Proactive Support Model vs. Reactive Support Model

Computer networks in small-medium businesses have become increasingly complex. Owners attempt to maintain their computer networks with limited resources. They face the challenges of multiple servers, remote office connectivity, electronic mail systems, and network printing. Many companies do not have a budget that will allow them to hire full-time IT personnel to assist with the everyday challenges. They are left helplessly relying on the reactive service or “break/fix” model. In other words, when they experience a problem with their network, they contact a consultant for assistance. Because the service is scheduled after the problem occurs, there is often downtime and productivity loss. In many circumstances, hardware replacements and software changes are required to correct the problem. This creates additional delays.
Many IT Consulting Firms have recognized the need for proactive monthly service plans, also referred to as managed services. These plans allow their customers to experience maximum uptime and a minimum number of support emergencies. Proactive support plans include routine maintenance of servers and network resources, helpdesk and technical liaison, scheduled on-site visits, business disruption avoidance and disaster recovery planning, secure remote data backup, backup of Exchange Mail Box, and discounts on installations and network upgrades. Proactive plans allow small–medium business owners to have peace of mind as if they had their own full-time IT support staff.
For more information on Proactive Monthly Support Plans and Server Maintenance Plans visit http://www.icssnj.com/

Remote Backup vs. Traditional Tape Backup Methods

Traditional tape backup requires valuable time, money, and resources. Additional hardware and software have to be purchased and maintained. Most businesses have one person responsible for doing backups and find it difficult to keep a regular backup regimen. Tapes need to be rotated and cataloged daily. They need to be taken offsite for safe storage. In the event of data loss, a single file can take over 30 minutes to restore. This results in downtime and lost productivity. As more and more companies are learning about Remote Backup, tape backup methods are slowly becoming extinct.

Remote Backup does not require any additional hardware or software, and therefore there is nothing for the end-user to maintain. Remote backup is fully automatic, and is usually done at night when your computers are not being used. The data is encrypted for complete security, and sent to secure offsite data centers via network connection. Access is restricted by IP address, and only the user has the decryption key. Most Remote Backup providers provide daily backup monitoring reports via email. One of the most important benefits of Remote Backup is data availability. Your data is available when you need it and can be accessed 24x7x365. This includes backup of users My Documents folder, email, contacts, and calendars.

For more information on the benefits of Remote Data Backup visit http://www.icssnj.com

Computer Viruses Now Come in PDF Form

Those evil masterminds are at it again. They've found a new way to hit us where it hurts. Network Associates' McAffee antivirus division has become aware of the first virus that uses PDF (Portable Document Format) to spread. This new menace, known as "Peachy, " is spread via Adobe's Acrobat software. This is the program that is used to create PDF documents. Acrobat has a feature that allows people to embed other files within a PDF, and this is where Peachy resides.

Fortunately the virus cannot be spread through Acrobat Reader, the free program that is used to view the PDF file. Reader is lacking a code that recognizes attachments.

It will be safe until Adobe modifies future versions so that it has the ability to read attachments embedded in PDF files. Vincent Gullotto, senior director of McAfee's Avert group, believes that peachy is a low risk at this time due to the fact that he has not received any customer reports on it.

Written By: Michal Cardella
Integrated Computer Services Inc.
http://www.icssnj.com

Windows XP PRO VS Windows Vista for Business

I run a Small business to business Network consulting firm in New Jersey –Integrated Computer Services, Inc. We specialize in Network Roll-outs and Maintenance. Check us on the web at http://www.icssnj.com/. We receive a large number of calls to replace old workstations and servers and migrate existing data. We sell quite a few Windows XP Workstations. We offer a new business startup service for New Jersey go to http://www.icssnj.com/new_businesses.html for more info.

Anyway, 99% of the time we are recommending Windows XP PRO instead of Windows Vista. Microsoft has finally rid most of the bugs out of XP with its updates and patches. We standardize XP PRO systems for business with Symantec Corporate Edition Antivirus and Windows Defender. We also incorporate the use of a CISCO PIX Firewall to further secure our networks. We rarely see problems when we standardize our networks.

From our experience Vista is loaded with bugs, needs tons of RAM, and is slower. Yes, it does look prettier, but with software compatibility issues and difficulty remotely accessing Windows Vista. Why should we promote it? I realize XP's days are numbered - but Microsoft has not provided us adequate reasons to Promote Windows Vista for Business use.

Michal Cardella
Lead System Engineer
mike@icssnj.com
Integrated Computer Services Inc.
http://www.icssnj.com/