2019 Standard Mileage Rates

The IRS announced the 2019 Standard Mileage Rates last week.

Effective January 1, 2019:

• Business:  $ .58  (58 cents per mile)
• Medical / Moving:  $ .20  (20 cents per mile)
• Charitable:  $ .14  (14 cents per mile)

New Article Released to Publisher: Communication— IT’s Key to Success

We all struggle with something. As a profession, IT generally struggles with communication.

In this article I share some ideas that have worked for me, and tie it all to scripture.

If you'd like to read a free advance copy, click here!

New Article on Improving System Security with KnowBe4

While speaking at a conference recently, a cybersecurity expert whose company offers email user testing and training stated that KnowBe4.com‘s solution was the best they’d ever seen. Little did they know I was in negotiations on The Church’s behalf with KnowBe4!

Click here to read my brief article on the details!

New Article on Leadership Setting IT POlicy

Howdy!

If IT sets policies, the organization will likely get dysfunctional, so I've just released an article to a publisher about the importance of making certain leadership sets IT policies. You can read a free advance copy by clicking here!

New Article: March is IT-Be-Green Month!

March is the month of St. Patrick’s Day, whose modern-day associated color is green. When we think ‘green’, we also think of doing things that are friendly to the environment. What are some quick tasks we can do to make IT more ‘green’?

That's the article's intro... want to read more? Click here!

New Article: February is IT 'Love Your Team' Month!

 
February is the month we celebrate Valentine’s Day – you might say it is the Month of Love! How does that look in church and ministry IT?

I just released an article to one of my publishers that's a quick read with-- potentially-- huge impact! Click here to read a free advance copy on my firm's website!

New Article: Five Things Worth Doing in January

Got a minute? How about less than sixty if you plan for it?

I just released an article for publication of five things to do in January that'll take less than an hour that will go a long ways toward protecting your systems and data all year long.

Click here to read a free copy I added to our website!

2018 ChMS Article is Published!

I get the privilege of writing an article that is the most referred-to resource for churches and ministries looking to make a ChMS (Church Management Software) purchase or change. Perhaps it is the most referred to resource because it is completely objective and free... regardless, I am blessed to do it.

If you'd like to read a free copy (an advanced copy because the journal publisher won't have it on the streets until next month!), click here!

New Article on Types of SPAM & What To Do About Them

I just released an article to the publisher on SPAM... here's the opening:

SPAM email can be dangerous and painful to the recipient and to any data they have access to. Whether it’s ransomware, phishing, pushing of malware, or impersonation, a strategy is needed to protect ourselves. I’ll address these different types of SPAM, and how each should be strategically managed.

If you'd like to read it, you can see a free copy on our website by clicking here!

iOS 11 Update - What You Need to Know BEFORE Updating

Apple has an advisory on their website (see https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208136) that using email in iOS 11 may not work, and that they’re working on it.

We recommend you postpone updating until this is resolved if you use email on your iOS device.

UPDATE: Apple released iOS 11.0.1 to fix the issue-- you're good to update!

New Article: Helpful Computer Hacks

A hack is no longer an inept person, but a helpful way of doing things that increases effectiveness and efficiency! Who knew!

I released an article to the publisher of some helpful computer hacks that will likely help every computer user. You can get to a free copy posted on my firm's website by clicking here.

New Article: Lessons Learned in IT

History repeats itself if history is ignored.

Few today know who Novell was, but we still benefit from their inventive engineering. What can solution providers, IT professionals, and churches learn from Novell’s story?

I just released a brief article you may want to read; click here to see a free copy of it on the MBS, Inc. website! 

New Article: Should Churches Continue to Reimburse Cell Phone Fees?

I just released an article for publication addressing whether churches and ministries should continue reimbursing some staff for their cell phone and internet connections. It's sure to cause a stir!

If you'd like to read a free advance copy on our website, click here!

New Article: Don’t Become a Cybercrime Victim

I just released an article for publication about how to avoid becoming a cybercrime victim-- including from threats like WannaCry (aka WannaCrypt). As usual, we've put a copy on our website; here's a clink if you'd like to read it:
http://www.mbsinc.com/dont-become-cybercrime-victim/

Mobile Devices, Apps, & Other Exciting Technologies

I just released an article to the publisher with thoughts on how to manage all of the new options we have in technology. Want to read it? Click here to see the copy posted on our website!

New Article: What's Your Backup Plan?

Many believe the highest priority of IT (Information Technology) is disaster recovery preparedness; the ability to recover after a major data loss. Or after ransomware. We often call that a backup plan, because it all starts with good backups. So, what's your backup plan?

That's the opening of a new article I just released to the publisher. If you'd like to read a free copy on our website, click here!

New Article: O365’s Email Solution – Caution!

 
Microsoft’s O365 has many features that interest churches and ministries– especially because of the generous charity license Microsoft provides. Some aspects of O365 are good, but we found enough problems with their hosted email service that it’s worth posting an Enter at Your Own Risk sign.

I just released an article to the publisher; want to see a free preview? Click here!

New Article: The Facts about Fax

Do you still have a fax machine? I just released an article for publication that may help you convince others it is no longer needed. The savings my firm realized was nearly $900 annually!

To read a free preview of the article on my firm's website, click here!

2017 Standard Mileage Rates Announced

The IRS published the 2017 standard mileage rates on 12/13/2016, and here they are:

• $ .535 for business miles (down from $ .54 in 2016)
• $ .17 for medical and moving expenses (down from $ .19 in 2016)
• $ .14 for charitable mileage (this rate can only be changed by the U.S. Congress, and hasn't changed for years)

2017 ChMS Article Released to Publisher!

The research is done, and I've just released the 2017 ChMS article in final form to the publisher! It amazes me that this simple, objective article has become the most referenced dataset for churches and ministries... to see a free advance copy, click here!