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News Newsletters 2009 Newsletter for December 2009
Filled with relevant information about the rapidly evolving IT landscape, the Simpler-Webb newsletter is a must-read.
Newsletter for December 2009
Release date: 12/16/2009
NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2009
JEFF SIMPLER SPEAKS
Hello and Happy Holidays!
We recently announced our Top Ten Technologies for next year. This year has been interesting to say the least, with numerous ups and downs for everyone. One way to combat the stress of 2009 is to move into 2010 prepared. I don’t know about you, but I get so wrapped up in finishing out the year when January hits I’m left asking, “Where am I and what am I supposed to be doing?” That’s why I’ve gotten our account managers and consultants on board with offering to help scope out your 2010 projects. Figure out what projects you’ll be doing, when, and what it’s going to cost so everyone in your organization knows what to expect. Just give us a ring or fill out our contact form to set up a free planning consultation for 2010 and hopefully we’ll both start out the year on the right foot.
One project you may already have on your radar is a migration to Exchange 2010. The advances in availability, disaster recovery and mobility alone have our geek meters set to 11. Andy Webb, a former 12-year Exchange MVP, is speaking about the product’s new features and capabilities across the country. Check out our Exchange info page for everything you need to make an informed decision including videos, slides, a blog, calculator and data sheet.
We have expanded our social network to build stronger relationships with our clients by recently improving our Facebook and Twitter presence. If you haven’t checked it out yet, come follow us or become a fan. You’ll get access to our experiments in video along with what we’re thinking, who we’re retweeting and a number of other ways to spend more time on the internet.
No news is not good news. We honestly want to hear from you. Let us know how we’re doing on this newsletter, a recent project, you name it. Just call us, email info@swinc.com or contact us.
Warmest Regards,
Jeff Simpler
CMO and Co-founder
NEWS
Let us buy you a cup of fancy coffee.
Our 2009 Satisfaction Survey has launched! Be one of the first 100 to complete the survey and we'll send you a $5 Starbucks gift card. 10-15 minutes of your time can help improve our service to you in 2010. Go to Survey:http://simplerwebb.questionpro.com
Did you know Simpler-Webb now offers Managed Backup?
With Simpler-Webb’s Managed Backup, you can rest assured. If an unfortunate event occurs, your information is safe and available, so you can get back to serving your customers as quickly as possible. Whether leveraging a partner technology or simply our own know-how, we deliver a customized solution to meet your Recovery Time Objective and Return to Service metrics. That way, your business can get back up to speed in no time. Check out our
Managed Backup page for more info.
Simpler Webb Achieves Advanced Unified Communications Specialization from Cisco
Simpler-Webb is now one of the industry’s most qualified providers of integrated, collaborative and adaptive unified communications solutions.
We've achieved SAS 70 Type II. What does this mean to you?
"Our SAS 70 certification provides independent, third-party verification that our managed services operations meet or exceed best practice standards in key IT service areas, ensuring the highest levels of security and reliability," said Jeff Simpler, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Simpler-Webb. "We are exceedingly proud of our employees and the efforts required to achieve and maintain audit compliance."
Was Windows 7 Your Idea?
The release of Windows 7 boasts cool new features aimed at simplifying everyday tasks. Take the tour and contact us for more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/tour.aspx
We’re excited about Exchange 2010
In case you can’t tell, we’re excited about Exchange 2010. Andy Webb is a former 12-year Microsoft Exchange MVP, meaning it’s hardwired into our culture. Check out
videos, blogs, slides, and a data sheet on migrating and check out our offer.
Why is Vshpere 4.0 a no-brainer?
VMware recently announced the release of Vsphere 4, offering advanced features to lower costs and increase efficiency. With your current VMware Infrastructure 3 licensing and active Support and Subscription agreement, your organization can take advantage of Vsphere 4 for free at the same licensing level. If you’d like to go to the next licensing level (ie Enterprise to Enterprise Plus) VMware is also offering up to 55% off upgrades.
Contact us for more information on accessing your new license keys, a quote for implementation, Vsphere datasheet and upgrade guide.
Are you using ARCserve for your data backups?
CA recently released ARCserve version 12.5. If you are using ARCserve in your domain today, and your application version is 11.5 or earlier, you should strongly consider upgrading your backup solution. Version 11.1 has already been placed into end-of-life status. Simpler-Webb has proficiency managing backups and specifically assisting with ARCserve product updates.
Check out more info in our blog.
Improvements to Our Systems Provide Better Service to You
We’ve recently made significant improvements to the core management infrastructure of our Managed Server and Managed Security systems with interesting results.
Read more about it in our blog.
Become our fan on Facebook
Become a fan, watch videos and learn about events.
Follow us and we’ll follow you
Simpler-Webb is now on
Twitter. Follow us! We’re tweeting about what we’re up to and retweeting technology articles that apply to you.
EVENTS
Andy Webb, a former 12-year Exchange MVP, takes the new features and capabilities of Exchange 2010 to the streets
Thank you for joining us in Austin, Dallas, Amarillo, El Paso, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. Interested in hosting an Exchange event near you? Contact us!
What are your Top Ten Technologies for 2010?
We’ve determined our list. Check it out in our two part webinar series:
Part One: View recording here
Part Two: View recording here
Backup. Recovery. Regulatory Compliance. Wondering how to simplify the process?
Check out our presentation.
SERVICE OFFERINGS
Need help Budgeting?
It’s that time again, preparing your budget! Simpler-Webb can help. From the essentials to new projects, let us help you identify the solutions that meet your needs, prioritize and gather budget numbers. We’re here to help. And it’s free. Contact us today for more information.
Exchange 2010 Design Plan
If Exchange 2010 is on the horizon for this month or this year, the first step is creating your comprehensive design and change implementation plan. We’re offer fixed priced design plans with detailed implementation steps designed by our in-house Exchange experts, which your trained staff can then implement. Contact us today for more information.
EMPLOYEE NEWS
Congratulations to Julie Bullerman and Tim Brackett on their recent promotions!
Simpler-Webb’s Julie Bullerman and Tim Brackett are taking on new roles, allowing us to better serve our customers.
INTERVIEW WITH ANDY WEBB
How well do you know Andy Webb? Check out this up close and personal interview with our CTO and resident Exchange expert.
1. Tell us the story of how Simpler-Webb started.
Just one story? Two cocky twenty-somethings decided they could tell a big semiconductor consortium something about IT. Does beer impair judgment?
2. What do you like best about being CTO?
I like solving problems and my role allows me to think about how new technologies, products and solutions can be applied in different ways to solve people's problems
.
3. Tell us about your experience as a 12-year Exchange MVP and what that means to you.
I spent a lot of time in the Exchange community helping people - again, problem solving. The exercise of the effort of solving thousands of problems over the years paid off in several ways. It gave Simpler-Webb a special relationship with Microsoft, it gave us product ideas, it gave us customers, and it enhanced our ability to be prepared for what our customers’ diverse needs were. The fact that Microsoft also recognized that contribution and effort with the MVP award was a bonus. The community of MVPs and Microsoft staff that I got to meet and interact with over the years is priceless. And because of the MVP program, I worked an Ask the Experts booth at the Atlanta Microsoft Exchange Conference, which is where I met my wife. Also priceless!
4. What kinds of projects do you enjoy the most?
I like a project that makes the customer look good to the people who they are accountable to, be it customers, managers, employees, etc. If we can enable people to be more successful at what they do, it magnifies our impact.
5. Tell us about your family.
My wife, Kim, and I just celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary and our daughter Violet just turned 5. We have a 7 year old Bulldog, Lucy, and a 3 year old Neapolitan Mastiff/Golden Retriever mix, Brunella (Boo). Kim's 23 year old son lives in Raleigh and works at Whole Foods.
6. What do you like to do most when you’re not working?
Spend time with the family, go to the mountains, or go for a bike ride.
7. What technologies have you heard our clients talking about most?
Lately our clients are talking a lot about virtualization and unified communications, whether that's OCS or Exchange or VoIP or a combination of them all.
8. Which Simpler-Webb services do you see really taking off in the coming year?
I think we'll continue to see growth in the Managed Server customer base, we'll see a big spike in Exchange upgrades, and we're already seeing growth in Managed Backups and unified communications/voice projects.
USEFUL URLS
Simpler-Webb: www.simplerwebb.com
Videos: http://www.simplerwebb.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/Webinars.aspx
Blogs: http://www.simplerwebb.com/Support/Blogs/Technology-Blog-(1).aspx
Exchange 2010 Cost Savings Calculator: http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/2010/en/us/Exchange-Calculator.aspx
Windows 7 Videos: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/videos-tours.aspx
Become a fan of Simpler-Webb on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simpler-Webb-Inc/112063381354?ref=ts
Follow Simpler-Webb on Twitter! http://twitter.com/simplerwebb
twitter.com/simplerwebb