There are nearly 800.000 apps in the Google Play store, many of which appeal to business users. One of the most important app types is email and the most popular app for this is Google's Gmail. Gmail users know that the app is updated on a fairly regular basis. The latest update however is a big one.

Here is an overview of the two major changes that have been made to the Gmail mobile app. These changes apply to Android devices running Android 4.0 and newer, as well as the iOS version.

A new layout When you upgrade to the new version of Gmail on your mobile device, you'll notice that the layout has changed drastically. Sure, your emails still take up the majority of the screen space, but the change is in how they are presented. Along the top of the screen you will now see the name of the folder you are looking at, an envelope with a plus symbol, (pressing this will allow you to compose a new email.), and a magnifying glass symbol which allows you to search your email and three vertical squares through which you can access the settings.

If you look at your emails, you will notice that each email now takes up slightly more space and shows a preview of the first few lines. At first glance, you see that the square box you used to use to select multiple emails, which was located beside each email, has been replaced by a bigger picture, (if the sender of the email has a profile picture), or the first initial of the sender. The picture, or letter, now functions as the multiple select box. Tapping on it will allow you to select as many emails as you wish.

When you select more than one email, (by tapping on each picture), you will notice that the menu bar at the top of the screen changes to display five icons:

1. Checkmark - will uncheck (deselect) the emails.
2. Box with an arrow - will archive selected emails.
3. Open or closed envelope - will change all selected emails to either unread or read.
4. File - will allow you to move the selected emails to various files or tabs.
5. Three vertical squares - will bring up the options, which include: Delete, Add star, Change labels, Mute, etc.

These labels also appear when you open a single email. The compose email window has not been changed.

When you are on the main inbox screen, you will notice three horizontal lines at the very top-left of the screen. Tapping on these will cause the inbox and label menu to slide open, allowing you to select different inbox tabs and labels.

Tabbed inbox The recently launched tabbed inbox for the browser based version of Gmail has also been introduced to the mobile app. If you activated this, you should see the tabs pop up in the main Gmail screen when you have a new email. You can tap on the tab to be taken to that category and view the emails that Gmail has moved there.

As with the browser version, Gmail will organize your inbox and emails into five different tabs:

1. Primary - emails that are person-to-person and usually important.
2. Social - emails related to the various social networks you subscribe to.
3. Promotions - emails from promotion websites or those offering deals.
4. Updates - emails from auto-senders that are meant to be updates e.g., bank statements, bill payments.
5. Forums - emails from various forums you may subscribe to.

You can view emails in these tabs at any time by tapping on the three horizontal lines in the top-left of the screen and selecting the name of the tab from the menu that slides in.

If you would like to change the settings and layout of the new app, you can do so by:

1. Pressing the three vertical squares and selecting Settings.
2. Tapping on your account.
3. Changing desired settings. e.g., which tabs are shown can be changed by selecting Inbox Categories.
4. Pressing the back button on your phone until you are on the main Gmail screen. Your changes should be automatically applied.

The new version of the Gmail mobile app brings about some interesting changes that will definitely take some time to get used to. If you would like to learn more about this app, or how any Android tablet or device can help with your business, please contact us today.

One of the most integral pieces of software for any business is the word processor. The most popular is without a doubt Microsoft's Word. The reason being the numerous features which give users the ability to create a near infinite number of different documents. However, there are also features which go largely unnoticed, such as document protection which allows you to set who can edit documents.

Here's how you can protect your Word documents.

You will see a new window pane open with three options:

1. Formatting restrictions - Allows you to set restrictions based on styles used in your document. Hitting the radio beside this option will enable this. You can click on Settings to select which styles can be edited. Pressing OK will input the changes.

2. Editing restrictions - Allows you to select how users will be able to edit the document. If you press the radio button beside this option, you will be able to select from four options:

   1. Tracked Changes - Users can make changes which are automatically tracked.

   2. Comments - Users can only comment, not make changes.

   3. Filling in forms - Only forms may be filled in.

   4. No changes - No alteration can be made to the document.

3. Start Enforcing - Clicking Yes, Start Enforcing Protection will implement the protection you have picked in one of the options above.

You should see a new option in the window pane: Exceptions. This is where you can make exceptions to the level of document protection you have established. If you have set up User Groups in your network, you will see them in this option. Clicking the button beside a specific group will give them full permission to edit documents. You can also click More users... and add users by their name or email address who will become an exception to these rules.

When you have the settings established, click the Yes, Start Enforcing Protection button. If you need to make changes, or remove protection, open up the Protect Document window pane again and untick the box beside the protection option you choose. This will remove document protection.

Protecting your documents is a good idea, especially if you are going to send these out to clients or a third party who you don't want to be able to make changes, or edit. Some practical examples of this in action include a contract you send out to potential clients or employees, or sending out marketing materials with price lists.

If you would like to learn more about how you can leverage Word's vast features to improve documents, please contact us today to see how we can help.

Apple has long been popular with the designer crowd, producing sleek and beautiful computers and software that turns out equally beautiful output. In the past few years, starting with the introduction of the iPhone and more powerful computers like the Macbook Pro and Mac Mini, Apple has started to grab the attention of small businesses and regular consumers alike.

According to a recent report published by Asymco, there is 1 Mac sold for every 16 PCs - every other non-Mac computer - sold. At first glance, 16:1 isn’t the greatest ratio, but, upon further thought, that’s an amazing ratio considering Macs are made by just one company, while the number of PC makers are near countless.

To make the numbers even more impressive, the ratio of Macs to PCs sold was 1:50 in the early 2000’s. In a little under 10 years, Apple has managed to gain impressive ground against every other manufacturer.

While these two ratios are on an international scale, the ratio in the United States is 1:3, meaning for every one Mac sold, there’s 3 PCs sold; truly impressive. It’s forecasted that this ratio will be seen, eventually, in almost every country Apple sells computers.

It should be noted that these ratios are for every kind of user - personal, business, government and school. The number of businesses using macs is on the rise, as is evident by the growing availability of small business related software for the Mac OS. Beyond that, the ability to run Windows on your Mac is a big bonus for companies that still need Windows based software.

From what we can see, Apple is gaining ground on PC, and it’s entirely possibly that within a few years, the ratio will be equal. Combine this with the increasing number of applications utilizing the cloud and Apple computers become a seriously viable option for small businesses. If you’d like to know how you can integrate Apple’s computers in your company, please contact us.

When it comes to computers and other similar systems, many business owners know they have to think seriously about security. However, they often lack the time or funds to actually take the necessary steps to ensure their systems are as secure as they should be. The fact is that security can be as costly or as affordable as you make it out to be. There are certainly numerous security related steps you can implement that won't cost a fortune.

Here are five low-cost things you can do to ensure that your business is secure.

1. Communication is key Many companies take adequate steps to ensure that their systems are adequately protected. The thing is, many security breaches come from within the company. If your employees keep passwords written on pieces of paper that they leave lying around their desks, this is a security issue. It is a good idea to agree with employees where to keep important information and ensure they follow these rules.

Beyond that, if you implement security changes or new systems e.g., new virus scanning software, it is important that you talk to your staff to ensure they know how the system works and how they can use it. You would be surprised at how much effective communication can help to minimize security issues, and best of all? It's free!

2. Educate your staff One of the more common security issues comes from spam and malware found in emails. It is a good idea to educate your staff on how to spot these different types of emails and other malicious websites, as well as how to avoid them.

It is worthwhile ensuring that your employees know their roles when it comes to security too. If you have a secretary who you believe is responsible for ensuring the office is locked at the end of the night, take steps to ensure that this person understands their responsibilities. The same goes for computers your staff use: If they are responsible for conducting security scans let them know this. While this may take some time, the cost is low to free.

3. Keep track of your keys To ensure the security of your IT systems and your physical office, you should keep control of your keys. That is, both the physical keys and those associated with your software (the codes you enter to verify software and unlock full versions).

Keep track of which staff members have a key to the office and if possible number them. The goal here is to know where your keys are at any given time, and if a staff member changes employers make sure you ask for them back.

Many software keys or licenses are single use only. If you invest in software and an employees steals this along with the key, you will likely have to purchase the software again. A good tip is to keep software keys secure and separate from the software itself. The best part about this step is that the cost of doing this is minimal.

4. Keep your software updated Hackers can be a lazy bunch. They will often target those with out of date software, because it's usually easier to hack. To reduce the chance of being hacked, you should take steps to ensure that your software is up-to-date. This includes your virus and malware scanners, as well as browsers and even software you don't use.

Get your staff to perform a 'software audit' on their computers on a regular basis. This means going through their computer and properly uninstalling software that they don't use, while also taking time to ensure their system is completely updated. This step is easy to implement and will cost you next to nothing.

5. Keep important systems off site Many small to medium businesses keep their servers on site. While this is convenient as your systems are right there and easily accessible, this could also create a security issue. One way to minimize this is to work with an IT partner who can host your systems or servers off site or in the cloud. While this involves some cost, working with an IT partner could save you profits and productivity in the long run, as good providers will ensure that your systems are secure and working properly.

If you are looking to make your systems more secure, please contact us today. We may have a solution that will work for your business.

Computers are made up of numerous complex components that are all necessary in order for us to be able to use them. One vital component is the processor which functions as each machine's brain. The most popular computer processors are created by Intel. At a recent press event, Intel released the latest version, or generation, of their popular Core processors.

While the new processors are not out just yet, many business owners and managers are wondering what exactly this new version will bring and whether upgrading is worth it when it's released?

Overview of Intel's processors If you have looked at buying a computer in the past three years you have likely heard or seen computers being advertised as having an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7. These processors are Intel's current line or models, used in laptops and desktops.

• Core i3 processors offer the lowest amount of processing power and are generally found in low-end laptops or desktops. These are best for users who only need computers to check email or browse the Internet.
• Core i5 processors are the mid-range and can usually be found in mid-range laptops and desktops. These are best suited to most personal users and can handle most computing needs.
• Core i7 processors are top of the line and are the most powerful processors Intel makes. These are really suited to businesses and high-end consumers who need powerful processors.

Introduced in 2010, these processors have seen updated versions released almost every year. Intel calls each update a 'generation' and the latest, introduced in May 2013, is the 4th generation. You can tell which generation of processor your computer has by looking at the model number e.g., Intel Core i7 3xxx is a third generation processor.

This year's generation is called Haswell by Intel, but many computer manufacturers will not use this name when presenting technical specifications to users. They will instead use the model name e.g., Intel Core i7 4xxx.

Changes made with Haswell There are numerous changes that Haswell processors bring and here are three that businesses will benefit from:

• Faster performance - Because the new processor uses a slightly different layout, more processing power has been added. This means computers using this processor will be faster. This chip is also smaller than the previous versions, so you should see smaller laptops introduced with more computing power.
• Power savings - Intel has said that when they develop new generations of chips, they aim to always reduce the power consumption. This leads to longer battery life in laptops, without having to sacrifice computing power. How much power saving this new generation of processors will bring remains to be seen, but you can be sure that newer laptops will have a longer battery life.
• Enhanced graphics - With the introduction of the first Core i3, i5 and i7's, Intel included an integrated video card. Graphics performance is important to a number of different types of users, including gamers, graphics designers and to some extent, businesses. If you use graphics-heavy programs, like Photoshop, on a daily basis, you need a powerful graphics processor. The new update brings an increase to the integrated card performance which should be more than powerful enough for most users' needs.

A question being asked by many is whether the new processors will bring a price increase. At this time, prices have not been released,but there is rumor that they are going to be higher. Past releases have not generally affected the overall price of laptops and desktops though and if anything has made them less expensive.

Should I upgrade my systems? From what we can see about Haswell it will be worth the upgrade for businesses with aging systems, or users needing a boost to the processing power of their systems. If you updated last year, or even the year before that, you will likely be better off waiting a while yet.

Another option could be to wait until computers with Haswell processors enter the market, which should be by mid summer. You will probably be able to get computers with a third generation processor for a lot less. Meanwhile, a third generation processor should be more than able to meet all of your computing needs, especially if you have or invest in a Core i7.

If you are thinking of upgrading or would like to learn more, please contact us.

Disaster can strike at anytime and in any form when it comes to business and sometimes something as seemingly straightforward as dropping a hard drive can really create havoc. Regardless of what disaster may occur, one will eventually strike your organization. To stave off the negative effects many companies have instituted a disaster recovery plan, which involves data backup. You may have heard of offsite backup, but do you know what it is, and how it can help?

Here are five benefits and a definition of offsite backup.

Offsite backup defined The definition of offsite backup can be a bit difficult to nail down, as when many IT providers talk about this idea they are usually referring to one of a number of different kinds of backup. The key idea revolving around offsite backup is that your company's data and backups are sent out of your physical location(s). In other words, your backups are not stored in your office or building.

Offsite backup is usually done in one of two ways:

1. Physical transport - This can range from something as simple as copying important files onto a removable hard drive and storing this in another location, to backing up entire systems on tape and storing them off site.
2. Remote backup - This is a more modern approach to data backup, whereby your data and files are stored on servers located off site. This form of backup is commonly referred to as 'cloud backup'.

For the purpose of this article, we will focus on remote backup as this is the main solution companies are enquiring about.

Benefits of remote backup

1. It's more reliable The major benefit of remote backup is that it can be automated. Your files are updated on a daily basis, or you can set the time for the update. Because these solutions work over the Internet, you will be able to recover files quickly. Beyond that, the servers that offer this solution are often located in numerous locations, which ensures that your backups are always available, even if one server crashes.

2. It reduces workload Traditional backup solutions require a person, whether you or an IT professional, to manually back up or copy files. This can take a long time, and will take you away from your normal job. Many remote backup solutions can be initiated at the click of a mouse after setup, or can be scheduled for when you aren't in the office.

3. It's easy to set up Backup solutions are managed by an IT partner who can work with you to set up which files and data to back up. Other solutions can be set up with a few clicks and even automated, so you can rest assured that your data is backed up and up-to-date.

4. It's secure Most backup providers store their servers in secure locations, meaning that your data is physically secure. To ensure that backup data is transmitted securely, most solutions use advanced encryption tools to keep data secure.

5. It will save money If you have numerous computers with large amounts of data that you back up regularly, you know that physical storage solutions can be costly. The majority of remote backup solutions are billed on a monthly-basis and support a near unlimited amount of backup space. If your company operates in an industry where backups are mandatory, or you have a large amount of files to back up, these options will save you money.

If you are interested in learning more about how offsite, remote backup can help ensure that your business is ready for disaster recovery, please contact us today.

Modern technology has enabled businesses and their employees to reach levels of productivity well beyond that of even 10 years ago. One of the newer concepts that aims to make businesses even more productive, while saving them money, is the cloud. While the cloud is gaining popularity, some businesses are still unsure as to what benefits it can provide.

Here are five benefits that using cloud services can bring to your business:

1. Decreased software costs One popular cloud service is known as Software as a Service, or SaaS. The idea of SaaS is that it provides businesses with access to software at a fraction of the usual cost. This software is stored on servers and can be accessed by individual users on their computer, over the Internet.

Using SaaS will usually save companies money while providing them with an easier way to manage software. You can also work with IT partners who can manage this for you, thereby minimizing the time you spend ensuring software is up-to-date.

2. Increased storage space Many modern businesses store important files and data in servers that can take up valuable space and can be costly to maintain. Many cloud system providers offer storage solutions where your data is stored in virtual servers. These storage solutions are scalable to suit your business needs exactly, and you don't have to buy costly new hard drives.

3. Accessibility Many traditional office systems are located on the office premises, meaning that if you need access to information or systems you have to physically be in the vicinity of that location too. This can be inconvenient, especially if it means you have a big commute to reach the office, of it you want to work away from the office at weekends. Cloud systems promote accessibility because the majority of them are accessed over the Internet. So, as long as you have a connection, you could be working.

This means potentially higher levels of productivity and increased efficiency of your staff whether they are in the office or away on business.

4. Reliable disaster recovery Disasters can happen anytime, and the truth is, many small to medium businesses are simply not prepared. Many cloud providers offer a disaster recovery solution that can help back up your data and make it available as and when you need it. If a disaster were to strike, cloud based disaster recovery solutions allow you to easily be back up and running, as long as you have a computer and an Internet connection.

5. Increased security There is a common misconception that the cloud is an insecure platform. In truth, it can be among the most secure system available to small businesses. The cloud is still not 100% secure though. An easily guessable password or computer left on and connected to services are still security threats. If you use cloud services, you will still need to take security precautions and should talk to the provider to ensure that you are clear on what security guarantees they make and what you will be responsible for.

If you are thinking of moving some or all of your business systems to the cloud, we recommend that you talk to an IT partner like us. We can help identify your needs and help with the migration too. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Over the years, the computer operating system (OS) has become one of the most important pieces of software for any user. Many business users have some version of Windows they are comfortable with, such as Windows 7. However, now that Windows 8 is out, many companies are upgrading, although many users take time to feel comfortable with the new layout and get the most out of this latest version.

Here are five tips that can help you get the more out of Windows 8.

Enable GodMode In older video games, GodMode was a cheat or code you could enter to get access to every power, giving you unlimited lives or even making you invincible. Windows 8 has a GodMode as well, only it won't make you all powerful. Instead it puts hundreds of settings into one central folder.

You can activate GodMode by creating a new folder and adding the following code, with the period and curly brackets, at the end of the name: .{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} For example you could create a folder named: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

As soon as you click anywhere outside of the folder, it should change icons. Opening the folder will bring up a list of close to a dozen settings options. You will notice numbers beside each entry, indicating how many settings are inside that specific category.

Bring back the Start button The Start button is, to many Windows users, the most important button. Pressing it gives you easy access to installed programs, search, settings and many documents. The new Windows 8 layout relies on tiles and has seemingly done away with the Start button. The good news is that it is still there, just hidden.

You can get Windows 8 to show the Start button by:

1. Right-clicking on the Taskbar which is the bar located at the bottom of your screen.
2. Selecting Toolbars followed by New Toolbar.
3. Navigating to: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu. Note: username will be different for every user. Pick the file with the username you log into your computer with.
4. Selecting Select Folder with the Start Menu folder selected.

A modified version of the Start bar should now be on your Taskbar. You can click on this to explore your files and installed programs but will not be able to search for programs or files. If you can't navigate to the above folder you will have to enable Show Hidden Files through Folder Options in the Control Panel.

Utilize the Quick Access Menu If you are looking for a quick way to get to a number of Windows 8 features, like the Command Prompt, Programs, Task Manager, and Control Panel, etc., you can use what's called the Quick Access Menu. It is also referred to by some as the admin menu. To open this menu all you have to do is press the Windows key and X. You can also access it by moving your mouse cursor to the bottom-left of your screen and right-clicking.

The best thing about this feature is that it will work in both the more traditional Desktop and the new tile based Start screen as well.

Shut down Metro apps Metro apps are essentially Windows versions of popular mobile apps, which are only for desktops and touch devices running Windows 8. While these apps are useful, many are designed to stay open in the background. While this means little to no wait time to open them, they could take up valuable computing resources.

If you aren't using a particular app, or don't use it on a regular basis, then you should close it. This can be done by hovering your mouse over the left side of the screen to bring up the Open Apps bar, right-clicking on an app and selecting Close.

Simplify Search If your computer has a large amount of files and programs installed on it, searching for one could take time. By default, Windows 8 is set to search everything, including apps, like the Windows Store, making it so much quicker. You can configure what apps, files, folders, etc. Windows will search by:

1. Hitting the Windows key + I.
2. Selecting Change PC Settings.
3. Clicking on Search.
4. Selecting what you want Windows to search through when you use the Search bar.

This will speed up any search you execute for programs, apps, files, etc. on your computer.

If you are looking for more tips and tricks to help you get more out of Windows 8, please contact us today to see how we can help.

A common trend of many software developers releasing new programs is to also create a mobile app. Afterall, the number of users with smartphones is rising and demand for mobile versions of popular apps is at an all-time high. Google Drive is no different, and while it's not as functional as the browser version, it is catching up. Google has recently released an update to the mobile version of Drive that makes it even more functional.

The latest update to the Drive app for Android devices aims to make accessing your files and creating documents from your mobile device even easier, and Google delivers on that goal. Here is an overview of the changes introduced by Google.

An improved layout When you open the new version of Drive on your Android device you likely won't see much of a difference to the overall look. If you look at the top of the screen however you will notice that the top bar has been changed. You will now see (from left to right) :

1. Three vertical lines - Tapping these will bring up the side-bar with your different files including: My Drive, Starred, Recent, Offline, etc. If you use more than one account, you will see your account name at the top of the menu. Tapping on it will allow you to select the different Google accounts you have linked with your device. You can also get this menu up by placing your finger on the left side of the screen and swiping to the right.
2. The Drive icon - This part of the bar shows the file path. For example, if you have a folder on your Drive labeled 'Bills', and open it on your device you will see its name beside the Drive icon at the top. Tapping on the Drive icon will take you back to the home screen and if you have more than two folders open you will be able to select which folder to go back to.
3. A magnifying glass - Tapping this will allow you to search Drive for files.
4. Four squares - This is possibly the biggest change to Drive. Tapping these squares will change your files and folders into individual cards. Your folders will appear at the top of the screen and clicking on each will open each one and show the files in that folder as little cards. If you tap on a picture, you will be able to preview every file in that folder.
5. Three small vertical squares - Selecting this will open a drop-down menu with options including: Add new, Filter by, Settings and Help.

A new Information panel You will notice that each file and folder has an 'i' in a circle on the bottom right. Tap it and the file's information will pop up. This screen is the information screen and provides you with a preview of the file, who has access to it, and general information like size, as well as giving you the option to make it available offline. If you slide the tab from Off to On, you will be able to access the file without an Internet connection.

Download a copy If you want to download a copy of a picture, doc or other file you can now do so. Simply open the file and press the information button on the top of the screen. Press the three squares at the top-right of the window that opens and select Download a copy from the menu that drops down.

Your phone or tablet is now a scanner Google introduced a new feature to the mobile Drive app that enables you to scan documents using your device's camera. You can scan documents by pressing the three squares from any file, (note: This is where it will be uploaded, so pick where you want to upload the file first), select Add new followed by Scan. Your camera should turn on, so press the shutter button and Drive will scan the document and create a .pdf.

Combine this with the app's ability to print documents through the cloud via Google's Cloud Print and this app could be a valuable mobile scanner.

If you would like to learn more about Google Drive and how it can help your business, contact us for a chat.

For the most part, many humans are adverse to change and creatures of habit. Think about the mobile phone you use. Chances are, if you have a smartphone, you've probably stuck with the same OS. While the systems are constantly improving, there may come a time when you decide to switch from say Android to Windows Phone. The issue many face is how to get their information and files off of one system and onto another.

If you are a current Android user and either thinking of switching to a Windows Phone, or are getting one for the office, you are likely wondering how you are going to switch or get your important information from one system to the other. While you may imagine it is going to be a real chore, it's actually quite easy and straightforward. Here is a short guide on how to switch to the Windows Phone from Android.

Switch your email

Your email account is arguably the most important account you have. It is also the account you use to essentially make your phone yours. As a current Android user, you likely have linked a Gmail account to your device and probably want to continue using this account. The good news is that a Windows Phone still allows you to link your email account. Here's how:

1. Tap the Settings icon on your Windows Phone.
2. Select Email + accounts followed by Next.
3. Tap Add an account along with the account you want to add, (for most Android users this will be Google).
4. Enter your email address and password.
5. Tap Next, select Email only followed by Sign in.

The phone should sync with your Google account and your email should start showing in the email tile on the main screen. If you use other accounts, say a Microsoft account, you can add these in the same way.

Migrate your contacts

Contacts are an important part of any phone, and you probably want to take them with you, or migrate them over to the new system. You have a couple of options to get your contacts onto your new Windows Phone. The method you use should reflect where you store your contacts.

1. Contacts linked with your Google account - If you have set up your Android device to sync contacts with your Google account, (done by going to Settings, Accounts, Google and tapping on Contacts), you can simply follow the steps in the email section above and select Email, contacts, and calendar. Your contacts should show up within a couple of minutes.
2. Contacts stored on your SIM card - If you have saved your contacts to a SIM card, simply insert it into the new phone, as long as the SIM is the same size. Go to the People app on your phone and select Settings, followed by Import SIM contacts. If your new device has a different sized SIM card, your best bet is to sync your contacts with your Google account.
3. Contacts stored on your computer - The easiest way to migrate your contacts from your computer to your phone is through Outlook. Sign into Outlook using a Microsoft account, drag your contacts from Outlook into the account and then sign into your phone using the same account. Your contacts will automatically transfer over. If you have an older version of Outlook, try the Hotmail connector, (instructions on how to transfer files are below the download link).

Import important documents

If you have files that you would like to access on your phone the easiest option is to download these onto your computer first. If they are spreadsheets, presentations or word processing files on Google Drive, you should download them as Word, Excel or PowerPoint files.

When the files are on your computer, plug your phone into it using a USB cable. The computer should recognize this and show you a window with options of what you to do with your phone. Select Explore Files and a window will open with the phone's file structure. Double-click on Documents. Then, open the folder where you downloaded the documents to, in another window. Simply drag the files in the folder on your computer to Documents and they will be available on your phone.

Get your apps

As we stated last month, you can download the Switch to Windows Phone app from Google Play. Run the app, and link it with a Microsoft account. On your Windows Phone, download the companion app from the Store, open and run it. Your should be able to download compatible apps from there.

Move your SIM card/phone number

Moving to a new phone system can sometimes be confusing, especially in relation to SIM cards. For the vast majority of phones, you should be able to simply move your SIM card from one to the other and it should work. Many new phones use a new, smaller SIM card and if you use the older version, you will have to go into your mobile provider and ask them to switch your card. It shouldn't be very costly and many providers may even offer to do it for free.

The one thing to be careful with is if your Android device is on a contract. Some mobile carriers have been known to lock the SIM to the device, meaning it won't work if you switch phones. You will have to go into the mobile carrier and pay them to switch.

In general, moving from Android to Windows Phone is a painless affair that shouldn't take a long time, especially if you already sync your contacts, calendar and email with Gmail. If you are making the move and have further questions, please give us a call, we are happy to help.