Years ago, customer information was kept on rolodex cards or ledger sheets. Today the web-based equivalent is the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. They're still about as exciting and visually appealing as a rolodex card, but just as invaluable. For instance, in our business, all our customers contact information is in our CRM, as well as their website information: who the name registrar is, what Joomla components they have installed, which software licenses they've paid for, etc. This enables any of our team members to gain access to this critical information wherever they are.

Several months ago, I wrote an article with information from the FTC about SPAM regulations. Since then, I’ve found their web site to be a treasure trove of information about Internet fraud. As problematic as SPAM and Internet cons are, it’s comforting to know that the Consumer Sentinel, a consumer fraud database, tracks the cons and the con artists. According to the FTC, here’s what online consumers are complaining about most: Internet Auctions The Bait: Shop in a “virtual marketplace” that offers a huge selection of products at great deals.The Catch: After sending their money, consumers say they’ve received an item...

Many of the elders I know are not like my mom, who can e-mail, use most of the features on her cell phone, and spends time on the Internet every day—she can even handle a conference call on her phone—go, Mom! However, many seniors automatically get a glaze over their eyes at the mention of technology, especially those who were firmly implanted in a career before personal computers came onto the scene in the eighties.  Don’t get me wrong…there are many out there like my mom who embrace it all. This month’s column is all about technology being marketed to seniors. Although these products are marketed to seniors, they can be of benefit to everyone, so whether you’re a golden-age techno geek or not, read on!