theXS (a.k.a. it4lease.ca)

IT infrastructure have evolved from standalone desktop, peer-to-peer network sharing, client-server application, on the server data and application, virtualization, SaaS, etc, and recently, to the Cloud.
Most Small Business are still working in a mix desktop-network-sharing environment but it’s time for a change, for the better.
I see two alternatives (other than doing no-thing, of course)

1. a safe move to on premises, on the server data and application environment, OR
2. a big jump to the Cloud, where *every-thing* is *up-there some-where* and we only have an internet connexion

2012 is a good year to improve your current IT infrastructure or at least talk about the choices.
We can help: call or email for a free Consultation on your IT infrastructure and procedures.

Integration is vital for Small Business: having a remote managed server appliance on premises, running most important network services in a secure way could represent a huge improvement in productivity and collaboration.

How to know if you can benefit from this solution? Well, this is a simple test – if you find yourself represented in more than one of below statements, then you might consider it as a good choice for your business:

IF YOU DO HAVE:

• your email on the user’s PC without a central backup
• your important files and data fragmented among your employees
• a reactive to problems instead of a proactive to solutions IT policy

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE:

• an automatic scheduled backup of your files, emails and data
• a proven and tested recovery plan
• remote but secure access to your local network services

Not sure yet? we can help: call or email for a free Consultation on your IT infrastructure and procedures

After finishing a presentation with some of my clients about Cloud Computing, their main objections were security and privacy and this is usually the major concern among business owners.

At the time of recovery is when we know if we had a good backup plan, but we should not wait that long to figure it out, because it might be too late then if it weren’t that good.

Let’s try a simple questionnaire: IF you answer NO to any of these four questions, you should consider a review of your current backup and disaster recovery plan, as soon as possible:

1. IF you delete an important file or email, can you get it back?
2. IF you change a document by mistake, can you recover a previous version?
3. IF your computer or laptop is lost or broken, can you restore all your data?
4. IF your office is in a disaster situation (thief, fire, flood), can you recover all your information?

We can help on the evaluation of your current plan, just Call for Free Consultation.

Remember, DATA is the lifeblood of your business.

Well, party is over and we are slowly coming into this January blue mood, so it’s the right time to write my new year’s resolutions… briefly, without sorting priority:
1. write something of value every week, here and there (blog, linkedin, twitter, newsletter…)
2. finish a working demo for our three main product lines (infrastructure, business applications and the Cloud)
3. improve my oral communication skills – specially the speech part, so I can get my message out there as I got it in my mind.
4. I won’t diet but I’ll do more exercise – gym, pool or a simple stairway
I might be tempted as usually to do some adjustments during the year, but I promise I won’t change the essence of my resolutions, what I call “learn-help-live”.

The most common answers are among these below
#1. Oops, I don’t even remember (well, very common but almost suicidal)
#2. A few days or weeks ago, I do that from time to time (risky but better)
#3. Just yesterday, I do a backup everyday (unusual, but not even the right answer, because the “I do” involved )

The right answer would be two-fold
1. I don’t personally do Data Backups
2. My server does it for me, automatically – local and remote.

Most Small Business don’t have a file and email Server, neither a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solution.
But also, most of them won’t recover from a major IT disaster.

If you want to talk about Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) and get more details of the diagram below…
Please, just call me or email me, I would be happy to help.

This article is still under construction, but it would hold my views and hints about IT

–oO|Oo–

edgeBox, features at a glance

Last modified on 2009-10-24 16:06:11 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

In plain user language, what would I get when using edgeBox in my Office?

1. All-In-OneBox network solution remotely managed – the ICT guy comes with the Box
2. Your web/email/file/access/security servers in one place at your premise
3. Local wired/wireless and Remote As Local user access, HO and branch integration
4. Automatic Backup to local, network or remote drive and a proven Recovery Plan
5. Share and Unified Data-Fax-Mail-Voice
6. Anti-Spam, Anti-Virus, email/file scan on the Server side
7. Local AAA authentication, authorization and accounting with detailed reports
8. Monthly affordable leasing payment, deductible expenses instead of investment
9. Moving “your Values” from Desktops to the Server

During last FIFA Cup (football aka soccer World Cup) I had a chance to enjoy all the advantages of working from Home, while using the edgeBOX solution running in the Office.

I was able to

• sit in front of our management computer to do some transactions
• receive calls on my office extension
• print on the office machine
• sit besides my associate and review a new order on his computer
• make some calls from my office extension
• have access to files on the office server
• even receive calls to my office extension on my cell
• and all these, on a secured way

So, in the future I have to remind myself when talking with the decision maker from any SMB, to tell them they can do it too.

I found an article on Channel Insider UK from Frank Ohlhorst, presenting edgeBOX from the MSP (Managed Service Provider?) view. As long as this is exactly our approach for this solution, I wanted to quoted here… completely, while citing the original source for a right reference. It’s a lesson for me as a presentation, hopefully helps me to carry my message:

-o0|0o-

Critical Links’ EdgeBox Creates Ample Opportunities for Solution Providers
Date: 17-02-2009, By: Frank Ohlhorst

By combining the best bits of open-source software into a VOIP appliance, Critical Links brings convergence to a new milestone and creates what may be the must-have appliance for most any SMB.

Solution providers are turning to recession-resistant technologies to weather the current economic storm. Technologies such as voice over IP, security and remote access are becoming the solutions of choice to create revenue in challenging times. But there are still significant challenges ahead for those solution providers, ranging from training to product selection to identifying target markets. In other words, it’s going to take a lot more than selling a better mouse trap to succeed today and tomorrow.

For solution providers pursuing the small and midsize business market, the challenges are Read more…

Since few months ago we have joined a well known networking organization BNI, one of its chapters in Mississauga – BNI Wealth Chapter (see also BNI, BNI Canada, BNI Golden Horseshoe). BNI is a professional marketing organization specializing in word-of-mouth referrals. Our philosophy is “Givers Gain” and through this philosophy, the relationships you develop will convert network contacts into referred business.

Last week I have a 10 minutes opportunity to showcase our Company Sun Technologies, product lines, market targets and referral opportunities and goals — see below the outline of my presentation.


Later, I am gonna follow up through comments on Q&A about this presentation, for future developments and references.