888's webinar with Nolio held Feb '10, Covering how 888 achieved IT Operational agility,control and automation using Nolio's ASAP (Application Service Automation Platform) solution.
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In part two of our intro to remote monitoring and management series, we review best practices for managing servers and network devices:
• Monitoring best practices (Exchange, database, etc)
• Automating preventative maintenance to decrease the number of support issues
• Configuring notifications and ticket escalations to ensure issues are resolved quickly
Sage 50 hosting solution with elucentra cloud servicesJhonny Edward
Our sage 50 cloud hosting services are highly secured, reliable. Sage 50 hosting will allow anywhere and anytime access. Elucentra provides 24x7 free technical support and daily data backup at no additional cost for every Sage 50 hosting customers.
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888's webinar with Nolio held Feb '10, Covering how 888 achieved IT Operational agility,control and automation using Nolio's ASAP (Application Service Automation Platform) solution.
Maintaining a customer’s critical equipment consumes the majority of an MSP’s time. In this webinar we will provide some tips to help you save time and avoid major issues.
In part two of our intro to remote monitoring and management series, we review best practices for managing servers and network devices:
• Monitoring best practices (Exchange, database, etc)
• Automating preventative maintenance to decrease the number of support issues
• Configuring notifications and ticket escalations to ensure issues are resolved quickly
Sage 50 hosting solution with elucentra cloud servicesJhonny Edward
Our sage 50 cloud hosting services are highly secured, reliable. Sage 50 hosting will allow anywhere and anytime access. Elucentra provides 24x7 free technical support and daily data backup at no additional cost for every Sage 50 hosting customers.
What if you could take all the repetitive tasks that your technicians handles on a daily basis and put 90% of them on autopilot? Without automation, MSPs are limited to managing a small handful of customers per technician. On this webcast we want to show you how you can automate the majority of your business allowing each tech to manage up to 3x the number of customers.
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• New features and enhancements in the latest release of Report Manager
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Until recently, technology was seen as a cost centre. Software was built and operated throughout different silos, with different people, culture, tools and reward systems. The software lifecycle was neglected, creating a legacy of fragile applications.
The world has changed. We are now living in a software-driven economy, disrupting traditional businesses and changing the world’s system of capitalism as we have known it for centuries.
In today's economy, engineering effectiveness is imperative to prevent business atrophy and death. This requires an energetic response.
This talk explores how to evolve engineering effectiveness in a value-centric approach, helping you move towards having autonomous teams able to promote small and frequent changes, aligned to your unique context, objectives and concerns.
The wait is over! Join us to explore the latest feature packed release of N-central!
N-central 10 was the culmination of over 2 years of research and development to make service delivery easier. We overhauled the UI, made workflows easier and introduced a brand new way to assist customers with Direct Support. We couldn’t have done it without you our partners giving us feedback and making sure we got every little detail just right.
With N-central 10.1 we continue our mission of creating software for better IT service. Here are just some of the great features we’ve packed into this release:
• MSP Manager integration: Automate ticket creation and device data imports into MSP Manager.
• Patch scheduling: A patch setup wizard and new dynamic scheduling makes it easy to configure patching exactly the way you like.
• Device organization: The ability to specify sites for a customer to organize devices into locations or groups based on how you manage them.
• Streamlining automation: Automation Manager has a brand new look and feel and some enhancements to make drag and drop automation even easier.
Join Ali Mahmoud and Scott Parker as they introduce you to this great new release.
Ticket management and tracking billable hours is time consuming for many managed service businesses.
We’ve made the job easier with N-central 10 and our deepest Autotask integration yet.
Join us as we review:
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• How to access & update tickets within N-central
• Automatically creating & updating PSA Tickets based on actions taken in N-central
Mission: IT operations for a good night's sleepwwwally
IT Admins are responding to incidents on a day-to-day basis, but management wants to shift to service monitoring. The biggest mismatch there is the maturity level and misconception that technology will fix the GAP. We know that’s not true! Walter Eikenboom shows you how to get from component monitoring to LOB application monitoring with Microsoft System Center 2012 - Operations Manager SP1 and changing the operational paradigm to a private cloud service connecting System Center Orchestrator and System Center Service Manager 2012, creating processes to get your infrastructure to a private cloud. All set and sleep tight!
CMDB's can take years to build, and only seconds to break. It's been estimated that up to 85% of organizations attempting to build a CMDB fail, and one of the most egregious reasons is an overly manual approach. For example, what happens when assets are added/removed/updated in your network monitoring system, but those changes become too tedious to propagate manually to your ITSM platform?
This webinar shows how IT Process Automation can ensure your CMDB is up-to-date, no matter how many sources it needs to synchronize with. We'll provide a live demonstration of how changes in the Solarwinds Network Configuration Manager are automatically synched with the CMDB in ServiceNow Helsinki.
Start off the New Year right, and join us for this concise 20 minute webcast to see the new features in N-able’s Report Manager.
With new reporting power and ease of use, Report Manager is a perennial Partner favorite. This release focuses on the area of patch reporting and in this webcast we’ll look at this in detail.
In just 20 minutes Product Manager Karen Recoskie will show you:
• How Report Manager contributes to your success as an MSP
• New features and enhancements in the latest release of Report Manager
• An end-to-end overview of patch reporting
• How to use Report Manager to show your customers the value of your patching services
Until recently, technology was seen as a cost centre. Software was built and operated throughout different silos, with different people, culture, tools and reward systems. The software lifecycle was neglected, creating a legacy of fragile applications.
The world has changed. We are now living in a software-driven economy, disrupting traditional businesses and changing the world’s system of capitalism as we have known it for centuries.
In today's economy, engineering effectiveness is imperative to prevent business atrophy and death. This requires an energetic response.
This talk explores how to evolve engineering effectiveness in a value-centric approach, helping you move towards having autonomous teams able to promote small and frequent changes, aligned to your unique context, objectives and concerns.
The wait is over! Join us to explore the latest feature packed release of N-central!
N-central 10 was the culmination of over 2 years of research and development to make service delivery easier. We overhauled the UI, made workflows easier and introduced a brand new way to assist customers with Direct Support. We couldn’t have done it without you our partners giving us feedback and making sure we got every little detail just right.
With N-central 10.1 we continue our mission of creating software for better IT service. Here are just some of the great features we’ve packed into this release:
• MSP Manager integration: Automate ticket creation and device data imports into MSP Manager.
• Patch scheduling: A patch setup wizard and new dynamic scheduling makes it easy to configure patching exactly the way you like.
• Device organization: The ability to specify sites for a customer to organize devices into locations or groups based on how you manage them.
• Streamlining automation: Automation Manager has a brand new look and feel and some enhancements to make drag and drop automation even easier.
Join Ali Mahmoud and Scott Parker as they introduce you to this great new release.
Ticket management and tracking billable hours is time consuming for many managed service businesses.
We’ve made the job easier with N-central 10 and our deepest Autotask integration yet.
Join us as we review:
• Setting up your Autotask integration with N-central (including billing profiles)
• How to access & update tickets within N-central
• Automatically creating & updating PSA Tickets based on actions taken in N-central
Automation – what isn’t to love? Save, time, money, and your sanity by using automation to tie your Service Management solution together! Examples of using automation are a dime a dozen, but we’ll dive deeper into several topics in this session to bring you solutions that work, end-to-end. We’ll cover topics such as:
• Benefit of Automation
• Automation beyond IT: Facilities, Telecom, HR and Finance
• Understanding Automation Return on Investment
• Tools: SMA Connector, Orchestrator, Native SCSM, Cireson
• Automating Service Catalog Security
• Automating Reporting
Automate your Service Desk, automate the world!
Speakers:
Brett Moffett - Cireson
Mat Barnier - Systemology
Among all the administration, maintenance and troubleshooting chaos in your daily life as a Citrix admin, don’t you dream of becoming a Citrix hero?
Watch this on-demand webinar where DJ Eshelman, Citrix Coach, CUGC Leader and a CTA, walks us through seven essential dos and don’ts for Citrix professionals, based on over a decade’s worth of real-world experience.
In this session, you’ll learn:
• The methods and practices that successful Citrix professionals adopt
• How to take cues from users and data to build Citrix environments that run smoothly and efficiently, and yet cut down on risks and workarounds
• How being proactive instead of reactive unlocks a world where you are less stressed and more fulfilled in what you are doing
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Is data centre management more important than design? This latest seminar from Capitoline discusses the topic and looks at the data centre management and design standards that we have available to us.
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3. PC Refresh Webinar Series!
● First – Laptops
● Then – Desktops
● Here - Project Management Tips
Workforce PC Refresh Series
855-AVENTIS | AventisSystems.com
5. Timing Considerations:
● Budget Flow
● Projects That Can’t Have Downtime
● Software EOL Dates
Timing
855-AVENTIS | AventisSystems.com
6. Determines Technology Requirements
● Software Needs
o Roles
o Departments
● Organize Deployment
o Executive Officers → Junior Professionals
o Departments → Avoid Project Interference
End-User Segmentation
855-AVENTIS | AventisSystems.com
7. Backup Before Your Refresh
● Interruptions Happen
● Power Outages Happen
● Don’t Lose User Data!
Backup Data
855-AVENTIS | AventisSystems.com
8. Cushion Time & Costs
● Overlooked System Requirements
● Faulty Parts
● Lag Time
The Unexpected
855-AVENTIS | AventisSystems.com
9. Consider Future OS & App Upgrades
● Server 2003 to 2012 > 2003 to 2008 R2 to 2012
● Office 2003 to 2013 > 2003 to 2010 to 2013
Make IT Cheaper & Easier
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10. Ensure Hardware Longevity
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855-AVENTIS | AventisSystems.com
Hello! Welcome to ‘End-User Refresh Tips - Make IT Manageable,’ brought to you by Aventis Systems!
My name is Kyle Taylor, National Account Manager here, and I have Peter Miles with me who will give us some key recommendations for making an end-user technology refresh manageable.
Peter Introduction
(Kyle introduces Peter)
Peter is a Technical Sales Engineer here at Aventis Systems and serves as a trusted advisor to IT professionals, troubleshooting problems and removing any technical barriers that may arise.
Welcome Peter!
Peter
Thank you Kyle...
In our two previous webinars we addressed things to consider for laptop and desktop fleet refreshes from a hardware standpoint.
Now, we are going to give you some project management insight for a smooth deployment.
Kyle Interjection
Sounds great, Peter! Where do we start?
First and foremost, make a plan.
Document each step in the plan and ensure all team members involved with the refresh deployment have reviewed and sign off on it.
Timing is an important project management element to start with.
Consider your budget flow, company-wide projects that could be affected by user downtime, and of course, software end-of-life dates to ensure systems are updated in time.
Once timing is decided, the next step in your planning process should be end-user segmentation.
Segmenting end-users will determine their technology requirements.
For example, what software needs do they have for their specific roles?
Roles such as graphic designers, managing directors, and sales representatives will have great variations in their software, computing power, and storage needs.
Beyond technical requirements, end-user segmentation will also help you take a systematic approach during deployment.
For instance, you could approach the refresh starting with executive officers and working your way down the hierarchy to junior professionals.
Or you could organize your deployment by departments. This may allow you to sidestep major department project interference.
Another key element of your planning is to allow time for backing up all data before implementing your refresh.
Interruptions or power outages during a refresh could wreak havoc if you forgot to backup local user data before beginning their refresh.
Additionally, try to plan for the unexpected.
You may discover overlooked system requirements once deployment begins, purchased hardware may arrive with faulty parts, or time required for certain end-users may be underestimated, just to name a few.
Make sure to cushion time and cost estimations slightly to help ease the blow if a project hurdle pops up.
Kyle Interjection
Those are great tips for helping you stay organized and get started. Do you have any other suggestions?
Sure, Kyle.
Project hours are another important element to keep in mind when planning a PC refresh.
When it comes to Operating System and Application software, make sure to consider whether your typical hardware refresh cycle will require additional software upgrades down the road.
For instance, upgrading from Windows Server 2003 to Server 2012 would be a single task for your team versus upgrading to Server 2008 R2 now then later having schedule another task to upgrade to Server 2012.
Microsoft Office applications is another key example. Upgrading to Office 2013 rather than Office 2007 or 2010 would be smarter from a task perspective to prevent another software upgrade before your next hardware refresh.
Going with that train of thought you need to be sure that the hardware you are purchasing will support both existing applications as well an anything you may be adding in the future. Just as with avoiding multiple software upgrades, it is also important to make sure you have the correct hardware that will last awhile between upgrades.
This can be done by taking advantage of hardware compatibility lists for your line of business software, and by checking the system requirements for the software you use. Doing so will allow you to be confident that your hardware has the power and capabilities it needs to ensure its longevity in your environment.
Kyle Interjection
Those are all great points, Peter. What if an IT department needs help to successfully implement a company-wide PC refresh?
I’m glad you asked Kyle.
It is not uncommon for IT personnel resources to be limited when it comes to deployment.
Outsourcing the deployment may be a viable and cost-effective option for many companies to ensure in-house IT staff are available for imperative day-to-day needs.
If full deployment assistance is not needed, third party vendors can also provide key guidance during the refresh planning process.
Always thoroughly research multiple vendors before selecting your partner. And request case studies to understand the vendor’s past deployment successes.
Kyle Interjection
Thanks for these helpful tips, Peter! I know I feel more at ease about upcoming pc fleet refreshes.
Peter - Aventis Systems = One-Stop Shop
Great!
Don’t forget, Aventis Systems can address your end-user refresh needs from hardware to software to deployment services.
Take a look at our Personal Computing Specials which are updated monthly & save up to 50%!
Also, read up on our Advanced IT Services portfolio, designed with the most pressing needs of small and midsize businesses in mind.
We hope you enjoyed this final webinar in our series with PC fleet refresh tips!
You can find the whole series and more on our Webinars page.
Visit AventisSystems.com or check us out on Facebook and Twitter @AventisSystems for IT solutions and resources.