I’m sitting on a plane heading to one of the IT Mecca’s, Redmond, Washington. I’m attending the Microsoft MVP Summit, and it’s a six-hour flight from Newark to Seattle. Flights of significant distance like this one require a combination of survival tactics. First, a fully charged laptop to do some writing and email. Second, a fully loaded iPhone with several entertainment options to take a break with. And finally, a good book.

For this trip, I took Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, by Verne Harnish. I had the pleasure of seeing Verne speak at the ConnectWise Partner Summit back in November and brought his book home, earmarked to read. This trip, I read it.

Business books are key to being an effective leader in your organization. As a leader, your role is to bring new ideas and help your customers, your team, and your organization move into the future. Harnish takes a very practical approach to growth, and outlines his thoughts on planning.

Harnish focuses on the rhythm of business, and it led me to think about the heartbeat of our own business. As service providers, we often focus on the flow of service tickets, Service Level Agreements and our delivery of them, our utilization numbers, and any myriad of statistics that ensure good service delivery.

But are we helping our teams establish a rhythm? Harnish talks about the benefits of the patterns of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual meetings to help teams come together and know where they are toward reaching their goals.

Goals are vital to our success, particularly as a Managed Services Provider, and in order to be successful with a goal setting strategy, we need to take the time to set goals, understand how to measure success, and how to drive those successes.

As business owners, we often get lost in the mechanics of operations. We spend too much time working “in” the business, rather than work “on” the business. (Hectic days will do that!) It’s a challenge to strike the right balance between the two, but it’s vital to master. Our teams depend on us setting the right goals and establishing the rhythm of the organization, but we often focus too much on the metrics of the business and not enough on helping our teams become effective in achieving them.

To execute those goals we need to march step by step, in unison, in the same direction. A rhythm of meetings and checkpoints are incredibly important in making this happen.

Now this is all great in theory, but what are some practical things that you can do to establish this? Here are some ideas.

Goal setting. Set yourself a schedule, and take the time to review your goals. Do you set goals on an annual basis, and define steps on a quarterly basis to achieve it? You need to. Take the time.

Thinking time. To establish those goals, you need time. Set aside some time to dream. If you don’t have the time to think about the future, how can you head toward it?

Set the rhythm. Set an established pattern for your business. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual patterns are important. Keep to a schedule, and make it a priority for your business.

These steps sound simple, but they’re vital to making your business a success.

As I deplane, I highly recommend Verne Harnish’s book. It’s a great place to start on your planning of each of the steps you need to take to be successful.

SaaS has several characteristics that set it apart from other services:

1. SaaS allows the access and use of commercially available software through a remote, network, or internet connection. This means that the software is not installed in the subscriber’s computer, but rather on the SaaS provider’s server. This also makes the software accessible to the subscriber regardless of his or her location.
2. SaaS provides commercially available software, not custom made software, meaning that a particular software service is made available to multiple clients, so customization is limited to only what the software or SaaS provider allows.
3. The SaaS provider shoulders the responsibility of updating the software, and subscribers can request updates, upgrades, and additional features.

Regarding implementation, SaaS architecture is classified into four “maturity” levels based on factors such as configurability, multi-tenant efficiency, and scalability.

1. Level 1 is the “ad-hoc/custom” level, in which a modified version of a particular piece of software is offered to subscribers, which is then run on the provider’s host server. This level is requires the lowest maintenance.

1. The second level offers more customization and allows subscribers to configure the metadata of a program. This then allows a customized version of the same software, based on the needs of the subscriber.

1. Multi-tenant efficiency is added to the third maturity level, which means that the SaaS servers are made more conducive for subscribers to use separate instances of a single application.

1. The fourth and most “mature” SaaS architecture offers all four factors, with the service reaching optimum efficiency.

Considering SaaS for your business? Let us help you sort through the details.

I get often asked about my opinions on certifications. In the IT world in particular, vendors encourage solution providers to get their teams certified on their products and technologies. A number of technicians focus on collecting as many certifications as they can to show their technical knowledge.

I’ll start my assessment by saying that I have long believed that alone, certifications do not necessarily indicate the technical skill of an engineer. I know a number of engineers who don’t hold any certifications who I consider incredibly knowledgeable and incredibly capable, and I’ve known engineers who hold a number of certifications who I wouldn’t let touch a single one of my customer’s systems. A certification alone does not make for a measurement of an engineer.

IT, unlike medical and law practices, does not have a regulated system of ensuring that an IT firm is capable. Thus, we need to use a different set of criteria to judge technical skills.

From an engineer’s perspective, getting a certification shows an investment in their own education and becoming a better technician. It can show their interest in technology, their investment in themselves and their dedication to the field. I tend to look at the power of trends here. When an engineer keeps acquiring certifications, I know that they are interested in what they do, looking to continue to advance themselves, and looking to take on new challenges. An engineer who achieves a certification and never moves further, however, leaves an indication that they are not as dedicated.

From a business owner’s perspective, certifications give me a sense of what is important to my vendor partners and what areas I should continue to focus on. A series of exams tell me which products are of interest, and do give me a perspective on what my engineers should know.

From our vendor partner’s perspective, certifications let them know our commitment to their programs, and our level of engagement. If we take the time to invest in their training programs, they know we have a level of commitment to working with their technologies well. This ensures we can be capable of delivering solutions to a standard.

With customers, certifications show the level of commitment that an organization has to their partners and to their field. Again, alone they aren’t an indication of capabilities, but in conjunction with an organization’s references and capabilities, they give indications on how well an organization can serve them.

In short, certifications show investment, trending, and commitment, but alone aren’t an indicator of capabilities. Building your certifications up in your organization should be a part of your investment in training, but not the only effort made.

I do think it’s important to single out two organizations that take their certifications very seriously in the small business IT consulting realm. Both Microsoft and CompTIA have invested considerably in ensuring that their certifications have measurable value, and as part of a comprehensive training plan are keystones. In fact, for organizations that are looking for their first certifications, this is always where I steer them.

At my firm, our 2010 training plans include a combination of certifications and technical activities that engineers must accomplish to ensure they keep their skills moving forward. This allows us to give them targets of what they should invest in. We don’t use them as the sole indication of their ability, but for the reasons above, it gives us a sense of their capabilities, and a way to further their own careers. Certifications are one piece of ongoing training and education, but certainly not the only one!

For businesses of all types and size, managing data online is critical to the smooth operation of a website. However, incorporating data collection programs can be time consuming, especially if any of your data is “time bound” – meaning it’s only valid and useful during a specific period of time.

Here’s a solution. FormSpring provides free and paid website data collection services that eliminate the need for additional programming or the purchase of additional software.

If your website includes contact or event registration forms, surveys, and the like, FormSpring provides services ranging from a basic free option to more feature-intensive offerings with custom made forms based on your unique requirements. There’s no long-term registration contract, and you may cancel at any time. FormSpring also offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

It’s worth noting that the data is stored on FormSpring’s servers, so if you have special compliance requirements for privacy or security you might want to check to ensure you remain compliant.

Overall, FormSpring is a very useful website for companies or groups that need a hassle-free way to collect data through their website. Check out their free version of the plan or use the 30-day money back guarantee to explore whether FormSpring meets your data collection needs.

The growing reach and power of the internet has changed the way people do business, with more and more web-based services popping up. One of these is SaaS.

SaaS stands for Software as a Service, which refers to any licensed software being “rented” to a company by another company on an as-needed basis.

To illustrate, let’s say Company A is in need of licensed software, but only for a specific period of time because of a one-time client or project. Company B, as the SaaS provider, rents out the use of the software  to Company A for the time Company A needs to use it – weekly, monthly, and so on. (Company B is specially licensed to do this, of course.)

The term became popular near the end of 2000, but the service started in 1998 with a website called siteeasy.com. The concept has become increasingly popular because the legal alternative to rent/outsource the use of the software spares the expense and hassle of procuring software licenses.

As with other outsourced services, the hardware used for SaaS are remotely located and hosted, and accessed through the internet by the subscriber. Virtually all kinds of software can be used through a SaaS service, and availability of the software depends on the subscriber.

There’s vast potential in the use of the internet and web-based services such as SaaS, but the nature of the remote hosting service is not for everyone. If you’d like to learn more about the pros and cons in relation to your business model, we’d be happy to discuss a possible SaaS road map with you.

Most small and medium businesses can’t afford the luxury of a qualified IT administrator, let alone an entire IT department. If you’re in this position, how do you maintain the information technology infrastructure that’s critical to your organization?

One option is Managed Services, in which you outsource this role to an IT expert called a “managed services provider,” which will typically offer on-site or remote network and security monitoring, data backup and technical support.

Because the Managed Services model allow a business to focus on its core competencies, it is increasing in popularity—but sometimes it’s hard to separate the real benefit from the hype.

What’s the value to you?

• Peace of mind. Your managed services provider will monitor your IT infrastructure and prevent or resolve any problems—a sharp diversion from the traditional “fix it when it breaks” model of IT management.

• Simplicity. Your managed services provider will provide many of its services remotely, via the Internet, instead of through on-site visits. This reduces time and cost.

• Constant support. You don’t have to worry about support; your  managed services provider will offer the assistance you need, when you need it.

• Affordability. Managed services providers typically offer several price structures, including a per-month fee—which is much lower than the cost of building an in-house IT support department.

• Accountability. Have you ever tried to resolve an IT problem only to find that one vendor blames it on another who blames it on another? With managed services, you don’t have to go to multiple vendors to figure out why your network is down or you’ve experienced a security breach. You’ll have one point of contact: your managed services provider.

Want to learn more about how Managed Services can give you dependable IT with predictable costs? Give us a call.

With the start of a new year, businesses commonly implement changes and launch new initiatives that have ramifications for your IT environment. Ignore them at your own peril.

Chief among your IT considerations should be a Business Continuity Plan, or BCP, which will allow your business to resume normal operations in the event of a significant data loss or network downtime. Unfortunately, recent studies have found that about half of small and midsize businesses have no BCP. That’s a huge risk; more than half of companies that experience catastrophic data losses go out of business within a couple of years.

And while it’s important to have a plan in the first place, it’s equally important that your BCP is flexible and scalable to adapt as your business undergoes changes.

Software installations, modifications, and updates as well as the addition of new hardware are an important part of business continuity planning. You must ensure your backup, storage, and recovery procedures and systems are kept current with these changes. Improper maintenance and outdated procedures can lead to backup errors that result in costly data losses. Unfortunately, some companies discover these errors too late – when they try to recover the data.

In addition to the IT considerations of a BCP, don’t ignore the human element. Someone, typically your IT staff, has to be in charge of overseeing BCP execution. But it doesn’t end there. Other employees have their roles, too, but do they know what those roles are? Have they been brought up to speed on the importance of backup and recovery, and what they need to do should you experience a catastrophic data loss? Has your business produced and printed a manual for employees to use as a reference?

Let us help you assess your business continuity strategy to make sure it takes all relevant aspects into account and is kept current with your evolving needs. Your business may depend on it.

Much has been said about the launch of Apple’s long awaited, new mobile device. Called the Apple iPad, the device promises to boost sales of a new category of computing devices called tablets.

What are tablets?
Tablets or tablet PCs are not new, and the concept itself has been around for 30 years. Although it’s had some success in industrial and commercial environments, it’s struggled to gain wide adoption among consumers in the past. Tablets, simply put, are slate-shaped, hand-held personal computers often with a touch screen or a stylus as input devices instead of a traditional keyboard. They are smaller and handier to carry around than Netbooks, but have larger, more capable screens than smartphones. With its launch, Apple has largely stolen the spotlight on tablet PCs – but is by no means the only vendor selling them. Other vendors include HP, Fujitsu, Samsung, Asus, and many more. Some use Windows, others Linux, while still others have their own proprietary operating systems.

A special category of tablet PCs is ebook readers such as Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes and Nobles’s Nook. These are specialized tablets, primarily designed for viewing digital content.

What are tablets good for?
For consumers, the tablet’s appeal is that its form makes it easier to carry around and surf the Internet. Its larger screen allows users to view and interact with applications and media more comfortably than with a smartphone.

What about business?
Tablets seem to have hit their stride in niche applications within industry and commerce. For people in the field, it can be more convenient to carry around and better suited to outdoor conditions than a laptop, yet can be as powerful and capable. With the entry of Apple into the market, more generalized business applications could find its way to the devices, including:

• on-the-go presentation delivery
• quick information access
• on-the-go content creation and editing, such as photos, audio and video recording, and documents
• easy information sharing and collaboration

Are Tablet PCs right for your business?
If you’re considering using Tablet PCs in your business, here are some things to consider:

1. Connectivity. How does the device connect to the Internet? Can it work within your existing office network? Can it securely access your data remotely (i.e., work with your existing VPN infrastructure)?
2. Security. Does the device support the encryption of data? Can it authenticate against your existing applications?
3. Portability. How much power does it consume? How long can it go between charges?
4. Interoperability. Can you access your existing applications such as email? Can you use your existing network services? Can it open existing data and file formats such as your office documents and spreadsheets? Does it require significant investment to outfit and manage on an ongoing basis?
5. Usability. Does it have enough power to run the applications you need? Is it easy to use or will it require extensive training?

Even if you decide not to adopt the Tablet into your business environment, you may need to consider the impact that your employees may have using these devices on their own to do their work, as many began doing when Netbooks and Smartphones came out.

If you would like to learn more about how Tablet PCs can affect your business and your IT services, contact us today. We will be glad to help.

Morgan Stanley has just released the Mobile Internet Report, which estimates that within five years, more users will access the Internet via mobile devices than desktop PCs. The growth in mobile Internet usage, according to Morgan Stanley’s analysts, is being driven by five technologies:

1. 3G adoption – especially as more devices come out that support the wireless broadband standard at a lower price point than in previous years. Subscription costs for data access across the world have also been decreasing as service providers build out their infrastructure and achieve cost-efficiencies with scale.
2. Social networking – which is driving a “constantly online” behavior among users engaged in communication, information sharing, and relationship building.
3. Video – which has encouraged users to exchange rich, multimedia content online
4. VoIP – which is lowering the cost of communication while improving the user experience by not tying them to their desks.
5. Interesting new devices/initiatives – such as the launch of the iPhone, Palm Pre, and lately Google’s Android.

What does this mean for SMEs? Well, for one thing this will require more vigilant monitoring, control, and oversight. Mobile devices can pose a significant security risk, since it’s getting difficult to track the data going in and out of these devices. Also, audit and control tools and procedures are simply not as mature as those available for desktop computers. The risks associated with theft and loss also increase since mobile devices’ small sizes make them easy to conceal or misplace.

Is your organization ready for what’s coming? As mobile devices become the primary Internet access for consumers and workers, it’s time to for your organization to become aware of the issues surrounding their use.

For many people, learning begins by understanding the basic principles that drive a certain concept. Whether in technology or science or society, the world is filled with so many complex and complicated subjects that affect our lives, but remain largely misunderstood by the general public.

This is where commoncraft.com comes in. Owned and maintained by husband and wife team Lee and Sachi LeFever from Seattle, Washington, the site’s goal is simple: to present complex concepts in a way that can be easily understood by anyone.

Presented in videos they call “__________ in Plain English”, the LeFevers illustrate seemingly intimidating subject matter with terms that are easy to grasp – layman’s language, if you will – “in plain English”. Their first video, “RSS in Plain English”, quickly became an internet hit. Now they offer several free videos that use simple analogies to aid in comprehension accompanied by equally simple visual aids and illustrations. Topics include concepts about the environment, finance, society, and technology.

The videos are completely free and do not require registration to view. Videos are kept short and sweet, cutting to the heart of the matter so that the broken down concepts are easily retained. You’ll hear no fancy words or technical jargon; everything is presented in an easy but no-nonsense manner.

Common Craft can make a custom learning video for you for a fee, which you can discuss with them. Try giving their free videos a whirl and you’ll soon find out that some subjects aren’t as complicated as you might think.