No More PST Files
PST files are used to store email, contacts, calendars, and other data in Outlook. They are sensitive files and likely to become corrupt. Thankfully, with Google Apps, we no longer rely on PST files to manage our data.
Microsoft Outlook uses a database format called a PST file.
The PST file has been around for a very long time. Decades, in fact.
As users receive email in Outlook, the size of their PST files grow. The larger it grows, the greater likelihood the PST file can become unstable and the data within it corrupted.
PST files also have maximum size limitations of around 10-12 gigabytes.
Repairing a corrupted PST file is no laughing matter. It can take hours, and data loss is permanent. Imagine being told that all of your email for the last four years are simply inaccessible and gone. Not a good conversation.
These conditions forced users of Microsoft Outlook to create multiple PST files to manage their data and spread the risk between PST files.
This week, I migrated company that relied on multiple PST files to manage their data to Google Apps. In Google, every user starts with 30gb of storage space and suffers none of the same limitations. This allowed me to consolidate a user with 4 PST's, for example, into just one mailbox. This simplified things for the end-user and made it possible to see all of their folders anywhere they go.
Anyway, as a tech professional, it makes me happy to ditch using PST files and extending capability to users where they've been limited in the past.
R
It's About Choice
Small businesses have more choices than ever before when it comes to their technology spending. I help show them how their choices can turn into real ROI.
Small businesses have more choice over technology solutions than ever before.
- Instead of owning PC's, they've a choice to perform data processing across mobile devices, phones, and tablets.
- Instead of owning a big phone system, they've a choice to go entirely mobile, or, purchase light-weight Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone systems that uses the Internet to make phone calls.
- Instead of purchasing a big software application to run their accounting and customer relationship systems, they've a choice to lease it, and shove the risk of its management on somebody else.
- Instead of owning and running a big server themselves, they can lease the same capability from cloud computing providers.
- Instead of locking themselves in to huge multi-annual contracts with banks, they can do low-cost, no-term credit card processing with low-cost mobile payment systems like Square.
- Instead of having to shuffle data around on memory sticks, they've a choice to share data immediately and securely, anywhere they are.
- Instead of having to manage data backup and recovery themselves, they've a choice to push that management on to the backs of computer professionals.
Choice! I also guess they can choose not to do these things. But why would they choose that ...? Unless, of course, they weren't aware of the choices available to them, or, don't think that their choices will impact their competitiveness.
I help with both of these matters. I help explain their options, implement solutions, and tie their investments to real savings, real productivity, and real profitability.
R
What I Do
Russell Mickler is a computer consultant in Vancouver, WA. He helps small business use technology better.
Who I Help
I help small businesses use technology better. I define a small business as one with 1-50 employees – for-profit or non-profit – and usually without an internal IT Department. I have customers all across the country.
What I Do
Do you want (or need) help with your computers, phones, tablets, email systems, servers, networks, or social media strategy? Do you want to work with somebody who loves what they do, who will talk to you without belittling geekspeak, and who’ll be a partner in your success? Well, I just might be your guy!
What I Don’t Do
Regrettably, I do not help residential users of computers. My clients are businesses or solo-professionals.
Platforms I Work With
I’m an expert with PC’s and Mac platforms, Windows, Linux, and MacO/S. I’m also very familiar with IOS devices like the iPhone and iPad, as well as Android (Droid) and Blackberry. I work on Windows Servers, Mac Servers, and Linux Servers; VOIP phones as well as PBX and Key Phone Systems. I’ve been doing this since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
How I Can Help
Hey, I’d love to help you! There are four ways:
Hourly Rate
I bill my time in quarter-hour increments at $125/hour.
The No-Cost Consult
Listen, I don’t charge anybody to learn how I can help them out. I also don’t charge for asking questions. I’m serious about wanting to be your partner, and that means I’m willing to learn about your business, your customers, what your needs are, and describe how I could help – without charge. Phone, email, Skype, or even on-site if you’re in Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR. Let’s get to know each other and see if we can do business together.
Block Retainers
Okay, if you’re not a regular client and if you’ve got technical questions, need some immediate help with server or network, your social media campaign, or you’re computer’s just plain busted – and time is of the essence – this track is for you. You can buy five or ten hour blocks of time to ask me whatever questions you have and get your problem fixed straight away.
Request For Proposal
If you have a large project and need a more thorough response, and want a competitive bid, please use the contact form below to have me prepare a proposal for your company.
Don't Know Which Service is Best for You?
No problem! Just complete the contact form. I’ll contact you within an hour or two and we can chit-chat about what you need. Make sure you leave me your phone number so I can call you back right away!