You don't need a Mac, You need a PC that works!

I have recently found that more and more Apple products have made it into my home. At first, I purchased them to see what all of the hype was. My iPad is a no brainer. It simply is a great technology but what makes a Mac better than a PC.

Apple would like to say that security is the driving factor for buying a Mac, however we now know that was just great advertising on their part. I think the big difference is the overall user experience. Common things we want to do simply just work without any extra software.

I will relate this to a simple life experience. As many people know I relocated myself to Texas a few years back. (Sorry for all of you stuck in the cold) As a result, I find that I travel more often and sometimes my family decides to join me. My boys are young and haven't quite figured out patience yet, so my wife often brings DVD's with us. Half way through the trip the boys decide they have had enough and need to be entertained. Simple solution is to put the DVD in my computer and let them watch. This is where the problems start.

I plug the DVD into my PC and think that I can just simply play the DVD. Of course it comes up telling me that I need to download a Codec in order to play it. Seriously PC? You couldn't install that for me! You came with a 30 day eval of Norton Antivirus, Office and all of the other junk I don't plan on using! Can't download the Codec on the plane, so now I'm stuck with some screaming kids. Thanks PC! (However American does have Internet on some of their flights now.. WestJet, Air Canada hint hint)

The sad truth is that I carry two laptops with me (and a tablet) and my fall back plan of using my Macbook Pro simply worked however I still prefer to use Windows.

After this painful experience I decided to go back to ensure that this type of situation would never be encountered by a Lexcom customer ever again. As a result of this we created the Lexcom Optimized PC. A PC without all of the bloated trial version software that the vendors like to put on. With the codec's installed and features tested to work. Pre-installed with licensed antivirus and malware software to protect your information and comes with access to our service desk for support and advice.

Lexcom and Volunteerism: Chili for Children

One of the great things about working at Lexcom is that we are encouraged to volunteer. We are allowed to donate time during each work week to charity work. Sometimes this is IT help to a non-profit, sometimes it is something outside IT altogether. As people around the office know, I joined Rotary this past year as my method of volunteerism.

Part of my Rotary’s community service is to volunteer for Chili for Children. Chili for Children is a non-profit organization run out of the Albert Scott Community Centre with a dedicated and caring staff of eight people. They use volunteers to supplement their workforce, especially during the lunch hour. Chili for Children offers basic services such as food bank referrals for needy families, fine option program, Thanksgiving and Christmas suppers for children and their families, and lunch to over 500 children a day at 5 different locations, 5 days a week. They are able to serve this many children due to food, money and time donations from local businesses and individuals.

I recently worked a lunch hour at the main Albert Scott location and got to see over 50 children enjoy a hot meal (including dessert!) with smiles on their faces. I also witnessed the tireless staff working hard and smiling right along with the kids. The staff at Chili for Children run a nice tight ship. As an example, after I finished packing some donated baked goods, I was standing around for all of 5 seconds when someone told me to grab a trash bin and clear some tables; they are the model of efficiency and very easy to work with.

If you have the time or money, please think about donating some of either to help out with this wonderful cause. 

Who will win the mobile device war?

I will start this off by saying that I currently own both an iPhone, iPad2 and an Android phone, as well as multiple Windows laptops. I personally think that they are all great devices and serve a purpose, however I want to see this consolidated.

A number of people ask me which mobile device is the best choice for our business to standardize my company. I had predicted over 6 years ago that the power would shift away from Blackberry to Microsoft. While I am wrong today I believe that this will eventually come true if Microsoft executes their strategy right.

Heres why:

1) Microsoft exchange is the communication platform of choice for most enterprises. Microsoft has toppled Blackberry's BES server with  ActiveSync which is now the syncronization platform of choice for Android, iPhone, and Windows devices. When Microsoft provides that capability for free, its the likely choice for most organizations.

2) Companies already have a substantial investment in Microsoft technology. Not just software, but their employees are skilled in developing applications on Microsoft, supporting Microsoft and using Microsoft. 

3) Microsoft has yet to release a tablet device in the same form factor as Apple. Apple in the iPad has given us a look at what Bill Gates envisioned the tablet to be. Apple lacks the backend software in corporations to be "the device" for corporate america. If you have ever used an iPad, I truly believe the device can replace paper. If Microsoft gets this right with Windows 8, and the OS supports Exchange, Lync, and Sharepoint forms I think they will see major adoption.

4) Apple and Google are gaining market share now largely due to the ease of getting applications to the consumer. This is catered to the consumer market and not a corporation. If Microsoft can present an interface that gives better control for corporate application deployment and security, while also providing the user the ability to help themself they will be in a great spot.

5) I think Microsoft has a good concept with the ability to switch between the touch interface and the desktop interface. I believe that the workforce is becoming increasingly mobile and needs access to their applications from anywhere. A tablets touch interface is a better interface for a mobile workforce however this introduces a new thought around applications. At the same time, if I have both interfaces I can dock my tablet and essentially carry my desktop with me everywhere I go. That too is attractive.

What are your thoughts?

Lexcom and IBM host a Rider Event

On August 12^th Lexcom hosted what we hope to be the first of many events with our partners, IBM and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The night kicked off at the Bushwakker Brew Pub with some appetizers, a presentation on Lexcom’s business model and offerings, and some beverages. Everyone in attendance raved about the quality of food and beverages at the Bushwakker. Our guests also had some great questions and comments about Lexcom's way of doing business and our partners. We then boarded a bus for the ride to Mosaic Stadium to watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Calgary Stampeders.

Lexcom had reserved one of the 3 chalets at the game. The chalets were at field level in the south endzone. There was more food, more beverages and of course, lots of football action. The weather was spectacular, the atmosphere was electric and the view on plays in our endzone was mindblowing, even to this diehard fan.

We also had a surprise celebrity guest in our chalet, Bret “The Hitman” Hart.

We would like to thank Bushwakker Brew Pub and the Saskatchewan Roughriders for their hospitality. We cannot say enough good things about our relationship with either organization. Both worked very hard to make everything easy for Lexcom and our guests to have a good time.

We would also like to thank IBM for their sponsorship of this event. Lexcom is always happy to work with partners to help get their word out as well as ours. IBM is a valued partner and we hope to continue to foster this relationship.

The only downside to the entire event was the fact that the Riders couldn’t pull out the victory.

We are hoping for a better result for the team at the next event Lexcom is hosting with the Riders. The next event on October 16^th when the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium will be our client appreciation event. We will have details shortly, stay tuned!

Saskatchewan Roughrider's Smartphone App Available

For the Rider fans that haven't downloaded this app yet, here are the links

Android
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.idnoodle.android.riderapp&feature=search_result

iPhone
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/sasktel-rider-app/id334116986?mt=8

Blackberry
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3676?lang=en