Free Software for your Windows Small Business Server

Over the next few weeks I will be writing a series of Blogs that highlight feature rich business applications that fit perfectly into any organization running Windows Small Business Server. As a representative of an I.T. company that support small and medium sized business throughout the Vancouver Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, many of our customers run Small Business Server and are looking for ways to add value.

I'm sure you noticed I used the term Free in the title of this piece, although I really wanted to say "Open Source Software for your Windows Small Business Server". My fear was most readers may not know the term Open Source, plus I felt safe knowing that all the Software I will be featuring all include a Free version.
So with that out of the way, the software that I will be writing about include Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Document Management, Data Backup, Instant Messaging and even Voice over IP. And all of the software featured all include a number of similarities.

• All have a FREE version, giving business owners an opportunity to introduce the application into their business process before investing in the software.
• All integrate into popular Microsoft applications, like Outlook, Word, Quickbooks, etc. Some can even integrate with your telephone system.
• All can run on a Windows or Linux Server. This is an important point. Many businesses today are running Small Business Server 2003, which only allows 1 Server on your network. If you have a robust Server, the software we will be featuring can be added to your existing machine. But if your Server is running all the bundled applications that come with Small Business Server (File, Print, Exchange and SharePoint Services), adding another application may NOT be the best course of action. And since adding a second Windows Server is not an option, adding a Linux Server is a viable option.

          Please note, businesses running Windows Small Business 2008 can add a 2^nd Windows Server to their network.

For Information or Support of Windows Small Business Server, contact us anytime. We offer Computer Network Support and Repair for business customers throughout Vancouver BC, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.

Chris Miles
Insight Information Technology
cmiles@insightit.ca
604-484-4218 Direct

604-484-5141 Lower Mainland
604-864-0465 Abbotsford
604-357-1471 Fax

"Let Us Manage IT"
www.InsightIT.ca

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Microsoft SharePoint Connects with Novell GroupWise

Vancouver BC Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley business owners that use Novell GroupWise, can now integrate Microsoft's SharePoint Portal Server or Microsoft Office SharePoint 2007. Users can take advantage of transparent, server-side synchronization of GroupWise and SharePoint appointments, tasks, address books and issues.

 

"The key business drivers behind the deployment of SharePoint and other enterprise information portals, such as Novell's Teaming and Conferencing, work to satisfy the need to centralize and secure business-critical information and create a comprehensive framework for team collaboration, communication and information-sharing."

 

Click here for more information.

 

For on-going Windows, Novell and Linux support or to help with a Project, contact us anytime.  

 

 

Chris Miles                                                       Follow me on Twitter

604-484-4218 direct

cmiles@insightit.ca

 

Insight Information Technology

604-484-5141 Lower Mainland

604-864-0465 Fraser Valley

www.insightit.ca

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VoIP Voice Quality and your Computer Network

I recently moved my home office to a different area of our house, and the experience proved how important your Computer Network is when implementing Voice over IP (VoIP).

 

I often work from home and I connect to our corporate IP phone system using VoIP. The voice quality has always been crystal clear, due mostly to the fact that I have a Managed ADSL service that I use only for VoIP and Shaw Cable for my business and family web surfing, email etc. There is also a Dual-WAN router, allowing me to connect both the ADSL and Cable connections into my network, with an automatic fail-over if ever one of the services is unavailable. So for one guy with only one IP phone, I was pretty well set up.

 

My new office did not have any data cabling, so I installed a PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter (DHP-300) device from Dlink. Using the power outlet, the Dlink DHP-300 gives me a 100 Mbps connection to my network. More than enough speed for one person, yet there was an immediate drop in the quality of my VoIP.

 

Lesson Number 1:  Read the Manual

 

The Dlink software included with the DHP-300 gave me the tools to check the quality of the power outlet, so by simply moving the adapter to a different power outlet my connection improved considerably. As well, the Dlink DHP-300 had built in QoS (Quality of Service), allowing me to set my VoIP traffic as a priority over regular data (like web surfing). And like magic, the voice quality of my VoIP was crystal clear again.

 

Lesson Number 2: Never Underestimate the Value of a Good Network!

 

Business owner that have not had a good experience with Voice over IP, often blame the VoIP provider or the Equipment they have purchased. Yet many times, you find a $20 hub, instead of a proper LAN switch or very poor cabling as the culprit. To take full advantage of VoIP technology I recommend your Computer Technician ensure the following.

• A good LAN switch with QoS
• A good (Managed) Dedicated Internet Connection for VoIP. This need not be expensive, as a good business-class ADSL service can be as little as $69 per month. Due to latency issues, I generally prefer ADSL over Wireless or Cable for VoIP.
• A separate Internet Connection for other traffic, like Web Surfing, Email, etc. I prefer using 2 different ISP's, each using a different technology. For example ADSL for VoIP and Cable or Wireless for other traffic (like Web Surfing, email, etc.).
• A robust Dual-WAN router is also recommended allowing you to connect both Internet connections to your LAN. However be aware that most inexpensive Dual-WAN routers simply load-balance between the 2 connections. VoIP does not perform well with this configuration therefore a router that "aggregates" the traffic is best. In other words, VoIP traffic over the ADSL and other traffic over Cable. Most Dual-WAN routers also offer an automatic backup, in case one of your connections fails. The router should also be powerful enough to support the traffic over your 2 connections. I like the FortiGate line of routers from FortiNet.

If you are implementing an IP phone system or trying to connect remote users to your business, give us a call. We support small and medium sized business throughout the Vancouver BC Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

 

Chris Miles                                                       Follow me on Twitter

604-484-4218 direct

cmiles@insightit.ca

 

Insight Information Technology

604-484-5141 Lower Mainland

604-864-0465 Fraser Valley

www.insightit.ca

Posted via email from chrismiles's posterous

What goes on (that you cannot see) on your Computer Network

We recently found a corrupt print job on a customer's computer network that was using 50% of the CPU by the Print Spooler.  The Print Spooler, also called the Queuing System, manages printer use on computer systems that have more than one printer, and a 50% usage causes a much slower computer network. 

 

The corrupt print job occurred months ago, but wasn't found until our customer took advantage of our "5 to 50" Computer Network Support Service.  Part of this service is 24/7 Network Monitoring, allowing us to foresee and diagnose problems much faster, and in some cases, remedy the situation immediately without having to go on-site. 

 

If this was an existing customer why wasn't this problem found earlier?

 

Typically, Computer Support is based on what we call a "Break & Fix" model.  Unless there is a problem or a project, we are NOT involved in the day-to-day management of our customer's network.  However our "5 to 50" service is a Pro-active Support model, which delivers computer support at a flat monthly fee that our customers can budget for just like rent.  And part of this service is the 24/7 Monitoring, which is constantly scanning the network looking for problem that might not be seen by an end-user.  In the case of the high CPU usage on the Server, our customer really didn't notice anything until after the problem was fixed, and they noticed everything running faster.

 

If your business has 5 or more workstations, and is located in the Vancouver Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley, we'd welcome the opportunity to manage your Computer Network.  Contact us anytime at 604-484-5141 in Vancouver or 604-864-0465 in Abbotsford.

 

Chris Miles                                                       Follow me on Twitter

604-484-4218 direct

cmiles@insightit.ca

 

Insight Information Technology

604-484-5141 Lower Mainland

604-864-0465 Fraser Valley

 

www.insightit.ca

 

Posted via email from chrismiles's posterous

An Inexpensive Way To Help Ensure Business Continuity

There was a great article in the February Business In Vancouver newspaper, written by Alan Zisman.  In the High Tech Office section, the headline reads "Lessons from another malware meltdown".  The article explains how by mid-January of this year millions of Windows systems had been successfully attacked by malware, even though Microsoft had released a patch in October.  It goes on to explain how easily one infected machine can spread throughout a network, even a network that is behind a firewall.  "Infected systems are hooked into botnets, serving up mass amounts of spam e-mail messages. An estimated 90% of all spam comes from such botnets."

 

For business owners, the lesson learned is to ensure all your machines, including Desktops, Laptops and Servers have Virus Protection and they have been regularly updated and are always current.  I'd argue that your Virus Protection be updated automatically, without you thinking about it, or without your staff or IT guy needing to update manually.  Now here's the Sales Pitch.  Insight IT customers, who take advantage of our "5 to 50" Computer Support Service have the option of our Virus Protection service that is always current 24/7.  Nothing for your staff to do, and each machine is monitored around the clock, 365 days per year.

 

Click here, to read Alan Zisman's Business In Vancouver article.

 

And if you are interested in an inexpensive way to ensure your Computer Network is safe, contact us anytime.  Insight Information Technology or Insight IT for short delivers Enterprise Computer Support at a Small Business price, for organizations throughout Vancouver BC Lower Mainland, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.

 

Chris Miles                       Follow me on Twitter

604-484-4218 direct

cmiles@insightit.ca

 

 

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2 Hours Free Computer Support For Richmond BC business

Attention Richmond B.C. Business Owners

 

I Want To Give You 2 FREE Hours Of Support To Prove I Can Make Your Computer Problems Go Away Faster And With Fewer Expenses Than Ever Before.

 

My name is Chris Miles from Insight Information Technology, or Insight I.T. for short. As a small business owner myself, I know how frustrating it can be to spend a ton of money on a computer network only to have it constantly give you problems and demand more money out of your pocket. I also understand how difficult it can be to find a reliable computer expert you can trust to give honest, straightforward advice on how to set up and maintain your network for optimum performance and minimal costs.

 

That's why we've decided to be the first and only small business computer support company to offer a 100% "Zero Hassle" Guarantee. Here's how it works:  Call us today and let us know what's not working with your computer network. It can be as small as a nagging printer error to a larger, more complex problem like a server crash.

 

We'll send one of our senior computer technicians to your office to diagnose the problem. He will be on time, guaranteed. He will diagnose the problem for FREE, and explain in PLAIN ENGLISH (not confusing computer babble) what your options are for resolving the problem. He will detail the pros and cons of each solution so you can make an intelligent decision on how you want to resolve it without feeling intimidated or in the dark about what you are agreeing to.

 

Then we'll give you a guaranteed price in writing, NOT an estimate. If you decide to let us perform the work (you are under no obligation) we'll get to work right away.

 

Plus, you'll be 100% covered by our Fix It Right The First Time Guarantee. Simply put, if you continue to have problems, or if you are just not satisfied with the way we have resolved your issue, we will come back onsite and fix it for FREE until you are 100% satisfied with the solution we've implemented. That way you won't have to worry about escalating repair costs from a technician who doesn't know what they are doing, or getting ripped off by someone stretching out the amount of time it really takes to resolve a problem so they can over charge you.

 

As you can see, we don't think it's fair for you to incur all the risk when hiring a computer technician, even us! That's why we'd like to give you 2 FREE Hours of computer support, no strings attached. This will give us a chance to earn your trust and prove ourselves BEFORE you spend a dime. You just can't lose.

 

To secure your 2 FREE hours of computer support or repair, simply give me a call on my direct line:  604-484-4218 or e-mail me on cmiles@insightIT.ca. 

 

Remember, you are under NO OBLIGATION to do or buy anything. And if you decide not to hire us for more work after the two hours, that is ok too. No guilt, No question, No problem.

 

 

Don't Take Our Word For It; Here's What Our Customers Have To Say:

 

"Aside from the overall improvement of the functioning and reliability of our equipment, I believe the greatest benefit is the peace of mind we have gained, knowing that our systems are being monitored and that Insight IT will address any issues quickly and efficiently." - Debbie Oliynyk, Office Manager, Entrust

 

"Problems on our network get addressed on a regular basis, allowing our users to work problem free. We need our systems up and running at all times, in order for us to serve our clients effectively."  - David Rossi, VP Finance, Pacific Coastal Airlines

 

 

 

Chris Miles
Insight Information Technology
cmiles@insightit.ca
604-484-4218 Direct

 

604-484-5141 Lower Mainland
604-864-0465 Abbotsford
604-357-1471 Fax

 

"Let Us Manage IT"
  www.InsightIT.ca

Posted via email from chrismiles's posterous

Web Enable Your Microsoft Applications

Imagine running ALL your Windows Applications over the Internet, from any Workstation or Browser, anywhere in the World!

 

Let's say you're working from your home, maybe on the family Mac.  And you need to access an important Windows application that you run from your PC back at the office.  All you need to do is fire-up your web browser, log-in to a secure web site and there is the Windows application you need.  Just like at your workstation back at the office, you can open, change, save and delete documents remotely, and even send print jobs to your local printer at home.

 

Or maybe you're running a new feature rich application in your office, but don't want to upgrade all your PC's.  Now older, under powered workstations can access the new application using only a web browser.

 

Another example is a Law Firm who, instead of investing in new machines with Microsoft's Vista Operating System, he chose to implement less expensive Linux software.   All his existing applications worked fine, except for one that he simply Web Enabled allowing all users to access from any desktops, either in the office or from a remote location. 

 

Web enabling any Windows, Unix or Linux application is made available through a product called Go-Global from GraphOn.    With Go-Global you can access applications from any platform, take advantage of enhanced security and eliminate Citrix and Terminal Server.  Not only is GO-Global an efficient Web-enabling and application publishing solution, it's also a cross-platform solution. So now Linux users can run Windows applications. Windows users can run UNIX and Linux programs. Mac users can run Windows applications. Windows 98 users can Windows XP programs. You get the picture, right? Mix and match for the most effective application access solution.

 

How Go-Global Works:

 

GO-Global consists of two parts: the GO-Global server software and the GO-Global client software. The GO-Global server software runs on a central server along with the application being published. Each client device runs one of the GO-Global client software modules which are available as native thin clients or as browser plug-ins.

 

You can click here to see an interactive Flash presentation of GO-Global's Web-enabling and application publishing features.

 

If you looking to connect remote users or get more from your existing PC's, contact us anytime.  We offer Computer Network Support and Repair for business customers throughout Vancouver BC, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. 

 

Chris Miles

Insight Information Technology

cmiles@insightit.ca  

604-484-4218 Direct

 

604-484-5141 Lower Mainland

604-864-0465 Abbotsford

604-357-1471 Fax

 

"Let Us Manage IT"

  www.InsightIT.ca

Posted via email from chrismiles's posterous