Central Coast Solutions

Red Ribbon Ride iPod Winners!

Central Coast Solutions — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:50:27 +0000

The results of the iPod drawing we sponsored are in. Congratulations to the winners!

Dear Ed,

I just finished picking the winners of my Red Ribbon Ride iPod Shuffle drawing sponsored by Central Coast Solutions. The names of everyone who donated $50 or more were each assigned a number. I then used an online random number generator to produce the winning numbers. The winners were 7 and 11!

Before I let you know who 7 and 11 are, I want to again thank Central Coast Solutions for their donation of the two iPod Shuffles for this drawing. Central Coast Solutions is always ahead of the game with their knowledge of Apple products and how they can best be configured for your home or business environment, and as always, their service is always above and beyond expectations. You can find out more about Central Coast Solutions and how they might help you or your business on my personal fundraising page or by visiting their website at www.centralcoastweb.com.

Okay, the winners are…

#7 Chris Morris

#11 Kari Thorpe

Thank you all and congratulations!

Kurt

Click here to visit my personal page.

Click here to view the team page for Minnesota AIDS Project

Support the Red Ribbon Ride for your Chance at an iPod

Central Coast Solutions — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:17:48 +0000

Here is an email I received about the Red Ribbon Ride. This is a great cause and I hope you choose to help.

Dear Ed,

Spring has finally arrived in Minneapolis and it’s time to pull my bike off the trainer and hit the road in preparation for this year’s Red Ribbon Ride. Between July 14 and 17th, I will again be riding 300-miles to raise money for eight Minnesota HIV/AIDS organizations.

To help me reach my increased goal of $1800, my friends over at Central Coast Solutions have donated two iPod Shuffles to be given away as incentives. On Wednesday, April 20th I will be drawing two names from everyone who has donated or does donate at least $50 or more to my 2011 Red Ribbon Ride by midnight on April 19th. These two people will each win a 2GB iPod Shuffle!

Donations can be made by credit card or personal check, but must be received by 11:59pm on Tuesday, April 19th to qualify. I will notify everyone of the winners via email on the evening of the 20th. If you have have already made a generous donation of less than $50 to my ride, you may make a second donation to total or exceed the $50 mark to be entered in the drawing. You can make your donation and view photos of the 2GB iPod Shuffles by following the link to my personal fundraising page below.

I would like to extend a gracious “thank-you” to Central Coast Solutions for their donation of the iPods for this drawing. Central Coast Solutions is a full-service business technology consulting company based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. Central Coast’s core markets rely on Apple Macintosh computers, and believe me, they know everything about them; their integration into PC networks, applications and workflow. They also offer training to help you get the most out of your tools and yourself. You can find out more about Central Coast and how they might help you or your business on my personal fundraising page or by visiting their website at www.centralcoastweb.com.

Thanks and good luck!

Kurt

Click here to visit my personal page.

Click here to view the team page for Minnesota AIDS Project

Apple Expert Repair & Service

Central Coast Solutions — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:59:31 +0000

We get it. You don’t want to think about how your computer works. You just want to know that it will.

We’re a different kind of Macintosh sales, service and training experts, because we see your world from the other side of the glass—the productivity, get more done an hour earlier side. We don’t ask what do you need, but why do you need it.

We make it a point to get to know how you work and how your business works before we ever open our mouths and start speaking “geek”. Actually, we try not to speak “geek”. We prefer to speak “painless creativity” and “happy returning client” instead.

At Central Coast Solutions there are no dumb questions—ever. Come, learn, create.

Workflow Design

Central Coast Solutions — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:46:53 +0000

We Make Your Workflow Work for You

The growth of your company is based on its increasing ability to provide quality services to your customers. Workflow is defined by how you provide these services, and your success is defined by how well those services are provided.

Central Coast Solutions is expert at evaluating and improving workflow. We assist our clients in getting the most out of every aspect of their workflow, including planning, training, technology, service and support. Ours is a unique, whole-company approach delivered through our in-depth knowledge of the industry, based on years of experience and our work with hundreds of clients. We approach workflow from a solution standpoint, and want to be sure that any plan put in place takes all sides of your organization and customer base into account. We start your evaluation from the standpoint of how data moves in and out of your company. The next step is to evaluate your systems, productivity and effectiveness in generating the work you do. The last step is to evaluate how effectively your company delivers those services to the client.

While focusing on the tasks directly in front of you, it is difficult to have time to look at better solutions or the way you could be working–or should be working. The issues your organization needs to address are many. Answering such questions and taking in the broader view is our job. Let us show you how working with Central Coast will generate better workflow, greater productivity and more revenue for your business.

Testimonials

Central Coast Solutions — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:04:01 +0000

My Computer Blew Up—Literally.

Terri Kinne, owner, Kinne Design

Platform: G5, Tiger, CS4 Suite, 2 printers

At 10:00 p.m. my computer actually blew up—literally—we’re talking smoke pouring out the back followed by that wonderful burnt electric smell. Needless to say I was horrified. It’s one thing to lose the hardware, but my next thought was what else did I lose that I didn’t have backed up, and then, how am I going to meet my deadlines? I called Ed, the owner of Central Coast and left a rather frantic message. I was not surprised when he called me right back and told me not to worry—remember this is 10:00 at night.

“Remember this is 10:00 at night”

That’s the kind of responsiveness I’ve come to expect from Ed. He came out first in the morning, his customary Mountain Dew in one hand and a temporary machine for me to use in the other. After recovering all my files off my hard drive, he helped me decide the best business strategy for a replacement machine. I say that because with Ed it’s not about the hardware of software, they’re just tools, but it’s about the health and welfare of my business and where I’m going with it. Oh, and he doesn’t make you feel dumb for asking, well, dumb questions. I know he’s got clients way bigger than my little business, but when makes a house call it’s like you’re the only one that matters.

— Terri Kinne, Owner, Kinne Design

New York Magazine Relies On Central Coast For Key Transition

“Central Coast was extremely patient, helpful and unobtrusive, as they helped guide us through a very challenging relocation from New York to Minneapolis. Imagine a completely new creative staff of art directors, copy editors, freelancers, all needing different levels of access to servers, printers, passwords, data, images, and none of us really had any established workflow or working status for the technology we had inherited. Ed and his team helped us sort it all out, made recommendations that improved workflow and protected the many deadlines inherent in publishing an iconic magazine.”

— Monica Moses, Editor in Chief, American Craft Magazine
American Craft Magazine

“Troy is one awesome guy. The dream machine is up and running and GORGEOUS, and Troy was great to work with. I’m sure you figured I was a little apprehensive about the in-home “gourmet” treatment, and I am now a true believer. A total convert. The Apple Store and the Genius Bar are NOT the only go-to guys at the front of my little black book anymore! THANKS for your help in getting that all set up! Have a splendid day.” —Amy Lengsfeld

“My iMac is working great! Thanks for all your speedy help!” —Amy Madsen, Owner, Madsen Design

“Thank you. Don’t know what I’d do without you. I very much appreciate your quick responses & support!” —Karen Engelbretson, Owner, KJE Design

“I can’t tell you just how appreciative I am for all the help you have given me. Crazy….I feel like I am whole again! (in a weird way!) But seriously, thank you so much, and I will not hesitate to promote any future clients to you & your team.” —Colleen Bocan

“Thanks again for taking care of getting our huge files converted. Happy clients = happy us!” —Jill Maki, Project Manager, Franke+Fiorella

“Just wanted to say that so far my machine has been running like a champ. Thanks so much for getting her to run faster!” —Teresa Setterlund, Owner, appleberryink

“Thanks for the time today Ed. I’m a lucky duck to have a resource like you.” —Barb Nagell

“Thanks for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. It was an absolute delight. Your passion and obvious expertise is inspiring! I look forward to talking with you again.” —Cindy Bielke

“Thanks for taking the time to help me late yesterday afternoon. With your help I was able to talk my mom through installing a current version of Quicktime, getting her registered on Cornell University live sports video web site and with only minutes to spare was able to watch her grandson wrestle live with 1000 miles between them. My mom was thrilled and I just want to say Thanks again.” —John Schreiner, Owner, Studio-JAS

“Just wanted to say “thanks” again for problem solving the printing issues with my new computer. It has been working like a charm! You are the best!!” —Terri Kinne, Owner, Kinne Design

“I just wanted to tell you how much the kids and I are enjoying the new, improved Mac! And the iBook with external monitor works great downstairs, too! Thanks again so much for all your time, advice, etc. It was my pleasure!!” —Stephanie Sample

Twin Cities InDesign User Group

Central Coast Solutions — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:20:29 +0000

Central Coast Solutions has been involved both as a member and contributor to the Twin Cities Chapter of the Adobe InDesign User Group since its beginning–and we are proud to be a sponsor.

If you use InDesign or currently are a Quark user interested in how the “other side” faces their workflow challenges, then you need to attend. This information-filled forum brings the best minds in the industry together with the cream of the user side to answer questions, offer insight and a chance to meet your colleagues. We will see you there!

Click here to join the chapter and sign up to attend the next meeting.