Reconnaissance Communications

In case you missed it last week Saturday Night Live did a spoof of a Verizon Wireless Commercial (see video below).  In the video SNL makes fun of the telecom jargon thrown around by wireless carriers.  Having spent many years working for wireless corporations and even owning a couple of wireless retail stores, in the Hilton Head Island area, a mecca for retirees, snowbirds and one of the fastest growing areas in South Carolina, I found this parody to be dead on.

I have seen confusion from both consumers and businesses, people that may be experts in their field of business or profession can find it hard to navigate the ever changing wireless industry.  The industry  jargon is rampant with terms such as LTE, 4G, 3G, CDMA, GSM, HSPA+, EDGE, WiMax, Throttling, Bandwidth Caps, Mbps not to be confused with MBps and so on.  Combined with hard to understand billing practices and constantly changing device options from multiple manufactures, carriers and mobile operating systems such as iPhone, Android, Windows, Blackberry and many other “Feature Phones” is enough to make many people long for the “good old days” of  bag and brick phones.

I have been helping businesses and consumers navigate wireless purchases for the past 17 years and am available for pre and post purchase consultation appointments.  Sure the wireless carriers have ramped up technical training for reps, however those reps are also trying to maximize a very complex commission plan, and may not have your best interest at heart if it means selling enough widgets to get to the next multiplier.  As a third party consultant my goal is to get you in the right device and protect your pocket book at the same time.

Basic Consumer or Business Consulting:

Prior to Purchase- Price:  $75.00| Time: Typically 1 hour | Services include existing bill review and needs consultation, followed up with hardware and rate plan recommendations based on your specific needs.

Complete Purchase Assistance- Price:  $75 per hour with a $100 minimum | Time: Typically 1-2 Hours | Includes the above  Pre-Purchase Support as well as assistance shopping online sources, or accompanying you with a visit to the a local retail store to purchase your new phones and plans.  Continued Assistance with Device Setup Post Purchase is also available at the same rate if desired.

Post-Purchase Support: Price:  $150.00 | Time: Up to 3 hours included | For the folks that have already purchased a new phone and need help.  Service includes specific device training, transfer of Personal Information to new phone from your old phone or web/computer based system (Act, Goldmine, Outlook, Gmail, Hotmail, SugarCRM, Top Producer Etc.)  Setting up of Personal and Work Email. Configuring Web or PC sync capabilities.  Pairing of Bluetooth Devices such as earpieces or automotive hands free systems. Usage Instructions, and tips and tricks to get the most out of your phone.  Installation of recommended software as well as software/hardware/usage specific instruction.

Consulting prior to purchase will save you from an impulse purchase and the pain of being locked into a two year agreement with a device or service plan that doesn’t suit your needs or performs poorly.  Post Purchase Support will enable you to get the most out of your investment.

Advanced Business or Government Consulting:

Business Check-up:  Price:  $320-$1600 | Time: Typically 1 day to 1 week depending on the size and scope of the business | Inspect, document and review existing business practices, communication methods and business processes and mobile workforce needs.  Review existing devices and services from a third party perspective.  Recommend optional rate plans, service features or devices that will either save money or enhance the Return on Investment of your wireless services.

I also offer Business Consultation based on a straight cost savings percentage or contracted rate.  These terms are negotiated on a case by case basis, and included ongoing account management, billing and technical support.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call Preston McNair at (843) 252-0556 or use our online scheduling tool.

Preston McNair, was a founding member of the Verizon Wireless Data Training Advisory Board, owned and managed one of the top ranked Alltel Wireless retail locations in the nation, was a Super Moderator on the popular technology site http://www.wirelessadvisor.com/, Provided Smartphone Training to 1000+ agents of The Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island, and has been helping businesses gain a return on investment on their telecom services for almost two decades.

Last night there was a rash of car break-ins in Bluffton, South Carolina. At least 35 reported break-ins as of nine o’clock this morning.  Car break-ins are a serious, but very common crime that unfortunately many people become victim to.  Most car break-ins occur during the early morning hours when the risk of discovery is low. Persons who commit these types of crimes can be juveniles on a dare, or addicts desperate for something to trade or pawn to support their habits.

 How Do I Prevent Becoming a Target?

By following these preventative measures you can greatly reduce the chances your vehicle will become a target and be broken into.

Close all the Windows and Lock all the Doors on Your Vehicle

Many vehicle break-ins are from unlocked doors. Some thieves go from vehicle to vehicle trying doors looking to find one that is unlocked.  Most of my neighbors that experienced thefts had left their car doors unlocked.

Don’t Leave Valuables in Your Vehicle

Before leaving your vehicle remove any valuables or items that you don’t want to lose.  Stow your electronics, personal items, valuables, and accessories away and out of sight including power plugs, iPod adapters, cell phone chargers, navigation system windshield suction-cup mounts, CD’s, spare change, etc.  These thieves are quick and know the most common places to look for valuables, so for the best results, just don’t leave valuables in your vehicle.

Use a Car Alarm

If you have an alarm system in your vehicle, use it. The noise alone may be enough to scare away a thief and prevent your vehicle from being broken into.

Park Your Vehicle in a Safe Location

Park in a well-lit area, and avoid concealment from larger vehicles, fences, or foliage. If possible park near a motion sensor light. This will greater the chances that someone might see a crime in progress.

Install a Surveillance System

Typically before a string of break-ins the thieves have already cased your neighborhood.  A surveillance system is not only a strong visual deterrence to a crime in the first place, it’s also a great tool to help recover your property and prosecute the guilty after a crime has occurred.  We are currently offering a “Winter Break-in Special” for $1500 we will professionally install a Surveillance System in your home or office.  This system includes any combination of 4 indoor/outdoor Infrared Day/Night Weather Proof cameras with motion detection, and a dedicated digital video recorder. The system can be viewed via a web browser (IE or Firefox), Dedicated Software on a PC or MAC, or via your Mobile Phone (iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile or Android Devices.)  It can also be fed via HDMI into your TV.  Please call us at 843-252-0556 to schedule an appointment or visit our online appointment tool.

Report suspicious or criminal behavior. 

At least one person reported seeing two men in all black with backpacks at 3:30 am in my neighborhood.  She didn’t call the police because she knew her car was locked.  If someone is hanging around the neighborhood that is unknown to you, and has no apparent legitimate reason for being there, call the local law enforcement in your area.

To Report a Past Crime or a Non-Emergency Situation                                               Dial the Beaufort County Non-Emergency Line (843) 524-2777

To Report a Crime in Progress or an Emergency Situation Dial 9-1-1

If you are interested in continuing your education or learning a new subject, how about taking some classes at MIT, Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, or Harvard.  Forget the outrageous college loans, not to mention the hurdles of just be admitted these organizations are offering free online classes.  Back in December there was a reddit.com post where users compiled a list of free online education sites.  I copied the list then, but couldn’t find the post again, so I’m going to link what I have below.

I’ve personally used Khan Academy, and listen to as many TED talks as I can, I find them a bit more mentally stimulating than the typical reality TV today, and with the Roku connected to my TV I can watch most of this on the big screen.  Khan Academy has over 2,700 videos, close to 300 practice exercises and has implemented an online coaching system to help you progress through the lessons. Continue reading →

Back in the day my parents would send my sister and I out to play on a Saturday, with instructions we were not allowed to come back home until it got dark, living in the country had it’s benefits.  With all of the horrors dramatized 24/7 on the news, many parents, including myself have become “Helicopter Parents”  meaning we hover over our children and don’t give them the freedoms that we enjoyed as kids.  I’m trying to learn not to hover some much and let me kids fly on their own, I think kids need the playtime and socialization without Mom and Dad around.

Many parents give their kids cellphones to keep track while they are roaming the neighborhood, having been in the wireless business for many years I can tell you this rarely works out very well, and will always cost more than you expect when you sign up for the service.

Today I was flipping through the new Disney Family Magazine when I found an ad for 5Star Urgent Response.  5Star is a wireless emergency service that is provided by Great Call, the same people that sell the Jitterbug phones.  It’s available online, at Sears and Walmart.

The 5Star Emergency Responder is a keychain size transmitter that works to give kids some freedom while at the same time give parents peace of mind.   If the kid is lost, afraid or feels threatened with one click of a button the responder connects to a Certified Response Agent.  They will identify your child and their location, can conference in family or friends, help dispatch 9-1-1 emergency service, access a nurse, or provide any additional assistance, if needed.  In a true emergency the kids can also hold down the button and bypass the Response Agent and connect directly to 911.

The responder can also be tracked online, so if you send your kids out to play, or if they are lucky enough to walk or bike to school, you can check in on them at anytime.  The responders cost $49.99, and then $14.95 per month…with no contract required…that’s around 50 cents per day to give your kids some extra security and you some peace of mind.  The 5Star service is also available as an iPhone app, and as an add on to Jitterbug service.  Feel safe and secure 24/7 with the Jitterbug 5Star Urgent Response App.

When I opened my first wireless store near Sun City Hilton Head, a 55+ community, everyday I would get two or three request for Jitterbug Phones.  I had to turn them away or put them into a phone that was often more complicated or costly than they needed.  It didn’t used to be this way.  In the 90′s when I first started selling wireless services all of the phones were big and the carriers always offered “Safety and Security” plans around the $10-15 price point.  Over time the cheap plans were eliminated and now most wireless carriers average $55 per month per line.  This price point can put a strain on people on a fixed income and the fancy gadgets available now can cause frustration and reluctance to carry a phone.  Jitterbug plans start at $14.99 per month with 50 nationwide minutes included, they also allow you to roll over your minutes for up to 60 days.  That’s about $500 less per year than the average wireless plan, perfect for someone on a fixed income.

The draw of the Jitterbug phones was originally a simple phone, with big buttons and a readible screen.  They still have that, now they also offer affordable price points for just about any budget as well as nationwide coverage.  Jitterbug has added applications and services to compliment their basic phone service:   Check In Calls, Medicine Reminders with Pharmacy Refills, 24/7 access to Live Nurses.  They have also rolled out their 5Star Urgent Response service to the Jitterbug phones.   This allows you to transform your Jitterbug to a personal safety device!  For $14.95 per month you can have Nationwide Wireless GPS enabled Emergency Response via Certified Agents at the push of a button.  They also offer a standalone responder the size of a key chain.

If you are looking to eliminate your landline they have “Simply Unlimited” Plans currently running $79.99 per month, these plans include Nationwide Coverage, Unlimited Calling and Unlimited Texting as well as some of their additional apps bundled in.

With Nationwide Coverage, Simple to use phones and advanced health and wellness applications Jitterbug could be an affordable safety and security solution for you or your loved ones.

Easy-To-Use Phones with Award-Winning Apps to Keep You Connected, Safe & Healthy + 24hr Operator Assistance. Learn more…