The Force Field Volume 1 Premium Edition is a special collection of the first six episodes of The Force Field, re-released as a Producer's Cut with additional content, remastered audio and no commercial breaks.

Billed as "the unofficial podcast of the IT service industry",The Force Field is an informative and entertaining podcast in a new and growing media aimed specifically at IT professionals including field service technicians, VARs and PC businesses in the United States and Canada. The purpose of The Force Field is to provide education and insight in the business of tech through interviews with professionals, companies and vendors in the industry in order to inform, entertain and assist providers in managing and growing their IT service businesses.

Since its launch in 2006, The Force Field has received rave reviews and great support among members of the IT service provider community and the small business community as well. In August 2007 it was placed on the list of Small Business Trend Radio's Small Biz Podcast 100. Its audience continues to rise with each episode and the feedback from listeners is overwhelmingly positive.

The show was originally intended as a private podcast for OnForce Service Providers only and was in limited distribution in the Provider Only forums on the OnForce website. Feedback from listeners suggested the podcast had much wider appeal and as of November 1, 2006 the show began open syndication from its own web site at www.theforcefield.net.

The show is currently available as both downloadable and streaming mp3 media to allow the audience to either listen from their mp3 players on the go or while they work right from their desktop. The show follows a standard format starting with a news and comment segment and a call-in or interview segment covering the show topic for the week. Listeners can participate by calling in Saturday nights from 10:30 PM to 2 AM EST. Interviews are conducted at the convenience of the guest(s). These segments are pre-recorded and are usually between 10 and 20 minutes in length.

The show focuses on the IT professional or technician who is also a small business owner and is mobile or runs a computer shop. Topics cover hot button issues important to these entrepreneurs and the callers often set the topic of the shows themselves during the call-in segments. Rather than merely discuss the topic, the host attempts to bring it full circle with a summary, possible resolution or call to action, depending on the topic. This helps keep the show upbeat, informative and entertaining.

The Force Field Volume 1 Premium Edition includes:

• The original News and Comment segment
• Rick's Picks, Tips and Tricks
• A brand new segment created specifically for each episode
• Remastered audio
• No commercial advertisements

Volume 1 Episodes:

Episode 1 - Pilot

This is the episode that started it all. It's the very first episode of The Force Field. This is the premiere episode in which we discuss remote support programs and the difficulties of being a MacGyver when serving customers. 

Episode 2 - The VoIP Connection

Interview with an OnForce Provider, Jamie Begin from Bright Idea VoIP, who entered the VoIP market, how it works for him and what opportunities are available for other Providers who are thinking about getting into an area of technology that could be the next big thing.

Episode 3 - The Last Frontier

Dave Hendrickson talks about his experiences as an IT tech and OnForce Provider living and working in the great state of Alaska.

Episode 4 - Man in the Middle

There is a trend in the marketplace to outsource IT services to third party vendors. Some of these subcontractors have subcontracted to other companies themselves, who in turn sub it out to someone else. This multi-level format has now evolved to a point that makes it difficult for the technician on the end to actually perform the work and still remain profitable. At what point does the service channel become too multi-tiered to even work? Steve and Dave will weigh in and tell us what they think.

Episode 5 - Marketing Your Business

The greatest challenge in any business is how to effectively market it. It is one thing to offer a great product or service, but to get the word out, to tell everyone about it, is another matter entirely. Paul will discuss what it takes to get the word out and effectively market his business.

Episode 6 - What's in Your Toolkit?

Every Service Provider performs their job based on what skills they have, what procedures best work for them and what methods they are most confident using. We are going to poll the Providers and ask the question “What’s your favorite tool?”.

Whether you are interested in starting your own IT business or have been  in the business for years, The Force Field will help you gain insight into and perspective on an exciting and dynamic industry that is like no other.