Happy New Year!

Your Virtual Butler Launches in Miami

Your Virtual Butler is an innovative new web-based CRM product designed specifically for the Office Business Centre industry. Many of our business centre clients have been saying some a very nice things about this software package, which tracks and streamline numerous industry-specific processes. Your Virtual Butler will be debuting its latest release at OBCAI's Annual Conference, which starts tomorrow. Below is an official press release from YVB, which announces the product’s upcoming launch in Miami.

Your Virtual Butler® is now at the service of Office Business Centers

Online business and service automation solution offers increased revenue opportunities and enhanced customer service for OBC operators

TORONTO, ON – September 20, 2010 – Your Virtual Butler® (YVB), a developer of software solutions for the serviced office industry, today announced the launch of the newest version of its flagship yourvirtualbutler.com Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution.

YVB is a web-based software solution that enables Office Business Centers (OBCs) to automate all facets of their business operations. “Organizations of all sizes are becoming increasingly reliant on Office Business Centers for the business services they need to compete both in their local and global markets,” said Frank D. Cottle, Chairman, Alliance Business Centers Network (ABCN). “OBCs that can provide their tenants and other clients with immediate access to these services will better position themselves for growth and become forerunners in the expanding OBC industry.”

Among the OBCs that have implemented YVB to manage its sales activities, customer information, meeting facilities and virtual offices is Ballantyne Business Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“YVB is the one essential tool which allows us to manage all of our internal processes. Our customers can access information on the availability of facilities and complete their reservations and orders in real time without intervention by OBC staff. By enabling our customers to instantly book services online, we increase revenues while enhancing customer service and have a better view into our entire center operations,” said Amanda Schüss, General Manager, Ballantyne Business Center.

Your Virtual Butler® – How it Works

YVB allows OBC clients to select and purchase services such as meeting room bookings, catering and virtual offices, and to manage their accounts via an easy-to-use web interface. The solution provides OBC operators with 360° account views, billing summaries and invoices based upon the client’s online bookings. It also offers automated lead capture, quote preparation, lease management, order processing, and much more, while providing a single point of knowledge for all OBC business processes. YVB works seamlessly in multiple languages, currencies and time zones, whether you are a single location or operate centers around the globe.

By managing internal and customer-facing operations online with YVB, OBCs can;

• book more meeting rooms - inventory can be easily viewed and booked online
• sell more virtual offices - customers can set up their own presence
• generate more concierge service orders – offer tenants the benefits of 24/7 online ordering
• accelerate lead conversions – help managers stay on top of each phase of the sales cycle
• obtain valuable business insights through robust reporting features

“The development of YVB was guided by Office Business Center owners who needed a single integrated solution to automate both front-office and back office operations, including prospecting, sales activities, billing and account management processes,” said Mark Verdun, President, Your Virtual Butler.

YVB is based on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform providing user-familiarity and out-of-the-box installation, and is easily integrated with existing desktop and backend systems. “We have delivered a solution that is easy to incorporate with OBC’s existing systems. Once installed, the solution can be accessed and utilized through Microsoft Outlook, making it very simple for OBC staff to use,” added Verdun.

Experience Your Virtual Butler®
YVB will be featured at the 23rd Annual OBCAI Conference and Trade Show in Miami, FL from September 22 – 25, 2010 and at the ABCN 18th Annual Strategic Summit in San Francisco from October 20 – 23, 2010. OBC professionals from around the world will have the opportunity to experience live demonstrations of YVB at these major industry events.

Visitors to the OBCAI event in Miami can participate in live demonstrations of yourvirtualbutler.com at Booth #110. An online introduction to the latest release of YVB is also available at www.yourvirtualbutler.com.

About Your Virtual Butler® (YVB)

Headquartered in Toronto, ON, YVB has developed web-based software solutions for the Office Business Center industry since 2007. The company’s founders include veterans of the technology and serviced office industries, who have collaborated over the last three years to help OBCs enhance their service offerings and increase revenue opportunities. YVB is a member of Office Business Center Association International (OBCAI) and Alliance Business Centers Network (ABCN).

For more information, contact:
Daniel Noble, Marketing Coordinator
dnoble@yourvirtualbutler.com
1 888-YVBUTLER (1 888 982 8853)

Your Virtual Butler® and the Your Virtual Butler logo are trademarks of Your Virtual Butler®. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Toronto Virtual Office Packages from $74.95

The Rostie Group is now offering comprehensive virtual office packages from $74.95 per month - the lowest price in the entire Greater Toronto Area!

Perfect for a home based businesses, or for companies expanding into a new markets. A virtual office is an easy, cost-effective way to make a strong impression on current and prospective clients. Enjoy all the benefits of having a fully functioning office without moving from your present location; including priority access to offices and meeting rooms. The Rostie Group offers virtual offices from its 20 Bay Street business centre, located in the heart of Downtown Toronto, and its 2810 Matheson Blvd East location - minutes from Pearson International Airport in Mississauga.

If you are looking for a Toronto virtual office at a convenient and high-profile address, The Rostie Group will offer you the best value and service you will find anywhere in the GTA.

The Rostie Group's full-service virtual office packages can be customized to include the following options:

• A Prestigious business address - for use on your business cards, letterhead and marketing materials (Choose either a 20 Bay Street or 2810 Matheson Blvd E. location)


• Mail collection and forwarding - Mail is collected, packages are signed for and sent to you according to your instructions


• Preferred rates on office supplies and couriers - Receive discounted rates on FedEx and more


• Access ready-to-use offices and meeting rooms at preferred rates


• On-demand administrative and technical support - Access to expert administrative and technical IT support teams


• Use of local fax number for both incoming and outgoing faxes


• A local phone number - Provide a local Toronto or Mississauga phone number to all your contacts


• Personalized call answering - A professional receptionist answers your calls in your company’s name according to your specifications


• Call redirecting - Specialized technology enables call redirection to your primary number.

To order a Toronto virtual office or Mississauga virtual office, or to learn more about available locations and package options, please visit The Rostie Group's website using the link below.

Virtual Offices in Toronto

Videoconferencing Applications are Growing!

Video conferencing has been around for quite awhile now, but advances in technology have made this a very attractive option for anyone looking to lower travel costs and expand their global reach. Recently, access gotten much more affordable and picture and sound quality has improved so much that many industries are taking advantage of the benefits of video conferencing. Video conferencing can allow you to have a real-time conversation with someone across the world, while still being able to see facial expressions and body language. This has been especially useful in mental health services, where patients can be put in touch with the best doctors and psychiatrists available without actually having to travel to hospitals and clinics. The benefits of videoconferencing in the telemental health industry can be read in a recent Time Magazine article found here.

The Rostie Group offers many videoconferencing solutions at both its Downtown and Airport locations. We have conducted interviews, board meetings, press conferences, and even birthday parties through videoconferencing. Videoconferencing is the best way to connect with multiple clients around the world in seconds, without having to step foot in an airport. To find out more about The Rostie Group’s videoconferencing abilities, please visit our website.

Apple's iPad - Will it Help Small Businesses?

With Apple’s brand new iPad scheduled to be released in the imminent future, the general public and media are fawning over this innovative new product. And why wouldn’t they? Apple has a long history of making cutting-edge products with tons of success. Who doesn’t love their iPod? The iPad seems like a really cool device with a flashy multi-touch screen and vibrant colours, making it a whole new way to experience email, the web, photos and videos.

As much as it will likely have huge consumer success, how will small businesses react to the iPad? Some small business owners are already concerned over the iPad being a huge pain when employees and clients start requesting to use it. The two biggest reasons for concern are Support Issues and Security Headaches.

Support Issues

Most companies’ IT departments are already stretched thin keeping up with the technology they already have – such as PCs, Macs, Blackberries, and iPhones – if they even have an internal IT department. Many small businesses do not, leaving non-tech savvy people to learn as they go or pay for expensive external support. Often, there just aren’t the resources to support new technology. So when an employee or client starts using their new iPad for work and have connection or printing issues, the small business owner is forced to step up and help so they remain productive. Which in turn means incurring more IT costs, either from their IT department or from an outsourced IT support network. And since this is such a new product, the turnaround time will likely be much longer (and thus more expensive) as the team learns how to support the iPad.

Security Headaches

New iPad users are bound to be so swept-away with the media ability of their new toys that they will likely forget about the new security issues that will come along with it. With a new way to access data on their networks, it opens up new channels for security breaches. When things start to go terribly wrong – disappearing databases, stolen information – there will be downtime while the problem gets sorted out. Downtime equals lost productivity which equals more incurred costs.

Now, this is not to say these problems will not be handled. They will. Apple is probably working around the clock to get support members trained and security up to snuff. The iPad will be a consumer hit, and justly so. But for a business owner, it all comes down to Return on Investment. And as it stands, it doesn’t look like the iPad will be on the profitable side of the fence.

If you want to read more about this subject, please read the complete Business Week article here.

The Many Benefits of Telepresence

As we prepare for the arrival of The Rostie Group's state-of-the-art Telepresence videoconferencing system, a common question from our clients is "What exactly is Telepresence?". Telepresence technology is one of those things that is much easier to show than explain. Once experience it first-hand, you will immediately understand why Telepresence has the almost limitless potential to change the way the world conducts business. Usually when a client asks us about Telepresence, we refer them to one of the many very engaging demonstration videos available online, however, Entrepreneur magazine has just published an article which also does a nice job of summarizing the many benefits this unique technology.

Below is a great excerpt from the Entrepreneur Magazine article...

"Have you ever tried to shake hands with a business partner sitting directly across from you, even though you know he's in his own office 2,000 miles away? Telepresence makes you want to do just that. It's no hallucinatory drug, though the sensory experience it provides via ultra-realistic, life-size videoconferencing does make it seem as if someone spiked your java. it's like interacting with a hologram from "Minority Report."

Telepresence is souped-up videoconferencing , complete with giant high-def screens, powerful codecs, multi-aspect cameras and enriched audio speakers. The gear is offered by companies such as Polycom, Cisco Systems, Tandberg, Lifesize Communications and others. Service packages are available from the likes of AT&T and other business providers that provide videoconferencing.

While basic videoconferencing has been around for decades, it never really took off due to clunky equipment, glitchy performance, poorly synchronized video and audio. It was nothing like meeting someone in person. Telepresence is as close as it gets.
The recession makes a pretty good case for telepresence: Companies need to cut travel costs but also need to keep globalizing to reach new partners and customers."

Click here to read the complete article

Also, check out this promotional video from Polycom. The Rostie Group will soon be installing a full-sized system similar to what you see at the 1:37 mark during the video.

Learn How to Better Protect Your Computer

HP is offering a great series free online courses for small businesses. These classes cover a wide range of topics, including everything from securing your computer against online threats, to learning how to use such applications as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.

If you worried about falling victim to computer viruses, spyware, malware, unauthorized network access, or online identity theft, you might want to take advantage of the free Internet Security course.

The class covers four topics:

1. Establishing a security policy

2. Identifying and mitigating reconnaissance and access attacks

3. Identifying and mitigating DoS (Denial-of-service) attacks

4. Identifying and mitigating malware threats


For more information about this comprehensive education program, visit HP's website