Technology Unwrapped

For those of you that are not familiar with Skype for Business it is a communication app that lets you connect with fellow co-workers, business partners or clients in your company, around the United States or world.

Skype is part of the Office 365 package and works with your other Office programs. Let’s explore six basic features of Skype Business.

1. Instant Messaging -  The most basic function of Skype for Business is instant messaging which can be done within your business/organization or with other users outside of your business that are also using Skype for Business.   A transcript of your IM conversation is saved for later viewing and reference.  This is helpful if you were given some information that you did not make note of at the time of your conversation but realize you would like at a later date. 

Getting help with your email hangover.

So you have just gotten home from a very relaxing, much needed vacation.  You feel great! The work tension in your body is gone. On Monday you walk into your office still thinking of the beautiful scenery you’ve just encountered. You turn on your PC, open Outlook and…POW. Relaxation is gone!!

What seems like a thousand emails start piling up. Some of them are junk, some very important, and some are needed information to use later. You dread the thought of sorting through each email to decide what actions must be taken.

We’ve all been there.

So here we are on the verge of spring (thank goodness), and I do have to say this winter gave us some perilous drives to work. In fact, one so icy that my boss declared it a “work at home” day. I was relieved as I live on a hill that is not forgiving and there were no snow plows in sight!

In years past, working from home would have not have been as productive as I had files and software that I need available to get my work done. Now, there are so many different avenues to tap to be productive away from the office that working from home was not an issue!

Isn’t it fun when a new gadget hits the market—one you can really use?! I wouldn’t normally highlight a new product release, however I know many of you are interested in the skinny on new gadgets built for business, so here it is…

I sat in on a technology webinar conference today and they happened to have a Surface product release launch. I admit, I was impressed! Released with Windows 10 Pro installed, the Surface Pro 4 is slightly larger than the 3 at 12.3 inches, however thinner, lighter and faster. The Pro 4 also has a bit larger trackpad. The pen is now magnetic (as it was in the original Surface Pro) and does not need the band to hold it in place.

It’s exciting to receive a package in the mail with new products or deals I’ve found during some online shopping. So when I received an email about an undeliverable package to my work email address (and I was expecting a package, which was overdue), I almost didn’t think twice about it. And then, I began to wonder about the email address and was pretty certain I supplied my home email when ordering online.