Biz Tech Talk

Managed Services

The term “Managed Services” is another of those phrases that seems to come up over and over again when considering technology solutions. Is there really a difference between “Managed Services” and “Cloud Computing” or “Software as a Service”? Yes and no. All of those terms refer to the idea that a third party will deliver something; it’s just a question of what will be delivered and how it will occur.

In the real world, a great deal of time and energy seems to be spent dissecting the micro-level differences between service providers. Small differences in the published amount of overall data center storage or bandwidth available tend to dominate and confuse the decision making process. What really matters is whether a provider can deliver services that will get the job done, and do so for the right price.

What is the difference between SaaS (Software as a Service) and Cloud Computing?

The terms SaaS (Software as a Service) and Cloud Computing are often used interchangeably. Both refer to the idea of applications running on Internet-based servers.

 

The “Cloud” is really just another way of saying “The Internet”. This abstraction is rather all-encompassing… it refers to a vast collection of computers interconnected in ways that allow for resources to be shared on a world-wide scale.

Cloud Computing: What is it and should you be in it

Cloud computing is a method of providing access to applications and services using Internet-based technologies.  Among the many possible benefits are cost savings on infrastructure and workstations, location-independent access to applications, improved reliability, provisioning of applications “on the fly” in hours instead of days, and data security.

There are three basic models for cloud computing:  Public Cloud, Private Cloud, and Hybrid.

Windows 7: Pros and Cons What Executives Should Know

Below are a list of pros and cons for upgrading to Microsoft Windows 7:

Microsoft Windows 7 Pros:

· Better administrative ability and security, which means less money to spend on support

· More stable than previous operating systems

· Performance enhancements and improved user interface, for more efficiency

· Compatibility with software written for Vista and Windows XP

· Windows XP Mode available for running a seamless virtual XP session on your machine for legacy applications / programs

· Internet Explorer is now separate, so it can be uninstalled and a corporate standardization of a different browser can be implemented

· Windows 7 leverages newer processors , which takes advantage of multi-core processors to help improve multi-tasking and speed of the machine

· Recognition of today’s technical needs, such as multi-media and mobile computing interaction

Windows 7 Cons:

· Big change from Windows XP; it looks and feels different

· Potential compatibility issues with old software and peripherals, such as printers and scanners

· Costly to upgrade all at once, recommend slow integration into your current system

5 Cost Saving Tips Every Business Owner Should Know:

1.   Telephony Phone System:

·   VoIP – basically a phone service that uses the Internet

·   Reassess your phone plan to ensure you get the best price or plan for the volume of calls; SIP trunking maybe a very attractive option

·   Select a phone system that combines several services or applications (voice mail, call forwarding, auto-attendant, faxing, conference management, etc.)

2.   Electronic Communications:

·   Configure your computer to send and receive faxes

·   Send as much communication electronically (email, faxes, social media sites or Web forums); such as invoicing, marketing messages, etc.; to save on paper, envelopes, postage and time

·   Pay bills through the Internet to save time and postage

3.   Web Conferencing: Use online presentations/meetings to reduce travel time

4.   Disaster-Recovery Planning: Don’t scrimp; invest in protections, detection and recovery

5.   Miscellaneous:

·   Laptops consume 90% less energy than desktop computers

·   Share/network printers for multi-users; encourage double-sided print; and standard for minimal consumables

·   Regular maintenance to optimize hardware life cycles

Computer Q & A for 2009

For my Holiday post I decided to compile a list of the most frequent questions I get. This is in no way exhaustive or comprehensive, but I get these a lot so maybe they'll help you.

1. What type of wireless security should I use? I always turn on WPA2 security. It is the highest level and has yet to be cracked by any organization.

2. What wireless speed should I get? Wireless routers and access points come in a number of speeds. A/B/G/N. While B/G/N are completely compatible with each other, A is a different beast all together and cannot be used in conjunction with B/G/N. The current fastest standard is 802.11N. N is the fastest wireless connection possible and the signal carries the farthest. To get the maximum speed, both the router AND the computer must be the same. If the router is N and the computer is G, you will only get G speeds.

How Much Computing Power Do You Need?

Some of you may be old enough to remember the birth of the personal computer. Back then it was all about hardware speed. The software at the time was advancing (getting bloated) so fast that hardware manufacturers scrambled to keep up.

My first computer had an Intel 8088 processor. At work I had an Intel 386 with 8mb ram and a math coprocessor. That machine had to be upgraded because the scanning software was too much for it, so I got a 120MHz Pentium with 24mb ram. Meanwhile at home I had upgraded to a Cyrix-based, (IBM produced home processors for a while) 150MHz machine that could only run Windows 95. On and on it went, upgrading hardware so I could run the latest software.

The Internet Is At Full Capacity?

That’s right, according to AT&T the Internet is to hit full capacity by next year.  As an IT guy, I’m always wondering why a company that makes its living selling bandwidth is now telling us there will be no more capacity by next year.  I understand what AT&T is trying to say.  The Web 2.0 change has now moved the Internet from a medium where we mostly viewed static web pages, to a media extravaganza where we can watch HD movies, listen to music, upload videos and enjoy entertainment content at the click of a button.  This change in content means there’s a much greater need for bandwidth.  But why yell it to the masses?  Why not just upgrade your infrastructure and satisfy your customers?  The cynical side of me can’t help but wonder if AT&T is throwing this out there so that next year they can up their monthly rates to “Pay” for the upgrades that need to happen. 

 

Windows 7, To Upgrade or Not To Upgrade

Windows 7 is here, and while anyone can go to a number of places to learn about the technical bells and whistles of the newest operating system from Microsoft, most business owners don't use bells and whistles as a business reason for upgrading. From a business perspective, why would anyone want to plan the move to Windows 7?

How Should We Be Communicating

In the "Olden Days", the list of communication vehicles was quite small. Face to face, Parcel Post or Telephone were pretty much the only normal modes of exchanging information. Then in the late 1980's the fax machine started its rise to power as the new "instant" form of 1-way communication, and the information race started.

20 years later we have so many ways to communicate, it's daunting. Land lines, VoIP, Cellular, Twitter, Texting, Facebook, LinkedIn, IM, "snail" mail, E-Mail, Fax, etc. Many of these technologies have huge overlaps so you can email, text, websurf, IM and twitter directly from your cell phones. The computing power in a plain old "Dumb" cellular phone far surpasses the computing power the Apollo 11 Astronauts had at their disposal while the "smart" phones, PDA's, iPhones and Blackberries are just phenomenally-complex and intricate devices that we take for granted.