ConEd Session Dream big, stay small: technologies for small practices

Pawel Fiett OAA MRAIC

DREAM BIG, STAY SMALLeffective technologies for small practices

SOME GENERAL STUFF …

atelier 292 / architect inc.

PAWEL FIETT, ARCHITECT OAA MRAIC

• Studied at the Technical University of Warsaw and University of Detroit Mercy.

• Graduated from the architecture program at Carleton University in 1991.

• Licensed architect since 1997. Member of the Ontario Association of Architects and RAIC.

• Taught ArchiCAD and Advanced Visual Communications at Algonquin College.

• Contributed a design column to Canadian Disabilities magazine.

• Vice–President of the Ontario Association of Architects – 2006 to 2012.

• Runs Atelier 292 Architect Inc. since 2001.

who this course is for :

1. interns & practitioners, who are in the process or are considering starting their own firm

2. people with some interest in technology, who want to use it more effectively

3. small firms – up to 10 people

who this course is NOT for:

• medium and large firms (over 10 people)

• people with enough technical knowledge to explain to us how reverse pointers work in C-language or how to set up SIP trunking

• people who have no interest in new technologies and like things just the way they are…

… and now some disclaimers:

• I have no financial interest in products and services mentioned,

• there is no guarantee that what will is presented will be the right fit for you – they are just examples,

• where possible I will try to mention an array of options available, with a special stress on less expensive or free options,

• some solutions shown are proprietary and require special licensing,

• some solutions may require specialized software or hardware to implement.

• I am not an IT guy…

THE LANDSCAPE

BIG vs. small – AIA 2012

0%

6%

12%

18%

24%

30%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1 2 to 4 5 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 99 100+

Share of firms Share of Billings

AIA Firm Size & Billing (2012)

1 2 to 4 5 to 910 to 19 20 to 49 50+

BIG vs. small - OAA 2015

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

26 31 36 41 46 51 56 61 66 71 76 81 86 89

Architects Interns

OAA Members Age (2010)

THE COURSE

PROGRAM OUTLINE

1. The dream of the paperless office - paper and electronic documents organization.

2. Mac fanboys, PC crowd, Linux hackers and the Cloud – which digital eco-system is best for you.

3. Small office server – the brain and the heart of your business.

4. Fax? What is THAT? – modern telephony for small firms.

5. Connecting the dots – collaboration for small firms to compete in the big firms’ world.

THE DREAM OF THE PAPERLESS OFFICE

XEROX patentsfax machine

1964

First email sent onARPANET

1971

@George Pake

XEROX PARC

1975

Paperless worldpredicted

1995

DREAM OF THE PAPERLESS OFFICE

George Pake Paperless worldpredicted

1995

Apple introduced (250 million sold since)

2010

1 billion copies made each dayUS paper industry $200B/year

(4.5% GDP)

2015

DREAM OF THE PAPERLESS OFFICE

PAPERLESS SOON?

• In 2012 worldwide paper and cardboard production was 400 million metric tons

• Average global consumption per capita 57 kilograms/year

• North American consumption per capita 229 kilograms/year (4 times global average)

• North American demand for paper is decreasing 2% annually, but world’s is increasing 10%

• Demand increasing worldwide for “eco-friendly” paper products (recycled, forestry stewardship)

• World demand is estimated to reach 490 million metric tons in 2020

STORAGE ECONOMICS 101

100 SF locker 2TB hard drive

annual rental cost $170 X 12 = $2,040 $0

purchase cost $0 $250 / 2 yrs. = $125/year

electricity cost $0 7+23W X 8760 h/yr= 262kWh/yr262 kWh /yrX $0.2 = $52.56/yr

scanner rental $0 $1,200

labour ($11/hour) 52 wks. X10 hrs X $11/hr= $5,720 52 wks. X10 hrs X $11/hr= $5,720

unit (box) capacity 1,000 double-sided pages perlegal size box

70kB for 2-sided B&W page, 70 MB (70,000 kB) per box

total storage capacity 1,000 legal size boxes 2TB / 70 MB = 28,000 boxes

cost per box $7,760 / 1,000 = $7.76 $7,097 / 28,000 = $0.25

ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL STORAGE

• centralized storage, which is remotely accessible any time from anywhere

• immediate access

• small footprint (both real and ecological)

• easy to transfer in case of office move

• no need to walk or drive to remote storage (wasted time and energy)

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS – MFP• consider buying or leasing a multi–function printer (MFP)

• consider buying or leasing previously used, refurbished model (± $100 / month)

• look for colour & B&W MFP with 11 by 17 in. capacity, double–sided print & scan, multi–tray with network capability

• minimum set of functions: printer, copier, scanner, fax

• should have web control panel and FTP system for document distribution

• make sure that unit comes with service plan (2–2.5 cents per B&W copy, 12 –15 cents per colour) AND includes service and new toner

• supply your own paper

SHARP MX-3501N

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS – PLOTTER/SCANNER• consider buying or leasing a wide format plotter/scanner

• consider buying or leasing previously used, refurbished model (± $150 – 175 / month)

• look for B&W units with D-size print/scan capacity with network board

• minimum set of functions: printer, copier, scanner,

• should have web control panel and FTP system for document distribution

• make sure that unit comes with service plan (10–12 cents per linear foot B&W copy,) AND includes service and new toner

• get your own paper from paper wholesaler (Cascades, Wayerhaeuser), buy in bulk

RICOH Aficio MP W3600

Paradigm shift

Paradigm shift

Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom/Expertise

DIKW PYRAMID

Data, Information, Knowledge and Expertise

“As knowledge becomes networked, the smartest person in the room isn’t the person standing at the front lecturing us, and isn’t the collective wisdom of those in the room. The smartest person in the room is the room itself: the network that joins the people and ideas in the room, and connects to those outside of it.”

David Weinberg – “Too Big To Know”

Data, Information, Knowledge and Expertise

“Google is degrading our memories. Google is making us stupid. The Internet loves fervid, cult–driven amateurs and drives professionals out of business.”

David Weinberg – “Too Big To Know”

Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom/Expertise

Data

Information structured data – 5 W’s

Knowledge know–how

Understanding knowledge management

Wisdom know–why

Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom/Expertise

Data

Information structured data – 5 W’s

Knowledge know–how

Understanding knowledge management

Wisdom know–why

wizardry

MAC FANBOYS,PC CROWD, LINUX

HACKERS & THE CLOUD

XYZ computer MacBook Air factor ofyear built 1958 2013 55 years

internal clock 680 kHz 1.3 GHz X 2,000

technology used 400 vacuum tubes i 2000 diods 1.4 billion transistors X 3,500,000

average access time: 0,4 ms 20 ns X 20,000

memory mercury–filled metal tubes – 1024 bytes each18 bit (32 tubes 576 bits each) 16 GB DRAM X16,000,000

computing speed 650-4500 additions per second350-500 multiplications per second

32,820 MIPS (millions of instructions per second) X 7,000,000

vs

Cus

tom

izat

ion

Ease of use

Easy So-so Hard Really Hard Genius Stuff

Ease of Use vs. Ability to Customization

Closed system = Few User Options

Open system = Fully Customizable

Ecosystem decisions

• Legacy issues – look at what you already have and what your long–term plans are

• “Quality hurts once” – the word “cheap” has 2 meanings (for a good reason)

• More control = more time and money to set up and maintain

• Would you rather design OR learn C++ language and Python script?

• If you want to have more control, but lack resources — consider outsourcing the service

Office server arrangement options

• host your own server

• use IT company to host all your services – CLOUD COMPUTING

• use colocation company to host your server (eg. : ,macminicolo.net , http://www.netelligent.ca)

CLOUD COMPUTING

CLOUD PLATFORMS COMPARISON

Apple iCloud Microsoft Cloud Google Cloud

cloud apps Pages, Numbers, Keynote

Office 365 - $10.50 user/month

Docs, Sheets & Slides

file sharing – free iCloud Drive – 5 GB (20 GB for $0.99/mth)

OneDrive – 15 GB Google Drive – 15 GB

platforms Windows, Mac, iOS Windows, Win Phone, Mac, iOS, Android

Windows, Mac, iOS, Android

mail service √ √ √

shared calendars √ √ √

shared contacts √ √ √

CLOUD COMPUTING

PROS CONS

no infrastructure cost dependent on IP service

low maintenance cost who owns the data?

IT support handled by provider subject to the Patriot Act

content shared between devices no cost control

security handled by provider charged on per–user basis

CLOUD COMPUTING – Google

• Google Drive for files sharing

• Google Apps for document creation and sharing

• Google Mail for e–mail

• Google Calendar for calendar sharing

• consider creating a shared user account for group calendar and contacts

CLOUD COMPUTING – Google Mail

CLOUD COMPUTING – Google Drive

CLOUD COMPUTING – Google Docs

CLOUD COMPUTING – Google Calendar

CLOUD COMPUTING – Google Photos

Who owns your data?

A photo posted on Twitter remains the intellectual property of the user but Twitter's terms give the company "a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license (with the right to sublicense)". In practice, that gives Twitter almost total control over the image and the ability to do just about anything with it. The company claims the right to use, modify or transmit it your photo any way.

The most striking example of such a 'land grab' can be seen on professional networking site LinkedIn. LinkedIn makes broad claims over users' content, giving it the ability to "copy, prepare derivative works of, improve, distribute, publish, remove, retain, add, process, analyze, use and commercialise, in any way now known or in the future discovered…" LinkedIn applies this claim not only to users content, but also all data, concepts or even ideas passed through their service.

A SMALL OFFICE SERVER

Why would you want your own server?

• to share files (SMB, AFP, WebDAV, FTP)

• to securely access your files and network via VPN

• to share calendars and contacts

• to host you websites

• to host your wikis

• to manage users and groups

• to manage software updates and downloads

• to run your own mail server (?)

What you need to start:

• Fast AND balanced Internet connection (cable, DSL)

• DynamicDNS or dry loop connection for IP address

• internet modem (sometimes supplied by ISP)

• good router (if wireless should be minimum 802.11n compliant)

• wired network (100kb or 1 Gigabyte)

• switches (not hubs) that match your network speed

• decent computer to run your server/s on

• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

• secure, warm, dry and dust–free space or room for computer equipment

VOIP – balanced connection

First steps

• register your domain (acmearchitect.com) - with internet domain registrar such as hover.com, godaddy.com etc.

• get email with your domain (architect@acmearchitect.com vs. architect9999@gmail.com)

• consider getting a certificate for your domain, server and services (better than self–signed)

• get a dry loop connection (fixed IP address) or set up dynamic DNS service

Internal network• wired connections are still faster and much more secure than wireless (WiFi)

• design your network to minimize number of switches (5% speed drop for each)

• use good cabling (CAT 5 & better)

• use plenum–rated cabling for ducts and plenums

• avoid running cables too close to power lines to reduce interference

• GigaBit networks and switches are now standard. 10/100Base-T are obsolete

• your network is as fast as its weakest link

• for wireless connections use WPA2 standard and complex passwords

• for large spaces and multi–level buildings use wireless extenders

• for Wi-Fi use 802.11ac or 802.11n equipment only

Small office server options

Mac OSX Yosemite Server

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

Edition

Linux Server (Univention)

software cost $25 $675 approx. $420

CPU cost $550 $350 and up $350 and up

users licensed unlimited 25 unlimited

cost per user(assuming 10 users)

$57.50 ±$100 $77

UPS

router

Small office server basic setup

server

NAS

Internet

wired wi–fi

switch

Server DO’s• locate your server is a secure location, away from vibration and dust and in a

controlled environment

• get a good UPS (uninterrupted power supply) for your server, router and storage

• have a local backup (two separate backups or a mirrored backup)

• have a remote backup in case your local network is compromised or destroyed (fire, theft etc.) – Reykjavik, here we come!

• perform scheduled maintenance religiously (weekly or monthly) – disk verification, preferences repairs, virus checks, system updates

• maintain a server log in case you have to backtrack

• consider training your associate as a deputy server administrator, just in case…

• deactivate “root” account when not being used

Server DON’Ts

• do not use your server, as a work machine

• do not use the same machine, as server for other services (BIM server, timesheet server etc.)

• do not install additional software unless needed for server operation

• do not give server admin access to all your employees

• do not update or upgrade your server, as soon as a new version is out – let others “test” it first

• do not wait until hard drives die, replace them every two years – consider switching to SSD’s for speed (6x to 10x faster) and reliability

• don’t install anti–virus software – it may damage your server settings (!)

Control your users

Local users

• on server machine only• keep their number to minimum• separate admin account & user account

root = super user (su)

Control your users

Local network users

staff

administrators

family

Local users

• on server machine only• keep their number to minimum• separate admin account & user account

Control your users

• use access privileges to control access to files and folder/directories

• before setting privileges review your internal structure (who needs access and where)

• you can define access control for individuals and for groups

• permissions are inherited in top-to-bottom fashion

• original privileges POSIX (UNIX) had file/folder owner, group and general (Others) access settings

• modern ACLs (Access Control Lists - Windows) permissions give more “granular” access privileges

• avoid too complex privilege structure to avoid conflicts

• avoid giving everyone full access to all files

File sharing formats

Windows MacLinux

(Ubuntu)

SMB (Server Message Block) - Windows native √ √ √

AFP (Apple File Protocol) – Apple native requires setup √ requires setup

NFS (Network File System) – UNIX native √ requires setup √

WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring & Versioning) – mobile platforms √ √ requires setup

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) – obsolete & non–secure, but still used √ √ √

WebDAV anyone?

WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is a standard for collaborative authoring on the web. It is a set of extensions to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) that allows for collaborative editing and file management between users via the Internet.

WebDAV allows file sharing, calendar sharing and contacts sharing using the Web infrastructure.

Server Storage and Backup

NAS - network attached storage

DAS - direct attached storage

NAS selection• Do not use your server internal drive as main network drive

• Built–in mirrored backup (actual available size is half of NAS capacity)

• Web-Based or widget control panel

• Port speed: USB 2.0 – 0.5 Gbit/s USB 3.0 – 5 Gbit/sUSB 3.1(C), FireWire (IEEE 1394) & Thunderbolt – 10Gbit/s

• Expansion capability

• RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) vs. single drive systems

• Removable drives for easy replacements and upgrades

• Assume 2 year replacement cycle for drives

• NAS uses 15 to 20 W per drive – large NAS requires dedicated circuit

• Use UPS to protect your NAS

Dynamic and Static DNS

• The purpose of a Dynamic DNS service is to allow servers without static IP to host services.

• Dynamic DNS provider acts as a middle man.

• Your machine reports your IP periodically to DDNS provider. DDNS provider in turn routes traffic to your machine.

• Users with ADSL internet find their IP is changing often. Their modem is using DHCP to have IP address automatically issued at time of connection, rather then specific IP assigned to your account that doesn’t change.

• Dynamic DNS requires a deamon running on one of the internal network computers or a DynamicDNS compatible router.

Dynamic DNS

Static vs Dynamic DNS

Static IP address Dynamic DNS

always on √ requires a deamon,may be interrupted

use your own domain(ie. XYZarchitect.com) √ some Dynamic DNS providers,

paid service

allows subdomains √ some Dynamic DNS providers

allows port forwarding(ie. port 80 to port 8080) √ some Dynamic DNS providers

cost $5.00/month (Teksavvy) basic service free but options can cost up to $20/month

suitable for VOIP √ X

In an effort to crackdown on cyber crimes, Microsoft has taken a legal action against a malware network what it thought is responsible for more than 7.4 million infections of Windows PCs across the globe.Millions of legitimate servers that rely on Dynamic Domain Name Service (DDNS) from No-IP.com, owned by Vitalwerks Internet Solutions were blacked out on Monday after Microsoft seized their 23 domain names that were being used by malware developed in the Middle East and Africa.

No doubt its a useful service, but Nevada-based No-IP Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service subdomains have been abused by creators of malware for infecting millions of computers with malicious software at large scale.

VPN anyone?

A virtual private network (VPN) is the extension of a private network that encompasses links across shared or public networks like the Internet. VPN enables you to send data between two computers across a shared or public internetwork in a manner that emulates the properties of a point-to-point private link.

VPN connection on Mac

VPN connection on Mac

VPN connection on Mac

VPN connection on Mac

VPN connection on Mac

VPN connection on Mac

VPN connection on PC

VPN connection on PC

VPN connection on PC

VPN connection on PC

VPN connection on PC

VPN connection on PC

VPN connection on PC

http://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT202384

Other VPN issues

• make sure that your local network IP scheme is unique. Most home and corporate networks use 192.168.0.0 or 10.0.0.0. Use something like 10.133.101.0 to avoid VPN conflicts.

• VPN access requires balanced internet connection to work well. Ensure that your download and upload speeds are similar (speedtest.net)

• make sure that your server and computers that connect to it via VPN use a time server (i.e. time.apple.com) to set their internal clocks. Time discrepancies at both ends may result in broken connections

• if you need access to foreign content (videos, publications, object libraries) in foreign countries consider using commercial VPN service (HideMyAss.com etc.)

Links

• Terry Walsh http://www.wegotserved.com

• Todd Olthoff YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/tolthoff

• Eli the Computer Guy YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DLTo-j9qck

FAX? WHAT IS THAT?

Important Items

• VOIP and infrastructure you may already have

• mobile only, old type phone service, small office PBX or off-site phone messaging system

• VOIP and faxes – a cautionary tale

• foreign routing – NSA is listening !

• your home internet connection is download biased - get balanced upload/download service

• get Internet service with high (250 gigabytes/month) or unlimited bandwidth

• videoconferencing systems Skype, FaceTime, GoogleChat, Go2Meeting, LifeSize

Dry Loop

Dry loop allows you to use DSL over a dormant phone line (a phone line without active telephone service). A dry loop essentially re-activates the line so that a DSL signal can pass over it, but does not enable you to make or receive calls.

Dry loop is required when:

• You do not have active analog phone service. • You use VoIP phone service. • You use phone service provided by a cable carrier (these services use your cable lines instead of your phone lines

to provide service)

Dry Loop and Wet Loop have no difference in terms of speed or quality of service. It is simply a way to bring the signal to your home

A dry loop is an unconditioned leased pair of telephone line from a telephone company. The pair does not provide dial tone or battery (continuous electric potential), as opposed to a wet pair, a line usually without dial tone but with battery.

A dry pair was originally used with a security system but more recently may also be used with digital subscriber line (DSL) service or an Ethernet extender to connect two locations, as opposed to a costlier means such as a Frame Relay. The pair in many cases goes through the local telephone exchange.

http://voip.mi-telecom.org

Dry Loop

WARNING: Some telephone companies are now offering "dry loop" DSL - this is DSL provided on a line that supposedly has no dial tone.

Even in this case, you should NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES connect your VoIP adapter to a pair that is also connected to the telephone company's wiring. The reason is that even "dry loop" DSL may have "wetting voltage" on the line (voltage to avoid problems at cable splice points) and in some cases the phone companies actually do provide dial tone, which can be used to call 911 or the telephone company (in case you, or a future user of your line, wants to order additional service). Even if there is no dial tone or significant voltage on the line today, that does NOT guarantee that there never will be. Furthermore, when you connect a VoIP adapter to any type of outdoor wiring, you expose it to potential damage from lightning and other transient voltages. So, even if you do NOT measure any significant voltage on the line, NEVER connect your VoIP adapter to a pair that is simultaneously connected to the telephone company's wiring.

Please remember that if you ever plug your VoIP adapter into a jack with telephone company line voltage present, you will very likely destroy your VoIP adapter! So, check and double check that there is no voltage present before you connect the VoIP adapter to the line, and that the line is totally disconnected from the telephone company's wiring!!!

http://voip.mi-telecom.org

VOIP –Voice Over Internet Protocol

With VoIP, analog voice calls are converted into packets of data. The packets travel like any other type of data, such as e-mail, over the public Internet and/or any private Internet Protocol (IP) network. Using a VoIP service, you can call landline or cell phones.

VOIP – advantages

• low purchase cost• no service and purchase contracts as with old PBX systems• no need for multiple lines – one dry loop line is sufficient• no need for dedicated phone wiring – share your computer

network• lower monthly costs• allows for multi–location setup – no long–distance or international

charges• re–use existing analog phones or inexpensive IP phones• allows to integrate cell phones, home phones and phones in other

locations into one system• can be managed by office staff – no programming skills required

VOIP – potential pitfalls

• no 9-1-1 service with some VOIP providers

• fax sending and receiving is difficult, may require separate phone line and special analogue telephone adapter (ATA)

• no phone service, if Internet connection is down

• phone connection quality depends on speed and throughput of Internet connection

• requires some staff training to maintain local phone network

ISP Comparison

Dryloop Dryloop FeeBalanced Internet

Package

Bell √ $99.95 one–time fee for installation √

Rogers not available not available not available

Telus √Included depending on

package, monthly fee, no installation fee

not available

Teksavvy √ $5.00/month available, $150 for special router

FibreStream √ No dryly fees √

Small VOIP system – Fortinet FortiVoice

• Canadian product (previously known as TalkSwitch)• 2 or 4 traditional phone line connections (legacy)• 8 VOIP channels• 40 to 70 local extensions (analog & IP)• 20 to 35 remote extensions• 10 to 12 concurrent calls• 20 auto attendants• 360 hours of combined voicemail storage• all of this in a box that is 8.5 by 8.5 by 2 inches big !• cost : CAD 650 and up depending on options

UPS

router

VOIP in small office

server

NAS

Internetswitch

IP PBX

IP softphones

VOIP in small office

InternetIP PBX 1 IP PBX 2

Local office Remote office

CONNECTING THE DOTS…

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

• 2010 Forrester report: – 58% of enterprises use two or more SaaS-based business applications– 72% plan to in 12 months– 19% of enterprises report having six or more SaaS-based business applications– 30% plan to have that many in 12 months

• 20% of attempted SaaS deployments are failing due to serious problems with data integration

• Security remains prime concern for SaaS deployments

• Data portability is another issue of SaaS deployment – what do you do if SaaS service is about to shutter its doors

• Unexpected cost changes often force SaaS users to look for other options (eg. VRBO)

Who owns your software?

In this case, the guy had a legitimately purchased copy of AutoCAD and was trying to sell it on eBay. This should be perfectly legal. He had purchased a good and was trying to resell it. Assuming he had removed all copies on his own computer and wasn't using the software any more, there should be nothing to complain about here. However, instead, Autodesk sent eBay a DMCA takedown notice, claiming that the sale was a copyright violation.

Autodesk is claiming that the right of first sale doesn't apply in this case, because the guy did not purchase the software, but merely licensed it, thanks to the shrinkwrap license found inside the box, which the purchaser doesn't get to read until well after he or she has "purchased" the software (which appears like any normal purchase, rather than license).

Contract Management

Statslog FIVE (SOLO or COLLABORATION)

Contract Management

rForm.ca

Contract Management

rForm.ca

Project / Time Management & Billing

ArchiOffice, QuickBooks, LiquidPlanner, Bitrix24

Project / Time Management & Billing

ArchiOffice, QuickBooks, LiquidPlanner, Bitrix24

Credit Card & Payment

Elavon, Payfirma, Square, PayPal

Credit Card & Payment

Costco Elavon

Payfirma Square PayPal

Monthly fees $4.95$5.00 per card

type

Transaction rate1.38% plus

$0.19 2.00% 2.75%2.90% plus

$0.30

Application fee $25

Commitment required No 2 years No No

Web terminalYes, but rate

goes to 1.99% √ √

Mobile app √ √ √ √

50/50 approach

• for new or potentially difficult clients consider 50/50 approach

• you risk that client will not pay at project completion and client risks that you will not deliver what they want, miss their deadlines or budget

• split your project into sizeable chunks (investigation, preliminary design, development, construction documents, permit and tender, construction etc.)

• sign contracts for each phase – helps with getting client commitment and their cash flow

• demand 50% retainer at beginning of each phase with balance, disbursements and taxes due upon completion of each phase

• offer credit card and debit card pay, as payment options

• makes it easier to adjust your fees, as project develops and scope of work is clearer

• facilitates “go/no–go” decision process, improves your cash flow

Closing thoughts

• small firms may compete with larger ones

• use modern technologies and tools to organize, run and promote your firm

• network with other small firms

• reduce your costs, storage requirements and your environmental footprint

• assess your needs, work style, client types and budget to establish optimum setup

• remember that “quality hurts once”

DREAM BIG, STAY SMALLeffective technologies for small practices

www.dreambigstaysmall.ca

Dynamic DNS, File access links

• http://www.gnutomorrow.com/best-free-dynamic-dns-services-in-2013/

• http://thehackernews.com/2014/06/microsoft-seized-no-ip-domains-millions.html

• http://www.howtogeek.com/203432/how-to-access-ftp-and-webdav-sites-in-any-operating-systems-file-manager/

Useful links – VOIP

• http://voip.mi-telecom.org• http://www.fortinet.com/products/fortivoice/phone-systems.html• http://www.grandstream.com/index.php/products/ip-voice-telephony/

consumer-analog-telephone-adaptors/ht702_704

Links

• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/social-media/9780565/Facebook-terms-and-conditions-why-you-dont-own-your-online-life.html

• http://rform.ca

• http://www.liquidplanner.com

• https://www.payfirma.com

• https://squareup.com/ca