Apple has received hundreds of complaints about the signal strength of the Wi-Fi versions of the iPad sold over last weekend. Investigations about what is causing the problem are ongoing and it is hoped a software update will provide the solution. It is however possible it may be a hardware issue. It seems the Wi-Fi Arial is located on the back of the iPad behind the Apple logo. This is not an ideal position and could be the cause of not picking up a strong signal.

As I said in my very first blog on this product do as I say and not as I do and wait until this product is fully tested by the first wave of purchasers and the problems have all been ironed out.

I still intend to be in the first wave when the iPad is made available in The UK however I have always intended to buy the 3G version when it is launched and not the Wi-Fi version. I have a perfectly good laptop that works on Wi-Fi so I don’t see the benefit of buying the Wi-Fi version of the iPad. The benefit of this device for me, and I believe many business users, will be its connectivity anywhere anytime just like using your mobile phone, so it’s got to be the 3G version.

Currently we are waiting for Apple to announce its price structure and release date in The UK. In addition we still await announcements on the tie up with mobile phone providers who will service the 3G version of the iPad. This may come as a shock once the monthly price for running the 3G service on your iPad is announced. Let’s hope Apple has given more than one supplier the right to provide the 3G service and then we will at least get some competition in the market.

If you would like to be one of the first to hear how 2UK rate the ipad and its many apps before we get round to releasing our blogs contact and register for a direct email report on this subject.

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It’s with us at last or at least it is in the USA. Over the Easter weekend Apple sold just over 300,000 iPads in The US. It has to be born in mind that most of the purchasers many of whom stood in line for hours and in a few cases days are converted Apple fans. It is therefore not surprising that the press reporting has mostly been positive about this product. Once the average punter buys an ipad following the hype only then will any real problems emerge as to its functionality and usefulness?

The only major point I have picked up so far is its inability to use Flash player. This will restrict video and some graphics when downloading websites. It remains to be seen as to how much this omission spoils the enjoyment or usefulness of the iPad.  Apple are reported as saying they left Flash player out due to its large draw on battery power. As the iPad stands without Flash player you should get 10 hours of user time on one recharge.

I am still convinced this will be a very useful work tool. I can just imagine being in meetings and being able to surf a website instantaneously or put on a presentation within seconds of switching on the iPad. I know these functions are all possible on a laptop with Wi-Fi but it is the instant response from the iPad that will make it a more attractive tool. Another advantage in my opinion will be the large number of cheap but useful apps that are already available for the iPhone and many more in development for the iPad.

As I promised in my last blog on this subject as soon as 2UK can lay its hands on an iPad in the UK we will do so, and report back how it stacks up against the hype and our expectations. In addition we will be reviewing many of the apps for this device and will give our views on what we think of them and how you could use them in your business.

If you would like to be one of the first to hear how 2UK rate the iPad and its many apps, before we get round to releasing our blogs contact and register for a direct email report on this subject.

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After months of trying Microsoft and Yahoo have received approval from both the U.S. and European Commission to merge their search units.
This will mean Microsoft’s Bing search engine will power Yahoo reported the Telegraphs Business section this morning. The Telegraph goes on to say that users are unlikely to notice any difference as both companies will keep their own presence on the internet. The deal has been approved because Microsoft and Yahoo only have about 10% of the search engine traffic on the internet with Google accounting for 90%. The rationale behind allowing this deal is that it will bring more competition into the market.

What will this mean for 2UK’s clients. Well in truth very little in the short term as Microsoft and Yahoo have said it will be the end of 2010 and into 2011 before they have all their systems and offerings in place. Once this is achieved however we at 2UK think the market will innovate faster with these 2 massive corporations competing head on with Google.  In return Google will not sit on its hands and will try to take pre-emptive action. This could result in improved search capability assisting in better Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) services and very much cheaper pay for click advertising rates.

2UK assists its clients in their Pay for Click and SEO campaigns. We will continue to monitor the changes being announced by these 3 large search engines and look to assist our clients to get the best advertising rates and the maximum coverage by being at or near the top of search engine pages.

For more information on Pay for Click, SEO or any other aspects of how to get the best out of  your online  presence contact or call 08450 958 234 for your free 2UK web health check.

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We were always told that eventually we would become a paperless society. Well that may not have happened yet but the Government is intent on forcing it upon us. Recently I received a VAT notice for one company I am a director of informing me that as the company’s turnover was over a certain amount and so all future  VAT returns and payments have to be made online. As it happens we were already doing online filing as we found it easier.

Today I read in the Telegraph that employers running small businesses face fines of up to £3,000 for not filing their annual returns with HMRC under new rules being introduced this year. In effect if you employ between 5 and 50 staff you have to file your Employer Annual Return electronically by May 19^th this year. Even if you send in the old paper forms within this deadline you will still face a fine.

A number of small business organisations have complained that HMRC are being heavy handed over this and The National Hairdressers Federation is quoted as saying “the decision to end the paper option is a major blow for small businesses”. They go on to say “not all salons use computers”

This whole area of conforming  to government rules about filing on line will only get more and more as time goes on. We have to face up to it that all business transactions are cheaper and easier over the internet with consumers and small businesses being  forced into using it regardless of their views. It’s difficult for those not used to working with computers but even more frustrating when you have set up to do these crucial tasks only to find you have picked up a virus or have a technical glitch stopping you filing on time. This could result in a large fine and trust me HMRC will not accept any excuses like “my computer crashed or your web site was too busy at the last minute”

This whole situation demonstrates why it is very important  to have a regular review of your computer system especially if you are a small business with only one or two computers to rely on. They must be up to date and free of viruses and problems.  You would also be wise to consider a regular support contract to fix problems if and when they arise but more important prevent them ever happening.

2UK looks after a number of systems from large multi user server systems to one off PC’s. If you would like to review your IT set up and take advantage of our free IT systems review why not contact or call on  0845 958 234

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Following my last blog (BT Broadband to be open to competitors) I have picked up a note in the Telegraph business section this morning. It is in fact an article about Avatar Communications but within the article it mentions that BT this week has been attempting to charge a couple in Cumbria £45,000 to install a broadband connection to their home and business.  I have not heard of these sums quoted before but it is highly likely that many homes and businesses are coming up against the same problem in remote areas.
The article goes on to say how Avatar is planning to launch 2 satellites to provide their own broadband services to remote parts of the globe. At present they lease space on other provider’s satellites to offer broadband in 14 European countries.

I am not sure at this stage if the couple in Cumbria have looked at this method or even if there is a service they could use but it is certainly a way forward for them that would be cheaper and quicker to get up and running.

2UK has installed a number of broadband solutions for clients in remote areas using simple mobile phone technology. It is possible to speed up your broadband or even get it in the first place by using the satellites we already have orbiting the Earth.  Some solutions work and others don’t, I am afraid it is a matter of trial and error.

2UK can provide you with a full assessment of your broadband speeds and would be happy to have a free one to one consultation with you to discuss any issues you may be encountering with speed of broadband and connectivity.

Contact or call on 08450 958234

Get up to speed with 2UK

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I picked this little article up from my Reuters feed this morning. This looks a small announcement but could help to open up high speed broadband around the country.

LONDON (Reuters) – Telecom carrier BT <BT.L> plans to allow its competitors to use its underground tunnel network to run high-speed broadband, the Financial Times reported on Monday. BT chief executive Ian Livingston told the FT the company would provide open access to its ducts in a move to help extend high-speed broadband coverage across Britain.

High speed broadband is essential to all business regardless of being an online retailer or not. All communications will eventually be using broadband in one way or another. Speed of shopping on the net has vastly improved in recent years due to better broadband speeds  allowing retailers to increase the size, look and feel of their websites and online stores. Companies also use broadband to link offices and remote locations. With the size of files now being sent between users it is essential that a high speed broadband connection is available and reliable.

2UK has been working recently with one of its clients who have remote depots where high speed broadband is not available. To overcome this problem and to speed up their communications 2UK has recommended a BT leased line connection. This will be effective and as fast if not faster than high speed broadband. Unfortunately this option is very expensive but having tested a number of more cost effective solutions for the client we have finally recommended leased lines. As broadband becomes more available and with more competition in the market our client may not have to use this expensive solution for very long.

This recent announcement by BT will allow 2UK to review the speed of broadband to all our clients especially those further away from the local telephone exchanges where broadband speeds are not always so good. We will also be able to negotiate better broadband rates for clients once more competition is in the market. Even so it is surprising how many companies and individuals suffer slow connectivity and speeds and data transfer even though they have the ability right now to upgrade or make a number of adjustments to their IT. It is a matter of having the time to research and the skills to make the necessary changes that would speed up existing systems.

If you would like 2UK to conduct a free survey of your broadband connections, speed of data transfer and internet connectivity please contact

Speed of connectivity and transfer of files and data is essential. Don’t get left in the slow lane.

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Telecom carrier BT plans to allow its competitors to use its underground tunnel network to run high-speed broadband, the Financial Times reported on Monday.  BT chief executive Ian Livingston told the FT the company would provide open access to its ducts in a move to help extend high-speed broadband coverage across Britain.  This is excellent news for businesses looking to take advantage of internet telephony (VoIP), using the new high-speed broadband lines this technology can significantly reduce telephone bills.

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Wow, what a few days I have just enjoyed reviewing the new Apple iPad. I started by watching the two videos on the Apple web site. The first is a short run through the iPad but the second is well worth watching all the way through although it is over one and a half hours long. It covers from start to finish the keynote speech and launch of the iPad headed up by Steve Jobs President and one of the founders of Apple. It is an amazing presentation giving flawless demonstrations of the various functions of the iPad. I highly recommend these on line video presentations. They can be found at:

www.apple.com/ipad

The press have been in general supportive and impressed but a little reluctant to come out fully behind the product. It is seen as a half way point between a laptop and a mobile phone and is accepted as a completely different product category. What I think most people are missing in assessing this product is its larger screen, on screen keyboard and its instantaneous response. As soon as you need it you touch the screen slide the onscreen lock and you are immediately using this product. Unlike a laptop where you have to wait for it to boot up by which time you have made a hand written note or somebody has already looked up the information from another source.

Unlike a mobile (Blackberry or iPhone) it has a larger easier to use screen and an onscreen keyboard. This will come into its own when taking notes, reading or replying to emails and of course as Steve Jobs says a number of times in his presentation “you are holding the internet in your hands”

I will not try to repeat all the column inches dedicated to this new and in my opinion exciting product as I believe it has been almost impossible to miss much of the reporting on the net or in the press. In addition I could not compete with the online video’s I have recommended above.  All I can say is I believe the iPad is a product that will take off not only for private use but has a huge potential in the business market also.

Having said all the above I would advise our clients and readers to wait a while before committing to buy an iPad. It is always possible as with any new product the first ones will have a number of flaws that will be corrected on later versions. The Apps store will also expand with products specifically designed for the iPad with its bigger screen although Apple report that most of the 140,000 existing iphone Apps will work on the iPad.

At a starting price of just $499 it looks good value however a UK price has not yet been announced. The first iPads will hit the stores in the USA within 60 days of its launch with worldwide releases following very quickly. A full 3g version will also be available 90 days from launch once all the worldwide licenses and agreements have been settled between Apple and their partners in 3G comms.

I am going to ignore my own advice and will be acquiring an iPad as soon as they are available in the UK. So I am afraid it is a case of listen to my advice and pay no attention to my actions.

2UK will be following the progress of the iPad, reviewing the functionality and plan to look at ways this relatively cheap product can assist our clients. Keep a close eye on our blogs and don’t hesitate to contact, if you have any questions on the iPad and how 2UK are developing its uses for its clients.

I hope it will not be long before you are reading  my first Blog written on my new iPad. Lucky this year’s budgets for 2UK have not yet been agreed. I will make sure $499 is slipped into our capital expenditure before everyone wants one.

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• Their personal service
• Local and reachable
• Not just being a number to them
 
But all these positives can quickly turn negative, if we fellow small business fail to meet basic customer-service expectations. Suddenly, our small business starts to look too small, and clients begin wonder whether they should have gone with a lager firm.-              Right?

To avoid that fate, consider this:

• A single phone line is just not enough. Nothing says ‘too small’ like a phone number that returns a busy signal or a phone that rings and rings until the caller finally gives up.
Why not look into VoIP which can route several calls through the one phone and internet line. Maybe use a virtual service that has a welcome message then routes calls to extensions and enables clients to leave voicemails. Callers will never get a busy signal and won’t be stuck in a ringing loop, and so they will gain confidence that you have the staff to service their business

• Frequent technological problems? The occasional glitch is unavoidable. “But if you’re constantly apologising for technology malfunctions, soon your customers will seek out a competitor whose technology does work.
Remember your customers rely on your systems working as much as you do. Let your customers see the beneficial aspects of working with a small business—not those that are irritating and easily avoidable.

Richard Woods
Managing Director of 2UK
www.2ukltd.com

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What is a server?
In addition to connecting their computers to one another, many small/medium businesses opt to connect their computers to an office server. A server is a computer whose primary purpose is to serve the other computers (called clients) in the office. You can use your server to store and retrieve common data (e.g. a customer database) and as a place to backup information from client computers.

Despite its added expense, servers are a great addition to any office network. However, if your business needs to regularly share common data, you can’t afford not to have one.

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