A number of the team from Octagon Technology were out today helping our clients with their new software (see yesterday’s blog). This chocolate rice crispy cake was my reward for answering one of the many “remind me how I do this” questions.
My reward! @OctagonT Read More »
…on the way to work this morning.
It is the final “go live” day, today, on a project that we started in December 2013 with research and proposals. During that time we have replaced everything at this clients office, servers, PCs and all their software including the major application that runs all their business through. We have moved some of their services into the cloud including using a hosted exchange server and removing all the servers (and so saving the subsequent costs) from a satelite office and instead using internet links back to the main office.
We have also been involved with managing the change for them with training and onsite support throughout the process. This included Connor attending the staff training session, run by the software company, six times so he really knows how things work.
And today is the final switch to the new database and office software.
So no pressure then.
Lincoln City centre… @OctagonT Read More »
Since 6.30am this morning, I have been working on some email issues. With the help of several people from our extended team we have now got things working again.
IT Support today @OctagonT Read More »
At Octagon Technology smartphones are an integral part of our “mobile cloud office” – but dropping the phone is not part of the plan!
If you would like to know how to securely use smartphones and tablets to get your business out of the office then give Octagon a call on 01522 797520 and ask for Kamila.
Take care! @OctagonT Read More »
Kamila is back today from two weeks leave so we are having a catch up meeting this morning. There is plenty to do – but the work is easier with a plate of chocolate!
Meetings today @OctagonT Read More »
Today’s “photos of the day” are for an Octagon Technology blog about smartphone and tablet battery life.
My external power bank packs – 25Ah unit – iPod Touch (to show the sizes) – 50Ah unit
For a while now I have used a series of large external power bank packs when I am camping and backpacking to charge my various devices. These large batteries are a great way to supply power to power hungry gadgets when there is no mains power available. My current model is rated at 25Ah, has two USB outputs one is 5v at 1A the other is 5v at 2.1A and is slim and lightweight, ideal for backpacking.
Charging in the MX-5
When I am car camping I regularly charge my gadgets from the car lighter socket, including using a power inverter and a mains plug for my iPad, even when parked and the engine is off. Parked charging is not an issue (although I always take advantage of charging whilst driving) when I am using my diesel car with a large battery.
But when I am using my Mazda MX-5 things are different! Charging whilst driving in the MX-5 is not a problem – I have a USB charge point on the car radio and I have a twin USB socket in the lighter socket.
However the car battery in the MX-5 is small and I do not want to risk using it to charge gadgets, so I have bought a 50Ah external power bank pack for charging at the campsite.
When is 50Ah not 50Ah?
The other day I decided to full cycle my 25Ah external power bank pack, getting it ready for a camping trip later this month. The first thing I did was charge the iPad Mini, which had closed down because the battery was drained – the power pack was showing a three quarters charge (3 LEDs showing out of 4). However when the iPad was fully charged I was disappointed to see that the power pack was more discharged than I was expecting.
Was the pack faulty? Had the eBay seller description not been accurate? Were there excessive power losses through heat and inefficiencies?
A check of the spec on the 50Ah pack showed it was 50Ah at 3.7v but I needed the vales at 5v.
3.7/5*50=37Ah and 3.7/5*25=18.5Ah
About 25% less capacity than advertised and then add to this power loss through heat and inefficiencies.
The iPad battery capacity is 4.4Ah so it looks like the power pack is OK, I was just a little misled when buying the packs! I am not disappointed by my findings, they will still meet my needs and were great value, I paid £9 for the 25Ah unit and about £11 for the 50Ah one.
If you are planning to buy one if these devices be aware of the actual capacities, check with the supplier if you want clarification.
Charging requirements – car camping
iPhone5 1.44Ah
iPod Touch 1.03Ah
iPad Mini 4.44Ah
Bluetooth speaker 0.4Ah
External Power Bank Packs and real capacity values Read More »
We were let down by one of the software suppliers last weekend, when Octagon went to replace a client’s ageing server – they were surprised by how slow it was, forgetting that we were replacing it because it was too slow for their software!
Fortunately the plan Martin and I had drawn up allowed for plenty of points along the project for us to stop and reset the network back to it’s original state so allowing the client’s business to still operate. Then all we had to do on Monday was reschedule for this weekend.
I am now sitting here at 1am doing the data copy!
The rest of the team will be joining me at 8am.
Server replacement – second go… Read More »