Cloud Myths...

No this isn't a tribute to Final Fantasy VII... ;)

The folks at Trend Micro put this out to my team the other day, and I wanted to share it with all of you too.  Cloud Computing has a lot of use to small & medium businesses...but uses never come without danger of misuse.  This article here, discusses the myths of Cloud Computing and what the realities are.  Now if you ignore the last couple of pages...the ad for TM...there's some insight in this article.  Let me discuss the first 3 now, and the rest in a followup post.

Myth #1: SMBs know they are using The Cloud.  - Do they?  I think a lot of companies who use Gmail, Yahoo mail, facebook, twitter, picasa, dropbox and other online tools forget that those are Cloud tools.  The Cloud is a nebulous thing that encompasses concepts of how technology is delivered to people, it is not a specific thing.

Myth #2: Paying for Cloud Services is more costly than buying hardware or software  - Have any of you bought and managed servers these days?  Do you think that a company that's struggling along and cannot afford a proper IT manager can take care of that?   It's a tough call for businesses.  While I think most people outside of work rely too heavily on one thing at a time (yes I have duplicate files spread out among Dropbox, Google Drive, Skydrive, and Copy.com...but I'm paranoid ;) ), a business needs to invest into protecting its data, and if they're too small...it's very difficult.

Myth #3: Cloud Computing slows processes down and reduces productivity - Wow that myth is so untrue it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  Like I mentioned in #2, an SMB that isn't running their own servers and IT staff reduces expenses.  Shoot, we have a hosting service through PCM for your Exchange and servers...and for what it costs, it can take a lot of pressure off of your company to maintain its own servers and pay someone to do it for them...including repair bills.

More to come! :)

Real Cloud Backup: Barracuda

A couple of years ago, a client of mine...we'll call him Bob...had called me with concerns about his backup scenario.  With two locations on different sides of the US, it made it difficult for him to manage the information, and do specific backups.  It was here that I first really heard the phrase, "Mike, how can we use the Cloud to backup and restore?"  For all of my knowledge, I was a little stumped...because there really wasn't anything yet that could do what he needed to do, without some major tricks involved.  We worked on several solutions that COULD help him, but they never came to fruition, then a budget hit...so it's languished for some time.  I never gave up on him, and always kept this failure of mine in the back of my mind, watching like a hawk for something that would work for him, or anyone else I was working with.

Earlier this year, along came my friends at Barracuda (I'll bet you a donut that they're reading this too) in one of their standard vendor meetings.  I've always loved their products, and their awesome team that I work with makes it even better.  I was tired that morning after being up late re-reading my copy of the last Dresden novel, and was only half there when I heard the phrase, "...yes it's Cloud Backup."  My eyes and ears perked up at that, and the part of my brain waiting on that phrase kicked into gear ...almost making me stand up out of my chair.  There it was...like magic.  I quickly became adept with the product, and brought it to several clients...all of whom are seriously pursuing it...and I even have a conference call today with my largest client about it as well.

What's important to know here is that this is a disk to disk to cloud solution.  Now their backup unit comes with the software to manage the backup, and does NOT have to go out to their cloud to be used.  It is efficient without the cloud and bears looking at it, even if the word "Cloud" gives your bosses the willies.  It shouldn't however, because Barracuda's cloud backup is HIPAA compliant...and that's a very good thing.  If it passes that muster, it's got secure legs to stand on.  Like I said, the Cloud portion is optional, in both a 200gb unit version, and an unlimited version (there's a price break in there...if you work with me I'll show you).  The kicker on top of that is the Instant Replacement feature.  Yes it adds a little more to the price but once used pays for itself 10x over.  If that unit ever goes down/melts/drowns/and otherwise becomes useless...just call Barracuda and they will ship you a new unit with the files you're storing in their cloud on it, ASAP.  Holy melted backup Batman...you are saved!

Is it perfect, No...and I would never claim it to be.  Can it solve all of your backup/DR worries?  I think it can.  In the end it bears taking a look at.  I'd like to get you on the phone with them...email/call/use the contact page and get in touch with me...we'll work out a conference call so you can see this stuff in action.

I'm telling you now...don't wait...let's evaluate your backup/DR solution now!

Happy Wednesday!

It's The End Of The Year As We Know It...

And I feel fine...

Here's  a little tech year in review for you from the  folks at Engadget. :)  Really though, I don't get to toot the Meraki horn enough on this blog...but I get to say in IT this was definitely the year of Meraki and real Cloud Computing.

The notion of Cloud Computing isn't new, and a lot of the stuff we're seeing now are actually better envisioned things of the past.  As far back as 1968, developers were talking about a shared data experience...but they had no idea what would occur just over 3o years later.  Many of us now in our daily lives store documents, music and photos in a form of online storage.  (Heck I use Box.net, Dropbox AND SkyDrive!  What can I say, I've got consolidation issues.)

But with Meraki's Cloud Networking model taking off 4  years ago, and then exploding all over the scene in 2011 with their Wireless Cloud Networking, and then expanding into switches and security appliances in 2012...they had hit on something that wasn't just forward thinking.  You see, Forward Thinking will either put yourself out of business, or get you laughed at until the idea actually catches on.  What they did was to make less work for IT people...a natural way to get a product adopted.  With that mantra of less time spent managing routers, switches and the wireless routers...early adopters of Meraki became its advocates as much as we salespeople are.

Now here they stand, being purchased by Cisco (who wants to maintain their leadership of the IT World by having the best technologies available) for $1.26 Billion dollars...and in all honesty, Cisco is going to make that money back in a year.  Everybody wins.

So this little company that I took a chance on (thanks to my now good friend at Meraki, James Enston) has grabbed the brass ring and held on tightly.  The reason is because through them we can see a glimpse of the future where things were just a bit easier on IT personnel...and they could run things smarter.

I may not be right all of the time...but when I'm right, I hit it on the head with a 10lb sledgehammer. :)

Happy New Year!

 

Meraki's big step into a larger world...

When I woke up this morning and saw the news...I can't say I was surprised.  A lot of folks that I work with were, and some understood what was going on, others just liked to jab at me because I'm not a Cisco fan.  But yes, today Cisco announced their intent to purchase Meraki for 1.26 BILLION dollars.  Yes, BILLION.  The good thing is, this is being done not to shut down competition, not to turn them into a clone of what Cisco was offering...but a chance to actually grow Cisco into a place where they were struggling to get into properly.

Meraki built up the notion of Cloud-Based Networking.  There really wasn't much of anything related to it until they came onto the scene and stood out like Andre the Giant in a subway station.  Gartner recognized them, channel partners worked with & promoted them, and clients saw their work drop and productivity increase.  Their year over year growth was stunning...and I still think they're going to explode out of the windows of their office, much like this. :)

SO it makes sense that Cisco wants them, and not only that, but wants them to REMAIN being Meraki.  Finding that amazing new talent, building a sales culture that makes sure everyone wins, innovating products daily...so much so that to stifle them would be a waste of Cisco's investment.   Heck, the people I know at Meraki are friends...not just co-workers or a partner...friends who I'd take a bullet for.  We've grown together...inspiring each other and making real magic.

Do I see this as the end of that magic?  No.  Harry Potter just graduated from Hogwarts to the Real World...watch out.  That's a mean Expelliarmus charm. ;)

So for those of you who are worried or concerned, stop.   It's good.  Working a deal with us for their product?  Keep on...though I would suggest buying the longest term contract possible (1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years are available)...because we're here to still work with them and help them deliver the best experience possible.

I never thought I'd say this, but Thank You Cisco.  Thank you for investing in the future of our business.

SQUIRREL!

Meraki Giveaway...

Now before you say 1 of 2 things...

1) What are you giving away? or

2) What is Meraki giving away?

Let me qualify this by saying... Go to this link if you're a startup with either Seed, Series A or Angel funding.  You NEED to do this.

Meraki is giving away approximately $10,000 in networking equipment and licenses to Startups.

 

I don't know what to say...I love this company already...and here they are helping out startups, with the HOPE that they'll buy more in the future.  Genius and giving at the same time.

If you're a startup and you're reading this, and you need help...contact me...otherwise...

Say more?  Nah.  It'll ruin it.   :)

 

 

Meraki switches up the networking game

I've been talking to many of you about Meraki for several years now.  My appreciation of this company and what they were going to mean to the networking market has been solid since day 1.  They understood the Cloud before it became a buzzword, and defined a way to make it help IT professionals make their jobs easier.  Are they perfect?  No.  But then for those of you dealing with Cisco, HP, Juniper and other, lack of perfection is something you understand.  If you haven't jumped over to the section of this blog and signed up for one of their webinars, do so now.  You can get a free enterprise access point for just attending.

The reason I'm bringing Meraki up again, is that yesterday they announced new networking products yesterday.  Products to tackle your datacenter...not only their cloud-controlled MX Security Appliances, but their new MS switches that are cloud-controlled as well.  Utilizing the same setup as their wireless cloud controllers, Meraki's new switches allow you to access how each individual switch is controlled from anywhere with web access (including your smartphone)...giving you the ability to handle multiple sites from one location with ease.  Actually though, being the switch-hound that I am, I love the built in cable testing, monitoring and alerts...because nothing is more fun than going out to test ports and cables on a switch that's acting wonky.

The big win here revolves around the MX Security Appliance line.  Note that these were routers, but they've expanded their capabilities to be so much more than just ONE thing.  Rather than have 6 individual devices, wouldn't you rather have one?  So instead of the single branch router, firewall, site-to-site vpn manager, content filter, load balancer and WAN accelerator...you can have one MX Security Appliance?  They have models designed for small offices (1-20), medium offices (20-250), or enterprise (250-10,000 users).

Look at this MX400...nice, simple, and directly something that every company that has more than 250 users can use.



Am I excited about this?  Of course.  It's a step in the right direction for Meraki, but most importantly it's going to force Cisco, HP and other manufacturers to start thinking differently about how their products are placed...because they can't buy Meraki out from under their primary investor, Google.

Go here now and sign up for the webinar next week on the 24th to learn more about their new networking products.  Trust me, I know how well these folks treat their customers...I think you'll be in for a good treat.

 

Meraki making a bid to be a bigger network player

I think many of you know how much I've been invested with Meraki. It's true that they make great products, but it has been wonderful to watch them grow and form over the past couple of years (like I have here). They went from a tiny organization, and once they embraced the channel (or a select few from the channel), they exploded in size. Now there's quite a few more reps than there used to be, and even I'm losing track.

At our Vision event back on November 3, I had a chance to talk with my favorite Meraki rep, and as always he was full of information...and a little innuendo that made me very interested in what Meraki is up to.  First off, they're known for their Wireless Enterprise units like the MR 58 and MR24 that work with their cloud-based architecture.  For you to be able to control all of your wireless units from one central location...using simple web-based tools...is fan-freakin-tastic.   Earlier this year, they got into the routing game, utilizing the same cloud-based architecture working with their MX70 units.

Now, based on comments that I was given...it seems like Meraki is now aiming at the "pieces inbetween" what they already handle.  What could that mean?  Only time will tell, boys and girls...but I tell you...these guys have more potential energy than you think...and when their IPO comes along, I'm first in line!

Want a free unit?  Take a look at our webinars section on this site, and sign up for Meraki's next webinar.  If you attend the full event, they'll send you a free MR12 unit (their basic unit) for you to keep and use.  As many of my clients will attest, once you use it, you want 4 more! :)

-Mike

(Note: Many of you have asked about my picture/signature these days.  I know it's actually much more attractive than my picture...but how about you scan it with your phone? ;) )