iPads in the business environment

We have set up a number of iPads to connect to our client’s corporate networks, using either Microsoft Terminal Services or Citrix to connect to a wide variety of applications (Office, accounting, databases, etc.). There are free apps that can be installed for both of these services. The clients who are using the iPads this way are doing light work at home or while traveling and are generally pleased. The major caveat to consider is that the interface is relatively small and everything is done using touch options, which can be a little awkward for some corporate applications. If you are interested in this option let us know and we’d be glad to talk through your requirements.

Everything you SHOULD know about your IT but are afraid to ask

Friday, March 11, 2011, 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
8300 Boone Blvd, Suite 450 Vienna, VA

With apologies to Woody Allen, who better than Mike Jennings to speak about the current state of information technology (IT) as it relates to operating a successful business in today’s always-on and connected world. C-level executives do not need to know what version of Windows or Linux their server are running so this is not a “bits and bytes” chalk talk. It is an interactive education for top managers about what they need to know to ensure their organization’s IT is secure, flexible, responsive and cost effective. (click here if you need help with the reference to Woody Allen…)

Using real-world examples culled from years of supporting hundreds of organizations, the most current IT technologies and implementation models are explained along with tips for evaluating and utilizing them (or not.) Mike will give his unique perspective on hot tech topics such as Security, Business Continuity, Teleworking, Mobile devices, Cost/expense control and Cloud Computing.

To register please click here

(The Executive Exchange Seminar Breakfast Series is a monthly series addressing timely & vital topics challenging today’s business leaders.)

Beware the Weather! (and other aspects of Mother Nature)

This past summer was very busy for PEPCO and the other utilities in the DC area. On July 16, many of us woke up when a magnitude 3.6 earthquake hit the DC area. A moderate amount of damage occurred with some power outages. In August, several major storms left hundreds of thousands of customers without power for several days at a time. D.C. is not hurricane alley, but in 2003 Hurricane Isabel left many businesses without power for a week or more. And we all remember last winter’s storms! Although we take electric power as a given, it clearly is not. How much will it cost you if you cannot access your computers for a day? Two days? A week? Do you have a plan for how your business will operate in the event of an electric outage? Do you just shut down? Tell employees to work at home? Do you have an alternative location?

If you want employees to work from home or an alternative location, the proper IT configuration must be in place. First of all, if your server(s) are in your office, they will not be operating in the event of lost power. You will most likely want to have your servers located in a datacenter (datacenters will most probably not lose power because they typically are situated at the intersection of two major electric feeds and they have large backup generators that automatically start-up in the event of power loss). You also need to make sure that remote access capabilities are properly set-up and installed. If this is something you would like to discuss, please contact BEI (Jonathan Krasner, 703-528-8300 x105, jonathan.krasner@beinetworks.com) and we will work with you on a Business Continuity plan.

How Can I Work Efficiently From Home?

That Big Proposal is Due but My Street’s Not Plowed!!! 

Did you run into this or a similar problem over the last few weeks? Couldn’t get to the office and the ol’ VPN or Go-to-My-PC just wasn’t cutting it? Or maybe you’re really old school and had NO option to work remotely? There are very good and cost effective options for being productive from home (and we mean working just like you do in the office using all the same applications – not just checking email.)

• We can install a terminal server that will let your staff access all your data and applications as if they were in the office and with a very similar user experience/speed/responsiveness – much better than VPN. With terminal server it is easy to control user access and privileges. BEI uses terminal services for its employees when they are not in the office. The price for this starts at about $4,000 for hardware, software and installation services (this price range would provide remote connectivity for 10-20 people, depending on their work load.)
• If you have a Small Business Server, you can be setup for Remote Web Workplace, which lets you remotely work on your desktop at the office.
• A SharePoint intranet site, either on your server or online, lets you share documents and collaborate with ease.

To request information about remote work options, contact Jonathan Krasner at jonathan.krasner@beinetworks.com or 703-528-8300 x105.