Thegatewaynews.com - A chance to see Microsoft's latest

The Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce will present a special "how to" April 9 luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church's fellowship hall.

Small- to medium-sized businesses face the challenge of continuously finding ways to do more with less.

They need to communicate with customers and staff more efficiently while constantly on the road. While communicating more often with more people, professionals need to keep everyone involved secure from hackers, viruses, and other ills of the information age.

Businesses must constantly promote their brand, but how do they do this and look like they have big business resources without big business resources?

These questions and many more can be answered by technology.

Speaking at the chamber's luncheon will be Bob Coppedge, president of Simplex-IT LLC, an organization dedicated to providing information technology solutions to small- and medium-sized businesses.

Simplex-IT is a Microsoft-Certified Small Business Specialist.

Coppedge holds several Microsoft certifications, yet retains his ability to talk with non-technical folk.

He's a member of the Microsoft Small Business Advisory Council, a national group of 10 partners chosen by Microsoft to help guide their Small Business Specialist programs.

He'll bring with him a literal truckload of technology to showcase for chamber members.

Following his presentation, Coppedge will conduct tours and answer more questions with the aid of the 42-foot Microsoft Truck, a rolling, hands-on, showcase of the software company's latest business solutions.

RSVP to the Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at 330-626-4769. Because of limited space, reservations also are requested, specifically to tour the Microsoft Truck, which will be in town from noon until 3 p.m. Cost is $15 for chamber members and $17 for non-chamber members.

Editor's note: This article was submitted by Bruce Felber, Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce's Board president.