SBSC & MSP Buzz

Calyptix Invests Further in SMB Channel Strategy

September 24, 2008 – 11:21 am
Today Calyptix will be announcing that they have retained the veteran SMB channel sales experts of Kristen Wild, Steve Wild and Terry Van Winkle.  If this tenacious trio is half as successful at getting Calyptix the SMB partner signup's that they did for StorageCraft then we've got a new Security Sheriff in town by the name of AccessEnforcer.  Look out SonicWALL, Untangle and Fortinet!  Here is the full press release due out later today. Calyptix Security Expands Sales Efforts with SMB Channel Strategy Experts September 24, 2008 – CHARLOTTE, NC – Internet security firm, Calyptix Security, has announced expansion of its business development and channel sales team. This expansion will immediately increase exposure within small and medium businesses (SMBs) of the value that Calyptix’ innovative single unit device, AccessEnforcer™, contributes to Internet security strategies. Calyptix infuses the existing team with three experts, Kristen Wild, Steve Wild and Terry Van Winkle, who have proven successful in ...

Posted in Technology, SBS Community | 1 Comment »

YouTube Video of The Week

September 23, 2008 – 3:07 pm
OK, you know I still don't actually have a "Video of the Week" blog but if I did this little gem I received from my over-blogged friend Vlad, bless his heart (Southern Speak for "That Freaking Moron"), about made me fall out of my chair in the this busy afternoon.  Enjoy!  And in case you don't know about Shockey Monkey, go here and fill out a partner app to learn more.

Posted in Fun | 1 Comment »

StorageCraft IT Edition 72% Off Via MSPSN

September 23, 2008 – 8:36 am
Wow!  You read that correctly.  If you have read my blog for any length of time, or seen me do a disaster recovery presentation, then you know what a big fan of StorageCraft and MSPSN that I am.  This is the very same version of StorageCraft that I use to do ALL my virtualization conversions and disaster recoveries.  Seriously, they don't pay me a dime to say this stuff so I'm going to be very direct with you:  Signup for MSPSN and get all the thier amazing benefits, services and peer group support then justify it with the savings you get buy purchasing the THE BEST disaster recovery software ever made.  You won't regret it. Message from MSPSN: At the recent MSP Revolution conference, many of you asked StorageCraft to once again make the $995 technicians' license for ShadowProtect IT Edition available to the MSPSN group. We have taken that feedback to heart and ...

Posted in Managing Your Business, Virtualization, Technology, Managed Services | No Comments »

Eric Ligman Wins BIG in Vegas!

September 19, 2008 – 11:31 am
Heard the rumors yet?  Apparently Eric won big in Vegas and the IRS doesn't know.  Shhhhh, don't let on.  We all need to help him by sticking to a story that he was in the Grand Canyon last week rafting down the Colorado River (ya right!). 

Posted in Fun, SBS Community | 1 Comment »

Microsoft Response Point Adds 8×8 and Bandwidth.com

September 17, 2008 – 10:00 am
You can now provision your Response Point phone system to to trunk calls to 8x8 and Bandwidth.com Microsoft announced yesterday.  Many scoffed at the limited functionality included in the initial release of RP but you can be sure that when it comes to using VoIP to further establish sockets in SMB, Microsoft will ultimately spare no expense at delivering a viable, simple and low cost voice system.  When they finally shed the clunky x-box like hardware that contains the RP service (loaded on Windows XP embedded) and allow us to host it on virtual servers and then release and SDK for it, the sky will be the limit. Announcement from MS: 2 New Service Providers!! (8x8 and Bandwidth.com) Response Point Service Pack 1, released in July 2008, allows customers the option to use VoIP phone service with their Response Point phone system. In addition to VoIP providers, NGT, Cbeyond and Junction Networks, Response ...

Posted in Microsoft, Technology, VoIP | No Comments »

Super Mario and Fred Beat Bill Gates & Jerry Sienfeld

September 15, 2008 – 11:44 am
I'm not sure how the ranking system works on YouTube but somehow Super Mario at 2.9 million views and Fred's Mom Returns at 1.4 million views (OK, I'll admit, Fred is always in the top 5 and rightly so) beat out Microsoft newest commercial featuring the soon to become more famous odd couple of Bill and Jerry.  Still, 1,046,947 views in 3 days isn't that shabby!

Posted in Fun, Microsoft | No Comments »

Part 2 of the New Microsoft Sienfield / Gates Ad

September 12, 2008 – 7:11 am
I was skeptical at first (as I told CRN in this interview) but am feeling better about Microsoft's choice on direction in their entry into the Mac vs. PC battle.  When I saw the first commercial my wife an I both looked at each other and said "disappointing".  I then watched a 15 year old watch the commercial during the Panther's game Sunday and he started laughing.  This wasn't his first time seeing the ad.  I guess if Microsoft is going to spend $300 million I should have some faith that they did their market research.  And that market research probably didn't include the demographics of a 40 year old while male business owner and Microsoft partner.  Of course I don't get the humor in "The Office" either.  Enjoy the second ad below or tune in to Ghost Whisperer tonight for the second ad aired live.

Posted in Microsoft, Virtualization | 1 Comment »

Charlotte Area SharePoint User Group Meeting

September 11, 2008 – 4:42 pm
SharePoint Users! Join us Wednesday, October 8th  from 2:30-5:30 pm at the National Gypsum office, 2101 Rexford Road, Charlotte NC 28211.  Immediately following the meeting a complimentary networking mixer will be held across the street from National Gypsum at Bricktop’s, 6401 Morrison Boulevard # 1B sponsored by Microsoft and Virtual IT.  The Charlotte Area SharePoint User Group is open to anyone who uses SharePoint or those interested in learning more about SharePoint.  Membership is FREE and bi-monthly meetings are held where members will hear from experts from Microsoft, Microsoft partners, and fellow users presenting their knowledge about SharePoint and relevant topics.  Network and learn from others in your community and have fun! Following is the agenda for our October 8th meeting: 2:00-2:30              Registration 2:30-2:45              Welcome & Introductions 2:45-3:40              Presentation- “Taming SharePoint: A Structured Approach to Deploying & Adopting SharePoint Technologies”-Sam Carlson, Virtual IT 3:40-3:50              Break 3:50-4:30              Presentation- “National Gypsum MOSS Infrastructure”-Mike Brannon, National Gypsum 4:30-5:25              Presentation- “Building Solutions: Case ...

Posted in Technology, Events | No Comments »

Susan Bradley for President!

September 8, 2008 – 9:21 am
Can you believe it?  See the Video Here.

Posted in Fun, SBS Community | No Comments »

Doing Dell PartnerDirect? Dude!

September 5, 2008 – 9:18 am
So we recently signed our Dell PartnerDirect agreement and thanks to the confidentiality restrictions in the agreement I can't tell you anything about it.  Why did I, such a strong advocate against Dell's effect on the MSP channel, sign the agreement?  Because my customers demand choices.  Am I losing money or control over my customers?  Heck no, the customer's trust is still in us to help them make the right choice and right now you just can't beat the system/warranty prices for their entry level servers.  Seriously.  A screaming 2900 for under $4K with next business day hardware replacement.  Good price for my customer and my liability is limited with Dell's proven support agreements.   So am I drinking Dell kool-aid and believing they are the all encompassing solution?  Not even close.  While I may be limiting my relationship to just reselling hardware for them, I'm not limiting my relationship to my ...

Posted in Managing Your Business, Dell, SBS Community | 3 Comments »