News

ISN systems engineer Ben Gould today completed the last of the tests required to become a Microsoft Certified IT Professional.

The MCITP is the leading Microsoft Certification which provides widely recognised, objective validation of Ben’s ability to plan and execute modern projects involving cutting-edge technology such as Hyper-V and iSCSI using Microsoft Server Technologies.

Most organisations can’t get by without professional IT consultancy to get value out of their IT systems. London IT support and IT consultancy specialists, ISN Solutions, have a policy of keeping all our systems engineers up to date with the main hardware and software that our clients use, so that we can offer them the best advice and support.

If your business needs a Microsoft Gold Partner to assist with any infrastructure, ISN have the people with the right skills to help. Call us on 020 7313 9900 to find out more.

Windows 7 is the latest desktop and laptop operating system out of the Microsoft stable and it’s a thoroughbred from the start. As one of ISN’s desktop specialists, I have been using it for some time now. I like it a lot.

Better Performance

It’s faster than Windows XP and much faster than the ill-fated Vista, due to smaller resident memory requirements. Windows 7 installs far more quickly than either of its predecessors.

• Faster to startup – the record for booting a quad core PC is 19 seconds
• 64 bit version available – meaning your applications could use up to 192GB of memory
• Faster searches – find files and folders faster and more easily than in Vista or XP
• Back compatibility – run older programs in a virtual Windows XP window
• Better power management – longer battery life: some of the latest laptops can run for 6 hours or more.

Windows 7 is capable of running on existing hardware and so the PC you use today will probably be usable for the next few years: all it will need is the new operating system.

New usability features

With new features and improvements under the hood, people will be impressed with the speed and the improved stability, thus reducing the need to call your helpdesk and making it easier to get stuff done.

• New Taskbar – pin common apps to the taskbar; preview open application windows.
• Left/Right alignment – easily use two applications side by side, each occupying half your screen
• Aero Shake – May be a gimmick rather than a feature, but still handy. Grab and shake any application title bar with the mouse and all other windows minimise!

New enterprise capabilities

When used with Windows Server 2008 R2, you will be able to use new features that link with Windows 7 and provide added value to the software.

• DirectAcess – automatic VPN connection
• BranchCache – data replication and sharing
• VPN Reconnect – seamless reconnection when moving between networks (e.g. wi-fi points)

All in all, it should bring an increase in productivity and a reduction of desktop problems, bringing new life to existing hardware.

Gold Partnership provides a “hotline” to Microsoft not available to smaller companies

Microsoft consider the number of MCSE qualified engineers employed, the quantity of references from satisifed clients and depth of knowledge of Microsoft products before awarding Gold Level Partner accreditation to a solutions provider. ISN have been a Microsoft Gold Partner since 2006.

ISN’s specialist competencies have been recognised by Microsoft in these fields:

• Advanced Infrastructure Solutions
• Networking Infrastructure Solutions
• Information Worker Solutions

Our partnership with Microsoft is invaluable in helping our clients with support and consultancy for their IT systems. We have a “hotline” to Microsoft not available to smaller companies.

Find out about ISN’s partner relationships with other major IT vendors.

My partner, IT Manager for an insurance company, told me that the best Office tip she ever heard was to use  “the paintbrush” or, to give it its proper name: Format Painter. When I asked around, I found that many people, even senior IT people who use Excel and Word all day, had never heard of it. It works in nearly all Office applications. Read more »

There is much more to Microsoft Office Outlook than just email, beneath the surface there are lots of useful features to make your day-to-day life easier and more organised. Here are some tips which could save you some frustration. Read more »