for the New Year, we’re here to help you achieve them. That’s our resolution, in 2011 and beyond.

Top 10 Financial Challenges for SMBs

October 28th, 2010

In the ever-accelerating rush of everyday business, owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) may neglect key financial issues. Top 10 Financial Challenges - CRE Rentals Here are some good tips for getting through the top 10 financial challenges that owners of SMBs face.

1. Know the risks: More than simply knowing them, you need to understand them, too. As the fast pace of business and technology gets nothing but faster, you must clearly (and quickly) understand and explain all the risks associated with markets, finances and business practices.

2. Choose helpful innovations: You need the right tools at the right time, so you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of both technology and operations. CRE computer rentals, for example, offer state-of-the-art power without a big price tag, and can help keep down the high cost of high tech.

3. Measure by ROI (Return On Investment): Don’t base decisions on what feels right or puts out the most pressing fire. Focus on ROI, and measure what products, services, technologies and customers contribute to success. Weed out low-return activities.

4. Customers drive success: Businesses survive because profits pay for operations now and growth in the future. One key to profitability is mining your current customer base for new opportunities. If you know your customers, their unique characteristics and the cost of sales, you can identify new opportunities.

5. Focus on profits, not revenues: All businesses want sales numbers charting “up and to the right.” But rising revenues may not mean more profits. Stay on top of the cost of doing business, and put energy into refining your profit formula, not charting revenue figures.

6. Empower people to do their best: Employees are essential to business success, so equip them with the best collaboration and communications tools to maximize employee productivity, company morale and customer satisfaction.

7. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): ERP systems keep SMBs on top of costs, revenues, customer behavior, profitability and decision-making. For establishing accountability, of course, it is unsurpassed.

8. Don’t miss the “important” by focusing on the “urgent”: This is an age-old problem and is a tough nut to crack. As mentioned in #3 above, managers can get stuck in a cycle of putting out fires. Learn to address ongoing matters in a timely fashion.

9. Chasing deals rather than building value: A business is an asset whose value grows or declines over time. SMB managers must see beyond the moment (the latest deal or product) to the strategies required for growth. Decision-support systems especially designed for SMBs can help keep you focused on value.

10. Don’t stand still: A common error is thinking that whatever worked in the past will work today or in the future. Markets, customers and the competition ignore and even change the rules all the time. Stay on top of industry trends, change any failing strategies, update/upgrade your systems – and keep your customers satisfied!

Whenever you need to bring some powerful Mac Pro rentals on board to finish a big project, or set up a conference breakout room with audience response system rental, CRE is up for the challenge. Simply call us to reach an experienced Account Executive who will assist you with every challenging detail.

Is a Freelance IT Department in Your Future?

October 26th, 2010

Along with all the amazing advances in computing and networking technology over the past decades have come some serious challenges. For whatever reasons, some people want to bend and twist technology to destructive purposes. Today’s computer users, both at home and at the office, are now faced with the never-ending task of protecting themselves against viruses, spyware, malware and even orchestrated “hack attacks” designed to crash your site. This is why CRE ensures that every one of our computer rentals is certified “problem-free” before you get it. We know the cost of overlooking security!

On staff or on call?

Companies may be targeted by competitors or even their own employees, who will try to hack into secured networks, spread damaging viruses or install various kinds of spyware. The removal of these “invaders” requires state-of-the-art knowledge of the threat as well as up-to-date software tools. If you do not have a security expert on staff, or a good IT generalist that can get (and stay) up to speed, you can always contract with a good networking tech firm that will possess both the know-how and the right toolkit.

There are also lots of companies offering Software as a Service (SaaS) that can handle any one-time, à la carte jobs such as spyware removal. You should consider, however, what an ongoing relationship with a networking company can offer. Some are leading the way to the world of the virtual office, and the cost savings for your business can be substantial when you entrust the entire network to the care of experts. The firm’s tech pros can keep your network running, handle all day-to-day operations, ensure critical uptime, perform all backups and take all the headaches from you. Essentially, you are hiring a freelance IT department.

Put money into growth

When you don’t have to keep buying new equipment, repairing it, maintaining it and replacing it every year or two, you have additional time, money and energy to do what’s really important. That means growing your business, of course. Along with spyware removal and threat mitigation, an IT pro (independent contractor or company) can secure your data and show you the way to leaner, more focused company operations.

This is the same rationale that makes CRE Rentals a smart move. You can stop “keeping up with the Joneses” (or Jobses) and always have state-of-the-art computing power like the potent Mac Pro rentals at the office, and the interactive kiosk rentals and other things that make your conference booth and/or breakout session(s) a hit. Let us help you stay current on technology, save money on hardware and hit your deadlines — fill out the Quick Rental Quote form today.

Top 3 Little-Known Breakout Session Tips

October 20th, 2010

There is a lot of good advice about setting up a conference breakout session. Like anything else, there are trends to stay abreast of, like the increasing use of plasma rentals that are easier to position and use with various devices (DVD and media players, laptops, even iPad rentals with an adapter). However, it doesn’t matter how great the breakout session plan is if no one attends. Your first job, then, is to develop the right kind of session for the particular conference, and then get people into the room. The third little-known tip is follow-up.

1. The right kind of session

Obviously, the session topic needs to relate strongly to the conference theme. In a recessionary economy, you may need to focus on the one or two most important conferences rather than spread yourself thin covering “second-best” venues. The “right kind of session” also means the appropriate delivery method – video on LCD monitor rentals, presenter with slides, interactive, discussion panel – and compelling content. Experts note that attendees need to feel that the material they are receiving will resonate with them and be filled with concrete and practical advice.

2. Pre-session promotion

In most cases, you can buy the e-mail list of last year’s conference to promote your breakout session at the current one. You can also do some promotion via trade journals, newspapers, blogs and the Web newswire services. Don’t forget that interactive kiosk rentals can serve as “robot PR people” at the conference. The kiosks can run promotional spots as attendees walk by or showcase additional information on the spot. You need to get people to your session, so drum up some excitement!

3. All-important follow-up

Whatever the audio visual requirements are, CRE has audiovisual rentals and the broadest selection of LCD monitor rentals to fill the bill. Add great content, and you could have a real hit.

Unfortunately, there is no way to speak with every attendee individually, so post-session and post-conference follow-up is essential. Collect attendee contact info with an old-fashioned sign-up list. Or, try polling attendees during the session using an audience response system rental. Not only will you gather feedback about the session but you can also collect attendee contact information. Once the conference is over, you can start following-up.

Remember, whatever your situation with conventions or digital workloads, CRE is your premier solution provider. Call or e-mail an Account Executive today, or fill out the Quick Rental Quote form, and get moving with state-of-the-art speed and capabilities!

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