In March 2019, Google announced a new policy for Geocoding – Map Lookup. We use Google Geocoding for the Address Lookup feature in our PC, Android and iPhone Apps.
The change is significant. After providing us this service for free, Google is now proposing to charge $0.05c per lookup. There are complexities in the lookup on whether it is just text, or whether we download the map picture and the location picture. Overall, our DejaOffice users do about 50,000 lookups per month.
Not wishing to get a $2500 bill, we are moving to other options. For DejaOffice for iPhone we have switched to Apple maps which are being supplied for free.
For DejaOffice for Android we tried using Bing Maps, but they wanted to give us a $5000 bill because they count lookups differently than Google. Also their Geocoding library is not nearly as complete. We have moved to OpenMaps, but they immediately issued us a warning that we have too many customers trying to map at the same time.
So we are now playing with a hybrid solution. We feel the real culprit for us is just a few people who are mapping their whole database on a regular basis. So we have slowed down that process and shunted it to OpenMaps. You can still do it, but the Map process is slowed to one lookup per second, so a 3000 record database will now take more than an hour to look up.
We have reverted Contact and Calendar location mapping to Google – because it’s just a much better service – as long as you do it one at a time.
We still expect a bill from Google. But we are hoping it is small enough to just absorb so we don’t have to create a billing system.
DejaOffice changes for Mapping and Location was last modified: September 23rd, 2019 by Wayland Bruns
Author Gene Marks has highlighted our product DejaOffice PC CRM in an article titled On CRM: Is A CRM Necessary?
To answer the title question – Yes, a CRM is absolutely necessary for every small business. The only question a business should have is how much to pay on a one-time, monthly or annual basis.
CRM Stands for Customer Relations Management and it is the primary system a business has to track its prospects and customers. Every time a customer calls, emails, texts or visits a business, the nature of that interaction should be recorded in company records. Later, this information can be used for marketing new products, or renewing agreements, or engaging the core sales cycle of the business.
Without a CRM you are blind. Every customer interaction is done without context, or understanding the past relationship. This leaves your customers open to your competitors, and you lose your niche.
With a CRM you have effective communication. Your customer remembers you, and you can do the courtesy of remembering the customer. If your business can survive on 300 customers, how much better will it be with 600 customers or 900 customers. The purpose of computer automation is to delegate the responsibility for remembering the details to a proper database and not just carry it in your head.
Gene concludes with the question: “Wouldn’t just a simple, inexpensive system that enables your group to share accurate contact, history, notes and calendar information take be sufficient?” and answers with ” For many, it just may. And for $200 (and a few bucks extra for support), it could be worth the try.”
There are multiple aspects to keeping a laptop
safe. It does you little good to encrypt your laptop against malware if you
conduct actions which leave it wide open to thieves, and vice versa. Here are a
few tips to help keep your device safe and your trip relaxed.
Your laptop is probably the most expensive thing
on you when you are traveling, and yet it is incredibly fragile. Few things can
ruin a vacation faster than losing your laptop to theft, viruses, or other
threats, especially if you are in an area on the globe where you may be unable
to easily obtain a new one.
Get a New, Padded
Laptop Backpack
A good laptop backpack is a major first step towards protecting your laptop from bumps, falls, water, and other damaging things. PC Magazine has a list of good backpacks, though you can check Amazon or any office or electronics store in the area.
When you are selecting a backpack, prioritize checking its padding above anything else. The backpack should have a rigid frame, and if it does not you can add backpack armor to make it sturdy. Also look for multiple compartments so that you can store just the laptop in a single compartment instead of squishing it alongside clothes and wires and other things. Go for functionality over style, as the only people you will end up attracting with a cool backpack are thieves.
Note that you should try to get a backpack
instead of a briefcase or messenger bag. A briefcase is a clear sign to
unsavory individuals that something valuable is inside, and is easier to rip
away from you than a properly secured backpack. It is also easy to carry a
backpack on a long hike instead of awkwardly shifting a messenger bag from
shoulder to shoulder.
Stay Alert
If you leave your laptop unattended in a public
space for a minute or two to use the bathroom, you may as well kiss it goodbye.
Laptops are prime candidates for thieves, whether it is for the value of the
data in the laptop or for the device itself. And while you can lock your
computer or even put a cable lock around it to deter thieves, your best weapon
against them is constant vigilance.
Take your laptop with you wherever you go, instead of leaving it in the hotel. But also keep it out of sight when you can. Keep it in a backpack, or cover it with a jacket. The less people know where your laptop, the less likely anything bad will happen to it.
Backup your Data
You should be regularly backing up your data
already, but it is important to do a full backup right before you go on a trip.
Store all of your important data on an external hard drive or in the cloud so
that you do not lose any critical data on top of losing your computer. Create a
log of passwords outside the computer so that anyone who gains access cannot
access personal records.
Also consider backing up your data while you are
on the trip itself. If you have created any documents or files on the trip,
store them on a CD or USB drive in your hotel at the end of the day and put
those things in a secure place.
Use a VPN instead of public Wi-Fi
Sitting in a café in some foreign land and connecting to the Internet may seem like the epitome of how globalization brings us together, but doing anything on a public Wi-Fi can be extremely dangerous. The problem is that as CSO Online describes, hackers can easily position themselves between yourself and the connection point. This gives them access to any data you send out, such as your email passwords, business data, and credit card data. Even if you are just logging into some internet forum or checking sports scores, they can use any information to deduce personal information about you. Furthermore, hackers can also send data back and infect your computer with malware.
Consequently, you should be looking to connect
online as little as possible. If you are in a situation where you absolutely
must connect, use a trustworthy VPN which will encrypt your data. If you are
not sure what a VPN is, cooltechzone has an excellent guide on what they are and how to set one up.
A VPN enables you to create a secure and safe pathway for you to send and also receive data. This is encrypted and allows you to unblock restricted sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer etc. The team at VPN Geeks has a nice article explaining exactly how a VPN works.
Note that a VPN will not make your data
completely hackproof. But the hacker will likely not want to make the effort
when there are other computers sending unencrypted data. Your company should
provide you with a VPN you can use when traveling abroad. Also make sure to
turn wi-fi off when not using it, as the computer is still transmitting data
when it is on.
Should You Leave
Your Laptop at Home?
Your laptop will face numerous threats when
traveling that it will never have to deal with if you leave it at home. So
maybe you should not take your laptop at all.
This is especially true if you are on vacation. You are traveling to see the world and explore new sights, not stay hooked to the Internet like you are on most days. And even if you want to stay connected to some degree, Trip Savvy points out that a tablet or phone can serve just as well for someone just on vacation. The only major reason to bring a laptop along is if you may have to work when traveling.
If you really, truly, absolutely must bring a
computer along, consider bringing in a cheaper laptop. Do you still have that
old, slow, dying laptop lying around which you replaced with your brand new
device? Take the old one instead. You may be frustrated with longer loading
times, but you will not have to be looking over your shoulder all the time out
of fear of losing or damaging it.
How To Protect Your Laptop While Traveling was last modified: March 13th, 2024 by Steve Jones
While on your Computer or mobile device, you notice an
annoying pop-up advertisement, and regardless of how often you close it, it
keeps reappearing. Chances are its Adware.
Adware is short for advertisement and Software. It is an
advertising-supported Software. It is the name given to programs that are
designed to display advertisements on your Computer, redirect your search to
advertising websites, and collect data about you. For example, it receives a
history of sites the user visits, and this sends this information back to the
ad company. The information collected is often used to deliver custom
advertisements to you.
Adware is a financially supported Software, and most times,
developers bundle them with other files that you’ve downloaded. They might be
malicious in nature so you must run a scan using Adware Removal tool.
Sometimes they are not harmful, but they have the potential to be, and users
see them as an invasion of privacy and distraction.
How Adware is Installed
Are you in a situation where specific advertisements keep
showing up on your Computer, whether in any of your browsers or sites you’ve
never seen ads before? If you answer ‘yes’ to this question, your system might
be affected by Adware that injects ads into websites as you browse.
Aside from getting rid of Adware; a big question you might
be asking is how did it get there initially?
Adware overtime has been responsible for many successful and
prevalent programs including AOL instant messenger, Endora and many more. A
method in which Adware can get into your system is when you download a free
program. Other times, producers of software bundler pay for ads to appear when
you search for specific Software. These adverts lead you to download a software
bundler instead of the free, neat Software you were hoping for, leaving you
with many ad injections.
Another method which is as well insidious occurs when you’re
visiting a website. It doesn’t matter if it’s a trusted site or a sketchy one.
Whichever way, your device can be infected with Adware. This way takes advantage
of the vulnerability of your browser. The Adware burrows in, start collecting
information, redirects you to malicious sites and pop up more advertisement.
How Adware affects your Computer
Sometimes, adware fall under the category of malicious software
‘malware.’ Adware is often harmless, but are now used in bad manners to exploit
your system. Below are ways Adware can affect your Computer.
Slows down your Computer
The first warning of malicious Adware is the deterioration
in your Computer’s performance. Adware has a reputation of engaging resources
and in turn, hurting performance and speed.
Adware runs continuously in the background without your knowledge and
uses valuable resources such as memory processor speed.
Increase Bandwidth Usage
Adware does this by downloading unwanted stuff. When you
authorize the download of Software, new Software is downloaded and installed
simultaneously. Many adware programs enter into your Computer unknowingly.
These programs invade your Computer and run in your Computer’s background,
eating up bandwidth. If you notice a constant use of your internet, but you
can’t find any program regularly using this bandwidth on your Computer. It is
likely Adware.
Make Computing Experience Worse
Adware is an annoyance to most computer users. For the
majority of people, the primary problem with Adware is its ability to display
advertisements in a pop-up form whenever it wants. These adverts grab your
attention, and if you click on them, they install Software on your system
without your permission. These installed Software keeps displaying adverts
related to whatever you have clicked before. This pop up over a user’s work can
plague the user.
Costs Money
Shopping is now a lot easier with the availability of online
stores. The idea that one can buy anything from the comfort of their home is
soothing. Right products, reasonable prices, and new offers/discounts are some
of those things that make online shopping attractive. However, there are dangers
associated with online shopping. Adware throws fake advertisements for an
online store at a user. These ads are illegitimate, and most times, they offer
a ridiculously low price of an item or a service that is hard to pass up on.
Once a user clicks on it, a malicious user can steal their info (credit card
info, for example).
Invades Privacy
Another negative side is an invasion of privacy. Some adware
programs can download and install spyware. These programs can capture user
personal information, and they send confidential information to advertisers or
criminals. Additionally, they can collect browsing history and send it to ad
managers.
How to Get Rid of Adware
Look out for suspicious/unknown name in installed programs and remove it.
As discussed earlier, most pop-up ads install a program on
your Computer. Though not as a general rule, you’ll need to check for malicious
programs to remove it.
Navigate your way to the programs screen and scroll through
the list of currently installed programs. Look for recently installed unknown
programs, any other unwanted or unknown program and uninstall from your
Computer.
Depending on what application has installed the adware
infection, the program may have a different name on your Computer. If you
cannot find any unwanted or unknown programs on your Computer, then you can
proceed with this next step.
Look out for suspicious/unknown name in installed browser extensions and
remove it.
Adware generally bombards web browsers with ads. An
important step is to look out for unknown extension and uninstall it.
Besides, you can reset Internet Explorer settings or other
browsers to return them to the state they were in on the first installation on
your PC. This reset feature fixes many issues while saving essential
information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing
history, and open tabs.
Install MalwareFox
As easy as the above steps look like, things are not
completely easy in most cases. There are situations in which these programs
might be hiding deep in system setting and prove challenging to remove.
In cases like this, it is reasonable to scan the system with
adware removal tool like MalwareFox. MalwareFox performs deep cleaning,
detects, and cleans Adware; removing annoying ads, toolbar, and search in a
click.
Additionally, MalwareFox restores performance by deleting
adware infections which engages resources. With this method, there’s a gain of
lost power of the computer system.
How Adware Affects Your Computer was last modified: June 18th, 2019 by Shawn Abraham
Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently opined that “privacy cannot be a luxury good offered only to people who can afford to buy premium products and services” (NYT – May 7 2019). This bears a look at whether privacy is free, or something to be paid.
Read the comments of the article to see through the statement. Google claims to respect privacy, at the same time as working hard to undermine it. No one is fooled when it comes to Google and Privacy; if you use their free services, you have no right to stop them from monetizing that service by selling your data.
Pay for Cloud, Pay for Privacy
At CompanionLink we offer DejaCloud as a paid service. As a paid service, our sole source of income on DejaCloud is the money that is paid. We also offer Software as a paid service. And our only source of income is what people pay to us.
The has come an expectation from some people that software should be free. Vendors like Google and Facebook push free service as a model. But they would not be corporations if they had no income, so you need to watch carefully where that income is coming from.
Apple and Microsoft are not far removed from the fray. Although Apple charges for their phones, they offer free iCloud service. There are serveral reports that Apple monetizes iCloud service by sharing your data with Google. Microsoft has also spoken clearly about monetizing Windows 10 by tracking your purchases.
At CompanionLink we have a simple love for how software used to work. You buy it, you own it. No one should have ulterior motives in selling your data. We make upgrades available and send marketing to our customers as a way to keep our revenue stream steady and provide needed support to our customers. When they get a new PC or new phone, they may not need to pay at that time for an upgrade. But the average of all upgrades has to be there for our team to be able to provide the needed products and services.
At least with CompanionLink and DejaCloud, your data is secure, and not being sold to the highest bidder. We hope through our basic product revenue to stay that way for the future.
Is Privacy a Luxury Good? was last modified: June 2nd, 2019 by Wayland Bruns
DejaOffice App on the Pixel works like Outlook on the PC
To sync Outlook to Pixel 3a, and have Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes all one one spot, you can use the DejaOffice App.
From Google Play Store, install DejaOffice on your Pixel 3a or Pixel 3a XL
On your PC, download CompanionLink for Outlook on your PC.
Configure both for DejaCloud Sync
Watch your Outlook Contacts and Calendar appear on your phone.
DejaOffice is Free. CompanionLink runs on a two-week trial.
Samsung Pixel 3a is the latest flagship from the world leader of Smartphones. There’s nothing faster or more effective. Here I have an argument with Apple. With iPhone there is no Widgets, and Widgets are so useful, you’ll never catch me using a phone without them.
What is a widget? A widget shows App information on the phone desktop. A widget allows me to quickly see my day view, and my contact list – without opening an app. I can quickly tap on the location and get to my next appointment. No search, no scroll. Just one tap and I’m in maps. One tap and I can call or sms. Automatically updated all day.
Special features of DejaOffice:
Time zone management, so when you land your Calendar doesn’t go wonky
Calendar Colors that match Outlook
Templates that save time entering new Appointments and Tasks
Persistent alarms to be sure I don’t miss anything.
Recurring tasks compatible with Outlook
Optional: Franklin Covey task priorities A1, B2, C99
Works same on Android and iPhone, Phones and Tablets.
How to Sync Outlook Contacts with Android: Use CompanionLink for easy and secure sync from Outlook to your Pixel 3a phone. This is a better system than Google, who sells your data, or Microsoft who hosts your data on their exchange server. Here are some setup guides for CompanionLink sync:
Thanks to increased use of technology in work, it has
enabled a lot of persons to work less and less from the office. What this means
is that we now have more persons working from the comfort of their homes, a
coffee shop, hotel or some other remote location of their choosing.
Despite the many advantages of having employees work
remotely, these advantages come at a cost, usually, in the form of data
security. Normally, having your employees work in a traditional office space
means you can monitor what comes in and goes out of your company’s network –
the IT team can catch viruses early, password changes can be forced upon
employees using auto-reminders, and regular security checks means you catch
issues early and deal with them.
This ability to work from anywhere gives employees the
needed flexibility, and for the employers, it means they can enjoy the services
of talents from around the world without having to worry about the overhead
occasioned from staffing.
However, with remote employees, you lose all of this
control, and it leaves your network open to virus attacks, cyber leaks and all
other forms of cyber threats. When things like this happen,
financial, legal and reputational problems may result. Therefore, you need to
have a system in place to protect your network when you have employees working
remotely. You employees should follow the things below to protect your network.
• PROTECT THEIR DEVICES AT ALL TIMES
Often, most data-stealing malware that affects devices
arrive via the web or email and to reduce the chances of a security breach you
have to restrict access to personal web browsing and email. However, enforcing
this is costly and can be difficult. Therefore, to protect your network, you
have to ensure your employees use the latest versions of all applications and
install security patches as soon as they are released. You can also manage
things from your end by activating automatic updates from software makers.
• LIMIT THE USE OF PUBLIC WI-FI
Internet on public Wi-Fi is provided from unknown servers,
and this means security is not guaranteed. This makes the network susceptible
to hackers since anyone can access it; therefore, you should have a standing
order which forbids your employees from sending or receiving sensitive
information over public Wi-Fi. As with public Wi-Fi, so too is cyber café, your
employees should not conduct company business with them.
• EMPLOY CLOUD SERVICES
By employing cloud-based applications in your office tasks,
it allows your employees to work from any location and transfers the burden of
managing data security to the cloud service providers who usually are more
equipped to handle it.
The cloud-based service provider gives you safe virtual
storage and working space while your employees manage passwords. You should
ensure your employees use strong passwords as this helps keep data secure. In
fact, you can employ cloud applications to secure employees access to the web,
and there are quite a number of companies which offer these services.
• LIMIT THE USE OF EXTERNAL STORAGE DEVICES
External storage devices like USBs can easily be misplaced
so your remote employees should restrict their use and if they must be used to
house only non-sensitive information.
Beyond this, USB devices can be used by hackers to install
malware on your computer so your remote employees should avoid using a friend
or stranger’s USB on their laptop.
• GET EDUCATION ON SECURITY TRAINING
Some companies may be tempted to give employees the benefit
of the doubt by assuming they know how to manage security. However, this should
not be the case as employees should be mandated to take up basic security
courses which would teach them how to handle suspicious emails and links and to
understand what a secure password should be like. It is important employees
understand that work computers are for the company and not for personal use,
therefore, should be treated as such.
• INSTALL ENCRYPTION SOFTWARE
Lost and stolen devices can pose a source of danger in the
wrong hands, but you can lessen this risk with encryption software which bars
unauthorized users from accessing the device.
Also, you can install remote wipes on your devices so data on them
can be erased in case they go missing.
In conclusion, although remote workers can save the company
money in terms of expenditure on overhead, they can also pose a risk to the
firm especially if they use office devices for personal use. Therefore as a
company, you have to put measures in place to handle staff remotely while
remote workers should do their bit in adhering with safety measures.
What Your Remote Employees Can do to Protect Your Network was last modified: May 6th, 2019 by Alex Mitchell
CompanionLink provides an Android App called DejaOffice CRM with PC Sync. It is better than the Outlook App in many ways. Click here for a comparison of DejaOffice App vs Outlook App on Android.
To sync Outlook to Galaxy Note9 without needing an Office 365 subscription.
From Google Play Store, install DejaOffice on your Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+
On your PC, download CompanionLink for Outlook on your PC.
Configure both for DejaCloud Sync
Watch your Outlook Contacts and Calendar appear on your phone.
DejaOffice is Free. CompanionLink runs on a two-week trial.
Samsung Galaxy Note9 is the latest flagship from the world leader of Smartphones. There’s nothing faster or more effective. Here I have an argument with Apple. With iPhone there is no Widgets, and Widgets are so useful, you’ll never catch me using a phone without them.
What is a widget? A widget shows App information on the phone desktop. A widget allows me to quickly see my day view, and my contact list – without opening an app. I can quickly tap on the location and get to my next appointment. No search, no scroll. Just one tap and I’m in maps. One tap and I can call or sms. Automatically updated all day.
Special features of DejaOffice:
Time zone management, so when you land your Calendar doesn’t go wonky
Calendar Colors that match Outlook
Templates that save time entering new Appointments and Tasks
Persistent alarms to be sure I don’t miss anything.
Recurring tasks compatible with Outlook
Optional: Franklin Covey task priorities A1, B2, C99
Works same on Android and iPhone, Phones and Tablets.
This week brought us news of a clever phishing scheme using Google Docs. People received a realistic email from a trusted business associate. The email contained a link to a Google Doc. Opening the document required you go through Google OAuth and entering your Email and Password.
Fortunately, Google OAuth is secure, so the password was not stolen. Unfortunately, the phisher obtained a token that allowed them to access your gmail account, allowing them to send an email to all of your professional contacts.
This attack underscores a weak point in data security. When your email and contact information is stored on a public cloud server, the server becomes a target for obtaining your valuable information. Instead of targeting the billions of computers that are used to store business information locally, phishers target the “big three” who collect the data in complex systems that allow others access to it.
Notwithstanding the phishing attack, Google, Microsoft and Apple reserve the right to farm your data and re-sell it. Google will scan your data and target advertising to you. If you send an email about an Acapulco vacation, you will soon find your browsing full of offers for cheap resorts. Microsoft and Apple are more circumspect about their data scanning. But they still store and mine the data, and work to derive profit from it.
CompanionLink provides a secure alternative to storing your company’s data on a highly public server. If you use our USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth Sync, your data is not stored at all. We offer a secure cloud service called DejaCloud. This service is significantly different from Exchange, iCloud and Google Sync. With DejaCloud, we do not derive income from mining and selling the data. Our source of income is product sales and subscription service, and that’s all. We are not a public company and do not have to split our loyalty between our customers and our shareholders.
I remember years ago how proud I was as my customer list grew from 500 contacts, to 600, and then over one thousand. At that time I was using Goldmine, and we sold Add-On products for Act! and Goldmine. Today we have 1.8 million entries in our various databases, and I’m still proud that this list has never been hacked, and will never be stored in a public database.
Secure Contact Sync without Google or Exchange was last modified: August 13th, 2018 by Wayland Bruns
There seems no end to sync solutions for iPhone. The problem is; they all devolve into Apple-like simplicity.
Face it. We use Outlook because it is fast, effective, and the whole world supports it. It is forced on us by our business, it runs our mail, it runs our appointments, and the less time we can spend there, the more we can do our jobs.
With iPhone, the best known solutions are feeble, at best. With Apple iCloud, you need to create a different Outlook folder and move your data to it. You need to put up with problems with it, with mail and other things. And then, when it gets to iPhone, you have no Tasks any more just reminders.
With Office 365 and the Outlook App you have a different set of problems. It all gets to the phone ok (except for tasks again) but the only thing that is marginally good with the Outlook App from Microsoft is the email. Hello Microsoft: Email is NOT a problem on the iPhone.
So that’s what CompanionLink and DejaOffice are here to do. Synchronize Outlook Contacts, and Outlook Calendar, and Outlook Tasks to the iPhone. Not only to move them, safely and securely, but DejaOffice provides an Outlook-like ecosystem on the iPhone and Android so that you can continue to do Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes just like your PC. So if you want to schedule an appointment, or make a task for a contact, you can do that in one App on your phone. If you have Recurring Tasks, CompanionLink and DejaOffice is the only solution available that supports them on all platforms.
Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are the newest additions to the Wide World of Phablets. The Edge+ is the first Phablet phone to feature the curved edges which can show information while the phone is turned.
DejaOffice for Outlook App is made for these large screen phones, giving a maximum of functionality. Only DejaOffice offers:
* Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes in one app, and you can link them together
* Category colors, use the same categories across all conduits.
* USB, Wi-FI and Cloud synchronization options
* Private records, view them only when you enter a pass code
* Onboard encryption. Even if your phone is lost, your data is safe
With DejaCloud sync, the synchronization will begin automatically within a few minutes. If you selected USB, WiFi, or sync to Google, you need to click on the Sync button in CompanionLink on your PC to start the first sync.
Further help for Samsung Galaxy to Outlook sync
Call us at 503-243-3400 if you need further help. Support is free to everyone with a Galaxy S6 phone, regardless of whether you do or do not own a license to CompanionLink . You can also access our setup guides online. If you want an advanced configuration help, we offer a $49 RunStart package where our experts will log in to your PC and Galaxy S6 to configure the sync for you. This gives you the peace of mind that your Galaxy S6 to PC sync is fine-tuned to match your needs.
How to sync Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ to Outlook was last modified: February 28th, 2019 by Wayland Bruns
Having been in this business 27 years gives me some experience. But nothing in my experience matches what Microsoft is attempting; a free OS update for more than 500 million computers.
Do I have a prediction? Can Microsoft handle the server load? Will everyone be impressed but the support? I don’t say so. However, I will predict that whether Microsoft is successful or unsuccessful, we will all remember August 1, 2015 as the date that Windows changed the World, for better or worse.
What I’m anticipating is a combination of people successful in the Windows 10 transition, looking for help with the new OS and how to do things. I also predict a certain percentage of failed updates. Even a 1% failure rate means 5 million computers that no longer boot. So I would predict that more PC hardware will be shipped in August 2015 than in any month of the last four years.
So many people, reinstalling apps, looking up licenses, switching to newer versions.
We also look with some interest at Microsoft’s “Phone Companion” software, which will “magically” keep everything in sync. Since Windows 10 preview is out, and Phone Companion is not in it, I definitely think magic is what they need now. I think it will be good for CompanionLink (thank you Microsoft for naming your feature) to continue to do what we do – simple and dependable phone sync. There’s nothing they will introduce in two weeks that can match the features and dependability of CompanionLink and DejaOffice.
Windows 10, Misery and Magic was last modified: July 18th, 2015 by Wayland Bruns
Microsoft is unleashing a bevy of names and editions of the next version of Microsoft Office Outlook. It’s hard to understand which version of Outlook you will need on PC, Mac, phones, and tablets.
Here are a list of known platforms on which the next version of Outlook will be available.
PC – desktops and laptops running Windows 10 Phones – iPhone, Android, Windows-based phones Tablets – iPad, Android tablets Special Tablets – Surface tablets, other tablets running Windows OS 10
Next, let’s list every brand name that Microsoft has used so far to describe the next version of Office Outlook.
Outlook 2016 Outlook for Mac 15 Outlook Mail for Windows 10 Mail for Windows 10 Windows 10 Mail app Outlook for iOS Outlook for Android Outlook Web App for Office 365
Outlook 2016
This comes as part of the conventional Office productivity desktop suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) that we have used in the past. Outlook 2016 has a refreshed UI, tight OneDrive integration for cloud document management, and a machine-learning algorithm that learns how to “de-clutter” your inbox.
This suite is for people who want the full Outlook experience (Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Tasks, Notes, and Categories working seamlessly together) on their desktops and laptops like in years past. Pricing tiers are unannounced. Availability is Fall 2015 with no specific date yet.
Outlook for Mac 15 (aka: Outlook for Mac 2015, New Outlook for Mac)
This is the Office productivity suite for Mac users. It is designed to take advantage of Retina displays and Full Screen views available in modern Macs. Microsoft is promoting this version as a convergence in feature-set with the PC Office 2016. The prior version (Office for Mac 2011) took a public beating because it failed to do things that its PC counterpart could do.
Outlook Mail for Windows 10 (aka: Mail for Windows 10, Windows 10 Mail app)
This is a basic and feature-lite version of Outlook. It comes pre-installed on phones and tablets running Windows 10. These are Microsoft’s phones, Surface tablets, and other small tablets designed by other manufacturers that will support Windows 10. This lite version of Outlook gives you Mail and Calendar functionality. There are no Contacts, Tasks, or Notes in this feature-lite version. Support for Categories is unknown. The UI is streamlined when compared to Outlook 2016 for desktops. You can connect to EAS, Office 365, Gmail, and Yahoo accounts.
This app is available from iTunes App Store for free. It handles Mail, People (ie – contacts), and Calendar. People is limited to view-only data. This means you can search and view contact details of people in your address book, but you cannot add, edit, or delete records. There are no Categories or sort options.
Outlook for Android
This app is available from Google Play Store for free. Like its sibling iOS app, it handles Mail, People, and Calendar. People is view-only, no Categories, and no sort.
Outlook Web App (aka: OWA, OWA for Office 365)
This is the online version of Outlook that can be accessed from any desktop or mobile browser. If you have Office 365, you navigate to a web page to log in. If your organization used Exchange, they would provide you with a URL and credentials to log in to the Exchange Server.
The web interface handles Mail, Calendar, People, and Tasks. Categories and Notes do not work.
Microsoft also released native apps for iOS and Android called Outlook Web App. This was Microsoft’s recommended method to access Outlook on mobile devices prior to their recent native Outlook apps for iOS and Android. Page This ZDNet article claims Microsoft is planning to sunset these OWA apps in favor of the new Outlook apps for iOS and Android.
“…Microsoft plans to “sunset” Outlook Web Apps and the Outlook.com app for iOS and Android by summer, officials said.” (Source)
If you have heard of any other names used to describe the next Office Outlook, please share that with us in the Comments section.
Demystifying the versions of Office Outlook for PCs, Phones, and Tablets was last modified: May 8th, 2015 by Rushang
PRESS RELEASE BY COMPANIONLINK SOFTWARE, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Advanced features like category management that supports Outlook color-coding, handling of Outlook custom fields, and sort options for Outlook’s File-As field, offer a complete two-way sync utility with the most secure and direct sync options.
DejaOffice, the #1 independent Outlook sync app for Android® and iOS®, offers complete two-way synchronization for Microsoft® Outlook® calendar, tasks, notes, contacts, categories, and journal entries. It supports all the latest phones and tablets that Santa has delivered this holiday season.
Available for Android since 2008, DejaOffice is designed for Outlook power-users who cannot afford to shortcut support of key Outlook data. DejaOffice holds important Outlook contact details that are missing in the native Phone apps such as custom fields, multiple email addresses, and full contact notes. Advanced features like Private memos, Calendar templates, Location and Date pickers make DejaOffice uniquely convenient for people who want to integrate their mobile schedule with their PC Office.
“There is a huge gap between Desktop PC programs like Microsoft Outlook and the native phone list and calendar on Android and iOS devices,” says Wayland Bruns, CTO for CompanionLink Software. “The DejaOffice App spans the gap and brings the Outlook contact, calendar, and task management experience to phones and tablets. Business professionals do not want a lite version of Outlook on their phones; they demand complete client information, notes and history of interactions, and desktop schedule management features on a mobile form factor.”
A visual tour of the many advanced Outlook features in DejaOffice can be found at www.dejaoffice.com/tour.html. DejaOffice is a free app on Google Play marketplace. CompanionLink’s synchronization software starts at $14.95 per user and can be found at www.companionlink.com/android/outlook. Reviewed by leading journals like USAToday.com and Forbes.com, CompanionLink’s apps have proven over time to be the most complete sync utility for those who demand the full Outlook experience on their Android.
The Ultimate Outlook Sync for Santa’s Phone and Tablet was last modified: January 6th, 2015 by Rushang
Multiple reports starting the afternoon of Monday, August 5 confirm the much-rumored demise of the Google Calendar Sync utility. People who were able to sync Monday morning report getting Error 2016 later in the day. It appears Google has left the building for MS Outlook Calendar sync for free Gmail accounts.
People are turning to 3rd-party apps to fill the void. The right app for you depends on which specifics you value and the total cost of ownership.
Some things to factor in your decision:
will one license purchase allow install on all of your PCs
CompanionLink allows install on 3 PCs
what are the support options (forum, email, phone, chat) in case you need help
CompanionLink offers phone and email support no cost
how long has the company been in business
CompanionLink has supported Google Calendar sync since 2006 and in business since 1988
is there a free trial
CompanionLink offers a free 14-day trial
is there a no-questions-asked refund policy
CompanionLink has a 90-day no-questions-asked policy
what is the software update policy
CompanionLink offers free software updates
what other fields are synced
CompanionLink sync Google calendar, categories, contacts, tasks, and contact photos
price
CompanionLink is $39.95 after discount code ALTGCS is applied
CompanionLink cures Google Calendar Sync Error 2016 was last modified: May 20th, 2021 by Rushang
Multiple reports are in that Google Calendar Sync will become sunset on August 1, 2014. People are receiving an email from Google’s “The Calendar Team” as follows:
Important Announcement about Google Calendar Sync
Almost two years ago, we announced that we ended support for Google Calendar Sync. Starting on August 1, 2014, this app will no longer sync events between your Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook Calendar.
You can continue to access all of your Google Calendar events at calendar.google.com or on your mobile devices. Follow these instructions to uninstall Google Calendar Sync from your computer.
– The Calendar Team
Google’s notice appears to imply more than we are not going to support this product. It means the sync functionality may cease due to a change at the API level (programmatic). Google appears to be forcing a shut down of Calendar Event sync between Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar.
This gives existing users 20 days to scramble to find a solution. There are many on the market. Choose one that matches your needs for features, use on multiple PCs or in a household scenario, and technical support options. Don’t overlook the support options. Many business users don’t have time to post questions on forums and moderate answers. They want the ability to pick up the phone and talk to an expert to get answers and their Google integration working. Support is a valuable consideration to the business community.
CompanionLink for Google is our product that comes with free telephone support and handles two-way sync between Google Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Groups and Outlook contacts, calendar, tasks, and categories. The product can also sync multiple Google Calendars to Outlook. Members of the same household can use one license, and business users can install the product on their home and work PCs. Updates are always free.
Gmail, Google, and all Google Apps accounts are supported. Outlook 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, and 2000 are supported. The product is available as a one-time license for $49.95. Enter ALTGCS on the order form and save $10 on your purchase. If you wish to purchase 20+ licenses for your organization, email us to get a volume purchase discount.
Here’s a full list of data CompanionLink synchronizes.
Calendar
Google Calendar syncs to Outlook Calendar
Full event details
Recurring and all-day events
Alarms/reminders
Accepted meeting invites (with attendee list)
Sync to multiple Outlook calendars (requires upgrade to CompanionLink Professional)
Contacts
Google Contacts syncs to Outlook Contacts
Names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses
Google Groups sync to Outlook Categories
Contact notes
Birthdays
Contact photos
Up to 9 custom fields in Outlook
Tasks
Outlook Tasks sync to Google Tasks or Google Calendar (you choose)
Task priorities
Recurring tasks
Due dates
Groups/Categories
Google Groups sync to Outlook Categories
The most complete alternative to the sunset Google Calendar Sync utility was last modified: July 29th, 2014 by Rushang
