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

The whole idea behind OneBox project is driven by two main concepts “Simplifying through Integration” and “Avoiding the Problems”
I just wanted to provide a simple recipe for the path to achieve this goal — a three steps

Overview and Premises

1. SMB spends more on user’s PCs because usually cannot afford a Server
2. But the Sum of expending on those PCs is usually bigger than a fully featured Server
3. Why keep real value on the desktop if we can move it to the Server?
4. Why keep OS and applications on the desktop if we can move them to the Intranet – the Local Cloud?

1st Step: Move from Many to One

1. OneBox will include all currently spread information in One – secured and protected – Box
2. While keeping easy access and sharing for authorized users from anywhere
3. Desktop would be just Hardware, OS and Applications

2nd Step: Back to Many

1. Getting back the old Terminal concept, all users would share Server resources, data and applications
2. Dilute your user desktops into your local Server using disk-less PCs connected to a Terminal Server
3. Desktop would be just Hardware and network access, while OS and Applications move to the Server

3rd Step: Then to None

1. Upgrade the disk-less PCs to just a Web Browser Appliance and make your applications Web based (RA3D)
2. That’s the further step to the Local Cloud, moving your office to the Intranet
3. Desktop would be just Hardware and a Web Browser.

Well, this is kind of a personal project, in fact a two projects combination: (leasing and integrating) an office-network in a single package-solution.

The idea of leasing dated back in 2002 and was kept in the sandbox since then — One Box project started back in March 2007 exploring available projects at that time, among then I remember Office in a Box from EdgeBox and IT in a Box from EmergeCore, the latter was a simple and amazing box (now discontinued, AFAIK), the former was just an ISO to install at that time and it didn’t work with our server platforms.

After spending a few weeks collaborating with our partners in Panama (some Linux tech out there) we gave up buying and started developing our own OneBox (Office NEtwork in a Box) — it was ready for it360 show in Toronto last year — we are now providing this solution on different flavours, time will tell what’s the main course:

1. Our own OneBox — an all inclusive cabinet, featuring an Intel server and ubuntu
2. A simplified fork thin-client-network OneBox  — just a Linux Terminal Server serving Asus diskless PCs
3. Back on current EdgeBox SoHo/Office appliance — signing as their first VAR in Ontario
4. Also checking on Planet Unified Office Gateway — an all-inclusive appliance with a lot of potencial

On top of any of these solutions we are providing a leasing model 24/27 with or new partner National Leasing, so from now on our new clients will be paying a monthly and fair amount for their IT remotely managed platform.

That’s it — we are leasing IT remote managed services, all in One Box at your premises — and more to come.