Windows 7 Release Date

According to the Microsoft Windows 7 Blog, Windows 7 will be released to manufacture on 22 October 2009.

HP Battery Recall

HP's recently announced battery recall does not apply to any notebooks sold by Caramel. The recall applies to the following HP notebook models:

• Compaq Presario (V2xxx and M2xxx)
• HP Compaq (nx48xx)
• HP Pavilion (dv1xxx and ze2xxx)

The recall addresses a potential safety hazard of overheating which may cause fire or burns. The recall affects batteries assembled between January 1 and January 10, 2005. Affected batteries have a Product Number starting with L3 (e.g. "L3xxxxxx".

HP will replace all affected batteries free of charge. You may check if a battery pack is affected at http://www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement/ or by calling 13 10 47.

Tax Break Increased to 50%

Treasurer Wayne Swan announced on Tuesday 12 May that the tax break has been increased to 50% for businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million.

For businesses with turnovers more than $2 million the tax break is increased to 30% for orders placed before 30 June 2009.

For full details of the changevisit: http://www.alp.org.au/media/0509/mssbistres120.php

30% Government Tax Break

A 30% government tax break is available on purchases made before the end of June 2009 (click here for more info).

Cisco Select Certified Partner

18 March 2009
Caramel continues to focus on strategic partnerships and products which deliver the greatest value to SMBs. Today Caramel announces its achievement of Cisco Select Certified Partner status. Cisco is the world’s leading network and infrastructure company, having developed and supplied the vast majority of infrastructure which runs the Internet as we know it today.

Cisco approached Caramel mid 2008 to establish the partnership, after expressing interest in the way Caramel does business.

"Cisco is a very stable company, having around $30 billion in cash reserves," explains Caramel director Samuel Gilbert. "They are a strong, quality focussed company, who understand future markets. This partnership adds to our strengths, at a very exciting time."

"Cisco is offering the highest value products from the Enterprise space packaged perfectly and at the right price for SMBs," says Samuel. "The pricing is especially exciting considering the products on offer and it's only available through Select Partners."

Caramel now offers a range of Enterprise products at SMB pricing, as well as access to Cisco EasyLease facilities, an extremly competitive lease arrangement for software, hardware, infastructure and installation services.

Toshiba Authorised Repairer

1 January 2009
After a 6 month trial Caramel is now a one of only 3 Toshiba Authorised Repairers in South Australia.

This partnership will see Caramel responsible for Toshiba notebook repairs in the area and within South Australia, sharing the role with two other providers.

"We see this an important strategy for us," says Caramel director Sam Gilbert. "Our focus is consistent quality, so being able to support what we sell is critical."

Toshiba is one of two notebook brands sold by Caramel. "Toshiba has an exemplary track record for notebook quality. They consistently provide superior products which meet our clients' needs, so we want to be there to support them," says Sam.

New Premises

1 December 2008
On Monday 1 December 2008 Caramel consolidated to a single premises at 10 Gawler Street Nuriootpa, in the heart of the Barossa, SA. The official opening of the new premises will be held in March 2009.

Originally Caramel occupied two sites: One retail space; the other a workshop not open to the public. The two sites had resulted from unavailability of space.

At the end of 2007 Caramel closed its retail operation to concentrate on its core business: IT management for business.

"The relocation late last year addresses specific issues of unnecessary complexity, as well as removing the retail frontage which added to confusion about what Caramel does," said director Sam Gilbert.

Caramel anticipates several advantages to the relocation:

1. Improved customer service
Being located across two offices lead to unnecessary interruptions to workflow and overly complex operations. Consolidating enables simpler workflow and improved customer service and support.

2. Stock on hand
We now have room to keep business desktops, notebooks and a range of equipment in stock and immediately available to customers. This serves our goal to continuously improve services levels to our customers.

3. Cost savings
Caramel anticipates cost savings from de-duplication of infrastructure and simplification of logistics.

4. Clarity of purpose
Having one central location enables Caramel to focus clearly on its goal of quality business service, without the confusion and extra complexity of additional offices.

"Business should be as simple as it needs to be and no simpler," says Sam. "Having one office enables us to simplify our processes so we can focus on the important stuff - customer service and technical services."

5. Future
Caramel has secured a long-term lease with Community Store on the new premises. "Community Store has been exceptional at helping us achieve this goal" Sam said. "We look forward to a long future in the new building."