A successful business is a growing business. As a company expands it begins to outgrow its current structure. This could mean that more space is needed for new employees, office equipment or inventory. It can also mean that your current computer network can no longer meet the demands of your workforce and workflow. When this happens it’s time to consider moving from a workgroup to a domain-based network.

As a small company, you may be able to survive on a peer-to-peer network. You can designate a single PC as the de facto server, but this will limit you as the number of computers in your workgroup grows. Being proactive and making the switch early will limit the growing pains your company will experience later.

It’s hard to say where the exact tipping point is — that moment when you’ve outgrown your current computer setup. Functionality and output may begin to slow before you’re even aware is happening. Generally speaking, when your workgroup has expanded beyond five computers, then switching to a domain-based network becomes an attractive option.

There are a few questions to ask when considering whether to move to a domain-based network. Does your business requires a centralised location for sharing files? Are your employees required to change passwords frequently? How competent are they at installing their own software and updates? These are all questions you need to ask when considering when to make the move to a network. Once you make the transition, you can add secondary domain controllers or backup domain controllers as the needs arises, so you can continue to grow unimpeded.

Some advantages of a domain-based network are easier updates to all computers, better management of email and an overall reduction in network traffic. This will also allow users to share calendars and inboxes and can help reduce the risk of data loss from individual PCs that breakdown unexpectedly or become corrupted by viruses or malware. Central system management though a network allows for tighter security, better communication, increased data storage and easier file sharing and password management.

At AGT Computers, we can help you transition as seamlessly as possible. We can assist your business with the installation of operating systems and servers. We can help your company backup files and utilize the cloud for data storage. We can help with cyber security, system upgrades and devise IT solutions to ensure the further growth of your company. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your company’s IT needs.

It seems like it’s always been Apple vs Microsoft, but this ongoing battle between PCs and Macs has ultimately benefited all parties. Apple, Microsoft, and faithful consumers of both iconic computer companies, have come out winners in this long war of attrition. Healthy competition makes companies work harder to win the hearts and minds (and pounds) of the public. The long back and forth friction between these rival computer giants, as well as between their devoted followers, has allowed consumers to enjoy the best of both worlds.

For example, Intel® Core processors are available in products across both platforms. Memory capacity, hard drive space and stability are now very much the same between the two. There is still some ground to gain, however. While Macs are capable of running Microsoft Windows, PCs are unable to run Apple’s OS X operating system.

It has long been the stereotype that Macs were used exclusively by creative types, while PCs were strictly used in office environments for boring things like spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. However, with Adobe Creative Suite now available on PCs, and Office 2016 now available for Mac with an Office 365 subscription, integration has come a long way. With cloud software and storage available to both platforms, public opinion and attitudes towards the two companies have changed.

Even though Mac users have traditionally been immune to many of the viruses and malware that have affected PC users, that has changed as well, and not in a good way. Macs have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks, but with properly installed antivirus software this risk can be greatly reduced for both. It’s important to keep this software updated for best results.

For repairs, a shop like AGT Computers can easily diagnose and fix PCs. Macs, on the other hand, usually require an authorized Apple dealership to perform repairs, but even this is changing. PCs were always the better deal from a financial standpoint, but the price gap between the two has closed in recent years with Apple making more budget friendly products.

If you have any compatibility concerns with software or hardware across Mac and PC platforms, give us a call at AGT Computer Services, Ltd. Our trained staff can answer any questions you might have about those issues or about Office 365, cloud storage, cyber security or system upgrades. We serve the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your company’s IT needs.

Good news for both Mac users, Office 2016 for Mac is out now. We all know there are Mac people and PC people, and even though they won’t admit it, some of them are jealous of the better features of the other. For a long time Mac users could not get easy access to great Microsoft Office software. This was not only frustrating for them, it prevented some people from doing freelance work that required the use of programs like Excel or PowerPoint. We’ve come a long way down the road towards complete integration since then, and now we are about to take another giant step forward. The release of Office 2016 for Mac is the leap that will propel our faithful Mac friends towards a future with Microsoft Office. Office 2016 for Mac is currently available in nearly 150 countries across the globe. That includes 16 different languages and so far the response has been positive.

Recent updates to the software have provided even more improvement and now

Office 365 customers can get their versions too. Make no mistake, this is still Office. Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Word and OneNote, they’re all present and better than ever. For Mac users they have been designed and fully integrated for the Mac experience with the use of great Mac features like full screen view and Multi-touch. Office for Mac also allows for connection to the cloud for storage and use across multiple devices. This is great if you work from home or use a laptop on your way to or from the office. Document sharing tools allow you and your colleagues to work simultaneously without loss of formatting or content. Compatibility has never been better across a range of PCs, tablets and smart phones.

If you have any questions about the new Office 2016 for Mac give us a call at AGT Computer Services, Ltd. We proudly serve the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security, and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your company’s IT needs.

Windows 10 released! We’ve been keeping you informed about all the great new features that will be included in Windows 10 for quite some time now. It seems like a long time coming, but the release day for Windows 10 has finally come to pass. 

Microsoft has been strategic in the way they released the new system, choosing to make it available in waves, as opposed to one general release. As users get familiar with the system, it is hoped they will discover any bugs that may have previously escaped attention throughout the development stage and release process.

For those of you who have been following the AGT blog, you may already be aware that the new Windows 10 operating system is being offered for free to users of Windows 7 and Windows 8. If this applies to you, then you have one year to upgrade. Upgrading to the new operating system should be easy, but if you need assistance we are here to help.

What will the new system look like? For starters, Windows 10 is being released with a brand new browser called Edge. Surely, the name is meant to imply that it’s on the cutting edge of technology, and it certainly looks that way. Edge allows users to navigate the Web quickly, but it also allows them to write directly onto Web pages, which they can then share with their friends. Windows 10 also features Microsoft’s personal assistant and tablet interface, Cortana, which has been integrated throughout the system. Cortana allows users to highlight certain sections of Web text to provide a more thorough explanation of the content.

A new start-up menu, mail, maps and menu features should have Microsoft fans on board quickly. Users of Windows 7 and 8 will appreciate the fact that the best features of those operating systems have been incorporated into the new design. Security and safety features have also been enhanced. The new Windows system also allows for better desktop management by enabling users to create virtual desktops and have multiple screens open at once for better multitasking. Gamers will be excited to learn that Microsoft has partnered with Xbox to allow them to compete against console players and also stream games from Xbox One systems to any PC in the home that is using Windows 10.

If you have any questions about the new Windows 10 from Microsoft, call AGT Computer Services. We can help you get the operating system installed and ensure your files are backed up properly. We serve the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security, and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your company’s IT needs.