I forgot to add this the first time...a great video from the folks at Meraki about it. Tell me it's not your life in IT. ;)
http://youtu.be/HkEG3I3SAmk
Friday, December 30, 2011
A $50 server? *blink blink*
Yup. It's small...it's a dual core Turion...but hey, if you need a TINY BASIC server...let me know :D
(Yes I know it says $349...but until next Friday it'll be $49.99)
(EDIT: Some of you might have missed the comment on this post. We sold out of these units 4 hours after we started that fire sale. If they come back, I'll make sure to post more here about them. I suggest buying 3 units and building a nice beefier server out of the same parts, since the drives for that unit are vaporware thanks to the Thailand Drives Issue)
(Yes I know it says $349...but until next Friday it'll be $49.99)
(EDIT: Some of you might have missed the comment on this post. We sold out of these units 4 hours after we started that fire sale. If they come back, I'll make sure to post more here about them. I suggest buying 3 units and building a nice beefier server out of the same parts, since the drives for that unit are vaporware thanks to the Thailand Drives Issue)
Thursday, December 29, 2011
How are you managing your systems?
This is a question that I don't think that I ask enough to my clients...but that's going to change. Systems Management is a huge thing in the IT world, but it's almost always out of the average company's reach, because it's expensive...VERY expensive. You can jump over here to Wikipedia and see how many different kinds of programs are out there to do this...and they all have their ups and downs, their learning curves, and their costs (financial or otherwise).
LANdesk is great software...no doubt about it. But, with the basic price for 1 year and the software at around $90 per unit, that's pricey, and then maintenance agreements...and if you want anything specialized, that's an agent you have to add on. It adds up quickly...not to mention that it's rather complex. Not just them, but there are so many others that have the same situation that not everyone is willing to shell out that kind of money to manage their systems.
Then along comes Meraki. I've spoken about these guys before, and my long time clients all know that I've always preached their products because of the quality that goes into them. Now, they've taken that software that manages their wireless units & routers in the cloud, and applied it to Systems Management. No tricky names here, the Meraki Systems Manager is a strong piece of work that delivers at a very low price. Download the trial from their site, and let it start sending out agents to your desktops & laptops. Here's a short breakdown for you on what it delivers...
1) Live Diagnostics - Not only does it know what your units are down to their kernels, but what software is on them, how its CPU is being utilized, RAM usage, etc. Now you can know at a glance what's going on with one of your user's units.
2) Remote Access - Need to remote desktop in? Easy. How about sending a message to a user or killing a process on their computer? Done.
3) Inventory & Location Tracking - Now you can know what you've got, where it is, and how it's being used on a simple webpage. Who needs complicated software licensing from Computrace when you have an agent that'll tell you where a missing unit is down to the street address on google maps?
4) Software licensing management - EVERYONE needs this tool. You know you have to track your licenses with a complicated excel spreadsheet, or through a tool that a VAR like us provide...but why? This will tell you what's on your machines, and even if it needs to be renewed? Jinkies!
And more than I have time to list.
Go download the trial today and test it out. Have questions? Let me know and we'll get you on a call with our friends at Meraki to answer your questions. Let's cut your workload today!
Oh yes...and Happy New Year! Be safe! :)
Addendum: This software is now FREE for everyone to use. Enjoy! :)
LANdesk is great software...no doubt about it. But, with the basic price for 1 year and the software at around $90 per unit, that's pricey, and then maintenance agreements...and if you want anything specialized, that's an agent you have to add on. It adds up quickly...not to mention that it's rather complex. Not just them, but there are so many others that have the same situation that not everyone is willing to shell out that kind of money to manage their systems.
Then along comes Meraki. I've spoken about these guys before, and my long time clients all know that I've always preached their products because of the quality that goes into them. Now, they've taken that software that manages their wireless units & routers in the cloud, and applied it to Systems Management. No tricky names here, the Meraki Systems Manager is a strong piece of work that delivers at a very low price. Download the trial from their site, and let it start sending out agents to your desktops & laptops. Here's a short breakdown for you on what it delivers...
1) Live Diagnostics - Not only does it know what your units are down to their kernels, but what software is on them, how its CPU is being utilized, RAM usage, etc. Now you can know at a glance what's going on with one of your user's units.
2) Remote Access - Need to remote desktop in? Easy. How about sending a message to a user or killing a process on their computer? Done.
3) Inventory & Location Tracking - Now you can know what you've got, where it is, and how it's being used on a simple webpage. Who needs complicated software licensing from Computrace when you have an agent that'll tell you where a missing unit is down to the street address on google maps?
4) Software licensing management - EVERYONE needs this tool. You know you have to track your licenses with a complicated excel spreadsheet, or through a tool that a VAR like us provide...but why? This will tell you what's on your machines, and even if it needs to be renewed? Jinkies!
And more than I have time to list.
Go download the trial today and test it out. Have questions? Let me know and we'll get you on a call with our friends at Meraki to answer your questions. Let's cut your workload today!
Oh yes...and Happy New Year! Be safe! :)
Addendum: This software is now FREE for everyone to use. Enjoy! :)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
*blink blink* Really? How can I get one?
The title is an actual statement from a client of mine when mentioned our Apple notebook promos that are going on right now. While I'm not a fan of pushing out product deals through this blog...these deals are too good to pass up.
So...if you have an account with PC Mall...call your rep and ask to buy these. If not...call me at 541 * 351 * 8845 and I'll help you get some. Simple as that. Have any other holiday shopping you need to do for family and friends, and it's electronic? Call us. We can get things to you quickly and even before the holidays are over. Take a look
So...if you have an account with PC Mall...call your rep and ask to buy these. If not...call me at 541 * 351 * 8845 and I'll help you get some. Simple as that. Have any other holiday shopping you need to do for family and friends, and it's electronic? Call us. We can get things to you quickly and even before the holidays are over. Take a look
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Consumerization of the the Workplace
Happy Holidays! :)
Yup, "Consumerization"...that's apparently a now word that explains how workplaces are becoming inundated with personal devices: laptops, tablets, smartphones and other devices. I was going over my Microsoft information the other night, and there were some great articles sent over by their TechNet division. You can see a great white paper on it here. (Be warned, it's a bit beefy.)
Really though, it's time to talk about what your mobility strategy is...but I'm sure you saying, "Why???" The reason is, having a clearly defined strategy that's already in place will help curb certain employees from taking advantage of your lack of policy and standards. It's going to happen, and it's only going to reflect onto you. So, it's time to beat them to the punch, and show them (and your bosses) how flexible you are too! Take a look at this webinar we here at PC Mall are holding next week that explains how the iPad works in Business...and how mobility relates to you. Register today and get some free learning in! :)
If you take a look at this blurb over on Microsoft's site, it goes over how to "Consumerize" your workplace a bit...and what strategies are mentioned. Things like Desktop Optimization, Cloud Services, and Smartphone & Mobile OS support to name a few.
How are you dealing with smartphones and tablets in your organization? There's a lot to be said there, and we'd like to know how to help you with it. Call and talk to us! (My number is 541-351-8845, but if you're not my client, call your rep here. :) )
Yup, "Consumerization"...that's apparently a now word that explains how workplaces are becoming inundated with personal devices: laptops, tablets, smartphones and other devices. I was going over my Microsoft information the other night, and there were some great articles sent over by their TechNet division. You can see a great white paper on it here. (Be warned, it's a bit beefy.)
Really though, it's time to talk about what your mobility strategy is...but I'm sure you saying, "Why???" The reason is, having a clearly defined strategy that's already in place will help curb certain employees from taking advantage of your lack of policy and standards. It's going to happen, and it's only going to reflect onto you. So, it's time to beat them to the punch, and show them (and your bosses) how flexible you are too! Take a look at this webinar we here at PC Mall are holding next week that explains how the iPad works in Business...and how mobility relates to you. Register today and get some free learning in! :)
If you take a look at this blurb over on Microsoft's site, it goes over how to "Consumerize" your workplace a bit...and what strategies are mentioned. Things like Desktop Optimization, Cloud Services, and Smartphone & Mobile OS support to name a few.
How are you dealing with smartphones and tablets in your organization? There's a lot to be said there, and we'd like to know how to help you with it. Call and talk to us! (My number is 541-351-8845, but if you're not my client, call your rep here. :) )
Symantec Backup becomes even easier to manage...
First of All...Happy Holidays! :)
I know I've mentioned this product briefly before, but the Symantec Backup Exec 3600 appliance is a new product from the acclaimed security company. Not only are they providing their great BE software for your backup needs, but this appliance also has the capability to store it FOR you. Also, no longer would you have to allocate space on your servers or in your storage to push your backups to. This device will help manage and control it for you.
It's integrated deduplication, granular recovery and Virtual Machine protection (for VMWare and Hyper-V) does reduce your storage and use costs that come up over time with your backups. Really, we all know that your backup procedures are always taxing on your time, and create a drag on your day that you could better utilize.
Why not take some time next week on December 14, and attend our Symantec 3600 webinar? It's a free training on this product and it'll help you to better understand what the unit can do for you.
Before you ask...no, it does not make your teeth and laundry whiter, while doing your taxes and walking the dog...but all of those things could get done in the time you're fiddling with your Backup Solution, if you utilized the Symantec 3600.
(While some of you might think I'm shilling for this...I'm actually not. I've been impressed with what I've seen, and if it can help make your lives easier, then I'm all for it. Tell me I'm wrong and why. :) )
I know I've mentioned this product briefly before, but the Symantec Backup Exec 3600 appliance is a new product from the acclaimed security company. Not only are they providing their great BE software for your backup needs, but this appliance also has the capability to store it FOR you. Also, no longer would you have to allocate space on your servers or in your storage to push your backups to. This device will help manage and control it for you.
It's integrated deduplication, granular recovery and Virtual Machine protection (for VMWare and Hyper-V) does reduce your storage and use costs that come up over time with your backups. Really, we all know that your backup procedures are always taxing on your time, and create a drag on your day that you could better utilize.
Why not take some time next week on December 14, and attend our Symantec 3600 webinar? It's a free training on this product and it'll help you to better understand what the unit can do for you.
Before you ask...no, it does not make your teeth and laundry whiter, while doing your taxes and walking the dog...but all of those things could get done in the time you're fiddling with your Backup Solution, if you utilized the Symantec 3600.
(While some of you might think I'm shilling for this...I'm actually not. I've been impressed with what I've seen, and if it can help make your lives easier, then I'm all for it. Tell me I'm wrong and why. :) )
Friday, December 2, 2011
PC-friendly version of Android released
Howdy folks! Glad to be back after the Thanksgiving holiday and of course end of the month madness. :)
Thaddeus found this article below this morning over on MSNBC, and I though it to be worth your time to take a look. More from us soon!
PC-friendly version of Android released.
Thaddeus found this article below this morning over on MSNBC, and I though it to be worth your time to take a look. More from us soon!
PC-friendly version of Android released.
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