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.

Summer is finally here and at AGT Computer Services, Ltd. we want to help you celebrate the season with some great deals on Antivirus Protection and Internet Security. In today’s tech savvy world, hackers have become more ingenious in figuring out ways to get at your sensitive data. Likewise, viruses and malware have become even more sophisticated in the ways in which they can attack computer systems. You need to protect yourself and data against these cyber threats and now is the perfect time to do it while saving yourself some money in the bargain.

At AGT, we are offering Panda Antivirus Pro 2015 for £24.99 and Panda Internet Security 2015 for £34.99. We are also offering free installation that can be performed remotely or at one of our locations in Blackpool, Lytham or St. Annes.

Get Panda Antivirus Pro for £24.99, with free installation, and protect yourself from cyber threats. Included in the package is antivirus protection, Wi-Fi protection, firewall protection and a special emergency rescue kit. Panda Antivirus Pro is fast and effective and once it is installed on your computer you can rest assured you will be receiving the best protection against Internet threats and malware in realtime. Also included is a bidirectional firewall that keeps your Wi-Fi network safe. Share photos and videos and surf the web worry-free. Antivirus Pro also helps protect against identity theft and other forms of on-line fraud such as phishing attacks. The rescue kit offers unlimited usage for you and your family with safe-mode computer disinfectant.

Panda Internet Security 2015 is available for £34.99 and offers the same protection as Antivirus Pro Plus but also offers on-line backups and parental control features. Safeguard data and backup those important files while protecting your family from inappropriate content.

Virus Protection	✓	✓
Firewall	✓	✓
Wi-Fi Protection	✓	✓
Parental Control		✓
Online Backup		✓
Panda Price	£32.99	£40.99
AGT Price	£24.99	£34.99

At AGT Computer Services, we can help you or your business with all your IT support and computer hardware and software needs. We also offer computer repair services at our three locations. If you live in Blackpool, Lytham, Preston, Fylde or the surrounding area, give us a call. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

Credit card fraud is a major issue that has been plaguing merchants for years. The theft of credit card numbers and other sensitive personal data costs businesses and their customers millions of pounds annually. As technology advances to thwart the efforts of would-be thieves, so does the technology hackers use to breach security and steal this information. As larger corporations make headway in credit card theft prevention, many hackers now focus their efforts on smaller business who may not have the financial resources to properly protect their systems at the level of the bigger companies. The good news is, that theft prevention does not have to be a huge expense.

With the majority of attacks focusing on small business, there has been an increase in need for these companies to become PCI compliant. PCI or PCI DSS, is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and it is a set of requirements that can help businesses, both large and small, protect the sensitive data they store. By maintaining a secure environment for the processing, storage and transmittal of payment card information, companies can protect their customers as well as their own bottom line.

All companies in the UK, regardless of size, sales, or amount of employees, if they accept credit card payment, must be PCI compliant. The cost of not becoming PCI compliant can be monetary penalties, legal fees and the termination of the ability to accept credit cards. This is not to mention the cost in lost sales, customers and a damaged reputation.

Becoming PCI compliant can be a simple process. AGT can help identify the types of cardholder data your business is processing and storing. We can assess and take inventory of the data and troubleshoot for any vulnerabilities in the system. We can fix potential breaches and advise you on the proper steps necessary to remediate the problem.

At AGT Computer Services we can help your business become PCI compliant. For as little as £45.00, AGT can get you set up or we can conduct a full-site survey and offer a free estimate of the cost to get your business fully compliant.  If you have a business in Blackpool, Lytham, Preston, Fylde or the surrounding area, give us a call. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

At long last the launch date of Windows 10 has been announced. We wrote about the impending 2015 arrival of Windows 10 last month on this blog, but we did not have an official launch date. Now we do. In an announcement made in January of this year by Terry Myerson, operating system chief for Microsoft, the coming arrival of the new system came with the promise of free upgrades. Any current user of Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1 can take advantage of this free gift, but they need to do so within one year of the launch and that date is 29 July, 2015. Myserson has stated that Windows 10 is more of a service than simply a piece of software, and as such the company will continue to provide free updates for the life of the device.

There’s something else that residents in the area of Blackpool, St. Annes and Lytham can take advantage of. Let AGT Computer Services install the new Windows 10 upgrade on your devices and ensure that all of your important files and data are transferred properly. For a reduced fee of £30 you can rest easy knowing we will make sure all your documents get transferred without a hitch. For an additional charge we will also provide system backups as well.

Making the switch to Windows 10 is permanent and there are some hardware and software requirements that may apply depending on your device, but don’t put it off. Get your device to us at an AGT Computer Services location near you and let us get you up and running on the new operating system with all of your documents and files intact. As we mentioned last month, there are many compelling reasons to make the switch to Windows 10. It’s free, of course, but that deal is even better if you are one of the many Microsoft users who decided to skip Windows 8.0 and 8.1, because you can still skip those versions and jump right into Windows 10. The new operating system also provides a more secure browser and a new version of Outlook featuring MS Word capabilities makes for a vastly superior email experience. Updates are also more customisable which gives you more freedom to tailor the system to the your needs or the needs of your company.

At AGT Computer Services, we are ready for the launch date and we want to make sure our customers are too. If you have any questions about how we can get you the free upgradeto Windows 10 give us a call. 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.

Things are starting to get a little more connected in the area of Blackpool and Fylde. For too long both residents and businesses in rural Britain have had to get by on a lack of fibre optic broadband. These areas are called “not spots,” which may be a clever play on “hot spots,” but there’s nothing funny about it if you live and do business in these areas. While there is much to be said for living a peaceful and pastoral life, it can be frustrating for those who wish to connect to the Internet at a faster speed than they are able. The good news is that the area of Whitehills business park, located at Junction 4 on the M55, finally has access to fibre optic broadband. Fibre optic is now available with estimated speeds of 50mbs. This is quite a boost from previous speeds of about 1mbs.

The Whitehills business park covers over 700 acres with two and a half million square feet of industrial and office floorspace. Whitehills business park provides homes to a mix of roughly one hundred different companies, including the facilities of the Department for Work and Pensions, National Savings & Investments and NST Travel Group. Along with these companies the area is also the site of the Premier Inn hotel, a Fayre & Square pub and restaurant, Tesco superstore and several car dealerships including BMW Mini, Vauxhall, Chevrolet, Honda, Suzuki and Saab. The residential portion of Whitehills includes Redrow Homes which is a part of the Whitehills Meadows housing scheme. With all of these businesses and residents in need of fibre optic broadband service, AGT Computer Services is available to help all of them get connected with affordable rates.

If you do business or live in Whitehills business park or the surrounding area, AGT Computer Services can install fibre optic broadband for you to get you connected faster. Our prices for installation are £225.00 for a Business Class Router, £99.00 for new phone line installation and a £25.00 activation fee. Line rentals are £17 per month and fibre is £25 per month.

Call us today and we can get you set up. We also offer cloud and data storage solutions in the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde and Lytham area as well as cyber security solutions and Windows migration. 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.

In case you haven’t heard, Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for existing Windows users—as long as you don’t procrastinate. You need to act fast, and by fast we mean within one year of the as-yet-to-be-announced launch date. This bit of information came straight from the top when Microsoft Operating System Chief, Terry Myerson made the announcement earlier in the year. That’s good news for those people currently using Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. While any change can be disruptive, in the quickly evolving tech world it is par for the course, and there are several compelling reasons to embrace this upgrade.

Once users make the upgrade to Windows 10, there’s no going back, not that anyone would want to. In addition to the free switch, users will also receive updates for the supported lifetime of their devices. Microsoft does warn that there may be hardware and software requirements that will apply, and availability may vary by particular device (and there’s some other fine print available on the Windows 10 site if you’re intrigued) but users would be wise to take advantage of this year-long opportunity for upgrades.

The free upgrade was no doubt inspired by a preference for some users to stick with Windows 7 after hearing reports from those who made the upgrade to Windows 8 and were less than thrilled with the new operating system. This threw a potential roadblock in Microsoft’s desire to be viewed as a service-centric company. The very mention of the word free has a tendency to generate interest, however, but Windows 10 also happens to be a better system. Here are a few reasons why upgrading to Windows 10 is appealing, with or without the word free attached to it.

1. Skip ahead. If you were one of the wary ones that avoided Windows 8.0 and 8.1, you can skip them completely and upgrade straight to 10.

2. More Security. Windows 10 has a much more secure browser than its predecessors and features greater compatibility with web pages and apps using legacy applications and data.

3. Improved Email. Outlook features MS Word capabilities making it easier to perform tasks like adding tables and inserting images into individual emails.

4. Customise Updates. Windows updates can be customised by individual IT managers and departments based on their specific needs. Updates can be performed according to user and type.

5. New Laptop Features. Laptops with precision touchpads will have new gestures when navigating open applications.

Those are just a few of the many good reasons to embrace the change. At AGT Computer Services, we eagerly anticipate the launch on the new system, and hope it’s here by summer. Until that time, we can help address any questions or concerns you may have with incorporating Windows 10 into your business. 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.

There are many reasons to outsource your IT needs. For many small businesses there comes a time when their IT needs grow beyond their in-house capabilities. In the ever changing area of Information Technology, sometimes companies struggle to stay on top of upgrades and new software applications. The answer for many lies in the outsourcing of these IT needs to a reliable third-party resource like AGT Computer Services.

There are many benefits to be gained by outsourcing IT for everything from database and application management to data storage and troubleshooting technical issues. Many IT Directors may feel that outsourcing is an indictment of their talents and may be a blow to their ego, but it can actually free up their time and resources so they can be better used on expanding the business as a whole. While an in-house team may feel they can handle any problem that comes their way, or they may feel uneasy about surrendering control to an outside entity, the benefits can far outweigh any of the perceived drawbacks. One of the biggest reasons to outsource IT services is simple economics. Outsourcing saves companies money. 

When a business outsources their IT needs to a company like AGT, they will start to see savings on the cost of hardware maintenance and are also guaranteed to have quick access to new applications as they become available. They stay current on upgrades as well. By outsourcing some or all of these tech services, businesses can make their IT costs more predictable and therefore more manageable. Companies can also avoid paying high licensing costs on software applications.

When employees leave the company this can many times leave employers in the lurch until they find a suitable replacement, which can be challenging enough. When you outsource your services to a trusted company like AGT Computer Services, our knowledge and expertise doesn’t walk out the door. Consequently, your business can spend less time training staff and more time moving the company forward. Recruitment and training costs are lowered as well as the training time necessary to learn upgrades and new applications. An outsourced IT team can work in tandem with in-house employees to form a solid team while taking up less space and other resources. A third party support team can provide assistance at all hours and can help business owners rest a little easier at night knowing they are protected around the clock. We can solve problems quickly and remotely.

Many companies are not able, or even willing to outsource all of their IT needs, and that’s fine. Whatever the company is comfortable with, there is a solution. If you think your company might be ready to outsource some or all of their IT needs, AGT is ready to discuss what we can do to serve you. If you have a goal in mind, let us know and we can help you reach it. At AGT Computer Services we provide IT support and cloud storage to our customers in the Blackpool, Lancashire, Lytham and Fylde areas. We allow your employees to focus on your business while we focus on your IT issues.

Microsoft has millions of users and by extension millions of customers. At AGT Computer Services we know this as well as anybody, because many of these customers — especially in the area of Blackpool, Lancashire, Lytham and Fylde — are our customers too. That’s why we have always strived to provide the same high level of service they expect when they use Microsoft products. Which is why at AGT, we are proud and honored to have achieved recognition as a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions.

Being a Silver Partner means that we have had to demonstrate a level of expertise in Microsoft products and we have had to prove our competency as a Midmarket Solutions Provider. To receive this recognition, we were required to complete a series of competency exams and acquire the necessary certification. As Silver Partners we can provide our customers even better service, offer more solutions and improve our support.

Core requirements of the program include customer references, business-focused competency assessments and technical credentials earned through exams. For us, it’s not just about certificate and exams, however. We take pride in helping our customers meet the challenges of IT, small business and cloud data storage, and now as a Silver Partner, this certification places us in the top five percent of Microsoft’s partners across the globe. When our customers see that we have received this certification, they know we are a company with the best interests of their business at heart, and not just from a tech perspective.

As the needs of our customers change over time, the business environment must evolve right along with it. Our team of highly qualified professional IT consultants share our knowledge and expertise with our customers. We have successfully met the challenges presented as software applications change, from Office 365 and Windows 8 to Windows Server 2012. AGT hopes to continue to excel and be a leader in the profession and to help our clients stay connected and keep their data safe.

We are excel at finding solutions to our customers needs as they build their businesses and move forward. AGT Computer Services serves the communities of Blackpool, Lancashire, Lytham, Fylde and surrounding areas. By providing viable IT solutions to our customers, we have helped many small businesses stay connected to the Internet, perform important cloud backups and migrate to Office 365. We want to continue to showcase our abilities, demonstrate our commitment and be a leader in new technology. Now we are even better equipped to do that.