Hilltop InSight Managed Services Plans are the consistent and affordible way to manage your network and user support needs. Our MSP clients have one fixed rate all you can eat plan that covers all of their user support needs from 7AM until 7PM. Our MSP clients receive 24/7 monitoring of their servers and critical systems. MSP clients don't pay anything extra for disaster recovery. We can offer this because our MSP clients generally don't have disasters. They don't have disaster because our 24/7 monitoring alerts or Network Operations Center about potential issues before they become disasters. Contact our Service Dispatcher to setup a phone call or free onsite assessment to see if Hilltop InSight Managed Services are right for your business.
The Hilltop Blog
The Shark Tank
Jim Turner - Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Hilltop Computers is launching a new flat-rate Managed Service Plan for home users this summer. The basic plan will cover unlimited remote tech support from 8AM until 10PM. Our upgraded plans will provide for additional services such as antivirus, remote backups, unlimited bench time in our shops, and even scheduled computer replacement every three years.
I decided to approach an ABC television show named The Shark Tank to see if they have any interest in our new flat-rate model for home users. At the same time, we have launched a new Facebook page named Hilltop Computers Needs 10,000 Fans to get us on The Shark Tank.
If you are a fan of Hilltop Consultants, Inc. or the Hilltop Computer Shops, please visit the Facebook page and show your support by becoming a fan or letting us know that you "Like" the page. Another way to support our efforts, is to follow HilltopComputer on Twitter.
Here is my application for The Shark Tank:
Hello Shark Tank Casting Team,
I decided to approach an ABC television show named The Shark Tank to see if they have any interest in our new flat-rate model for home users. At the same time, we have launched a new Facebook page named Hilltop Computers Needs 10,000 Fans to get us on The Shark Tank.
If you are a fan of Hilltop Consultants, Inc. or the Hilltop Computer Shops, please visit the Facebook page and show your support by becoming a fan or letting us know that you "Like" the page. Another way to support our efforts, is to follow HilltopComputer on Twitter.
Here is my application for The Shark Tank:
Hello Shark Tank Casting Team,
My name is Jim Turner. I am a 36 year old technology consultant and business owner from Bethesda, MD. I am the handsome guy in the middle of the attached photo. I am surrounded by my team of extremely talented technology consultants and computer technicians.
While I already have a successful IT Consultancy, and three computer repair shops in the Washington, DC Metro area, I have decided that it is not enough. I have a business model that will allow my company to capture a significant portion of the computer repair and tech support business nationwide. My business model treats tech support like cell phone service. We all used to pay by the minute before we found flat rate plans that made sense. I have a flat rate service offering for computer repair and tech support that gives its subscribers top notch support at a very manageable rate. This flat rate service offering is already profitable in my area and once I take it national, I am sure that a company like Dell, Verizon, Comcast, or another technology company will want to acquire my business in order to compete with Best Buys Geek Squad.
A visit to my website will show you that I am the real deal. My company was recently voted the Best Computer Repair business in Montgomery County, MD by Bethesda Magazine. I was also mentioned by Business Week as an early adopter of the Apple iPad for business use. I have also successfully presented technology seminars to local groups, such as our local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club regarding technology and more specifically Social Networking. My current clients are among the most educated and intelligent people in the country. I list former US Senators, retired US Army and Air Force Generals, as well as nationally known attorneys and lobbyists as reference clients.
I may be a computer geek, but I can explain technology and technical support to anyone, even a national audience. Bring me on Shark Tank and let's introduce my business model to your national audience.
Jim Turner
President
Hilltop Consultants, Inc.
2010 P Street
Washington, DC 20036
jturner@hilltopconsultants.com
1-877-365-TECH
Join us and bring a guest to our seven year anniversary Open House for a chance to win a new iPad.
http://hilltopturnsseven.eventbrite.com/
Is It Time to Upgrade to Microsoft Small Business Server 2008?
Jim Turner - Thursday, November 12, 2009
For many of our clients, it is time to start planning the upgrade to the latest and greatest version of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server. Windows 2008 Small Business Server 2008 boasts many improvements over its predecessor. One of major improvements is the integration of Microsoft Exchange 2007. There are also improvements in Remote Access, Disaster Recovery, and Monitoring.
While Windows Small Business Server 2003 has served our clients well, its limitations are now becoming more of a liability. The 4GB limit for server memory and 75GB limit for mail storage are no longer adequate to meet the needs of our clients.
Microsoft is still offerering very competitive pricing for SBS 2008. However, in almost all cases we find that it makes sense to replace the server hardware at the same time as we upgrade the server operating sytem. Hilltop has come up with several creative uses for older servers that may not be adequate for Windows 2008 SBS, but still have a couple years of useful life left.
If you are interested in discussing upgrade options for your office, contact Jim Turner at jturner@hilltopconsultants.com.
For more information on Windows Small Business Server 2008, visit http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/overview.aspx
While Windows Small Business Server 2003 has served our clients well, its limitations are now becoming more of a liability. The 4GB limit for server memory and 75GB limit for mail storage are no longer adequate to meet the needs of our clients.
Microsoft is still offerering very competitive pricing for SBS 2008. However, in almost all cases we find that it makes sense to replace the server hardware at the same time as we upgrade the server operating sytem. Hilltop has come up with several creative uses for older servers that may not be adequate for Windows 2008 SBS, but still have a couple years of useful life left.
If you are interested in discussing upgrade options for your office, contact Jim Turner at jturner@hilltopconsultants.com.
For more information on Windows Small Business Server 2008, visit http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/overview.aspx
OpenDNS enterprise and deluxe editions
Tom Wanat - Friday, October 16, 2009
We're written before about OpenDNS -- an easy way to improve Web surfing and block objectionable content while reducing phishing threats -- and OpenDNS recently introduced two new offerings that make their service better suited to business.
OpenDNS Deluxe, priced at about $10/year, gives more control over which sites are blocked or whitelisted. It also pleasantly removes advertising from OpenDNS pages.
OpenDNS Enterprise goes further by introducing malware protection and support for multiple administrators on top of more customization and reporting options. Pricing was not yet published for for the OpenDNS Enterprise service, but we expect it will be based on the total number of people with the organization.
Hilltop has deployed OpenDNS at a number of clients in the last year and recommend it as a good solution for content filtering. The OpenDNS Deluxe service looks ideal for our clients, with Enterprise being a useful option for any organization that wants to easily cover multiple sites.
Contact us today if you'd like to schedule installation for your network.
Tips to increase wireless networking speed and range
Tom Wanat - Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Now that wireless networks are common both at the office and home it's worth a periodic review of the wireless gear and overall network setup. Inexpensive adjustments can help, especially if video does not play smoothly, or there are annoying dead zones.
It's also worth noting that new equipment can feature not just the newest "N" wireless networks which are faster and cover more area than the older "A", "B", and "G" networks, but also more antennas, radios, and bands. For instance, some "N" wireless gear can now broadcast on 2.4Ghz (cheaper), 5Ghz (more coverage area, less interference), or both.
Wireless equipment with more than one radio can help solve an annoying situation where the slowest gadget on the network slows down the entire network. For example, handheld games and smartphones frequently hop on wireless networks but will slow down any one-radio network to their speed -- even if other gadgets and computers can go much faster.
This article in The New York Times mentions some of the latest wireless equipment and common problems.
Use OpenDNS to improve your Web experience
Tom Wanat - Friday, June 26, 2009
Here's a tip that will improve your Web-browsing and increase your computer security. Switch your DNS to the OpenDNS service. It's free, and there are number of great features:
* All incoming and outgoing traffic is filtered through the OpenDNS secure servers
* This protects you against phishing sites and malware sites.
* It can filter out objectionable or time-wasting sites
* It can speed up your surfing and help ensure that you can always get through to the sites you want
* Detailed traffic analysis can help pinpoint troublesome trends
We've found the OpenDNS service useful on home networks to help parents filter out undesirable sites, and on office networks where it can help block productivity blockers such as Facebook and Twitter.
To get started just visit the OpenDNS site to create an account. The OpenDNS site has instructions on how to change your network settings.
If Hilltop manages your network, ask us for more information.
Dialing up your Internet service
Tom Wanat - Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Are you getting enough bandwidth for your dollar? Generally speaking, a lot more bandwidth is available today at yesterday's rates.
Curious? You can start by running Web-based test, such as the one at speedtest.net. Typically, download numbers will be much higher than upload, but your target number will vary depending on whether you have internet via DSL, Cable, FiOS, or T1. Regardless, unless you've signed up very recently you might be able to get more.
Sometimes a call to your internet service provider and a contract renewal is all it takes to get significantly more speed. In other cases it might make sense to switch ISPs. Our technicians are always here to help interpret bandwidth results, advise you on solutions, switch ISPs, or add a second ISP as backup. We can even pinpoint the source of slowdowns on your network and install solutions, such as firewalls, that can block Web sites known for reducing both bandwidth and productivity.
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