Focus On Business

Does your firewall software is the best on the market? If not, you may not be fully protected in an ever-evolving ransomware environment. George Hefter, owner of TCT Computer Solutions, has solutions for any industry, and every budget.

George Hefter with TCT Computer solutions talks about enhancements he's made to services his company provides.

Following the attacks on New York's World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Kennewick firefighter and paramedic Steve Bailie joined an Incident Management Team that worked in the recovery effort at the site. When he was diagnosed with a rare leukemia in 2018, it was determined that the illness was directly linked to toxins he was exposed to at Ground Zero. As such, his death on July 17, 2020 is considered a line-of-duty fatality, because he contracted the cancer while on duty. The Kennewick Fire Department will hold a Line of Duty Death with Honors funeral for Bailie on Saturday, September 12th. Bailie's cousin, Chad Riddell, shares some of the fallen firefighter's story, and encourages the community to support the family and first responders during this weekend's procession.

An auto action with no reserve? No minimums? It's a rare occurrence, but it's happening June 16th at Trucks and Auto Auction in Pasco. Jake Musser with Trucks and Auto Auction talks with Jenna Kochenauer about the upcoming event.

Does your business have the capital, financially and with your clients and customers, to survive a 3 week shut down to recover from a malware attack? Most businesses and organizations do not. That's why it's so important to have a firewall system that will protect your business from attacks, and a back-up system to help you recover as quickly as possible. George Hefter, with TCT Computer Solutions, has spent several weeks helping one local business recover from a costly malware attack that could have been prevented, and he shares some of that experience with us on this episode of Focus on Business. TCT COMPUTER SOLUTIONS 100 North Morain Street, Suite 312 Kennewick, WA 99336 (509) 627-4808

Trucks and Auto Auction in Pasco holds a public auto auction every other Tuesday, online and its Pasco facility. The last auction of 2019 happens this week, but there are lots of other exciting events coming up, including a classic collection auction scheduled for 2020. Jenna talks with Jake Musser about the upcoming events, and how you can take part as either a buyer or a seller.

Your nephew knows a thing or two about computers, but should you trust him to manage your business's IT Network and security? Unless it's something he does all day every day, staying up-to-date on the latest best practices for the industry-- probably not.  No offense, Joey. This is our livelihood we're talking about here. George Hefter and his team of experts at TCT Computer Solutions provide you with that on-going expertise, monitoring your system, and making sure your system is running properly and safely. Learn more in today's Focus on Business.

Whether you live in a house or own a business in the Tri-Cities, there IS hard water running through your pipes.  Having a professionally-installed soft water system will save you money in the long run.  Matt and Chris with Softwater Specialists explain why, and how they can help you find the right soft water system for you! Their advice on a running a muddy obstacle race is a little less clear, but they take a stab at it!

Are you ready? Starting January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide support and SECURITY PATCHES for Windows 7.  George Hefter with TCT Computer Solutions explains the challenges you and your business will face if you haven't converted your business operating systems by then. And it's getting down to crunch time! George and his team will get you converted and secure well ahead of the new year.

Softwater Specialists will now deliver salt and provide bi-monthly maintenance of your water softener system, regardless of who you bought it from. Matt and Chris chat with Jenna about why it's so important for Tri-Cities homeowners to install a water softener on their homes, and what different types of systems are available. MySoftwater.com

Spring is here-- and it's already starting to feel like summer! Warmer temperatures mean we're spending more time outside, traveling in our RVs, and making the most of the extra daylight hours by spending time with friends and family. We talk with Dave from Columbia Basin Satellite and Electric about your options for expanding entertainment options for your outdoor living space, getting your RV ready for the road, and delegating those household projects.

Spring is in full swing... do you have the entertainment you need lined up and ready?  Dave, owner of Columbia Basin Satellite and Electric, talks to Jenna about the last minute deal you can score with Dish Network, and how they can help with your "Honey-Do" list.

Getting the RV ready for the summer? There are some things you need to know if you have an RV account with DirecTV. Special incentives for new Dish Network customers, who to call to get those smart lighting devices installed in your home, and Jenna tells Dave all about what her dream patio would look like. Maybe it'll jog some dreams of your own! Also-- Columbia Basin Satellite and Electric is hiring!  ColumbiaBasinSatellite.com 509-783-SAVE (7283)

Where are you with your New Year's Resolutions? Don't give up! You CAN achieve those goals, but you might need some help. The Tri-City Court Club has all kinds of help available, with group fitness classes, personal trainers, family programs, and a wide variety of sports and fitness programs suitable or all ages and fitness levels. In this episode, we highlight some of the many programs available, and some changes that are planned for the facility. Contact the Tri-City Court Club to get a tour of the facility, along with a trial pass, and see who Tri-City Court Club can help you achieve your goals. 509-783-5465 TriCityCourtClub.com

Those of us who grew up in the Tri-Cities are used to the way the extremely hard water tastes at the tap. Those who moved here from out of the area-- not so much. Chris from Softwater Specialists chats with Jeff Smart from Smart Realty about what prompted him to switch to soft water. Jeff also explains how a softwater system improves your home's value, and offers some insights into the current housing market for Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, West Richland, and Benton City. Softwater Specialists 509-845-SOFT Smart Realty 509-371-9085 

Spring has arrived, along with spring sports, chores... and PAIN. All that swinging and stooping can get your back out of whack. What can you do to avoid some of the common pitfalls we endure when we start getting active again after sedentary winter? In this episode of #FocusOnBusiness, we talk with Dr. Ross Thoelke from Back to Basics talks with Jenna Kochenauer about ways to prevent back and other issues.

Computers freezing? Getting kicked out of email on a regular basis? Having to constantly reboot? These aren't normal IT behaviors, and if you let them continue, you could end up with a costly problem on your hands.  George Hefter with TCT Computer Solutions calls these "Pain Points." In this Focus on Business, he talks about the ways business owners can save money in the long run with proactive maintenance and replacement schedules. TCTS.com 509.627.4808 

You've heard the rumors... is Cheesecake Factory coming to the Tri-Cities? Maybe Trader Joe's? It isn't all wishful thinking, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Commercial real estate leader, Derrick Stricker, delves into some of these rumors, where they started, and what chance they might have of becoming a reality. Contact Derrick on Twitter @StrickerCRE or at NAI Tri-Cities 509-943-5200.

How much time did you spend planning your last vacation? You probably started thinking about it months ahead of time, booking hotels, planning routes, purchasing tickets for travel and sight-seeing tours. It's a lot of work planning for that one or two weeks of travel! How much time have you spent planning your end of life services? There are plots to purchase, decisions to be made about final disposition-- more than 150 decisions related to your funeral and other end of life events. Taking care of those arrangements so your surviving family members don't have to is one of the greatest gifts you can leave them. We talk to Amy Coffman from Muellers's Funeral Homes about the benefits of making those arrangements years before they're necessary. 

Let Columbia Basin Satellite and Electric take care of the electrical projects on your honey-do list. Plus, there could be some changes coming to your access to Viacom channels on your satellite.  ColumbiaBasinSatellite.com or 509-783-SAVE.