Cloud computing offers great promise and is the current buzz in the IT world but it doesn't work for everyone.  Do your research before you invest!

Many of the applications that our clients use will not work with the cloud computing structure due to bandwidth.  If your servers are located in your office, you have at least 100 Mgit/s of connectivity.  Often your server has at least 1,000 Mbit/s of bandwidth to share between users on your network.  If you switch to cloud computing you have significantly less.  This is fine for most applications but you will still get some complaints from users that are editing video or opening large CAD files.

When files are stored in the public cloud on virtual servers, you are limited to the speed of your Internet connection.  A single T1 connection only has 1.4 Mbit/s of connectivity that everyone shares.  This is fine for web sites, web based applications and things like email that can download in the back ground but it will not work for CAD files, and applications such as QuickBooks.  Users will be unhappy opening large spreadsheets or graphics files.  For these types of applications to work you will need a very high speed fiber connection or you will need to move to virtual desktops that are hosted in the same network as the virtual servers or services.  Once we can all get 1,000 Mbit/s connections I think the majority of IT services will be delivered from the cloud but that will not be for several years to come.

Sam Lucas
Carolina Computer Partners
704-549-0125
843-414-5868
www.ccpteam.com

Sam Lucas of Carolina Computer Partners talks about the value of Managed IT Services in this video.

Have you noticed an increase in Spam lately?  If so, that's not the only gremlin in the closet.  Beware small business owners, hackers and spammers are expanding their business in the US.  Our clients have reported a dramatic increase in spam over the last three months  and The Wall Street Journal reported an increase in small business hackers. 

Cyber thieves embed software programs on cash registers, credit card processors, and login screens.  They are mainly looking for credit card information and bank accounts but other personal information such as Social Security numbers and Drivers License numbers are of use to these crooks.

There are many measures that you can take to protect your system but here are our top three recommendations.

1.  Protect your passwords.  Don't give out network passwords to anyone in your office or any tech support personnel visiting your system.

2.  DON'T CLICK ON IT!  Stop guessing at your email.  When in doubt don't open it!

3.  Don't visit internet sites that are known for viruses.  Guys you know what we are talking about here.  Save those sites for home usage only.

Geek Definition – A scalable computing solution that provides IT functionality through shared hosted internet service.

English Definition – Take all of the basic computing services that you utilize now through your own software and server hardware and throw them away.  Now access those same services through the internet for less money. 

There are so many advantages to this method it’s almost hard to list them all.  Imagine no more server hassles, no more server rooms, no more backup systems, no more down-time, no more expensive software, and the list goes on. 

How is this possible you ask?  There are large, reliable companies like Amazon and Microsoft that house the equipment and provide access to the programs that we all use.  You know … the basics like Word, Excel and some popular CRM programs.  You buy a managed services contract or subscription (different companies use different terms) and pay only for the amount that you use.  The resources are shared by hundreds of other companies so the cost is extremely attractive for smaller businesses.  This gives the small business person a real advantage! 

Because these internet services companies have larger resources than most small businesses, they can afford to have a higher level of security, better redundancy, and teams of break-fix engineers to monitor the systems.  Most have excellent track records for down-time.

What’s the catch?  The largest elephant in the room is that if you own a small business you have probably already invested thousands of dollars into your technology.  Throwing your brand new server out is probably not the best financial solution.

The second issue is speed.  Remember this is all based on internet speed.  If you do not have enough band width or reside in an area where you cannot get good internet service then pulling information across the web is like emptying a swimming pool through your garden hose … Very slow!

The third issue that gets a lot of attention is that you are putting your data on a shared server.  This makes some people a little uncomfortable.  I don’t think the problem is as large as the paranoia.  These companies are expert at security issues.  You are more likely to get your data stolen or corrupted by someone inside your company than by a malicious attack on one of these shared machines.  They are very well protected.

Overall we are advising start-up companies to jump in and give this solution a try.  If you do not have a large amount invested in your technology this is an excellent way to get more reliable technology for your small business at a much lower cost.

For more information on Cloud-based infrastructure services contact your CCP technician.

Libby Lucas

llucas@ccpteam.com

www.ccpteam.com

Tape drives are out for data backup and storage!  Build a better backup with one of these solutions….

Backup / Storage Option 1
Add Hard Drives.  This option is cheaper and allows you to utilize your existing backup software and replace, or supplement, your existing tape drive. 

Instructions:  You simply attach an external hard drive caddy to your server via USB and buy at least 3 portable hard drives for it. 

Here is how it is better…

1.       Hard drives have 2 - 3 times the capacity of most tapes.

2.       Hard drives come with a 5 year warranty as opposed to 1 year on the tapes.

3.       Instead of an $800 tape drive, you buy a $25 docking station and travel case.

4.       The new “portable” drives are less fragile and will last longer.

5.       Over 5 years the Hard Drive solution is about 70% less than traditional tapes.

Backup / Storage Option 2
Disk to Disk.  This option is slightly more expensive but brings a lot more feature/functionality.   It is an onsite disk to disk block level backup with offsite data replication and archiving.  Yeah, I know … sounds complicated but it’s a really simple common sense solution once you’ve wrapped your brain around the geeky vocabulary.  If you have a couple of minutes to learn more about this solution follow this link to our website and click on “Click Here For Demonstration”  at the top of the page.    

Here is how it is better…

1.       Provides better disaster recovery.

2.       It can virtualize a down server.

3.       It backups the entire server(s) every 15 to 30 minutes.

4.       Provides multiple restore points.

5.       Offers Secure Remote Storage with 256-Byte Data Encryption.

6.       Includes 24/7/365 Monitoring of the backups.

7.       Intuitive, Fast Data Restoration.

8.       Provides up to 2 Terabytes of on-site storage.

If you would like to discuss your backup/disaster recovery solution please email us at CCP. Or call Charlotte Office: 704-549-0125 or Charleston Office: 843-414-5868.

Sam Lucas

slucas@ccpteam.com

www.ccpteam.com

Backup and Data Storage Information

Bluetooth Technology for Oprah
 

OK!  OK!  I hear you Oprah!  I have officially retired my cell phone in the car! 

I have to admit I was one of those people that Oprah has been talking about.  My office was my car and I was chatting on that cell phone about 50% of the time I should have been driving!  I have given it up and truly it is soooo much easier to use the bluetooth technology.

It’s easy.  Go by your nearest mobile phone store, find an earpiece that works for your ear size and sign up for the service.  When your phone rings click the button on your ear device and you’re talking without having to hold a phone to your ear. This makes going places and working with customers at the same time an easy thing to do.

If you are having trouble with this technology, please contact our technical department, we will be happy to help you make the transition!

llucas@ccpteam.com

www.ccpteam.com

I am advised by the SEO Experts that to keep up with my Search Engine Optimization and to keep my readers (if there are any) informed I need to blog everyday.  I, like most of you, am extremely busy!  I was complaining about this to my kids and my son volunteered to help me out.  I am uploading 5 entries that were written by my son Alec.  Let me know what you think!  Libby Lucas --- Carolina Computer Partners

Why Do Laptops Break?!
By:  Alec Lucas

You constantly see people getting their laptops fixed for very silly reasons.

One of the most common ways people break their laptops is contact with liquid. Having a drink right next to a laptop is a very bad idea because a lot of people accidently spill their drink into their keyboard. Or they set their drink on a napkin and then on their laptop.

Unfortunately even the perspiration from the drink dripping into a keyboard can mess it up. Therefore having a drink on, or near, a laptop is a very bad idea and can cause you to have to spend a lot of money.

Another mistake people make is slamming their laptop closed. This can become a very bad habit.  So even if you are in a hurry don’t slam your laptop!

Many of our clients have asked the fair question ... "What am I really getting when I purchase Managed IT Services?"  and more importantly "What are the different types?"

Answer: 

First and most importantly, what you should be getting is 24/7/365 Network Monitoring. 

The secondary list of services are huge and different with each IT company.  Most IT companies include some level of repair, software patches, malware removal, spyware removal and antivirus updates.

The important key to purchasing Managed IT Services and what most companies do not reveal is who, or what, is doing the "behind the scenes" work.  There are four different types of Managed IT Service Programs.  I have categorized them below for simplification...

1.       "The Trunker"  - (This is the one to avoid.)  This is computer guy that may, or may not, be Microsoft Certified.  His definition of Managed Services is that if you have a server failure in the middle of the night, he'll drive over to your office and try to repair it with the spare parts that he keeps in the trunk of his car. 

2.       Managed Service Application - A professional technician manages your network and troubleshoots during the day but a computer system (software application) monitors your system after hours.  Not a bad choice if you have limited funds but if your server fails after hours there will not be anybody to attend to the issues.

3.       Combination Machine and Boots on the Ground - This operation offers a combination of software application and computer technicians.  They are available during business hours for "hands-on" work.  The company has emergency after hours technicians that make service calls but the price is double!

4.       Combination Machine, Outsourcing and Certified Boots on the Ground - This is the one you want!  A software application monitors your network 24/7/365.  It is backed up by engineers in a country that has daytime hours while the rest of us are asleep.  They patch, repair and call in alerts through the night.  During business hours Microsoft Certified Engineers review the notes on their assigned networks, administer repairs and make site visits when necessary.

For more information on Managed IT Services, please send me an email - llucas@ccpteam.com or visit our Managed IT Services web page.

I am absolutely consumed with finding the perfect combination of factors to achieve perfect SEO on the major search engines.  The problem that I am having is the definition of perfect SEO.   My original goal was to propel my site, and those of my customers, to their rightful place in the cyber space pecking order. 

I assumed the ultimate goal for Google, Yahoo and MSN was to match relevant, authentic material to search queries.  At this writing, I am uncertain as to what the goal of the major search engines are but I am guessing it has a lot more to do with money than it does with authenticity.  I almost wish I didn't know the seedy underside of this marketing phenomenon but here is the ugly truth as I see it. 

To get into the SEO game your site must have the following....

Keyword research - Find out what your customers are typing in the search boxes.
Keyword rich content - Put those keywords in the body of your web pages.
Keyword rich titles - Put the keywords into your page titles.
Keyword rich descriptions - Put the keywords into your meta descriptions.
Register, Register, Register! - Tell the search engines that you have joined the WWW!  Send in your submissions to all of the engines. 

Now in a fair and "perfect" internet world that should be enough right?  If you list your services and keywords correctly the search engines should return your site to users.  BUT the playing field is truly not level.  If you want to show up on the first page here's the list that you have to either do yourself or pay someone to do for you. 

Link in to your site - Links need to come from other "important and relevant" sites to your site.  Now you can do this yourself but it takes a lot of time.  There are SEO consultants and link building companies out there but beware ... the links must be legitimate. 

Write a Blog - The search bots apparently love Blogs.  Blogging gets those products and ideas out there but, again, it takes a lot of time.  If you have some cash there many good content writers that can assist you with this task.  There is a catch here though.  The blog needs to be associated with your URL.  You can’t use Blogger or WordPress.  You must pay someone to create a blog that specifically goes back to your website. 

Videos - Put a video on your site and link it to Utube.  Honestly, I have no idea why this is such a big deal but I've tried it and it works.   I am certain that for the right amount of cash there is some SEO geek out there that can provide you with the reason. 

Buy Google Adwords - Yeah, I know what you're thinking... If I truly have the best service then why do I have to pay to be seen?  Well you just do.  40% of people really do click on that paid advertising.   I don't want to miss 40% of my prospects, do you?

Want to talk more about this... I would love to hear your opinions...  Give me a call 704-549-0125 or email me at llucas@ccpteam.com.