New Health Center at Hacienda Pinilla

Parker Associates is excited to observe the opening of the new Health Center at Hacienda Pinilla, the 4.500 acre resort community on the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica, positioned by Parker Associates a decade ago. The Health Center was a dream of HP founder “Pat” Patillo of Atlanta when he began developing his family vacation ranch in the 1990s. 

In addition to maintaining a doctor in residence (Dr. Rojas) to attend to the medical needs of residents, guests and employees 24/7, the Center held its first annual Health Fair this year to serve the surrounding community with public health services (provided in conjunction with the Costa Rica Public Health System CCSS or Caja).  This is a marvelous example of the kind of distinctive amenity that sets this resort community ahead of its competitors.

Best Florida Housing Markets

According to Realtor.com’s “Top 10 Turnaround Report,” based on Third Quarter 2011 data, the following six Florida markets are included as exhibiting the best positive year-over-year housing median price appreciation, inventory reductions and inventory age while also experiencing lower unemployment rates: Miami, Orlando, Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota-Bradenton, and Lakeland-Winter Haven.

Most of these same markets were featured just three years ago as having the worst impacts in the nation from the Great Recession.  This report also notes that the number of foreign buyers purchasing homes in these markets increased from 10 percent in 2007 to 31 percent in 2011.

Mobile Phone Internet Usage

There was this year a neat infographic highlighting statistics on how people are using mobile phones in 2011.  The infographic shows that over 1 billion of the worlds 4+ billion mobiles phones are now smartphones, and 3 billion are SMS enabled. In 2014, mobile internet usage will overtake desktop internet usage and already in 2011, more than 50% of all “local” searches are done from a mobile device.

It is all part of a media blitz.  People are multitasking with their phones. 86% of mobile users are watching TV while using a mobile phone, 200+ million users access Facebook from a mobile device and 91% of all mobile internet use is “social” related but not necessarily to interact via the Internet.  Much of this socializing is text and talk related.

Most who access the Internet do so to find something immediate and geo-centric.  They are in a location at a specific time and want to know more or they simply want to waste time playing games.  Over half of all searches for local stuff are performed from a mobile device.  Checking the weather or exploring maps and directions are two of the top uses for mobile phones while finding out more about a dining or entertainment choice is also high on the list as a highly utilized type of browsing.

With the continuing saturation of the marketplace with mobile phones and applications, it is imperative that a plan for your company to incorporate such technologies is in place.  Companies must have a web site designed specifically for mobile phone access.  Mobile phone browsers are different and must be specifically designed for.  PTC Computer Solutions has a full understanding with a focus on bringing companies to this market and can answer all your questions on how to get wirelessed in.  Go to www.ptccomputersolutions.com , contact PTC Computer Solutions at info@ptccomputersolutions.com or call 904.992.1742 for more on how to get wirelessed in and stay on top of these new technologies.