CompTIA Blog

Even as discussions about tax reform are continuing in D.C., the reality that reform might not be accomplished soon is beginning to set in.  Sure, we need a simpler and more efficient tax system, and we also need additional tax revenues that can be gained from closing loopholes.  However, considering the ongoing impasse in Congress, how do we get there?Part of the answer might be forced by the negotiations on increasing the nation’s debt limit, which will/must be addressed by the end of July.  H ...

Do you need a social media makeover? Do you use Twitter and Facebook to drive your business? Are you on LinkedIn? Do you use a resource like Constant Contact to stay in touch with customers and prospects? Do you even know what your customers “like”? If the answer is no to any of these questions, you might be in need of a “social media makeover”.At the upcoming CompTIA Breakaway in Washington, D.C., the first week of August, we are featuring the results of a social media makeover done for one luc ...

A look at the week of June 13 in public advocacy for the IT channel:A bill to keep foreign workers in the U.S. is encountering difficulties finding majority support in the House. The SEC has announced that public companies must disclose any breach that could jeopardize intellectual property or trade secrets. Federal agencies are reporting cost savings and improved technology thanks to federal CIO Vivek Kundra’s IT reform plan.Tech Execs Seek Visas for High-Skilled Workers — According to Politi ...

A couple CompTIA-certified entrepreneurs have joined in a new business arrangement offering residents of their South Carolina town one-stop shopping for computer assistance, insurance services and knick-knack shopping.   Mark Ford and Robert McDaniel, owners of Xcellent Computer Services, Inc. of Winnsboro, S.C. and CompTIA A+ certified pros, have partnered their downtown address with another business to offer their clients more than just computer support.   The three-year-old c ...

The popular perception of the IT industry often conjures images of computers, software, and networking gear — the rudiments of an emotionless, digital world.But a series of gifts by CompTIA, the IT industry trade association, through its 10 official communities around the globe, is showing that IT is just as much about connecting people to the needs in their communities as it is about running cable.CompTIA VP Jim Hamilton“This is a way for people to think how the IT industry is giving back. It’s ...

What sources do you rely on for reliable IT industry research and data? Some answers may include government data (e.g. BEA, BLS), research subscription services (e.g. IDC, Gartner), news websites (e.g. Channel Insider, CIO) and search engines (e.g. Bing, Google). That’s a lot of sources to dig through!Even then, there is still no guarantee of mining that “golden nugget” of information. Clearly, there must be a more efficient and effective way to search for that meaningful market size data, growt ...

Last week, two events took place that typically would not draw much channel interest. Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference took place in San Francisco, and without a new device launch, some wondered how exciting the event might be.  Down the coast in Los Angeles was an event even further removed from standard channel scrutiny: the Electronics Entertainment Expo, better known as E3. However, both of these events presented reminders that the way we interface with technology is changing as rapidl ...

The stock market and consumer confidence indexes continue to show signs of anxiety, with some economists suggesting it may take a couple more years before we get back on track. While that prediction may be too pessimistic, conservative spending habits will likely continue to be the norm for most businesses. Despite the doom and gloom, one key business sector is on the rise; SMB. That segment is also a major consumer of VAR solutions and services, so this should be welcome news for the IT channel ...

A new class of students just earned its CompTIA A+ certification, this class being the Operating Network Systems Class at Sullivan County Community College. Students at the two year community college, part of the State University of New York system, traveled to the New Horizons Testing Center in Albany to take on the demanding testing in late May. The class came through both the CompTIA A+ Essentials and CompTIA A+ Practical Application exams with "flying colors," according to their instruc ...

Tony Carmichael doesn’t take lightly the importance of being well prepared in carrying out his IT duties.A military veteran who has had to troubleshoot computer systems under direct enemy fire, Carmichael credits the success of his civilian career to his solid foundation of skills and knowledge earned through CompTIA certifications.“Technology, especially computer technology, is constantly evolving,” said Carmichael. “One must be prepared and have the basis to build on as changes occur. Core kno ...

New business opportunities in the converging worlds of audio visual (AV) and IT bask in the spotlight next week at InfoComm. Some 32,000 people are expected to attend InfoComm 2011, the world's largest AV trade show. June 11-18, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.At InfoComm, CompTIA is sponsoring an IT Solutions Pavilion in booth #993. Top IT product, service and solution companies will be on hand, including Autotask, Barrister Global Services Network, ExchangeDefender, Fiel ...

A look at the week of June 6 in public advocacy for the IT channel This week, Congress and the White House are pushing legislation to protect the U.S.’s energy grid and infrastructure from cyberattacks.  A new report claims that the information-sharing capabilities enabled by health IT will reduce healthcare’s costs and increase access.  The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to tackle data breach issues and consumer privacy. Grid Vulnerabilities Trigger Legisla ...

Prior to the economic downturn in late 2008, the challenge we most commonly heard was the inability to find enough skilled personnel. During that period there were as many as 1.3 million unfilled tech jobs in the U.S. market. As the economy sank, so did that number, to a low of just over 200,000 open positions in the second half of 2009. And as we've seen a recovery to a number close to half of a recent high water mark, the comments about not having access to a large enough pool of quality talen ...

As a member of The Government Withholding Relief Coalition, we urge you to add your name to the National Sign-on Letter calling for repeal of the new 3% federal tax withholding requirement on payments made by most government entities. Scheduled to go into effect in 2012, this law would require all federal, state and local government entities and instrumentalities to withhold three percent of payments made for goods and services.  The bottom line here is:  This withholding will result in decrease ...

Last week, Speaker John Boehner, Rep. Bob Goodlatte and House Republican Leadership released the Technology Working Group agenda for the 112th Congress.  The agenda focuses on technology issues to help America maintain and expand its competitive edge in the technology sector while creating jobs to fuel economic growth. The key components of the agenda are: Promote spectrum availability and efficiency, Protect the U.S. from cyber attacks, Protect American intellectual property, Promote free and f ...