We’ve finally had the chance to test it out with a couple customers, and I can tell you that for a small business, the BES Express will do the trick. In case you’re new to this, the Blackberry Enterprise Server is RIM’s product that lets you connect BlackBerry smartphones to your Microsoft Exchange Server for seamless emailing, calendar-contacts-notes-tasks syncing, contacts sharing, meeting and resource booking, etc.. Previously, you had to pay the friendly Canadians $2,999 plus $99 per user fees to use the BES, but RIM is apparently feeling the pressure from ActiveSync and Google, so it started offering the entry-level product for free.  You can even run it right on your Exchange Server (albeit with a 75 user limit), which spares you from any additional infrastructure expenses.

We like it. If you already have Microsoft Exchange, then you have one less reason to wait on getting your email on BlackBerry. If you don’t have Microsoft Exchange, then this is one more reason to finally upgrade. Have questions or want a quote? Email us at info@itmaxgroup.com or call 888-77-ITMAX

To learn more about Blackberry Express on RIM’s website, go here.

Anyway, the word is that Verizon and Skype worked out a deal where Skype can now use Verizon’s data network to carry its voice traffic. Users still can’t make Skype-to-phone calls this way (again, Verizon would be dumb to allow this), but Skype-to-Skype calls are now effectively free. So if you use Skype as much as we do at IMG, you will now be able to do this anywhere you have Verizon 3G coverage — and not use a single minute in your plan! The application can even continuously run in the background, which means you can receive Skype calls as well.

Taking a broader view of this, two things are interesting:

• This move by Verizon marks continuous convergence of voice and data service — something we’ve seen for a while now on the land line side of telecom, but something that’s just starting to emerge in wireless.
• Verizon is so jealous of AT&T’s high uptake on wireless internet services packages (driven by the iPhone and its awesome applications) that it’s ready to cannibalize some of its core wireless voice business to get its customers to buy data plans.

If you’re interested in the service, keep an eye out on Skype and Verizon — I’m sure more details will follow.

• Windows 7 Starter – not much you have to know about this one. It’s bundled with some low-end computers; you can’t buy it separately and you probably wouldn’t want to since it’s devoid of any usability, productivity or customization features.
• Windows 7 Home Basic – don’t worry about this one either. It’s an emerging markets version that isn’t sold in the US. By the way, even if you get it in Indonesia, Pakistan or another picturesque destination, you can’t activate it here. Don’t forget to call and cancel those plane tickets.
• Windows 7 Home Premium – This version is targeted squarely at the home market and includes features like Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and touch-screen controls (for PCs with touch-screen displays).  This version’s main limitations are its inability to back up to a network location, inability to host a remote desktop connection, lack of location-aware printing and no “offline files” support.
• Windows 7 Professional, in our view, is the best pick for SMBs. It includes all features of Windows Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain (so that you can set up Active Directory services to control the computer’s access to your network and other resources). Additional features include operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, Encrypting File System, Presentation Mode, offline files and folder redirection, backup to network and Software Restriction Policies. You can even run your XP-compatible applications in “XP Mode,” which virtualizes a Windows XP machine right in your Windows 7 interface.
• Windows 7 Enterprise isn’t much of an option to SMBs, since it isn’t sold through retail markets (it’s available to larger companies that have volume licensing agreements with Microsoft).
• Windows 7 Ultimate, unlike the Enterprise, can be purchased on an individual license basis. It includes some advanced remote access features like multiple displays and full Aero interface, as well as some advanced security functionality (including BitLocker and AppLocker). It may be an overkill for how most small businesses use their computers.

If you have questions about specific Windows 7 features or need help upgrading to Windows 7, don’t hesitate to call us at 888-77-ITMAX.

• Decreased boot time: If you’ve been running Windows XP (or worse, Vista) for a while, you probably have a morning ritual of turning on your machine and going to get some coffee while it boots up. Some of our clients can squeeze in a budget review meeting as well. Windows 7 can help put an end to that, with the average machine booting up in under 60 seconds.

• Better performance: When booted up, Windows 7 is also less busy with the processor and RAM  (if you’ve ever run Windows Vista, you’ve probably at some point felt like your machine is looking for a cure for cancer when you’re just reading email). It accomplishes this by only running speed-sapping background services when you need them and running leaner overall. Windows 7 is also quicker at discovering your USB devices and connecting to your wireless networks than either XP or Vista were.
• Better search: you can also save a lot of time searching for things on your PC. In Windows 7, when you start typing into the Start menu search box, you’ll instantly see a list of relevant documents, pictures, music and email on your machine. Results are now grouped by category and contain highlighted keywords and text snippets to make them easier to scan. You can even do this with attached storage (like external hard drives and USB drives) and networked computers.
• Snap is Windows 7’s new way to resize and compare windows on your desktop. With many of you now working on nice new widescreen LCD monitors, this feature lets you easily arrange two documents side by side so it’s easier to multitask. This is the closest you’ll get to a two-screen setup without actually getting a second monitor.
• Location-Aware Printing is a cool feature that remembers which printer you use with what network when you travel from home to office with your laptop.
• It’s not obnoxious like Windows Vista was with all the security notifications, “are you really-really sure?” questions, dimming of the screen and such. Windows 7 still has Windows Defender, a solid firewall (now with multi-location policies) and other security features, but it doesn’t feel compelled to ask your permission to run Notepad.
• Better power management: This is important for you laptop-toting professionals. Windows 7 runs fewer background activities so your PC processor doesn’t work as hard and draws less power. Other innovations include less power-hungry DVD playback (handy on long flights), automatic screen dimming, powering off unused ports, and a more accurate battery-life indicator.

Windows 7 also features a much improved, more convenient and better-looking user interface and a host of entertainment-focused improvements but chances are that won’t drive your decision to upgrade your business PCs. You can find a complete list of Windows 7 features here.

Want to know more about Windows 7 or ways to upgrade? Get in touch with your IT MAX Consultant or call 888-77-ITMAX.