Things are getting busy over here at WAMS as we gear up for the LegalTech Conference and Trade Show.  LegalTech provides an in-depth look at what the technological world has in store for you and your practice AND offers an expansive exhibit floor with the most extensive gathering of innovative products designed to meet your current and future technology needs. (More info on LegalTech at www.legaltechshow.com.)

WAMS has access as a Platinum Exhibitor to free "Exhibit Plus" Passes for our friends and clients, and I wanted to pass this onto you. This pass will not only allow you to visit the Exhibit Hall, but also will provide complimentary access to the following: Keynote Presentations, General Sessions, and Emerging Technology Tracks. Click on the link here to get your free pass:

http://ow.ly/kxsJT

Once you download the pass, just print it, fill it out, and mail it to the address on the PDF. Just be sure to do it before the deadline (May 20) so that you avoid paying the $50 fee at the door.

Just wanted to pass the freebie onto our blog readers! You just have to promise to stop by our WAMS Booth (417) and say"hi" to us. :) We'll also be doing a drawing for an iPad Mini just for taking a peak at a demo of our fully hosted Cloud Connect!

Change is inevitable. In some industries it happens slowly, while in others it happens at a blazing speed. The tech industry is one that never sits still; there is always something bigger, better, faster, and newer being released. The problem many businesses have with this is that the changes are unaffordable, so they stay with the same software or systems for years. This can be an issue, especially when the developer of software stops supporting existing systems. Microsoft has announced that they will stop supporting some software that you may be using.

Business owners and managers have many concerns they must address on a regular basis, or at least be aware of. Some of the security concerns revolve around fraud and more specifically email fraud. While this isn't a new concept, email fraud and scam occurrences are on the rise, and it is vital to know how to spot them.

Here's five tips to help you spot email frauds or scams.

When it comes to operating a business, you are always walking a fine line trying to balance costs and profits. This means you are probably eager to cut costs whenever possible. One area that has likely demanded a large investment is technology. The problem with technology is that it can be hard to keep costs at bay, especially when it breaks down.

Here are five ways you can reduce IT spending.

One of the more popular devices these days is the tablet. It seems like almost everyone has one, or at least wants one. The problem is, there are so many to choose from that it can be a daunting task, especially when you're looking for one for your business. To help make the decision easier, we will look at the three tablets that could be good for businesses.

Here's a five point comparison of the three most popular 10-inch tablets - Apple's iPad 4, Google's Nexus 10 and Microsoft's Surface Pro.

Email has become the go-to communication medium for businesses of all types and sizes. It's not uncommon to see people emailing one another when they could just as easily talk. While it is incredibly popular, many emails are poorly written, leading to confusion and both parties having to take time out of their busy days to clarify. This can make you unproductive, and the best way to stop this is by writing good emails to begin with.

Here are six tips that can help ensure that the emails you send get your message across. By writing quality emails, you could see your productivity increase as you will have more time to do your work instead of clarifying sloppy emails.

One of the defining characteristics of an office administrator or business owner is the often overwhelming feeling that they must do everything themselves. Some of us are not great at delegating within the company, let alone to specialists outside. This can cause problems, especially when you realize that you aren't an expert and could use a little help. For many, this realization comes about when they tackle their IT systems and ensuing problems. One solution could be to outsource all or parts of your IT.

Outsourcing IT is a bit different than the usual outsourcing you get in factories or support services. Instead of going overseas, you can partner with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) in your local area. MSPs provide comprehensive IT management services, which usually cover everything tech related.

Working with an MSP often has a direct impact on your bottom line and can help make your firm even more successful than it already is, or at least increase profits to get you there. However, there are many more reasons companies outsource. Read on for our top five…

The dream of many office workers is to have the option to work from home, either full time or a couple of days each week at least. For many, this is an opportunity to be closer to family and avoid what might be a long commute to work. Many companies have been happy to oblige, especially those in tech that have seen boosts to employee productivity and benefits from increased flexibility. One major tech company looks on remote working less favorably, though.

Part 1: So What is Cloud Computing?

A three-part article series that will explain cloud computing, address common concerns with the Cloud, and answer any questions you may have surrounding moving to the Cloud.

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard all the commotion around cloud computing and how it’s the “next big thing.”  Yet, despite all the hype, no one really seems to understand what cloud computing is or more importantly, how it can help your firm.

That’s why we wanted to provide some answers in three, simple, easy-to-read articles that will continue through the next few editions of the e-newsletter from WAMS, Coffee and a Byte. These articles will explain what cloud computing is, how it can (possibly) help your firm, and if so, what you need to know in order to make good decisions about choosing “your cloud.”

Why “possibly?” Because cloud computing is not a good fit for every business; and if you don’t get all the facts or fully understand the pros and cons, you can end up making some very poor and expensive decisions that you’ll deeply regret later.

That said, for some firms, cloud can actually lower their IT costs, greatly improve the ability for remote workers to connect and work, simplify their entire IT infrastructure, and genuinely solve a number of technology problems that they’ve been trying to work around for years.

So which are you? By the end of this min-series you’ll know, or at least have a much better understanding. Of course, we are always available as a resource for a second opinion or quick question, so please feel free to contact our office if we can clarify any points made in these articles or answer any questions you have.

While a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) can be complicated and comprised of many different objectives, the main reason companies include this in their business strategy is to build up resilience. Disasters of many kinds can result in lost data, clients or even the entire business. While a BCP won't prevent large-scale disasters, it will help your firm recover quicker.

When looking at how resilient the business is, there are three main aspects to consider.

Tablets are all the rage right now. You are starting to see businesses of all sizes integrate them into the office and end up not really looking back. Because of the growing demand, many manufacturers are releasing tablets. Microsoft, known largely as a software company, has recently released one of the most powerful tablets to date. Based on the technical specs, will it be enough for businesses though?

Here's a brief overview of the main technical specifications of the Windows Surface Pro that small to medium business owners most often ask about.

For as long as computers have been able to connect to the Internet, there have been security flaws, and the two go hand-in-hand. Companies do their best to shore up security problems, and some do better than others. There's one popular Internet-based program that has had a slew of security issues in the past year, prompting many experts to suggest you should disable it.

One of the quintessential tools of the mobile warrior (the new-age road warrior) is the laptop. They are great for the mobile crowd, and many businesses are even starting to use them in the office because they take up less space. Despite their comparatively high portability, they do have a bit of a rough side. Most laptops get hotter more quickly than a desktop, which can make them hard to use for extended periods. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can minimizethe heat your laptop kicks out.

Here's five tips on how to reduce the heat your laptop generates.

 Two weeks ago, we posted part one of our three part article on how to improve your IT revenue and maximize resources in the current business economy. For those who missed it: The article covered ways you can maximize resources you already have by being an outside thinker, always looking around and using facts to help determine your actions. This week, we look at the internal aspect of your IT solutions and what you can do to save costs.

Here's how you can maximize your internal IT costs.

 While the president is gearing up to give his annual State of the Union Address, WAMS has been putting together a valuable, useful, and insightful webinar for you that will let you know exactly what is going on in the realm of technology and business. Join us on January 29 for the “State of IT Address.”

• Microsoft's big changes for 2013 and how they will effect you
• Exciting new products from big names like HP and iManage
• What's in the forecast for the coming year for Cloud Computing and ways to implement it in your firm
• How Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is changing IT for businesses
• What other firms doing in IT and what they're planning for (stats, numbers, and survey results)
• And more!

In 30 minutes, get the beat of what’s going now in IT and learn what to expect in the coming year. 2013 is sure to be a big year in IT, with Microsoft announcements and cloud on the horizon. Stay up to date with technology and ensure that your firm is not in stride with the business community, but a step ahead of the rest!

What: State of IT Address

When: Tuesday, January 29 at 11:00 am

Register: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/777087046

Contact Allison if you have any questions or have any issues registering. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (800) 421-7151.