Computer problems? Help desk to the rescue!
UPDATE: I have been doing some traveling, get ready for some great photos this week!
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is a company made up of several hundred employees, with nearly everyone using computers and other electronic devices. In fact, it’s estimated that there are about 1,000 computers issued. With so much technology in use, one can imagine that there are all kinds of problems that our IT (Information Technology) Department faces on any given day – I’m told that our help desk receives about 100 requests for help daily. IT is comprised of about 50 extremely techie employees, each helping to keep things running smoothly. The Help Desk is motivated to guide employees in becoming self-sufficient and they do a great job of solving many problems over the phone. If the fix is more complicated, they are able view the situation remotely from their own computers to assess what further steps need to be taken. I have always admired the patience required in understanding and mending technological issues. Thank you desktop support services!
This is Angus Chen, who handles Executive Support. Angus came on board as a consultant 8 years ago before becoming a full-time employee. Because of so much equipment, these offices get quite warm and fans are required to cool things down.
G
This is a supply of Blackberry devices – many employees, who frequently
travel to other locations, need them for email use in order to
communicate with fellow co-workers – it’s much more discrete than
talking on cell phones.
shelves and shelves of computer supplies
Let's hop on the MSLO shuttle bus!
The customer relations department behind the scenes!
Behind the scenes in the Everyday Food test kitchen
More photos of Paw Paw's grandsons -- cute!
Hi Martha, Hope you had a great birthday celebration! Can hardly wait for the new photos and commentary this coming week! This blog about computer techies is great, too. I have had my computer since 2000 and have certainly needed lots of help. Luckily, I have an expert living with me and he is always able to fix my problems. I can only imagine how busy your 50 techies are every day. I'm going to share this blog with my brother {my live in techie) and I know he would love to see more photos of your computer supplies, as well as more of your equipment. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a great week! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 4th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Thank heavens, you haven't outsourced your technical support. Don't do it--you don't always get "the best!"
Posted by: Amy | August 4th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Hope you had a very happy birthday. You have many great employees that are so smart. Angus must be on top of things of high tech, for I know this is an important job. Thanks for this blog because it shows us how everything at MSLO must work. Nan
Posted by: Nan Ashby | August 4th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Happy Belated Birthday Martha!!! I hope you had a wonderful time relaxing and celebrating at your home in Maine! Please share some of your "tech" things that you use with us! How do you set up your desk at your home in Bedford? what cell phone(s) do you use? Thanks for sharing MSLO with us! Would LOVE an actual tour someday!
Posted by: Jeffrey | August 4th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I wish we had one of those at work! I work for a media company (a very small, private one) and we have a random tech support group. More often than not, we have to fix our own computer problems. Treasure Angus! I would!
-Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | August 4th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Yesterday was 106 degrees in Texas and I decided to make the delicious, and thankfully, no bake "Cookie of the Month". My 19 year old son was sick, so I looked up a recipe for chicken stock and chicken noodle soup on your website and noticed it was your birthday. As I was cooking and glancing at my Lily Pond inspired blue adirondack chairs out on the porch I remembered it was your birthday, and decided to send a first posting to wish you the best. Your inspiration for cooking and decorating influenced several of the activities around our home yesterday to the delight of my family. Happy travels, and I'll look forward to the posting of your photos.
Posted by: Cynde | August 4th, 2008 at 10:09 am
•:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.* •:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.•:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.*•:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.*
Happy Birthday to you...... •:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.* Happy Birthday to you....•:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.* Happy Birthday dear Marthaaaaa..... Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuu......and many more.....Happy belated birthday Martha!
We hope you enjoyed your birthday all day.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | August 4th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I hope you had an excellent birthday Martha! It's so nice of you to showcase the employees who are really the invisible backbone of the company. Their jobs are critical to the smooth flow of business yet are often overlooked and too often treated lest respectfully.
It sounds like your tech support people try to help the other employees understand how and why things work as opposed to simply fixing the problem and walking away. That attitude makes all the difference in easing workplace tension and maintaining a positive environment to work in.
Posted by: Sonya | August 4th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Martha's Birthday was August 3, the same as my brother-in-law! Happy Birthday to both of you!
Posted by: Susan in CA | August 4th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
August is a great month for birthdays. I have several family members who have b-days this month. Hope yours was GRRReat. I'm 74 years old and have been on the internet since 2007. It is very daunting to me. I'm afraid to do so many things I know would be interesting. I'll keep learning as much as I can. The web is wonderful!
Posted by: McGarity | August 4th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
•:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.* •:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.•:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.*•:*¨ ♪♫♪♫ ¨¨*:•.*
Happy Birthday Martha....
I can't wait for Sept 15
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | August 4th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Happy Birthday, Martha! I wish you the best b'day ever and may your dreams and wishes be fulfilled today and always. I can't wait to see the pictures and comments that you send us soon.
Valerie
Posted by: Valerie | August 4th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Happy Birthday to you Martha!
I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you how much I enjoy your website, & the blog/picture session. Hope you had a great birthday!
Posted by: Sherry | August 4th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Happy Birthday Martha!
My cat's name is Martha too, and since she was a stray, we made her birthday the same day as yours. She got can of tuna as a present.
Posted by: TLT | August 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Martha,
Hope you had an awesome time up in Maine. I heard your replay on Saturday of your 1 hour show on Sirius. Hope the Lobster was juicy and fabulous! Did you have a clam bake?
How are Paw Paw's grandsons doing? You have to pick all three. You know Carlos won't mind taking care of them all, and they really need to stick together. Have you decided on names yet? Don't forget Bedford, Skyland(er), and Nutley!!!
Again, hope your B'Day was fabulouso and deliciouso!!! And, REALLY, you don't look a day over 49! Seriously, you look so great, keep up the good work! You are a GOOD THING!!!
Love,
Kim in N.J.
Posted by: Kim | August 4th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
A Blackberry is probably also a discreet way to communicate.
Posted by: Julie W. | August 5th, 2008 at 2:19 am
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!!! My grandfather & my mom both have birthdays in August too. I'm eagerly waiting for Sept. 15th.
Posted by: Leigh Ann | August 5th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I am lucky that my son-in-law is my own personal IT guy! He is a gem.
JoAnn
Posted by: JoAnn | August 5th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
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Posted by: Shortcuts to Internet Millions | October 15th, 2008 at 9:19 pm