netmanos News

netmanos becomes a Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As part of our continuous endeavor to provide the most valuable service to our clients, netmanos has successfully passed thought the rigorous Microsoft training channels to receive the Microsoft Small Business Specialist Certification, signified by the blue Microsoft Small Business Specialist Logo.

What does that mean?

This means that netmanos has demonstrated proficiency in identifying the needs of Small Businesses, and designing technology solutions to address them. Our proven skill-set extends from single computer configuration to enterprise network deployment and support.

It also means that netmanos has expertise in all Microsoft Software used by Small Businesses. Whether it is Windows Server, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Microsoft Office, we know how to install it, configure it, and troubleshoot it when it doesn’t work as expected.

All in all it is a third party assurance to the Small Business owner that netmanos is capable and committed to helping Small Businesses make smart technology decisions.

Contact us today to take advantage of our Microsoft expertise.

netmanos.com adds Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An often overlooked aspect of web site development lies within the realm of news distribution.

Countless web sites have a section in which pertinent news items are displayed. Unlike news-centric websites, whose main function is to continuously supply information, these sections are seldom updated. The problem with this scenario is that a site visitor will not return to the website once in a while hoping that there will be new information; thereby losing touch with the website. The solution is to send the news to the visitor when they become available. Enter RSS, the “newsletter” of the future.

According to Wikipedia, RSS is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines, and podcasts. An RSS document (which is called a "feed", "web feed", or "channel") contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with web sites in an automated manner that can be channeled into special programs or filtered displays.

RSS content can be read using software called an "RSS reader", "feed reader" or an "aggregator". The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed's link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds.

We have implemented RSS for the netmanos.com website. Subscribe now by clicking on the RSS icon on your web browser.

Contact us today to find out how you can utilize the RSS technology for your website and keep in touch with your visitors.

B&M Transport Inc. saves valuable time

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

netmanos was recently engaged by B&M Transport Inc. to take a look at their processes and assist in an effort to streamline operations.

B&M Transport Inc. is a Wheelchair Inter Facility Transportation company with offices in Virginia and Mississippi. A major part of their operations relies on the execution of on-demand transportation services requested by various local governments through the form of lists. These lists are posted daily to a secure website.

Initially, the owner of B&M Transport Inc. was concerned about the time it was taking for the lists to be reviewed, corrected, and imported to their system. It used to take a few hours every day just to cut and paste all the customer information in each driver’s daily log; a manual process prone to errors.

netmanos provided a solution. A custom built application which extrapolates the necessary information from the government lists and seamlessly integrates it to the B&M Transport Inc. system with a single click of a button. This approach saved the administrative staff countless hours of data input and allowed them to concentrate on other essential duties.

Contact us today to find out how we can help your business by streamlining operations.

netmanos solves the "Timeout Expired" application error

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

"Timeout Expired" is a popular Microsoft .NET application error. An online search returns thousands of results, most without a clear solution to the problem. This is because this error does not happen all the time. Its erratic nature makes is extremely hard, sometimes even impossible, to identify its origin leading the application developers and the database administrators to a constant debate.

Through the course of the years netmanos has developed dozens of applications and we have, too, experienced the dreaded "Timeout Expired" error a few times. This is why we recently set on a mission to eliminate it.

And we succeeded.

Our solution comes in the form of a Microsoft .NET assembly. It incorporates both application and database specific instructions which when used together eliminate the "Timeout Expired" error.

It currently supports both Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Databases, and all possible database connection scenarios such as stored procedures, SQL statements, transactions, and more.

Most importantly, our solution requires the very minimum for deployment. Existing applications do not have to be recompiled. Dropping the assembly in the executable folder is all it takes! For new projects, a single reference to the assembly will suffice.

We would like to offer our clients this unique solution.
So, call us today to find out how you can take advantage of this product.

OPM's Assessment Decision Tool web application goes Live!

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released today the second and final phase of the Assessment Decicion Tool (ADT) to the public. It can be found at http://apps.opm.gov/adt

The purpose of this project was to convert OPM’s Competency Assessment Handbook to a web-based, interactive, user-friendly format.

The conversion of the Handbook occurred in two phases. In Phase I, netmanos developed an online version of the Handbook with limited interactivity. Specifically, a website was designed and developed that provided access to the handbook material through easily updatable static HTML pages using the look and feel of OPM’s existing website. In addition, a user feedback module was included to gather information from visitors about the application and the information provided. Password protected pages were built to enable authorized users to review the survey results.

An administrator’s manual was developed to be used as a reference for content updates.

The Phase II effort was devoted to developing an interactive Assessment Decision Tool (ADT) web application. This interactive application became an extension of the online Handbook developed in Phase I.

The interactive application is driven by user-specific queries that describe individual users’ hiring situations. In simple terms, these queries can be thought of as profiles of user responses obtained by asking users questions regarding their hiring situation (e.g., target series, required competencies, budget). The queries are used to dynamically generate customized reports focused on the assessment methods and tools most appropriate for users’ hiring situations. Apart from the application, netmanos designed and developed a help menu and a frequently asked questions area that allows end users to reference functions of the tool, as well as an administrator’s module for updating the tool.

The online Handbook and Assessment Decision Tool was designed to be Section 508 compliant and its content easily updatable and modifiable by OPM.

netmanos website gets a new look

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The netmanos team recently completed an in-house redesign of our website. Although aesthetics is always a great reason to perform a site re-design, as an attractive web site can maintain a visitor’s interest at a high level, the main reason for our re-design was functionality.

To begin with, the layout was changed to accommodate more information. The three column structure allows for the main information to be displayed in the middle while allowing room for a secondary navigation and other pertinent information to be displayed in the same page.

New sections were added such as "news", "clients", and "CMS", in an effort to keep our visitors up to date with our expanding services. Furthermore, site-wide search functionality was deployed to make it easier to locate information.

The top flash animation replaced the previous navigation flash intro with an informational movie rotator which showcases netmanos’ current news, events, and offerings.

Click here to find out how you can utilize our expertise for the re-design of your web site.

OPM's Competency Assessment Handbook online version goes Live!

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has two efforts underway that are particularly relevant to the work performed. First, in June 2006, OPM introduced the Career Patterns initiative – a new approach for bringing the next generation of employees into Federal Government positions. Federal agencies will use this new approach beginning next year to build new environments to recruit potential employees. To help agencies plan and build new environments, OPM has developed the Career Patterns Guide to introduce the Career Patterns way of viewing recruiting. It presents techniques for identifying opportunities and crafting action plans to ensure employment efforts are successful. Second, OPM has a number of efforts underway to help "fix the hiring process" for the Federal Government. This effort involves providing agencies with a variety of tools and techniques to help them streamline and reform their hiring processes.

To support and further OPM’s efforts under the Career Patterns and Fix the Hiring initiatives, OPM/SHRP is developing a Competency Assessment Handbook. The Handbook will serve as a resource to agencies implementing competency-based assessment strategies to fill critical vacancies at all levels within the organization. The Handbook will provide information on various assessment tools and methods appropriate for a variety of hiring scenarios. The Handbook capitalizes on OPM’s long-standing occupational studies program that has resulted in the identification of competencies for hundreds of Federal occupations.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released today the Competency Assessment Handbook to the public. It can be found at http://apps.opm.gov/adt

The second phase of this project is expected to be released sometime next month.

Architectural Design Group hires netmanos to optimize network

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

netmanos recently proposed a solution to the technical support and network optimization requirements set forth by ADG. Specifically, netmanos was engaged to work on a list of items including:

Research, identify, and implement spam e-mail control. Evaluate existing hosted, native, and user/workstation based solutions. Identify optimal solution based on client’s needs, effectiveness, ease of use, and cost. Implement the selected solution throughout the organization and verify functionality.
Review existing and prospect Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and identify their capabilities. Provide a Return of Investment statement to assist the decision making process of choosing the right ISP for the client. Execute chosen solution by taking the appropriate steps such as router and DNS configuration. Test thoroughly to assure achievement of desired functionality.
Establish software and hardware inventory and update the Office Manual. Include license expiration schedules and network policies information such as the backup process. Provide instructions for performing common network tasks such as setting up a new user account, removing a user account, and on-site emergency response.
Optimize Network. Perform computer and account cleanup. Evaluate storage use and maximize storage space. Establish health status of Exchange Server, Domain Controller, and File Server. Enhance network security by implementing a single Domain administrator policy. Solve miscellaneous problems such as printer connectivity and file access rights.

netmanos secures a monthly network maintenance agreement with Thesis

info@netmanos.com (netmanos) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Why did Thesis choose the netmanos "Gold" monthly network maintenance plan?

The 15 hours of support each month that come with the plan will cover all on-site and remote assistance such as operating system re-installations, backup hardware replacements, software installations, software and hardware configurations, solution and purchasing recommendations, and so on.

Additionally, the 6 monthly visits can be used for backup processes such as weekly backup tape changes and off-site archiving. This way you can be assured that your backup is always performed and stored in an off-site location to safeguard against worst case scenarios. Most importantly, same day emergency response ensures that productivity is not lost while waiting for the next support availability.

Finally, the 24/7 monitoring can keep an eye on all their important services. It will make sure that their web site is up, their exchange server is sending and receiving email, their backups are performed according to schedule, and more.