Almost every business can take advantage of a cloud drive. This relieves you the burden and worry of backing up ...]]> Can you take advantage of cloud computing? It’s a buzz word and it only makes sense for businesses with particular needs. Cloud computing spans a large number of features and applications. It can range from using a cloud drive to archiving and securely share common files to hosting a website and more.

Almost every business can take advantage of a cloud drive. This relieves you the burden and worry of backing up your files and is generally more reliable. The Business 2 Community site references a small business that purchased a $15,000 server and paid for locking it in a secure location. If you are thrifty you can get a good server for under $5k and depending upon how critical the application can find cheaper monthly charges to support it.

Even a cheap server is a good candidate to move to a cloud service. At Xilium we have experience with small business in the cloud. We can help you evaluate and come up with the least expensive solution that provides you the service level you need. We can also help you manage services directly or train you allowing you to self-manage your services. Either solution is cost-effective for a small business. Google Apps is the overall best most cost-effective cloud service available. We have extensive experience with these tools and are ready to help. Drop us an email or call and we’ll be happy to discuss your needs.

That said, I have often gone on an errand to return with a head slapping, “I forgot to … while I was there”, and this is ...]]> For you iOS fans Checkmark the location-based reminder app is free today normally $4.99 – iOS apps are way too expensive. For you folks that live in the iOS universe, I have empathy for the extra money you put out for the simple things in your tech life.

That said, I have often gone on an errand to return with a head slapping, “I forgot to … while I was there”, and this is why I like these types of apps. Reminders that ding you while you are somewhere or when something will happen. This stuff has to happen without you setting them all up for a precise moment like a calendar entry. We have talked about Google Now and some others. So grab it and try it out, for today you can pretend you get stuff like Android owners and then dump it if it doesn’t work for you.

If you want to play with something by all means. Just ...]]> Lifehacker is reporting that Google Voice is not working properly when making calls from computers. I use Google Voice for my business ‘land lines’ and for keeping my meager minutes well below the limit. This is a cautionary tale for business providing a lesson that you should never be a cutting edge user on anything that is critical to your business.

If you want to play with something by all means. Just make sure you can easily live without it and it won’t damage something you need.

Priceline is a great way to get ...]]> Hotels, expensive and necessary to do some of your business. I have no problem with staying in 2 star hotels. I just need a clean room and a relatively quiet place to get the rest I need. The problem is that if there is any chance your client or the people you visit know where you’re staying then you have to go upscale.

Check Pricelin

Priceline is a great way to get a good deal on a high quality room but make sure you dig into what others pay. This can save you money because their bidding model gives you limited tries in a day. If you are not forced by a conference to a specific hotel you can narrow it to the required area and get the quality hotel you need. When I have gone to some conferences I used the following trick. I waited until I knew the main hotel was fully booked and they started suggesting alternates. This gave me the latitude I needed to book another random hotel in the area and still look acceptable. When other conference goers ask where I’m staying I share the hotel and a story about waiting too long to book.

Just Ask

Hotels are like airplane seats. They have a product that expires. Their business model is to extract the highest price from each customer. This means that the quality level and the location coupled with the demand at that time determines the maximum amount the hotel can receive from their service. But there is a lot of latitude at the check-in desk. I do two things when I check-in when I’m unable to book ahead of time. I make sure I project a good mood, and I am pleasant and engaged with the person behind the desk. I will ask if there is any deal or a room upgrade that is possible, making sure it is not a demand but a request that I would be happy to have but understanding if there is none.

Coming in late means they know if there is a large number of unsold rooms then it makes no difference to them. Being nice is just good business so they will often give you a better room and even a better rate. If you have the time and the mobility you can go to several hotels and ask at the desks. I have sat in parking lots looking for an online deal and received better ones at the desk. Consumer Reports has a nice list of ideas on how to work the hotels.

Learn The Tricks

If you only travel a few times a year it is still worthwhile to learn these tricks. They change as the years pass but once you learn where to go and what to look for you can use it over again without the upfront learning curve. These tricks change over time so you need to update your knowledge base but a little refresher is quick and continues to help you save money.