Your laser printer could be killing you

We all know that indoor air quality is horrible. But now we have research from Queensland University of Technology, as reported in the Globe and Mail, as showing that many laser printers emit so many particles, that working in the same office is similar to second hand smoke.

Some other factors affecting indoor air quality:

• Too little fresh air
• Off-gasing of from carpet and materials due to chemicals introduced for fire retardance
• Cleaners
• Low levels of negative ions which are linked to cognitive ability and also help reduce pollution by binding to particles

So what can we do about it? Installation of a good quality air treatment system helps. Ashlin's wellness products group has a solution. We carry the most advanced air treatment system available. This system includes a 5 stage process to clean the air, the last stage of which is hepa. In addition it has two patents related to the elimination of organic compounds, and the production of negative ions, both without the creation of Ozone.

As its the only system in the world that does not create ozone as a byproduct of those two functions, it is truly unique.

Best of all it is almost silent most of the time, automatically detecting the need for increased fan speed based on the quantity of particles in the air.

Contact your Ashlin rep for more information and to arrange a free trial.

Ashlin Web Site Updated with Cnet Ecommerce

As you probably have noticed, there have not been any blog articles in March. That was due to a very concerted effort to implement a major refresh to our web site to feature the best IT E-store in Canada.

It’s the best because:

1. Content on 300,000 products by CNET including very detailed specifications
2. Important additional products added by Ashlin and exclusively on our web site
3. Interesting and useful featured products
4. The best search engine anywhere to help you find what you are looking for
5. Real-Time inventory directly tied into the top 4 distributors in Canada. If it’s in Canada it’s likely on our store and in stock available for next or even hot delivery.
6. Powerful quoting system and the ability to track your quotes, orders and shipments online.
7. Many powerful features to make your job easier including favourite items, custom bundles, and much more.

Even if you do not find an item in our store, or it appears top be out of stock, please call us. We carry hundreds of thousands of additional products, and we have a dozen other sources for supply including relationships in the US. We regularly air products to our Canadian customers to meet an urgent need.

WiFi Manager

WiFiManager manages your wireless network. Don't expect it to work with cheap home type access points, but with more industrial strength units like Cisco, Netopia, Symbol, SMC it can detect rogue access, intruders and hackers. You can download a free copy of the software from the link above to manage a single access point; if you have many access points, you can purchase a license for your network. Also available is a little piece of hardware, the RF monitor, which attaches to the network using a PoE (power over ethernet LAN cable) and detects unauthorized access to any access point on the network. The RF monitor can monitor about a 20,000 sq. ft. area.

WiFiManager also manages all access points by allowing centralized SSID management, WEP and WAP encryption, MAC address tables; virtually all aspets of monitoring and managing wireless access points.

Ashlin is now a reseller of this and all products from Adventnet.

Blackberry Enterprise Server Installation Services

Lots of our customers are now using blackberries for e mail. If you are using Windows Small Business server or Microsoft Exchange we can now install Blackberry Enterprise Software. This will allow you to dynamically synchronize all of your e mail, calendar and contacts. When you delete and e mail on you blackberry it will also delete it from your server and outlook.

The New Daylight Savings Time mini Y2K issues

The New Daylight Savings time (DST) is a big issues that will affect almost all computer users. Please read the full bulletin and take note of the computer programs affected by this significant change. - Thanks George Bush.

For details on DST issues please click here

For details on Microsoft Products affected by DST issues please click here

(contributor: Ryan Penn)

Save and Money and Increase Security by Printing Your Own Cheques

Ashlin supplies a number of items that facilitate the internal production of cheques.

Cheque Printing Software
If you use Quicken, QuickBooks, Peachtree, or Microsoft Small Business Accounting we have an excellent software solution for you from www.dotnetchecks.com. We use this product internally and it has proven to be invaluable, easy to setup, and to use. This solution is very affordable only costing $95.95US for Quicken or $359.95US for the rest.

If you use more advanced software we still have a solution for you from www.dotnetchecks.com starting at $995.95US. We even offer their version for professional printers for only $3,495.95US.

Secure MICR Toner
But how do you print secure cheques. First of all by using secure MICR toner. We supply TROY MICR TONER Secure™ which protects your cheques and other documents against faudulent alteration.

Security Printers
As a worldwide provide of Secure Output Solutions, TROY MICR Security Printers deliver the ultimate level of security for localized, distributed and production workgroup applications. TROY's security printing solutions offer breakthrough innovations in fraud-deterrent security, unsurpassed quality and operational controls, as well as flexible integration, technical expertise, service, and support. Each Secure Printer utilizes an HP LaserJet base unit.

Xerox WorkCentre 4150 - Very limited availability at big discounts!!!

Print/Copy/Email/Fax/Scan at speeds up to 45ppm.

Since we are eager to help you get one or more of these fantastic Xerox multifunctions for your office, we are offering them at unbeatable prices for a very limited time. So don't get left out in the cold, call us right away to order yours.
4150/C $2,599 - special $2,299

4150/S $2,999 - special $2.499

4150/X $4,199 - special $3,299

4150/XF $5,999 - special $4,599

Detailed Specifications

Skype Unlimited Calls within Canada and U.S.A.

Are you aware that you can make free calls anywhere in the U.S. and Canada from your computer? Skype is one of the VOIP services offered over the internet. All you need is an internet connection and a computer with a microphone and speakers, a Skype account and your in business. In fact, Ashlin now ofers a variety of Skype compatible USB and IP telephones if you want to use a handset rather than a microphone and speakers. Since June 2006, Skype waived the charge to call land and cell phones within the U.S. and Canada. Well, all good things often come to an end and the free service will end on December 31. Starting January 1, 2007, the cost per minute will be $0.024 Canadian. BUT, you can now buy unlimited calling for $19.50 Canadian for one year if you sign up for the service by January 31, 2007. Included in the fee is one hour of international calls and a $50 voucher to purchase handsets and other Skype options.

Recently two of Ashlin's suppliers have offered a wireless Skype handset providing the same freedom as any portable house hold phone.

For more information, call Stephen Ginsberg at (416) 760-9114.

NOD32 Antivirus wins another award

An AV-Comparatives 2006 summary recognizing leadership in a couple of comparative categories including Overall Winner for 2006

I have used NOD32/ESET for more than 2 years, enjoying its small footprint and exceptional malware detection and removal. The av-comparatives organization recognizes NOD32 yet again for these and other qualities, naming NOD32/ESET as the overall winner for another year.

GoExchange Software Prevents Costly Mail Server Failures and Saves Disk Space

GoExchange software from Lucid8 the only automated maintenance solution for Microsoft Exchange 5.5, 2000, and 2003. It prevents disasters caused by unstable and inefficient databases, repairs problems in the Exchange database and accelerates performance by defragmenting the database and recouping as much as 35% of disc space.

Here's why you should consider GoExchange:

• Doing nothing will lead to degradation of performance, wasted disk space, lost productivity and eventually, complete database failure.
• The solution is regular preventative maintenance for Exchange Servers
• Do you need a software tool to do it automatically as compared to doing it manually........yes you do!
• It's easy to install. You can be up and running in 20 minutes
• The business case is clear, once you consider the cost per hour of an unplanned outage.

Prevent Disasters, Repair Problems and Accelerate Performance with GoExchange!

Call Ashlin today for more information and pricing.

Cisco Network Access Control Appliance Enforces Policy at Vulnerable End Points

The Cisco Network Access Control (NAC) appliance, together with Clean Access Server, Clean Access Manager and Clean Access Agent Software, provides a cost effective means of simplifying policy creation and maintenance so that vulnerable enpoints in the network are isolated and remediated before they can harm resources on the network.

With NAC, you can:

• Identify Users on the network
• Determine if Endpoints are vulnerable and non compliant with security policy
• Quarantine and remediate non compliant end points with updates from the Clean Access Server
• Create/Maintain policy across the network with Clean Access Manager. Preconfigured checks from over 50 vendors provide critical Windows updates, Anti Virus updates, Anti Spam Updates and other 3rd party checks

Invest 5 minutes of your time right now to watch a short video. You'll need Windows Media Player or Quick Time to watch it.

For details, go to www.cisco.com/go/nac or call John Mason at Ashlin, 416-256-3096 Ext. 1002

Top 10 Reasons to upgrade to Exchange 2007

Top 10 lists are always fun, so here is Microsoft's - a bit shortened, or you can see the long version.

1. Reduce costs with new data replication capabilities
2. Access everything from virtually anywhere - including from a telephone
3. Enterprise Class Mobile Messaging, calendaring and more - greatly improved
4. Unified messaging saves you money, and employees time
5. Comprehensive protection from spam, viruses, and phishing attacks - you even get hosted filtering and security included in the enterprise CAL license
6. COMPLIANCE
7. Web Access is finally ready for real life use
8. Reduce Adminstration with new tools (more efficient)
9. Deploying and Managing are easier and roles are modular
10. Native 64 bit application results in major improvements in performance and resource utilization

ESET Antivirus Software Offers Support for Microsoft Vista and Enhanced Rootkit Protection

ESET, the leader in proactive threat protection, released its upgrade to ESET NOD32 Antivirus software, version 2.7, with support for Microsoft Windows Vista. The enhanced software is one of the few malware solutions on the market today that is fully compatible with x64 versions of Vista, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. In addition, the upgrade to ESET NOD32 also features enhanced anti-stealth technology that offers more comprehensive protection against rootkits through its ability to see the true state of running processes and the file system. Rootkits enable hackers to maintain control of a compromised system by hiding their presence.

ESET’s rootkit protection is integrated into the ThreatSense® engine. Competitors typically offer this kind of solution as a stand-alone tool or as part of a larger suite. ESET NOD32 makes it easy for users to be protected with minimal system impact.

“As online threats complete the shift from glory-seekers wreaking havoc to today's professional criminals seeking profit, it is more important than ever to have strong defenses in place,” said Jonathan Singer, host based and consumer security analyst at Yankee Group. “Anti-malware products like ESET’s NOD32, which include protection against viruses, spyware and rootkits, provide a good security foundation for businesses and consumers alike.”

“Given that rootkits make it more difficult to detect intrusions in a system, they are one of the greatest threats today,” said Randy Abrams, director of technical education at ESET, LLC. “ESET NOD32 version 2.7 protects users by offering improved rootkit detection and protection by proactively and transparently defeating active rootkits.”

I have been using NOD32 for two years and find it to be the most comprehensive anti-malware (anti-virus, anti-adware, anti-spyware) product on the market. Its heuristic mechanism is so powerful, that some users who have not renewed the subscriptions still have had full protection.

What’s New in NOD32, version 2.7:

• Support for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system.
• Improved rootkit protection and detection that proactively and transparently defeats active rootkits, which are typically hidden from the user.
• Expanded categorization of malware includes potentially unwanted applications such as adware that may not be malicious, and the renaming of potentially unsafe applications like keyloggers, remote administrators, etc. These categories are capable of being turned off or on.

Add any serial device to your Network

External device servers from Lantronix can network-enable just about any device with serial connectivity in a matter of minutes.

They provide the ability to remotely control, monitor, diagnose and troubleshoot your equipment over a network or the Internet. And they enable you to preserve your investment in your present equipment.

You can choose Ethernet or wireless, advanced encryption for maximum security, and device servers designed for commercial or heavy-duty industrial applications.

TruPort incorporates the RFC2217 COM port control protocol to produce a true end-to-end communications solution with full control of remote serial ports.With it, applications can see and change:

• the baud rate
• character size
• stop bit
• parity
• line control communication properties

It also includes remote buffer monitoring and control which is critical for sensitive applications requiring special data handling.

MobiKey: Secure Access from Anywhere

MobiKEY is an ultra-portable, smart-card enabled computing device that securely connects users to their desktop and network resources from any Internet-enabled Windows-based PC.

MobiKEY looks like a USB memory key, but is a read-only device. When you plug it into any computer with a high speed internet connection, MobiKEY gives you instant access to up to 5 different computers anywhere in the world, which has the MobiKEY access software installed. The connection is a VPN using a security certificate. This is a plug and play VPN connection to your desktop computer or office server.

We like this solution because its ultra-secure, very portable, and simple to use and setup. This is a VPN solution for the casual user.