Google, we all use it, we all know it. What is there that Google hasn’t dipped into? Well, as of recent, absolutely nothing! Google has brought us some of the best email and office applications, mobile devices, mobile apps, personal laptop operating systems and now a social network that is sure to run side by side with the mighty Facebook.

Google+, currently in the invite only, semi-private BETA stages, already hit over 10 million members as of July 14th. This outstanding growth in such a short period of time has surely opened the eyes of many inquisitive individuals, including yours truly.

Set up to run in sync with your Gmail and Android devices, Google+ makes it super easy to share your day-to-day with your friends, family and coworkers, categorized in “Circles”. Rather than a “Like” button, you have a “+1″ button, basically giving your buddies kudos on their posts. The +1 button also shows next to searched links within Google search so we may recommend the link, making it easier to share information quicker.

If you own an Android device, the Google+ Mobile app is readily available for free in the Android Market. With this app you may choose to auto-upload pictures when saved, update up your status and receive mobile notifications when someone comments on a thread you’re involved with. This app will surely become available to iPhone and Blackberry users within the near future.

All in all, I like Google+ and where its gone so far. Its still fresh and with the ability to join by invite only, is still an exclusive, yet highly populated social network monster. I feel with the tie in to all your favorite Google applications, Google+ will be the future of social networking.

By Randy Yoak

In the past 10 years internet data services have become one of the primary means of communication worldwide. This is true for professionals, students or just curious, inquisitive minds a like. The internet, as we all know, is one of the best ways to stay in touch with long lost friends, family members, fellow college grads or just to meet new people. Aside from the many social networking web sites, there are also many knowledge based sites that help expand the mind in every form imaginable!

With the vast growing world wide web and many different ways of accessing it, one of the fastest growing means of access is wireless data services provided primarily by major wireless phone carriers. Using a wireless data card, or wireless “hot spot”, you have the freedom and flexibility to bring your internet services anywhere! In the current market, while prices are all very competitive, one stands out among the rest. I speak of course of the fast growing CLEAR. Where available, CLEAR not only offers highly competitive equipment pricing and equipment leasing options, but they offer the absolute lowest price plan options with unlimited data usage! This means you can learn, expand the mind and socially network as often as your like for as long as you’d like with worrying about a monthly data cap and possibly extra unwanted charges! The contract terms with CLEAR are strictly up to the customer, depending on each situation individually, so no long term contracts are required. If you choose to enter a contract, the benefits grow tremendously and only equal additional savings! Great service, outstanding equipment and price plan options, CLEAR has only begun to impress and I can say with confidence it will only get better!

By Randy Battiest

Sprint has officially made history by launching 4G in September 2008, then by launching the first dual-mode 3G/4G device in December. The current availability of Sprint 4G in all  major markets in 2009 and 2010 delivers on Sprint’s promise to offer a faster Internet experience in cities across the nation than any other wireless service from a national carrier.The availability of Sprint 4G in more places this year shows the aggressive expansion of Sprint 4G service and demonstrates the commitment to provide 4G capabilities and devices nationwide for business, consumer and government customers. These capabilities enable enhanced performance and productivity for our customers.Sprint continues to think outside of the box when it comes to enhancing the customer experience and shaking up the wireless industry. Sprint 4G brings the Internet to life and represents a shift in the way customers will use mobile broadband, by extending the Internet beyond home or office use. Sprint 4G data cards, laptop solutions and phones will enable businesses and individuals to work when and where they want. Among the enhancements Sprint 4G enables are rich content, larger file transfers, streaming video. Sprint 4G-enabled smart phones have the promise of delivering processing power, applications and now the network connectivity to replace the laptop paradigm. You can charge your productivity with an even faster Mobile Broadband connection. Download files and video conference without the lag. With 4G speeds are up to 10x faster than 3G. With 3-6 Mbps average downloads and Peak download speeds More than 10 Mbps that’s like swapping out DSL for a high-speed cable modem. There is no question that Sprint is and will continue to shake things up as well as lead the pack.

By Iris Gillespie

Value-add today… but maybe not tomorrow?

A Solutions Provider (SP) is similar to a value-added reseller (VAR) which is a company that adds features to an existing product and then resells it to end users as an integrated product or complete “turn-key” solution. A Solutions Partner for example, might bundle a software application with supplied hardware or the value may come from professional services such as integrating, customizing, consulting, training and implementation that is designed for the customer’s needs which is then offered or resold as a new package.

Customers would purchase services from a Solutions provider if they or the carrier lacks the time, experience, or expertise to assemble, manage, or implement the system themselves. The goal of the strategic partnership between the carrier and Solutions Partner inherently brings the carrier more business or in some cases sustains the business they currently have.

The Solutions Partner can also partner with multiple vendors, helping the client when deciding which solution is truly best for their unique environment rather than trusting each vendor who believes their solution is best when it may not be the case. This is a customer decision.

Carriers and Solution Partners are sales organizations, so the relationship with the Solutions partner must be one of trust and not an adversarial relationship to truly be effective. When the value-add of the carrier and the solutions partner is the same, then they are competitors. For a value add to be effective it must compliment or have a necessary value to the client. Again, this is a customer decision.

At times, and based on a number of reasons, a Carrier decides that a solution partners expertise, experience, and value is no longer needed or the increased strength and capacity to provide customers well balanced solutions is no longer needed. When this happens, does the Carrier gain by closing the doors and providing only value that is produced internally? Do they loose any true value-add and limit the customer’s options in any way, or does the carrier push the solution partner to shift their efforts and provide value-add to their competitors?

In the end, the customer will make that decision.

By William (Bill) Norton

It’s a known fact that people love to customize and accessorize their belongings. Homes, cars, offices, and now even their mobile devices. With this in mind, as mobile phones constantly evolve into “do it all” mobile work stations, the accessory options also evolve to meet the individual needs of the user.

Sprint offers some the best accessories out there for the mobile devices they have in their line-up. You can get a customized carrying case for your LG Lotus, or a universal Bluetooth speaker to use with your cell phone or any other Bluetooth enabled device! Many accessories offer stylish looks as well as the security and protection needed to keep your “do it all” hand held safe and secure for a long mobile life.

From bright colorful colors and custom pictures, to basic “straight to the point” cases, there is an accessory to meet every life style, condition, and all around personality.

By Randy Battiest

I work with customers on a daily basis that experience difficulties with Customer Service issues.  I’ve been in the Wireless industry for ten years and this has always been a beast of a problem to handle.  I think the main issue is that someone can speak to 10 different Customer Service Agents and receive 10 different solutions.  Solutions are great, but if they do not address the customer’s problem then it can make for a tense exchange.

I think the key to navigating this channel is to keep anger out of the picture and knowing that everyone is not trained at an optimal level to provide the best customer experience. I find that putting myself in the agent’s shoes and showing empathy for their job function will usually bring the desired outcome. Also, I find that by using the agent’s name I will enhance a positive connection with the agent.  The caller may find that when they explain their issue in a concise manner and having a defined objective for calling Customer Service, the door to “yes” seems to appear out of thin air.

When we don’t get the answers we want, normally there is an assumption that the agent does not want to resolve the issue. I find that most of the time, the agent does not have the authority to fix the problem. When this happens, it is time to (nicely) ask for a supervisor.

By Keith Sloan

In recent online reading, I’ve read that 40% of BlackBerry users will switch to the iPhone when it becomes available to Sprint and other carriers when readily available. If I had venture a guess, I would suspect that number is over 40%. This is coming from avid BlackBerry user, mind you.

Not to undermine RIM and all the wonderful and highly technical devices they’ve released, but let’s face it, BlackBerry compared to even the 1^st generation iPhone is limited when it comes to applications. When it comes down to it, even the most demanding corporate-white collar user want to have the ability to add applications that have no point or purpose other than personal amusement, because they can.

In today’s wireless world, applications sell a phone, plain and simple. Whether it is for personal banking, easy access to email or just merely joy and entertainment, the demand is there. BlackBerry devices have most certainly evolved in a short period of time and have many useful applications and over all purposes. Many of these features have kept me on the BlackBerry train for a very long time. I’m ever grateful, but bored nonetheless.

I look forward to the release of the iPhone on the Sprint network and anticipate great things, I just hope BlackBerry has something to respond with, equal to even greater than the beast that has swept the wireless industry, the ever surprising and rewarding iPhone.

By Randy Battiest

The world of technology never ceases to amaze me. It’s a never ending battle to make one device “do it all”. There are two things that have my full attention, the world of automobiles and the world of wireless phones. If I can combine the two, then that’s a perfect little world.

Well – now I can and with the help of Google Android and PLX Devices. Combine the HTC Hero with Google and the PLX Kiwi Wifi, along with one of the MANY auto ECU diagnostic/tuning applications for Android and I have a portable, hand held auto tuning machine! Accurate and extremely user friendly, this is the future of not only the auto world, but the wireless phone world.

With a little imagination, knowledge of the changes you’re making, and of course a Android phone and a PLX Kiwi WiFi, you can make your cell phone go above and beyond by diagnosing your rides Engine Control Unit for errors (rid of that check engine light) or tune the ECU for greater power, better fuel mileage or just a smooth care free idle!

For more information on the Android ECU application, visit http://android-apps.com/tag/ecu/ and for information on the PLX Kiwi WiFi ECU adapter, visit http://www.plxkiwi.com/kiwiwifi/hardware.html

By Randy Battiest

The 2010 International CTIA Wireless show in Las Vegas was a fantastic networking event for Order Experts. It was full of surprises and major carrier announcements. As CTIA reports there are 285 million wireless connections and almost 5 billions text messages sent per day. That’s a lot of data and many of the clients we work with, such as Source Inc, located in Kansas City, are involved in creating and supporting that activity.

As Order Experts continues to grow we rely on events such as CTIA and The Channel Partners Conference to connect with our clients and seek out new tools for developing our business. This year I was impressed with Sprints private media announcement introducing the HTC EVO device. It was a strong presentation, hands on demos of the EVO and with all the glamour of a movie premier. Well done, Mr. Hesse. As more and more consumers move up river in terms of device, applications, and data usage, I can see this device capturing more entry level PDA users rather than taking market share from Apple. But with that being said, Apple’s announcement to release a CDMA device this year is going to make 2010 a very interesting year for wireless.

By William (Bill) Norton

Every six months or so I perform a Rate Plan Analysis (RPA) in order to find ways to help our clients save money on their invoices. Even with Sprint offering some of the most competitive plans out there for businesses, there is always a way to save a little extra cash. One of the ways that we accomplish this is by performing a (RPA) for a customer. This is done by taking three of the customer’s most recent bills to analyze for a break down. I first separate the calls into three groups:  1) Peak minutes (all of the minutes used before 7pm and before Saturday and Sunday). 2) All of the Mobile-to-Mobile calls (Sprint to Sprint and Sprint to Nextel). 3) All of the anytime mobile calls (Any calls made to a cell phone no matter what wireless provider they have). After you get the break-down for their usage of peak minutes, minus the mobile-to-mobile and the anytime mobile, give it an extra 10% buffer. This buffer is considered an extra cushion just in case they have a busy month.

Based on the resulting data, we then move forward with the proposal. This is the recommendation portion for new plans or more competitively priced plans that would be a better fit for the customer. I have recently performed a RPA for one of my business accounts and have managed to save them $864 a month. This is just one of the many things that we do to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service.

By Iris Williams

Customers often ask me, “whats the difference?” when talking about two of the newest Blackberry devices on the Sprint CDMA network. When a customer is in the market for a new Blackberry device and is looking for the best deal possible, it always comes down to the question of the price difference what phone lacks what feature. Being the dedicated and ever faithful Blackberry user that I am, I have personally experienced both devices and found that both have qualities I like and dislike, equally.

So, to help my customers decide which device would best suits their needs, I ask them a few questions that may help me, help them find the device that best fits. 1.) Do you travel internationally?- The Blackberry Tour is an international device that can be used with an international SIM card, the Curve 8530 is not. 2.) How important is a high quality camera?- The Tour has a 3.2 megapixel camera that offers a higher definition picture and flash compared to the Curve 8530′s 2.0 megapixel camera with no flash. 3.) Is there a preference in the way you navigate through your device, i.e. by a smooth track ball or the new track pad?- The Tour 9630 offers a new version of the classic Blackberry Trackball, with a black rubberized coating for a no-slip navigation experience where as the Curve 8530 offers a new development in the form of a track pad, easily compared to the track pad of a lap-top PC. After these questions are asked, I like to discuss pricing, where as both devices offer a package of endless features and superb craftsmanship, there is about a $50 price difference between the two.

The Blackberry Curve 8530 being the best deal out there, in my opinion, offers everything you could ask for in a Blackberry and then some, with its WiFi capabilities and its new technology incorporated with the slim, sleek design, its a win in my book. Then the Tour 9630, offering everything the Curve 8530 offers(with the exception of WiFi) but in a rather upgraded form. From its crystal clear pictures and video, its bright camera flash and HD-like screen to it’s ergonomic keyboard and easy to use track ball. But if you’re like me and the features don’t play a huge part in your shopping for a new phone, as long as its a Blackberry, the Curve 8530 is the best bang for your buck and offers a couple new and improved features that are not only new to Sprint, but to Blackberry altogether.

By Randy Battiest

I have worked in the Wireless industry for 8 years.  Recently, someone asked me about the technique I use to sell wireless devices.  In my opinion, the best way to sell any product is through the AIDA technique.  AIDA is a sales acronym that stands for Attention, Interest, Desire and Action.   The first step is to attract the customer’s ATTENTION.  The best way to approach this first step is by highlighting a feature of the product.  I believe it is important to keep it simple when employing the first step.  Many inexperienced salespeople will “feature dump” to a customer, which can over complicate the sales process.  The second step is to create INTEREST by demonstrating advantages and benefits related to the product.  The third step is an opportunity for the sales rep show that he or she has been listening.  This phase of the process is called DESIRE and is where the sales rep matches product sales features to the needs of the customer.  The sales rep can use the third step to kind of test the water for the upcoming close.  The final step is ACTION where the sales rep asks for the business (closes the sale).  This step should be reached only when the rep has overcome all objections and completed the task of matching features and benefits based on that customer’s needs.

In the competitive landscape of the Wireless industry, it is easy for potential and existing customers to become confused with all of the different offers relating to rate plans, handsets, data solutions, etc.  When the salesperson utilizes the AIDA technique he/she gains control of the sales process and if presented effectively can migrate the customer closer to Y-E-S.

By Keith Sloan