The Mac is for Business Too!
Melanie McDonald
Ever think about giving your office a Macintosh for Christmas?
Did you know that today’s macs interface seamlessly with your Windows machines and offer more than 1,000 software packages useful to business?
Here’s what Apple says to potential business users:From purchase to upgrade to support, Apple offers award-winning service to help your business install and manage it’s sometimes sophisticated technology solutions. Apple provides help from trained business consultants online, over the phone or in-person at Apple Retail stores worldwide. You can also stop in for Business Days at the Apple stores — free workshops for your company to learn about the latest in Apple technology for business. And there are over a thousand certified Apple Consultants [like MacTutor here in Southern Pines] across the country, to provide on-site help and advice when and where you need it. Apple’s your perfect business partner.
Indeed, so interested is Apple in helping to build your business, it has made Wednesdays in The Apple Store Business Days with consultants and networkers on hand to answer your questions as well as provide free demonstrations and workshops. You can learn more about these opportunities as well as about business financing and software at the Apple site http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/BizCustom?qprm=78313.
If it is time to take your business online or to upgrade your current web presence, you won’t want to miss checking out the Online Business section at the Apple site. Traditionally the computer to use for graphics and design projects, the new Macintosh range of computers also includes servers and a host of software packages for everything from site design to secure document and web content management systems, customer relations software and purchasing tools, and meeting management capabilities. (Don’t forget that the new Apple iChat program that is included with the new operating systems also provides for sophisticated online conferencing!)
Among the business packages that talk with your Windows software are Microsoft Office with Word, Excel, and Powerpoint as well as File Maker Pro with its Excel capabilities. At the Apple website in the business section you can find lists of software especially tailored for the health care, architecture, law, and retail industries.
With its combination of file sharing, document management, internet, email, and conferencing as well as it networking with Windows machines, the Macintosh has come a long way since it was the computer for designers and game-players.
Not all the reasons for adding a Macintosh to your office involve major programs or networks. The latest operating system, Tiger, includes a Dashboard filled with widgets, small programs providing an ever-increasing range of information useful in an office setting. You can, for example, find the time around the world, check on flight arrivals and departures, check a calendar, write a quick note, consult a dictionary or phone book, check stock reports, convert currency and other units, translate instantly from English to other languages and vice versa, and more widgets are being born daily and offered free for download.
And don’t forget the ubiquitous iPod as a tool for business as well as recreation with music, photos, and now video. Not only does the newest iPod offer memory for 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos, and 150 hours of downloaded music and television videos, working with both Macs and PCs two of the three models allow users to show slideshows and keep up with news and special programming via podcasts while being the road warrior.
Without doubt all of us who have spent years working on the Macintosh computer know that Apple products are not only user-friendly and an excellent tool for working smartly, but we know they are fun as well. And what’s wrong with having a bit of fun at work!
Oh, and after you have given your office an Apple for Christmas, don’t forget your employees. An iTunes gift card is pretty high on the wish list of both Mac and PC users!
Everyone at MacTutor wishes you and your staff a wonderful holiday season.
McDonald, president and CEO of MacTutor & Services in Southern Pines, is an apple authorized service provider whose business includes technical and networking services as well as system and software tutoring and design consulting. She can be reached at 910.246.2150 or mobbs@pinehurst.net.
