It seems like it’s always been Apple vs Microsoft, but thisongoing 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
✓
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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.
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.
If your company needs to make a Microsoft Office 365 migration, but you don’t employ in-house IT support, this need not be an obstacle for you. If you are operating your business in Blackpool, Lytham, Preston or Lancashire and you need to perform an Office 365 Migration to Microsoft Servers, AGT Computer Services offers solutions to make this transition seamless. We can also help you set up and maintain Office 365 Exchange Online so that you can stay connected to your employees and your customers and maintain complete control of calendars, mailboxes and contact managers.
Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium
Office 365 is available in several different packages, but the Business Premium Plan provides the overall best value. With this plan your company will receive the full installation of Microsoft Office applications for up to five PCs or Macs. This includes Excel, Word, Powerpoint, OneNote and Publisher, as well as one terabyte of file sharing and storage space. Full installation is also available for up to five phones and tablets. Some of the outstanding features that come standard with the Business Premium Plan include business class email, calendars and online audio and video conferencing capabilities with Skype and instant messaging. Access to the Yammer platform allows employees to connect and collaborate no matter which business applications they use. You’ll always have access to the latest versions of Office applications across all devices and the Business Premium Plan supports up to 300 users. Syncing files is a cinch and multiple users can edit documents in real time. Office 365 is easy to set up and use. In fact, it’s all the IT you need and the yearly cost is only £93.60 plus VAT.
Office 365 Exchange Online
Once migration to the new Microsoft Exchange server has been achieved, your business is ready to set up Microsoft Exchange Online. This e-mail based server allows for collaborative communication between multiple users throughout your company. As an authorized Microsoft reseller, AGT can assist your business with this transition.When your business needs to migrate to the Cloud in Blackpool or Lytham, Preston or Lancashire, AGT Computer Services can perform that task for £30.00 per year plus VAT. For a charge of £95.00 per mailbox, our Exchange Online migration offers solutions to protect your company’s information. Security experts provide 24 hour monitoring to protect data. Malware and antivirus protection and anti-spam filtering offers protection to your mailboxes, and you can rest easy knowing your sensitive data is secure on multiple servers so that data can be recovered fully in the event of an emergency. With 99.9% uptime, your e-mail will never be down and communication will be constant between you, your employees and your customers. The admin center is intuitive and allows you to stay in control, which eliminates the need for in-house IT support.
Start Your Migration Today
If you operate in Blackpool, Lytham, Preston, Lancashire or the surrounding area, AGT Computer Services offers reliability and protection for your Office 365 applications and Exchange Online. As an authorised Microsoft reseller, we deliver personalised, customisable IT solutions and support for your Office applications. Big or small, we provide plans that fit your company’s size and budget and allow you to stay connected while being protected.
Sign into your office 365 account or Exchange online account, or use this handy link! https://portal.microsoftonline.com
Once logged in Hit outlook at the top right hand side.
Settings in Outlook
Next click the small cog on the right hand side and choose options, then settings on the left hand side this will take you to the signature side.
Hosting your signature
This is where you create your signature, if your need to add a picture to your signature like the millions of people out there that do, unfortunaly microsoft dont allow you to upload it just yet. What you can do is host the image elsewhere and copy the html link in.
For example i have hosted a .webp signature at www.agtcs.co.uk/signatures/agt.webp on my website, once you open this link click copy image and the only way to paste it into the signature box is using the keyboard shortcut for paste (Ctrl + V)
1. Go to Settings – then Mail,Contacts, Calendars.
2. Add Account
3. Select Exchange – Microsoft Exchange is a fully synchronised email contacts and calender system. It can be added to multiple devices and benefits from perfect synchronisation including your Microsoft Outlook software at work.
4. Next type in your email details provided by us or your IT Manager.
5. Finally – Please choose which items you would like to synchronise. If you have calendar appointments and contacts on your outlook email at work these will sync across also.
