Soaring Technology

Technology and Managed Services Blog – A WingSwept Production

Posts Tagged WingSwept

Do not access PDF files from untrusted sources!

Aug 25

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Technology Tips | No Comments

Do not access PDF files from untrusted sources! Adobe has recently outlined a number of security vulnerabilities affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat. It is important for you to remember not to open unfamiliar or unexpected PDF files, particularly those hosted on websites or delivered as email attachments.

An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by convincing a user to open a specially crafted PDF file. By opening a malicious PDF file, your system could become infected with detrimental spyware. The solutions are to (1) update the program, (2) disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader and Acrobat and (3) prevent Internet Explorer from automatically opening PDF files. Contact WingSwept to see if you have the affected versions (Reader and Acrobat 9.3.3, earlier 9.x versions, 8.2.3, and earlier 8.x versions) or to execute the security solutions.

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WingSwept Ranks as a Top Small Business in NC

Jul 13

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Industry News, Press Releases | Comments off

Business Leader Media recently ranked the Garner-based IT firm, WingSwept, among the top 100 small businesses in North Carolina for 2010.  Ranking on the list for the second year in a row, WingSwept is thrilled to receive the recognition again.

 Business Leader Media creates the list of Top 100 Small Businesses in order to honor companies that have demonstrated significant business achievements and community involvement in North Carolina. Evaluations of one and five-year revenue growth as well as business achievements and community involvement determined the company rankings.

WingSwept’s impressive placement on the list for two consecutive years not only demonstrates the ongoing demand for their services but the team’s ability to meet the customer demand and grow at the same time.

Even while concentrating on clients and improving their own operational efficiency; WingSwept still maintains a commitment to servicing its community through several organizations. With so many small businesses in North Carolina, it is a true honor for WingSwept to rank in Business Leader Media’s Top 100.

“Our team has not let economic doubt slow us down, but rather we have been extremely motivated in continuing to meet customer needs and grow our client base,” says Jay Strickland, WingSwept’s CEO.  “The recognition from Business Leader Media reminds us that our efforts are earning us very positive results.”

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IT Community Recognizes WingSwept’s Excellence in Partnering

May 12

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Press Releases | Comments off

Recently at the Heartland Technology Groups (HTG) Summit, awards were given to members that have demonstrated exceptional performance amongst all the peer groups.  During this annual conference, members attended seminars and meetings to exchange IT expertise for an entire week.
 
During the awards ceremony, HTG recognized some of its dedicated members for their business and personal growth driven by execution.  Jay Strickland from WingSwept and Amy Kardel from Clever Ducks were recognized for their collaborative efforts with the “Excellence in Partnering Award”.

HTG encourages mind-sharing and utilization of joint resources between members, while reducing unnecessary costs.  Throughout the peer group association (with members across the nation and Canada), WingSwept and Clever Ducks were honored for their business practices concerning partnering.  Both companies have gone beyond their peer group to collaborate in multiple areas of business.  It began with a Marketing exchange in June of 2009. 

Since the initial marketing exchange, WingSwept continues to collaborate with the professionals at Clever Ducks while also reaching out to other peer group members.  WingSwept recently opened its doors to the marketing person of another peer company that admired WingSwept’s efforts.  In the span of three days, the marketing professionals from both WingSwept and the other company participated in brainstorming and idea collaboration that was mutually beneficial. 

Peers that are not in geographical competition range but are similar in size and methods have helped WingSwept to achieve success.  A lot of WingSwept’s recent marketing efforts have been to provide their over 1,800 customers above and beyond service that demonstrates true value.  It is through both marketing exchanges and HTG that WingSwept has been able to find fast yet proven solutions for their customers.

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WingSwept Gets Award for Marketing Their Leading Brand

May 11

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Press Releases | Comments off

WingSwept received an award at the InSpire award banquet, hosted by the North Carolina Public Relations Society, last week.  The banquet honored the best in communications, and the award that recognized WingSwept was for best practices in marketing.  WingSwept was given the “Award of Excellence” in the Silver division for it’s efforts in Vertical Marketing and more specifically for the marketing of Repair Shop Websites.  It was submitted in a category regarding the marketing of consumer products or services, business-to-business.

WingSwept utilizes the Repair Shop Websites brand under their Vertical Market division to assist automotive repair shops in establishing a reputation and improving their brand with existing and potential customers.  Vertical marketing efforts are applied towards specific industries where local businesses can use a professional website to level the playing field throughout their industry with national chains or gain a competitive advantage over other local businesses without websites.  Repair Shop Websites gives over 1,600 customers the ability to be consistent and proactive through a web presence.  Our business-to-business product is marketed based on the particular need for websites in the automotive repair industry and the experience we have with Web design and customer satisfaction.  WingSwept began the brand Repair Shop Websites in 2005, and has since become the industry leader in automotive repair websites.  Since its inception in 2005, Repair Shop Websites has grown from 50 customers into a well-established brand with over 1,600 customers.  Recent growth and future successes can be accredited to marketing efforts put forth in 2009.

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Internet Predictions for 2020

Apr 28

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Industry News | Comments off

It’s hard to predict the future, especially for technology.  The Internet has evolved quicker than most imagined in the past 10 years, so it will be fascinating to see what the next 10 years will do for the Internet.  It grows at an amazing rate! At WingSwept, we are always striving to stay ahead of the curve and be aware of important changes and evolutions.  Read this article’s predictions for the Web: http://pcplus.techradar.com/node/3230/

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Local Recycling Event Generates Over 22,000 Pounds!

Apr 23

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Press Releases | Comments off

WingSwept’s Second Annual Technology Spring Clean took place on April 17, which was a beautiful day in Garner.   People and businesses of Garner, Raleigh, Clayton and surrounding areas were enthusiastic to drop off old technology equipment to recycle that would otherwise pollute landfills and clutter their home or office.

The event was exponentially bigger than the last with over 22,000 pounds of electronic equipment collected.  The average drop off around 150 pounds of technology that was unwanted, and often unusable and outdated. 

For two years in a row, participants have been shocked at how easy and pain-free the drop off process has been.  WingSwept, the event holder and local information technology company, will continue to hold the recycling event around Earth Day every year as a convenient service to the community.

Items collected included CPUs, monitors, printers, keyboards, hard drives, wires and much more.  WingSwept witnessed the shredding of the 23 pounds of hard drives that were received in order to protect private data of participants, while the rest was properly handled by Triangle Recycling. 

WingSwept would like to thank the community and the following sponsors responsible for the success of the Technology Spring Clean: Triangle Recycling, Garner Chamber of Commerce, The Garner Citizen, McDonald’s, Town of Garner, Jones Insurance Agency, S&A Cherokee, Garner Rotary Club and Turner Farms Self Storage. 

Keep your eyes and ears out for the announcement of next year’s event, or check the event’s website at www.wingswept.com/recycle.

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Upcoming Free Computer Recycling Event – April 17

Apr 12

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Press Releases | Comments off

For the second year, WingSwept is holding their technology recycling event as a service to the community. Volunteers will be stationed at 951 Heather Park Drive at the corner of Heather Park Drive and Aversboro Road from 10 am until 4 pm collecting old and unused computer technology equipment to be properly recycled.

WingSwept, a leading local IT firm, is heading up this Earth Day event with the support of several community organizations including Triangle Recycling, Garner Chamber of Commerce, Town of Garner, McDonald’s, Jones Insurance Agency, The Garner Citizen, Garner Rotary Club, S & A Cherokee, and Turner Farms Self Storage.  All these partner organizations stand behind WingSwept and their dedication to providing the community with this much needed recycling event. 

WingSwept’s Technology Spring Clean allows businesses and consumers the opportunity to properly and responsibly dispose of unwanted computer technology items by dropping them off for free.  Computers/CPUs, UPSs, printers, monitors, copiers, keyboards, mice, circuit boards, mainframes, hard drives, phone systems, and cell phones will all be accepted at the event.

For peace of mind and security, all hard drives will be removed from computers and securely shredded prior to recycling.  WingSwept is donating this service to the community for businesses and individuals who could be concerned about their sensitive information getting into the wrong hands after disposal.

Come out to celebrate Earth Day by doing your part to reduce technology pollution in our landfills.  Go green and be a part of WingSwept’s Technology Spring Clean.

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WingSwept Team of Experts Continuously Grows

Apr 6

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Press Releases | Comments off

WingSwept, a locally based full-service information technology firm continuing to experience substantial growth has expanded its staff once again.  Marcy Sawyer and Theresa Brittain have joined the team of experts at WingSwept and each brings a wealth of professional experience to the company. 

“We’veseen significant growth over the past several years and finding highly qualified candidates for both of these administrative positions was necessary in order to support our growth beyond our current size,” said Jay Strickland, President of WingSwept.

For the position of Staff Accountant, Sawyer was uniquely qualified and no stranger to the executives of WingSwept.  Sawyer assumes responsibilities from several WingSwept staff members whose workloads have grown extensively as the company has grown.

Theresa Brittain was chosen to fill the position of Hiring Coordinator.  The technology firm continues to build its team with top-notch individuals, so much so that they needed a person to manage the hiring responsibilities and help find the best match for open positions.  Brittain was self employed for approximately 13 years before joining the WingSwept team. 

“I have realized since being on board at WingSwept just how fortunate we all are to have a job in this economy, especially at a place that provides important service to businesses an

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Don’t Rush Into Using Your New Computer

Mar 29

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Technology Tips | Comments off

The excitement of getting a new computer can feel like opening gifts on Christmas morning.  Most of us are in a hurry to open our new tech toys and start them up.  Experts at WingSwept want to remind you to slow down and not rush to use a new computer before taking some preliminary steps that will save you time later on if something happens. 

 

First, make sure the computer will be located in a practical place.  Open the box and save the papers as well as the box itself in case there’s a problem and the computer needs to be returned or exchanged.  Take all those important disks and papers out and put them in a safe place after the computer is set up.  Set up the computer according to the instructions and make certain you plug everything into a surge protector or a UPS.

 

Turn your new computer on, but don’t skip over essential steps such as the setup wizard and registration information.  Don’t skip over these steps as they are essential to making sure your computer is configured properly and its warranty is in place. 

 

The last thing to do before you can start surfing the net is to install an anti-virus program.  The last thing you want to do is get a virus and break your new toy before you really get to use it.

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Online Computer Safety Tips for Young Children by Norton

Mar 24

Posted by molly.moore@wingswept.com in Industry News, Technology Tips | Comments off

Attention, WingSwept would like to encourage readers to follow these online safety tips, which will hopefully reduce the risk of falling victim of cybercrime especially among children and families.  This information was brought to you by Norton.

Hot tip: Teach the youngest children never to share passwords, even with their best friend! We’re seeing account theft (a junior version of identity theft) happen to kindergartners.
Key Recommendations:

  • Limit approved Web sites and hours spent online.
  • Set high security settings with browsers, membership,and social networking sites.
  • Install and maintain Internet security software and parental controls.
  • Use parental controls to limit the Web sites your child can visit.
  • Monitor your child’s computer use and sit with them when they’re online
  • Talk about protecting private information (name, phone number,etc.) and never sharing passwords with friends.
  • Start having “The Talk” as part of your regular “Back to School” preparations

Entire Safety Guide available: http://www.symantec.com/content/en/us/home_homeoffice/media/theme/parentresources/14550777_FOSG_final.pdf

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