Need a way to summarize a large amount of data or crunch numbers better? Enter the PivotTable feature in Microsoft Excel 2010. A PivotTable takes your dataset and lets you choose the fields and filters to build a report and PivotCharts.

Learn more about this powerful way to glean meaning from your data in this video tip.

When Disaster Strikes - The Big Bad Wolf
by Chris Geiser, PCS Technology

It may be superstition, but many of us still believe that catastrophes come in 3s. In the case of a catastrophic loss of business facility (i.e. hurricane, earthquake, waterlogging of fire hoses), many businesses get to experience all three of these catastrophes within the span of a few short days (or even hours).

Firstly, one must endure the physical and emotional trauma of experiencing the actual disaster. Secondly, one must pick through the pieces and assess how bad things really are. Thirdly, and the most delicate, will be communicating with employees and customers, having to tell them what’s happened, how bad it is, and what uncertainties the future holds.

A Backup System Alone is Not a Disaster Recovery Plan
Most small business managers rise to their positions because they have the vision and drive to succeed. For them, planning for a disaster can feel like planning to fail. They don’t like to think about what a disaster would do to their business continuity, so they don’t. Of course, they approve the expense of a company backup system. However, when disaster strikes, that so-called “backup” system takes on the role of “recovery” system. Suddenly, its performance limitations have severe consequence.

The Three Little Pigs
Okay, so we know that small business managers hate to envision their company going through a disaster, but we have important simulations to run here. So to lessen the trauma, and in sticking with the theme of 3s, we’re employing the help of the Three Little Pigs.

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Microsoft held their first ever Build Conference in Anaheim in September. It’s a new annual event for Windows developers to gather and learn about building applications for the Windows platform. This one was special not only because it was the first, but also because leading up to it, all the buzz was about how much of Windows 8 Microsoft would show and what details we would learn about the next version of the most popular operating system in the world.

Microsoft did not disappoint. They have showed demos, talked about features and functions, and even made an open beta immediately available to all who are interested to download, play with, and Microsoft hopes develop applications for. The buzz leading up to the conference has grown into a fever pitch with partners, developers, and customers all extremely excited about the next Windows release. What is it about this platform that Microsoft is doing right, and why is everyone so excited?

First off, Windows has a new look and feel. The next interface, dubbed “Metro” represents the single biggest change to the Windows interface since the additions of the Start button back in 1995. It has been completely revamped from the ground up. It is a radical departure. The traditional desktop and icons have been replaced by dynamic tiles. These tiles will not only allow you to interact with program, but will allow the applications to communicate with the user by surfacing key messages, data, or photos, depending on the needs.

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And the
WINNER is. . . !

The WINNER of October's "Online Portal Challenge" is Todd Fleischman! We will be sending you a $50 Visa Gift Card prize!

Don't forget, by using TS TECH's online portal and email system to create/track service tickets online, you not only receive a quick and efficient response, but you will be entered for a chance to win! Each month, we will hold a drawing of online portal users. To enter, just submit your service tickets via our Customer Portal at www.ts-tech.com.

Farewell...

TS TECH is sad to bid farewell to a senior staff member and four year member of our team. Jason Davis is departing TS TECH to pursue his passion of building Custom Cars & Motorcycles. Jason’s last full day was 11/14/2011, however he is not completely departing TS TECH and will occasionally be moonlighting in the blue TS TECH shirt as a hired consultant for special projects. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and want to thank him for his stellar service over the years! See our Blog Post

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

- John F Kennedy

Just for Laughs