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All the latest software & technology news & tips
When it comes to passwords, putting in the effort now can make a huge difference in the long run. It’s time to forget about single-worded passwords, they are easy to crack and are no longer strong enough.
20 December 2017
There is a misconception that Office 365 doesn’t need to be backed up because it runs in the cloud. This is a very common misconception – to assume that data protection isn’t required for your cloud applications.
15 November 2017
Microsoft Teams brings together people, conversations and content – along with the tools that teams need. It allows teams to easily collaborate so that they can achieve more.
19 October 2017
Cyber-attacks, natural disasters, technical malfunctions and uncontrollable human errors happen every single day and there’s no way to prevent these from happening but you can reduce the risk of data loss.
04 October 2017
If you are a frequent user of keyboard shortcuts you know just how handy they can be. Although memorising a bunch of shortcuts and what they do can be daunting, it’s important to remember that you only really need to know the ones that are relevant to you.
06 September 2017
Cybercrime is an ever-growing threat. It’s easy to think that the only form of cybercrime you need to worry about is hackers stealing financial information, however there are more concerns than just this.
01 August 2017
MYOB Exo Business 2017.1 was released Wednesday 5th July 2017, and we have summarised MYOB’s release notes.
11 July 2017
AirDroid is a super handy mobile application that allows you to take complete control of your Android device via your computer’s web browser.
04 July 2017
Ever wondered what reports come out of the box with Exo and if any of them would assist with your business processes? This tip will take you through the process of reviewing these reports and adding them to your Exo drop down menu for future reference.
23 May 2017
Android Auto is a simple application that essentially allows you to turn your “dumb” car into a smart car using the power of your smartphone.
22 May 2017
Many Microsoft customers around the world and the critical systems they depend on were victims of malicious “WannaCrypt” software. This blog spells out the steps every individual and business should take to stay protected.
15 May 2017
Productivity is a great word that people love to use. However, in the real world, productivity can be summed up in a simple question: Can I do my job easier or not? Microsoft has invested heavily trying to make the user and administrator experiences of Office 365 as easy and simple as possible. If you are thinking about moving your business to Office 365, here are 10 reasons why you should.
09 May 2017
Read this tip for a step-by-step guide to set up Exo on a new PC.
04 May 2017
Each of these approaches have inherent advantages and pitfalls, however there is no right or wrong answer; it is all based upon the unique needs, objectives, and capabilities of their individual user groups within each business.
13 April 2017
Last stop: Christchurch. You’ve now heard why our teams love living in Southland and Central Otago, but now it’s time to hear about living in the big smoke of Christchurch.
11 April 2017
You’ve heard why our Invercargill & Gore teams love living in Southland, now hear what the Central Otago team love about living in Queenstown and Wanaka.
28 March 2017
With so many different functions in Exo, it can be hard to keep track and remember them all, so we have created a “cheat sheet” to help make your day a little simpler.
28 March 2017
Registering MYOB OnTheGo users and connecting their iPads for the first time.
22 March 2017
We want to showcase the places where we (the Focus team) live, sharing what we love most about our regions, the best places to eat, drink, fish, shop, walk, bike or whatever. This time…. Southland.
14 March 2017
In the latest version of Exo (2016.3) there is now the ability to show multiple tabs at once in the taskbar of Windows.
13 March 2017
Often dwarfed by other MS Office family members like Excel and Word, Microsoft OneNote is well and truly the hidden gem in the Office suite. This awesome, powerful note-taking application seems to only be talked about by the serious users but it is about time that we all gave it the attention it deserves.
28 February 2017
Here is our annual reminder and ‘how to’ guide for the process you will need to follow if your end of financial year is on March 31.
23 February 2017
When it comes to upgrading the technology in your business, a more involved approach is the way to go. No longer is it the best option to simply get the newest version of what you had, we need to start thinking how the technology is used, and more importantly WHO is using it and the role they undertake in your business.
14 February 2017
It really doesn’t matter how tech savvy you are, there are certain things that every one of us has to deal with when using a computer –and let’s face it, we don’t always deal with them in the most efficient ways. Read this article for 9 things that everyone can (and should) learn to keep their computer running smoothly.
01 February 2017
That’s the $64,000 question. It can be overwhelming reading about how you can make sure people find your website when they search on Google, Bing or any other search engine. The steps that you need to take, where you need to put words and what words you need to put where; can all just seem a bit like mission impossible to do yourself. But luckily, that’s where you’re wrong.
17 January 2017
Netflix has just released a long-awaited functionality: download movies, TV shows or documentaries and then watch them offline, any time.
12 December 2016
Most of us spend a little longer in Microsoft Word than we would like to, and doing things the long way is not helping us. With little formatting changes that keep needing to be made to ensure it looks professional and beautiful, it can be a very time consuming task to simply complete a document.
30 November 2016
Email is the lifeblood of a company; the main way we communicate, and how we get things done. So when there is a chance that our main form of communication could be at risk, we need to take measures to ensure that all threats are minimised – enter email security.
15 November 2016
This article has been written to provide you with some general tips about how to boost productivity with processes, as well as through the use of some pretty-darn-handy apps. From online sharing, analytics tools, notes apps, social media automation, time tracking, visual organisation, or just a simple way to keep articles or stories that you want to read later – there really is a tool for everything these days.
01 November 2016
While the cliché goes “a picture is worth a thousand words”, that must mean a video is worth ten thousand? In many situations, a video conference is much more effective than a phone call. The question is though, is video conferencing right for you?
19 October 2016
Do you know what Business Intelligence is? You are probably already using it in your day-to-day work and don’t even know it. Take a read of our short article and find out.
10 October 2016
While SaaS is now a major end-user platform, that hasn’t always been the case. SaaS, or Software-as-a-Service, has gone through a number of stages since it began. Follow us to learn how your accounting system of today came about.
06 October 2016
There are dangers lurking all over the place on the Internet, but we all know that that is not going to stop us from using it. Here are some tips to help keep you safe online.
05 October 2016
Just like many other Microsoft applications, Excel has some very handy tricks up its sleeve that’ll make your day a bit easier. If you are looking to get more out of Excel, try these tips.
19 September 2016
Statistics gives us many useful concepts, and proper use of our sales data can help us identify areas of growth and problems on the horizon. But we need to be aware of the pitfalls in our data analysis.
13 September 2016
When it comes to work overload, Microsoft Outlook sometimes feels like part of the problem, but with these helpful tips and tricks, it will once again be part of the solution.
05 September 2016
Most expert computer users know the basic keyboard shortcuts, like pressing Ctrl + P on a PC to print a document. But did you know there are plenty of other useful key combinations out there? These shortcuts will put the Internet and more at your fingertips—because every second counts.
22 August 2016
If you’re having printing problems recently, especially where only the first page or pages of a document are coming out of your printer, then we recommend getting your IT Support Team to look into your Windows Updates.
19 August 2016
What is Knowledge? It is a collection of data, acquired through experience or education and grouped into a meaningful content. Many organisations start out with a small team of people, often specialists who are very good at their jobs and as individuals know all the ins and outs of their jobs.
27 July 2016
We are pleased to announce that we now have a branch in Wanaka. As of December 2015, we acquired Central IT from Jon Andrews, and have set up shop on Ardmore Street in the heart of Wanaka’s township.
21 July 2016
There is a lot to think about when it comes to protecting your business these days. With so many different tactics being employed by cyber-attackers, we need more than just anti-virus defending us from their varied and targeted attacks.
12 July 2016
As a user of EXO Business, I am often looking for new reports, and ask the question. Is there a standard report that can do this? Read this article to find out how to locate new reports.
30 June 2016
Tips for creating strong passwords
20 December 2017
4 ways to lose your Office 365 data
15 November 2017
Microsoft Teams: the new way to collaborate with your team
19 October 2017
Disaster Recovery for your Business
04 October 2017
Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts
06 September 2017
How to protect yourself against Cybercrime
01 August 2017
Thank you Focus Technology Group for great customer service and helping our business understand technology better, your team always has the answers. Big thanks to Garry, we enjoy having you in our building and the team love your input.
Awarua Synergy![]()
For high quality IT Services, Software Development, Accounting Business Software services I would highly recommend Focus Technology Group and their team who have always gone over and above to deliver me outstanding results.
Mark Lovell, Real Journeys![]()
Focus Technology Group provides support for our EXO system which we use for general ledger, stocks and payments. This has required significant customisation and refinement, in particular to accommodate payments to suppliers. We appreciate the services of Alex Ball who has always risen to the challenge of developing changes to the basic EXO package and has proven himself to be timely, accurate and very capable over a long period.
Ross M Chambers, General Manager, Provelco![]()
The Smith Brothers Group who specialise in plumbing, electrical, pipeline and all trade services in Adelaide South Australia has been dealing with Rod and Focus Technology Group since 2010. Despite the "ditch" Focus are extremely responsive in further developing Timetrak and Tasktrak Professional to suit our service solution and are always professional in their approach to providing us with value added options and better solutions.
Rebecca Penny, Smith Brothers Group![]()
Focus have been superb, the attentiveness to meet our exact needs and flexibility have been second to none. The team is collaborative and extremely helpful and respond very quickly. I would have no hesitation recommending Focus.
Easy Pools![]()