| Welcome to the N-Tech Solutions Customer Newsletter for June 2009!
by Nathan Woodcock
As part of our commitment to providing an IT service that is professional, straight-talking and enjoyable we publish this newsletter every one or two months to keep in touch, have some fun and maybe even point out a few handy computer related things you didn't know. If you'd prefer not to receive this email simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom on this newsletter. In this edition we update you on what’s happening here at N-Tech Solutions in the lead up to the end of the financial year and a reminder of some of the generous government incentives now available for parents and small businesses. Also don’t miss our stock-take specials at the bottom – we are getting rid of a lot of our workshop stock at near or on cost price. Double Trouble...
Firstly on the personal front, our twins arrived seven weeks early last week. They are beautiful boys named Dylan and Zachary. Mum and bubs are doing well and their two year old big brother Noah is quite chuffed. I don't think he realises they are coming home with us yet though. So, if you find there is a delay between your email or phone call and our response, this will be the reason. It’s definitely business as usual here though, with David taking on more of the onsite work while we go back and forth to the hospital for a few weeks until they can come home. Government Business Tax Incentive now 50% and valid until December 2009!
The Australian Federal Government's Budget has seen an increase in the temporary tax assistance to qualified businesses in Australia from 30% to 50%. The 50% tax deduction will be available on eligible assets acquired between 13th December, 2008 and 31st December, 2009, and installed and ready for use by 31st December, 2010.
The expanded Tax Break is available to small businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million. The business need only purchase an asset for as little as $1,000 in order to qualify. Education Tax Refund - 50% back on Purchases for the Kids!
If you’re eligible for the Education Tax Refund you could get 50% back on a range of primary and secondary school education expenses. Eligible expenses include the cost of buying, establishing, repairing and maintaining any of the following items:
* laptop computers and home computers
* computer-related equipment such as printers, USB flash drives, as well as disability aids to assist in the use of computer equipment for students with special needs
* computer repairs
* home internet connections
* computer software for educational use
* school textbooks and other printed learning material, including prescribed textbooks, associated learning materials, study guides and stationery, and
* prescribed trade tools for secondary school trade courses.
For more info see http://www.educationtaxrefund.gov.au/home/
Pricing Update
We've been operating for two years now (how time flies!) and in that time haven't increased our standard onsite prices, even throughout the crazy prolonged fuel price spike last year. Over the past few months we have been evaluating the business, checking our performance, our processes, and our focus. As part of this process we have looked at where we would like to be in the future and what we need to do to get there and also compared ourselves to other local companies in the same business. What we have realised is that we are undervaluing our service and not billing in a manner that will sustain growth into the future. I’ve been running around like a chook with no head and working until 11pm most days and it can’t be sustained, for my sanity and my families! So from 1 July this year our prices are rising. The rise will enable us to operate the business more effectively; using more staff, and bring us in line more with the industry rate on the Sunshine Coast. We've checked out our main competitors pricing and our new prices are still less, and we like to think our service is still better than anyone else on the coast. However, please note there will be no price change for customers already on Managed IT / Monitoring agreements. From 1 July 2009 our new service rates are as follows:
Onsite Work:
Callout Fee (includes first 15 minutes): $50
Hourly rate (charged in 15 minute increments): $110
Callout fee is waived for jobs in excess of 1 hour, and for subsequent visits for the same job. Workshop jobs (flat fees):
Virus/Spyware removal: $80
Reinstall/clone Windows: $90
Backup Data: $70
Pickup and drop-off of PC: $35
Minimum labour for non-listed other jobs: from $60
Combination of two or more of above services: 10% discount on total
Note: workshop jobs will take between 1-3 working days depending on the work required, parts availability and number of jobs in the queue. End of Financial Year Stock-Take Sale!
Check out these specials valid from today until end of month but limited in quantity. All are brand new and boxed with full warranty. External Hard Drives:
Maxtor 640GB External USB Hard Drive, 5 year Maxtor Warranty! 2 only - $130
Toshiba 250GB External USB Hard drive, slim, no power needed, 2 only - $90
Miscellaneous Hardware:
HP Deskjet D1560 Inkjet Printer - $40
Cygnett Groovecube Rechargeable mini-speakers for iPods, mp3 players, 2 only - $20
Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX webcam, 1 only - $50
Netgear WG602 Wireless Access Point - $90
(Use two to connect external buildings together)
Asus MyCinema USB Digital TV Receiver - $50
Targus Universal Notebook Docking Station RRP $170, 1 only - $80
(Adds the following ports to your laptop – keyboard, mouse, parallel, serial, audio inc, digital, network, 3xUSB. Box open but unused)
Monitors:
Samsung Syncmaster 2033W 20” widescreen LCD, RRP $349, 2 only - $230
Samsung Syncmaster 2243BW 22” widescreen LCD, RRP $429, 2 only - $270
(Height Adjustable, Pivot, Swivel & Tilt)
Computer Systems:
HP/Compaq D530 Refurbished System with 17” LCD, 3 only - $365
P4 2.8Ghz Processor
1Gb Ram
40Gb HDD
CD-Rom
10/1000 NIC
USB ports
Keyboard, Mouse
Windows Xp Pro Licence
17” LCD monitor Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium OEM, 2 only - $120
Security Software:
Norton Internet Security 2009, 12 month subscription, 2 only - $45
Bullguard Internet Security Suite, 12 month subscription, 2 only - $35
Norton Antivirus 2008 with Antispyware, 1 only - $25
Trendmicro PCcillin Internet Security 2008, 12 month subscription, 1 only - $25
Toner Cartridges:
HP Laserjet Cartridge 12A (Q2612A) RRP $150, 1 only - $80
(Suits Laserjet 1010, 1012, 1015, 1018, 1020, 1022, 3015, 3020, 3030, 3050, 3050Z, 3052, 3055, M1005)
HP Laserjet Cartridge 35A (CB435A) RRP $119, 1 only - $80
(Suits Laserjet P1005, P1006)
.
| Contact Details Update:
Don't forget we've updated our contact details, obtaining a 1300 number and a more local fax number. The original phone number will continue to work as usual but the 1300 number will ensure you always get through.
Phone: 1300 995502 / 54471846
Fax: 07 53351630
Management...
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, 'Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am.'
The woman below replied, 'You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.' 'You must be in Information Technology,' said the balloonist.
'I am,' replied the woman, 'How did you know?'
'Well,' answered the balloonist, everything you told me is technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information and the fact is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip.'
The woman below responded, 'You must be in Management.'
'I am,' replied the balloonist, 'but how did you know?'
'Well,' said the woman, 'you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault.'
If Dr Seuss worked with Computers... If a packet Hits a pocket on a socket on a port
and the bus is interrupted as a very last resort
and the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort
then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.
If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash
and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash
and your data is corrupted 'cause the index doesn't hash
then the situation's hopeless and your systems gonna crash!
If the label on the cable on the table at your house
says the network is connected to the button on your mouse
but your packets want to tunnel on another protocol
that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall
and your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss
so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse
then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang
'cause as sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang!
When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy on the disk
and the microcode instructions cause unnecessary risk
then you have to flash your memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM Quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your mum! |
