Operating a business is never easy. There is always something that threatens your business, and many disasters are simply beyond your control. These disasters are a part of business, and owners need to be prepared for almost anything. For many companies, the only way to prepare for adverse times is by developing a Business Continuity Plan.

Some companies are hesitant to adopt a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) because of the perceived costs and complexity involved. We won't deny that plans are usually on the complex side, but there are good reasons as to why your company should adopt one. Here's five.

1. Your business will be seen as more valuable Banks, venture capitalists and other investors tend to air on the side of caution, and as such will usually look to businesses that appear to be stable as more viable investment vehicles. Companies with a BCP are often seen to be more valuable, as they can address diverse situations better than those without. As a result, they will make the investor more money over time.

2. Compliance Big companies in a number of industries have had continuity plans for years and many have started to look for suppliers/vendors with continuity plans. Beyond that, some industries and government bodies have made BCP a requirement. If you are a vendor, supplier or even in specific industries, it is a good idea to have one in order for business to run smoothly.

3. Potentially lower insurance premiums Operating a business is filled with risks, and business managers are often looking for ways to minimize it. One way includes the purchase of insurance - many industries and situations require you to carry it. Generally, insurance providers will give more favorable rates to companies that take steps to minimize risk. A solid BCP will go a long way in showcasing how risk-averse your company is, which could lead to lower rates or at the very least, stable rates.

4. More efficient communication Developing a BCP involves constant, company-wide communication in order for it to be successful. For many businesses, this involves collaboration between team members who don't normally work together on a regular basis.

A BCP also fosters communication plans during disasters, both within the organization - most employees have a role, and will need to work together to pull through - and outside - customers, suppliers and other stakeholders will be contacting you. If your employees know how to communicate what needs to be done, effects of the disaster will be minimized.

5. Survival Recent natural disasters around the globe have highlighted that businesses without a plan will most likely be forced out of business. Having a BCP will minimize the chances of this, while preparing your business for survival.

If you are looking to implement a business continuity plan, or improve on an already existing one, please contact us today. We may have a solution for you.

Since its original release, Microsoft's Windows Phone has had to compete with both Android and Apple for coveted market share. For the most part, the OS hasn't been a smash hit, which Microsoft is working to turn around. In October 2012 they released a new version of the OS - Windows Phone 8 - and phones are now available. One thing on the minds of the many people who have bought these devices is whether they will be able to access software upgrades.

While Windows Phone 8 is hardly more than six months old, the next version of the OS is rumored to be in production behind closed doors. Microsoft hasn't made any public announcements, or shown off any updates so far. However, from leaks and news channels we know that the new update is code named Windows Phone Blue.

This is inline with Microsoft's rumored update scheme for Windows 8 - also codenamed 'blue' - which has proposed yearly updates. Chances are that future updates to mobiles will follow this as well. This speculation about future updates has some Windows Phone users a bit worried. Understandably so, you wouldn't want to purchase a new phone just to have to buy another a year later if you want an upgrade.

Speaking at a recent conference Microsoft's Senior Marketing Manager put users' minds at ease by saying, "we're going to have an upgrade path going forward." He also noted that the hardware and OS capabilities allow for upgrades.

What does this mean for my company? If you use an older version of any Windows Phone and are looking to upgrade, but have been hesitant to look at a newer version because of the lack of updates, this news is somewhat reassuring. We would recommend waiting until Microsoft officially announces this is in fact the case before you do upgrade. However. Any confirmations will likely be in the late spring, with an update appearing sometime after, or at the same time as the PC update.

If you would like to learn more about the Windows Phone, contact us today!

One of the biggest attractions of smartphones is the apps. There is an app for almost everything you want to do, with more being introduced on a daily basis. Because of this demand for apps, popular computer programs, like Internet browsers, have mobile versions. Users of Google apps have Chrome, and the Beta version has just been updated with new features that business users may enjoy.

Here's a brief overview of the two new features added in the recent Chrome Beta for Android update. Take note that there are two versions of Chrome for Android - Stable and Beta. If you search for 'Chrome' in the Google Play store, you will find the stable version. The Beta can be found here (Google Play link).

This version contains features that Google would like users to test before eventually integrating them with the stable version of Chrome. To most users, there is no visual difference, however those with Beta installed will get access to new features before others.

Autofill and Password sync The update introduced one useful feature that business users need to be aware of. This centers around the idea that you have Chrome installed on your computer and have linked it to the Google account you use for your phone. You can 'Sign into Chrome' on your desktop by clicking on the three bars in the top right-hand corner and selecting Sign into Chrome and entering your account information.

This will sync Chrome with the version on your Android device, and also bring over all of the autofill information from the desktop version. If you've entered information on a form on your desktop, entering similar information on a form on your phone will trigger Chrome to automatically fill in that information.

A secondary feature is that if you have had Chrome remember your passwords, they will now be synced on your phone. While this is convenient, it isn't a good idea to have Chrome remember your passwords, as it just makes it easier for hackers to get hold of your information.

By default, these two options are turned on. You can, and should, turn this feature off by:

• Opening the browser on your phone.
• Pressing the three grey squares in the top right and selecting Settings
• Tapping on Save passwords and sliding the blue bar that says On to Off.

Data compression steps on the gas The second feature introduced in the new version of Chrome Beta is data compression. This is a neat little function that increases the speed with which browser data is transmitted from and to the browser on your phone. This is a big benefit to users who have a mobile data plan, as the amount of data used to load a website is decreased, and subsequently, your mobile bill.

By default, data compression isn't activated, but can be by:

1. Opening Chrome Beta on your phone
2. Entering chrome://flags and selecting Enable Data Compression Proxy
3. Relaunching the app.

Google has noted that the data used to load websites could be reduced by as much as 50%, which will result in either lower data bills or the ability to use more data. You can see how much data is being saved by entering chrome://net-internals and tapping Bandwidth. There should be a counter of how much data you have used and saved.

These two features are useful but it is advisable to be aware of the password saving option. If you would like to download this app, you can find it here. If you would like to learn more about Android in the office, give us a shout, we can help.

When it comes to social media, each user has their network of preference. Many chose to use more than one, and because of this, trends from one tend to transfer over to others. One such popular idea, first launched on Twitter is now being used on almost every network. Yes, we are talking about the hashtag (#). Love it or hate it, it could help your networking.

The hashtag (#), commonly referred to on telephone systems as the pound key, is a character first used by users of the popular social network Twitter. According to the help forum on Twitter, "It is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages."

Look at nearly any Twitter message and there will usually be hashtags attached. If you were to search for the term e.g., #Cloudbackup on Twitter, you would get a list of all tweets that have mentioned the above example. When Twitter talks about a 'trending topic' it means a subject that has become popular.

This way of categorization has become so popular amongst Twitter users that it's starting to spill over onto the other networks. Instagram for instance has given members the ability to add hashtags to pictures, so that they can be added to groups which can subsequently be searched for. Even Google has gotten in on the act, with Google+ and YouTube both supporting this system.

With Facebook, the hashtag has come to give context to a status. You've probably seen some status updates such as: I love Mondays #sarcasm #bored. This should be read with a sarcastic and slightly bored tone.

Because of the usefulness of the hashtag, some users have become overzealous in their use. Reading a Tweet that says '#Friday is #awesome, here comes a #fun #weekend.' just looks unprofessional and could put off followers.

While effective, there are some basic rules you should follow to help get the most out of your hashtags. Here's four.

1. No long hashtags. Hashtags are meant to be short and associated with one word. Don't make the mistake of adding more than about two words together, as the likelihood of users finding the tag will decrease. e.g., #Cloudservicesareawesome should be avoided, use #cloudservices instead.
2. Minimize their use. It can be tempting to hashtag every keyword in messages, however makes them look weird, while decreasing their readability. It is a good idea to limit use to one or two per message.
3. The hashtag is special. Don't use it for everyday words. Instead use it for product names, or a special part of the announcement. Remember that you don't have to use hashtags in every message. Check out Samsung Mobile's Twitter feed to see a good example of proper use.
4. Use a unique hashtag. If you can, try to use a unique hashtag, something that followers will be able to associate and relate to you. The key here is that when it's used, the user is referred to you, and only you. Do a quick search on Twitter for the hashtag you would like to use, to ensure it's not taken. Many companies will shorten their tag to initials or a shorter term, which is perfectly acceptable.

Hashtags, when used correctly, can be a great way to build brand identity and increase social media presence. If you are looking for a social media plan, please contact us today to see how we can #expandbrands.

Apple's devices are popular for their usability. Watch someone who has never used an iPhone before and see how they figure out how to operate it in a matter of minutes. While these are great smartphones and some would say the best, they aren't perfect. One shortfall is that it can be difficult to transfer files from the device to your computer without iTunes. Luckily, there are apps that can help.

Here's two great apps that you can use to make the transferring of files to/from your iPhone onto your computer not only quicker but less taxing too.

Bump This app started out as a way to share contacts with other iPhone users and has since been updated to include transferring files and pictures. A recent update introduced the capability to move files from your computer to your phone and vice versa.

How this process works is you install Bump on your iPhone, open the app and select a file you would like to transfer. On your computer you can navigate to bu.mp and then bump (hit) the spacebar with your phone. A new window will open with a preview of the file, giving you the option to download it, or share it.

If you would like to transfer a file from your PC or Mac to your iPhone, click on Send files to your device on the bu.mp page and select the files to send. They will be automatically sent to your phone and can be accessed by opening the app.

The app is free from the website, and works on both Mac and PC. There is a 20 mb per file size limit, so for larger files you would be better off saving them to a cloud storage app.

Instashare If you have a Mac, Instashare is new app that allows you to simply drag and drop files from your computer to transfer them to your iPhone.

Once you have downloaded the app on both your computer and iPhone, you then find the file on your computer that  you would like to share, drag it to the app icon and let it go. As long as your iPhone is connected to a W-Fi network, the file will be transferred in as little as a few seconds. You can also send files from your iPhone through the app, selecting the file and dragging it onto connected computers. Instashare will take care of the rest.

This app is an easy way to transfer files within the Apple environment while not having to physically connect your device to your computer. It's also free, which could make it an interesting tool for your business. Download it from the website here, or search for it on in the App Store.

There are many other ways to transfer files from your smartphone to your computer, including using cloud storage. What are your favorite ways? Let us know. Or, if you are looking for a more efficient file sharing solution, contact us today.

Facebook, beloved by many, is an ever-changing and evolving entity. One of the latest updates is the introduction of Graph Search, which makes it easier for users to find each other based on their likes, photos, comments, etc. Before this new feature is turned on, it would be beneficial to you to perform a profile audit.

There are three main parts to this audit, which will ensure that your personal profile is ready for Graph Search. Bear in mind that this is for your personal account, not your business Facebook Page. This audit is ideal if you would like a more professional looking profile.

Step 1. Check who can search for you The whole idea of Facebook is to be social, however you may not want to be found by every man and his dog on this platform. You can check who can search for your profile by:

1. Clicking the Lock icon in the top-right hand side of the screen.
2. Selecting Who can contact me?
3. Looking at Who can send me friend requests? By default it is set to Everyone, but you can change this by pressing the downward facing blue arrow.
4. Looking at Whose messages do I want filtered into my inbox?

Step 2. Check your Activity Log The Activity Log is essentially a journal for Facebook. It covers everything you have done on Facebook, and provides you with a quick way to edit your profile. You can access it by:

1. Clicking on the Lock icon in the top-right hand side of the screen.
2. Selecting Who can see my stuff?
3. Click on Use Activity Log.

Depending on how active you are on Facebook, it could take a bit of time to look through your activities. If you see something you don't like, or would like to change, press the pencil at the right-hand side of the activity. This will allow you to edit the post, remove it from your timeline or delete it. Note, that if you remove it from your timeline, the information won't be deleted.

If you press the Lock icon you can change who can see the post/activity on your timeline too. It would be a good idea to look through your whole timeline and ensure that any unprofessional comments, links, likes, etc. are either deleted or removed from your timeline. It wouldn't be a good idea to make your profile completely private however, so ensure some posts - maybe ones related to your business, hobbies, interests, etc. - are still visible.

Step 3. Check who can see future posts Facebook has included an option that allows you to set who can see future posts on your timeline. This will lessen the need for a future account audit. You can set this by:

1. Clicking on the Lock icon in the top-right hand side of the screen.
2. Selecting Who can see my stuff?
3. Pressing the downward facing blue arrow under Who can see my future posts? and setting it to the desired level of security.

In order to ensure your profile is optimized for Graph Search, carrying out this audit would be a great idea. As we stated above, you don't have to make everything private, after all, this is a social network. Just make sure that anything that is unbecoming of the professional you are is removed or hidden from prying eyes. If you would like a little help ensuring both you and your business are ready for the next big Facebook feature, contact us today.

There are numerous tech buzzwords that surface each year, one of the more common in the past couple of years is virtualization. Being able to take physical systems and replace with a cheaper, often more efficient, virtual version, is something many businesses appreciate. Up to this point, most solutions have focused on desktops and servers. We predict that the next gadget to virtualize will be the smartphone.

Traditional smartphones are individual packages. The operating system and user are physically tied to the device. If you think about it, there are really only a few phones out there, and millions of people probably have the exact same one that you do. They differentiate their phones from others by the pictures, apps, videos, etc. stored on the device and the way they have personalized their phones.

Should you lose your phone, that data is likely lost, and you are faced with a potentially high cost to replace it. The two major operating system developers - Apple (iOS) and Google (Android) - have started to implement virtual backup solutions. Your contacts, apps and some personalization settings are backed up to the cloud and connected with a user account. When you enter the account information, you can quickly get the most important information from your phone back.

Combine this with the various cloud storage services that allow users to store their information, pictures, etc., with access from nearly any device. This integration with the cloud has enabled users to rely less on physical devices, and points to a potential virtualization concept: Non-dedicated devices.

The idea of non-dedicated devices is that you can use any device, regardless of manufacturer or OS, to access a system you can call your own. Imagine if your phone runs out of batteries. You borrow a friend's, log in using your username and password and that device instantly becomes personalized to you.

Could this work? There are currently three identifiable virtualization trends that point to non-dedicated mobile devices becoming  a reality:

1. Increasing adoption of cloud services by mobile uses - Many mobile users have cloud storage apps installed on their devices and store some form of mobile related information or data on it. What's more, these apps are cross-platform meaning you can access them on iPhone, Android, Mac or Windows.
2. Heavy personalization of mobile devices - OS developers have started to store more information in the cloud. Google, for example, can store your contacts and basic personalization choices - e.g., wallpaper and apps, pictures, and even your calendar, in the cloud. Make changes on your mobile and you will see these on your computer too.
3. Ability to access whole work systems from a mobile device - There are apps for both Android and Apple devices that allow users to access and control their desktops and work systems directly from phone or tablet. This has decreased the need for users to be chained to their desk just to be able to do work.

It wouldn't be hard for an enterprising company to develop a system that integrates these three, already existing functions into a device. The only major stumbling block we can see is that current OS developers don't necessarily get along all that well. We predict that this virtualization will become a possibility on individual systems (Android and iOS), in the near future, but across systems may take longer.

We'd like to know what you think of non-dedicated devices. Would you use one? Are there any other problems you can foresee? Let us know today.

The iPad is arguably the most popular tablet. There are many reasons why, one of which is because of the wealth of great apps available. There are apps for almost every type of user, including businesses looking to be more efficient. A popular group of apps make typing on the iPad easier, because typing on the device can be a little challenging.

Here’s two that help make typing on the iPad easier and more efficient.

Dragon Dictation
When it comes to typing on a touchscreen, many users are not keen on typing longer messages or documents. It would be a lot easier if we could just dictate our thoughts. Dragon Dictation allows users to do just that.

The idea is, you can speak naturally into the mic and it will translate this into text. You can use it to dictate text messages, emails or even longer documents like blog posts or notes. This app does require network connectivity (3G or Wi-Fi), and will work on second generation iPads and newer devices. The app is free and can be downloaded by clicking this link.

TextExpander
If you use your iPad to reply to emails, or find yourself consistently typing the same message, TextExpander is a great shortcut app that allows you to configure readymade messages that can be inserted into your text.

The way this works is you configure text shortcuts e.g., Response1, may contain an often used standard response. When you type the shortcut in a text field, the app will recognize it and input the full text.

TextExpander is a great way to make replying to messages more consistent and efficient. You just have to take the time to set up your abbreviations/shortcuts and related text. The app costs USD$4.99 and can be downloaded from iTunes, or clicking on this link (which will take you to the App Store.)

There are many productivity apps for the iPad, what are your favorites? Let us know, and if you would like to integrate the iPad into your daily routine, let us know as we have many potential solutions for your business.

There are numerous devices that help make a business owner's or manager's job easier, or more efficient. One example is the tablet, which has become popular across the board in all industries. As with any tech, we want to keep the information on it secure, so most professionals will use a password that when entered will allow them access it. From time-to-time someone forgets their password, and is left wondering what to do.

If you forget the password or combination to unlock your Android tablet there are a number of steps you can take.

Before you forget your password As you probably know, Android is heavily integrated with Google. When you first turned on your tablet, you were likely asked to sign up for, or link, a Google account to your device. If you didn't you should do so as it will make unlocking your tablet easier if you forget the password or pattern.

You can assign an account by going to Settings and scrolling down to Accounts and selecting Add account. Press on Google and if you already have a Google account tap Existing and enter the relevant information. Pressing New will allow you to sign up for a new account.

Try, try again! If you enter your combination, but just can't remember it, try again another four times. You will be locked out for thirty seconds, then allowed to try again. During the countdown, you should see a button at the bottom of the screen saying Forgot Pattern? Tap this and enter your Google account information - email address and password. When you do, you should be taken into the tablet's password reset screen.

Buttons! On some tablets, there is a 'Safe Mode' that you can boot into. This should boot it into a simplified home screen with no access to apps, but access to settings, where you may be able to reset the screen lock. While this won't work on all devices, it's worth a try.

From the lock screen, press the Power button to get the on/off window. When this pops up, either press and hold the Power off (on the screen), or press and hold the physical button, and it should display an option to boot into safe mode.

On other Androids you may be given an option to Reboot. Try pressing on that for a few seconds and it should bring up the option to reboot into safe mode.

Last ditch effort! If the above tips still don't work, you have one final option: Factory reset.

Conducting a factory reset will completely wipe your tablet's memory, and return it the way it was when it came out of the factory. If your device has a removable memory card, it would be a good idea to turn it off and remove the card before resetting, as there is a chance the files stored on here will also be deleted.

Here's how to execute a factory reset:

1. Turn your tablet off and remove the SD card, if there is one.
2. Press and hold the combinations below until you feel the device vibrate:
   1. Power button + Volume up and down (if there is a physical Home button)
   2. Power button + Volume up + Home button (If there is a physical Home button)

You should either see the droid (green robot) with his stomach plate open, or the Android Recovery screen. If you see the droid, press the volume buttons until you see Recovery mode above his head, and tap the Power button. This should bring you to the Recovery screen.

From here, press volume down until Wipe data/factory reset is highlighted. Press the Power button and it should start the rest sequence.

Another option is to either bring it into the store where you bought it from, and see if they have a way to help, or you could contact us for assistance.

There is a famous quote from Mark Twain that goes like this: “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter – it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
Twain was dead on. (No surprise there!) At the very least, using the wrong word in a report, proposal, paper or memo can be embarrassing. At its worst, misusing words can damage your credibility and even prove costly at times.
One big problem with language today is the way we speak and the way we write are often two different beasts. Why else would the phrase “for all intents and purposes” have metamorphosed into “for all intensive purposes”? The same is true for “could of” and “should of,” which don’t even make sense if you think about it. But because that’s the way we say it, that’s the way many of us end up writing it on paper, instead of proper “could have” and “should have.”

What follows is a list of words and phrases we commonly misuse. Hopefully, most of them won’t be eye-openers, but a few may surprise you:

Accept, Except

Accept- (verb) to agree with, take in, receive. Example: We accept your decision.

Except- (preposition) Apart from. Example: All committee members are present except for Ms. Brown.

Acute, Chronic

Acute- (adjective) Sharp, intense, critical. Example: The company has an acute shortage of skilled workers right now.

Chronic- (adjective) Constant, habitual, long-lasting. Example: She is unable to work because of chronic illness.

Adverse, Averse

Adverse - (adjective) Unfavorable, opposing one’s interest. Example: They found themselves in adverse circumstance.

Averse -(adjective) Antipathy, repugnance, having the feeling of being opposed. Example: She is not averse to increasing her workload.

Affect, Effect

Affect - (verb) to influence something. Example: How will that affect the bottom line?

Effect - (Noun) the result of (Verb) to cause something to be Example: Her speech had the effect of motivating the listeners.

Allusion, Illusion

Allusion - (noun) A casual reference of mentioning something. Example: Was that an allusion to Hemingway?

Illusion - (noun) something that gives a false picture of reality. Example: He believes democracy is an illusion.

All right, Alright

All Right – Fine, OK. Example: It’s all right to leave early.

Alright – Incorrect spelling.

Apprise, Appraise

Apprise - (verb) Give notice to. Example: Please apprise me of the situation.

Appraise - (verb) determine the worth of something. Example: The ring was appraised before we purchased it.

Assure, Ensure, Insure

Assure- (verb) To state with confidence, pledge or promise. Example: I assure you the check is in the mail.

Ensure - ( verb) To make certain. Example: Following the instructions ensures you won’t get hurt.

Insure - (verb) to purchase insurance. Example: Insure the package before you send it.

Beside, Besides

Beside - (preposition) at the side of, next to , near. Example: Take a seat beside me.

Besides – (adverb) Furthermore, in addition to. Example: Besides, several of us will be out of town next week.

Compliment, Complement

Compliment – (Verb) To give praise. Example: I complemented Steve on his speech.

Complement – (Verb) To complete something or match it well. Example: Her skills complement the needs of our department.

Continual, Continuous

Continual – (adjective) Often repeated, very frequent – but occasionally interrupted. Example: They’ve received continual complaints.

Continuous – (adjective) Uninterrupted. Example: We couldn’t hear over his continuous talking.

Disburse, Disperse

Disburse – (verb) To Pay, distribute, scatter. Example: They disbursed name tags to everyone attending the meeting.

Disperse – (Verb) To drive off, spread widely, cause to vanish. Example: The throng of fans dispersed into the stands.

Farther, Further

Farther – (adverb) At or to a greater distance. Example: We are located farther down the highway.

Further – (adverb) More or additional – but not related to distance. Example: We need to have a further discussion on that.

Fewer, Less

Fewer – (adjective) Of a small number, only used with countable items. Example: He made fewer mistakes than last time.

Less – (adjective or adverb) To a smaller extent, amount or degree – used with quantities that cannot be individually counted. Example: If they made less noise, we could concentrate.

Imply, Infer

Imply – (verb) To suggest. Example: What are you implying by that accusation?

Infer – (verb) To deduce from evidence. Example: From the look on your face, I can infer you’re not happy with the decision.

Its, It’s

Its – (pronoun) Possessive form if “it”. Example: The machine has lost its ability to scan documents.

It’s – Contraction of “it is.” Example: It’s not a question of right or wrong.

Lose, Loose

Lose – (verb) Fail to win, misplace. Example: Did you lose your file?

Loose – (adjective) Free from anything that restraints. Example: Since losing weight, his clothes seem loose.

Of, Have

Of – (preposition) Frequently confused with “have” since “could’ve” is pronounced “could of” but “of” cannot be used as a verb.

Have – (verb) Proper verb form for “could have,” “should have” and “would have”.

Principal, Principle

Principal –(noun) Person who has controlling authority. (adjective) Something essential or important. Example: Let’s talk about the principal reason we’re meeting today.

Principle – (noun) Basic truth, policy or action. Example: It’s important to stick to our principles.

Regardless, Irregardless

Regardless – (adjective or adverb) In spite of. Example: We are leaving regardless of whether you’re ready.

Irregardless – This is not a word. (Yes, you may find it in your dictionary, but you’re only embarrassing yourself if you use it.)

Than, Then

Than – (preposition) In contrast to. Example: I’d rather speak face-to-face than communicate by e-mail.

Then – (adverb) Next. Example: We met for dinner, then went to a movie.

Their, There, They’re

Their – (pronoun) Belonging to them. Example: Where is their car?

There – (adverb) In a place. Example: Let’s visit there.

They’re – contraction of “they are.” Example: They’re not leaving without saying good-bye, are they?

Whose, Who’s

Whose – (pronoun) Possessive case of “who” or “which.” Example: Whose keys are these?

Who’s – Contraction of “who is.” Example: Who’s going to the game after work?

Your, You’re

Your – (pronoun) Belonging to you. Example: Your briefcase is over there.

You’re – Contraction of “you are.” Example: You’re not going to believe this.

Source: Chartec