3 ways to avoid the summer laziness BDR for MSPs

Summer heat can cause as big a disaster such as a hurricane or tornado?  We turned to backup and disaster recovery specialist and MSP Strata Information Technology, Inc. to find out. President Pete Robbins follows three simple steps to keep your customers in control during the summer heat. You reveal the scoop in this exclusive MSPmentor.

Strata Information Technology, Inc. President Pete Robbins said laziness can kick when disasters strike only occasionally.
Summer heat can cause as big a disaster such as a hurricane or tornado?  We turned to backup and disaster recovery specialist and MSP Strata Information Technology, Inc. to find out. President Pete Robbins follows three simple steps to keep your customers in control during the summer heat. You reveal the scoop in this exclusive MSPmentor.
Robbins suggested to MSPmentor that MSPs located in an area that is less likely to be affected by a natural disaster, it is still important to stay focused and excited.
His company is located in Los Angeles, California, area, according to Robbins, who rarely attended, if not all, of any calamity since 1994. Since this is the case, Robbins noted "a bit of laziness".
To overcome these drawbacks, Robbins plans customers of your company for the following: disasters
Meeting with customers every year to discuss business continuity(BC) -understand how clients plan to keep the business running during the disaster, including disasters caused not by nature. His company reviews the plan to close any holes. If customers don't have a plan, or if they are new, Robbins works with them to prepare one;Budget and implement changes -changes may be necessary to provide BDR solutions or plans of BC. These alterations must be properly budgeted. Assist customers by identifying the costs. Help implement changes in your customer; andcustomer Test plans -need to be tested plans for areas that are still at risk. Don't let mother nature control you. Take the summer to test, test and test plans.
How to keep your customers from falling to the heat of summer? How often you review BDR solutions with their plans or BC?

Next generation MSPs: what it will look like?

MSP IBM Summit will feature Actifio, symmetry, TW Ventures and Rackforce on a managed services provider. Where you can benefit from MSPs generation cloud services? Here's a preview.

Former MSP Tommy Wald is now an angel investor and Advisor to technology.
Next-generation MSPs (managed service provider) as you? The MSP Summit of IBM, this week in Las Vegas, is set to explore this question. I'll be on hand to moderate a panel with four vastly different MSPs. And each of those MSPs will share some clues about where the industry is going next.
They include:
Take a closer look at that list and you will come to some clear conclusions:
MSP definitions are constantly changing and expanding. The classic MSP focused on SMB remote monitoring is now a commodity story.Cloud services are no longer an opportunity "futura". They are now a reality. Sophisticated MSPs with deep application expertise can do more than "resell" Enterprise cloud applications. Symmetry is revealed.IBM wants to collaborate with MSPs in multiple ways-convergent offer hardware for MSP data centers allowing MSPs connect IBM SmartCloud services. If you're launching an MSP in 2013 or 2014, the business plan will have a noticeably different look vs. a plan MSP of 2005 or even 2010.
These are some of my opinions pre-event. The MSP is Summit Panel Tuesday, June 11. I will be sure to offer a thorough recap of panel discussion once the wraps.

BDR 101 maintenance apparatus for Datto partners

With summer around the corner, MSPmentor wanted to discover how MSPs could easily monitor the backup and disaster recovery (BDR) without making it seem like an additional burden, so we reached for disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity (IBC) vendor solutions Given for some answers.

Maintenance of backup and disaster recovery (BDR) of the apparatus is a task that dovetails nicely with the main mission of the managed service provider (MSP) of monitoring and managing the customer's infrastructure. But with summer around the corner, MSPmentor wanted to discover how MSPs could simplify the process. So we reached for disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity (IBC) vendor solutions Given for some answers. How can you keep MSPs using appliances efficiently Given? We reveal the answer.

Datto Sales Engineer Dan Ciccone spoke briefly via e-mail with you to provide some MSPmentor tips and tricks within, pointing out the obvious of MSPs.

"The best way to keep your appliance is Given to keep an eye on what is happening with every device in your fleet," he said.

He, however, offer the following advantages for MSPs offering customers equipment Given, revealing how the centralized management console the company in partner portal can be an effective way to maintain the appliances:

Make sure that the last backup for each device was successful;

Verify that backups are recorded and can run in virtual machines. This can be done through a verification function of screenshots is visible in the management console;

Access to any device in your remote fleet to alleviate any problems on the end user's location; and

Ping with warning device. If there is a problem with the hardware, you will receive a text message or an email regarding the error.

Instead of waiting for something to happen, be proactive monitoring and maintenance of your appliances Given. Access the centralized management console to take advantage of the company's tool for maintenance of equipment. What features consume more?

BYOD, WiFi Shape Future of Mobile Workforce, Survey Reveals

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
There's some good news for managed services providers (MSPs) following the bring your own device (BYOD) trend closely. A recent iPass Inc. (IPAS) survey unveiled a relationship between BYOD policies, smartphone use by region, and worker productivity, finding that mobile workers are using connectivity to be more productive and work longer hours, and most of this work is being done over WiFi.

iPass CEO Evan Kaplan said in his prepared remarks that businesses can increase employee productivity by providing them with mobile devices to work from remotely.
There's some good news for managed services providers (MSPs) following the bring your own device (BYOD) trend closely. A recent iPass Inc. (IPAS) survey unveiled a relationship between BYOD policies, smartphone use by region, and worker productivity, finding that mobile workers are using connectivity to be more productive and work longer hours, and most of this work is being done over Wi-Fi. What else is the company's report? We'll reveal the key takeaways.
Take a trip across the globe, and you'll find that North Americans are working longer hours each week, on average, than their peers in other regions, the survey revealed. North Americans, in addition to working longer hours, find smartphones as a productive tool, opening up more opportunities for these workers to be more productive with BYOD policies in the workplace.
In fact, 70 percent of mobile workers are leveraging company BYOD policies, the survey stated. North American workers are more than likely to work at companeis with BYOD policies, unlike workers in other regions, and they tend to look for employment with businesses that implement such policies. Around 35 percent of respondents said a company's BYOD policy can sway their employment choices.
iPass CEO Evan Kaplan said in his prepared remarks that businesses can increase employee productivity by providing them with mobile devices to work from remotely.
But where does WiFI access fit into this equation? Unproductive hours in a workday. The majority of mobile workers reported that they spend the majority of their business days within a range of a WiFi hotspot. On the other hand, however, 41 percent of workers claimed that the lack of wireless coverage renders them unproductive at least 10 percent of their workday.
"Although BYOD and WiFi aren't everywhere, this survey indicates that mobile workers want access to reliable, cost-effective connectivity whenever and wherever they need to work," Kaplan said.
Other key findings from the iPass Mobile Workforce Report include the following:
Fifty-nine percent of mobile workers have paid more than $20 for one-time use of WiFi. Twenty-four percent of workers have paid $30 or more for one-time access to WiFi;Seventy percent of mobile workers are allowed to use their personal mobile devices for work (BYOD). North American workers were most likely to work for a company with a BYOD policy, followed by Asia Pacific workers and then European workers. Of workers who do BYOD, the majority said they currently do or would expense WiFi costs from their personal mobile devices;Mobile workers spend their remote work time in a range of places. The most likely locations are their homes or some type of office but 75 percent also work remotely from hotels; 40 percent report working from airplanes and coffee shops; and 29 percent report working on public transportation, such as trains, buses and subways; andNearly three out of four (71 percent) mobile workers research WiFi hotspot availability before they travel. Asia Pacific workers are most likely to do this type of research, followed by European workers and North American workers.
The company's report was based on a survey of 1,150 mobile enterprise employees worldwide between March 28, 2013 and April 19, 2013.
iPass announced a new version of its iPass Open Mobile for iOS, a WiFi client for iOS devices, back in January of 2013.

Google: Will MSPs be wearable Tech fleet management?

Cloud-based Enterprise mobility management (EMM) company Fiberlink last week announced that the MaaS360 platform can be reached by IT administrators using glass of Google (GOOG). MSPmentor I was wondering if there was a big demand for Google monitoring Glass so we caught up with Frank Scloendorn, Director of the Android ecosystem to Fiberlink and one of the few members of the exclusive group of owners of Google Glass today. Here is his perspective.

Cloud-based Enterprise mobility management (EMM) company Fiberlink last week announced that the MaaS360 platform can be reached by IT administrators using glass of Google (GOOG). MSPmentor I was wondering if there was a big demand for Google monitoring Glass so we caught up with Frank Scloendorn, Director of the Android ecosystem based on Philadelphia Fiberlink and one of the few members of the exclusive group of owners of Google Glass today. He has provided us with some real use cases for Google Glass business and perspectives on the future of wearable technology, as well as the future plans of Fiberlink for the platform.

Scloendorn told me that Fiberlink has already gotten inquiries from customers about whether the MaaS360 will be able to monitor the Google Glass devices, so there is certainly an interest and the device is really something that is on the radar of some customers. And for those who think this technology is ' out there ' Scloendorn pointed out that the iPad that you carry around everywhere was considered a foolish consumer device a few years ago. We don't know that Google Glass or other non-wearable computing devices will see the same kind of success that iPad has over the next three to four years, he said.

So Fiberlink experimented as its business customers may want to use Google Glass. The first way is to add practicality. Writing a Google API mirror glass, Fiberlink was able to add features to its Google Glass platform monitoring, leaving work on Scloendorn back in the Office remotely without using your cell phone or laptop. Tried this while sitting in the audience at the Developer Conference, Google i/o in San Francisco recently.  (Like TSA Airport security reacted to Google Glass when Scloendorn traveled from Philadelphia to SFO?  Have not paid any attention to the device that Scloendorn put in your particular case and in the bin for x-ray machine.)

Currently, applications on Google only Glass can be hosted in the cloud, so they are limited. There is no way to download the applications on the device itself. Google plans to add that feature soon, however, Scloendorn said, using an SDK. Currently the applications that work with Google Glass include Gmail, Evernote and some applications of news from publishers, CNN and the Wall Street Journal.  Oh and the MaaS360 monitoring interface.

But this is only the beginning. Fiberlink offers the following potential business use cases:

Utility workers. When these workers are climbing telephone polls or in situations where there is high voltage, hands-free access to their applications both could increase efficiency and safety.

Hospital workers, including doctors and nurses. Google Glass could potentially be used to read QR codes on medical bracelets for health workers to assist with quick access to medical files on their Google Glass heads up display.

The next step will be when enterprises start getting more Google Glass devices and the need to manage them. Google Glass runs on Android, that most platforms EMM and MDM support already. But IT and the developers will be looking at how to protect devices like Google Glass. Apple (AAPL) reportedly is also working on wearable tech in the form of a wristwatch.

The Google Glass price may be another factor. The device debuted in its first distribution limited to $ 1,500, but when Google releases a retail version next year you'd expect for a price significantly lower than that.

And we'd be remiss if we note the mixed reaction that Google Glass may be among those who are not quite as enamored of technology and new gadgets. But perhaps these people are just jealous.  I know that being. Sort of.

Business Leadership lessons from Game of Thrones and the Stark House

CELESTIX CEO Tim Ager recently took a look at what business leaders can learn from Game of Thrones and more precisely from the successes and failures of the hero Ned Stark. Here's what you need to know in order not to lose your head.

Despite his previous success and its high level of integrity, Ned Stark was able to adapt to his new role.

Rob Stark is dead, the Stark family ever be reunited in winter or anywhere else and hopes of fallen heroes to ruin. That is basically how season 3 synthesis of Game of Thrones closes. What does this have to do with managed services and business? CELESTIX CEO Tim Ager recently pointed out in his blog that the first season of this HBO series can provide useful lessons in leadership and management, especially if you do not want to "lose his head" as a hero who made Ned Stark. Here's the advice of Ager on how to take your career to the next level.

Ager said that Ned Stark begins the series as a successful leader, but is put to the test when he reluctantly accepted the position as the "hand of the King" – basically the COO who must deal with the day-to-day reign of Westeros.

As Ager points out, Stark has an impressive curriculum that leads to work:

Born into a noble family and ben educatedTrained and warfareSuccessful leadership in numerous campaigns over yearsObtained many more awards related to its northern TerritoryTrusted achievementsRuler friend, right hand man and supporter of the King

As Ager notes: "I know you did well in your core competency, earned your Spurs and they progressed your career. Take a look at your resume shows exemplary credentials. And then you are asked to step up and become a VP or join the C-suite level ".

Ager argues that the same skills you have in your new place of work are not the same ones that will allow you to be successful.

His new role of hand puts Stark in a new situation, among others who hold the power, but they have different agendas. Stark has no experience in the field, having spent his career commanding subordinates and never cultivate the ability to deal with the ambiguity of policy.

And while any topic criticizing Ned Stark, the hero of the first season that has retained its integrity and morality despite horrendous circumstances, probably will be met by fans and fans GOT Stark as heresy, Ager is right. Ned does not adapt to his new situation, and all the characters are still feeling the repercussions of that at the end of season 3.  But it does mean that you should change who you are to fit your new role?

"Now I'm not for a minute suggesting that based on the experience of the poor old Ned it changes everything and transform yourself into something you're not. After all your strengths are the main reason why he was asked to step up and take on a larger scale, "Ager wrote. "However, we should all listen to the allegory of Ned Stark and realize that unless we adapt to our new leadership roles we stand a greater chance of failure. Successful Leadership is on many things and it means different things in different organizations, but a foundation of successful leadership is to continue to be good at what we did during the adaptation to be successful enough at things that we did. "

Expect more GOT management and leadership lessons from Ager, as an end of season 3. Any forensic analysis on errors of Rob Stark? Triumphs of DANERYS? Career path of Jon Snow?

Meanwhile, you have collected every management wisdom from books, movies or television? Tell us in the comments.

BYOD, WiFi workforce shape future Mobile, survey reveals

There is some good news for managed service providers (MSP) following the getting your device (BYOD) trend closely. A recent survey of iPass Inc (IPAS) presented a report between BYOD policies, use of smartphones by region and worker productivity, finding that mobile workers use connectivity to be more productive and more hours, and most of this work has been done over WiFi.

iPass CEO Evan Kaplan said in his prepared speech that companies can increase employee productivity by providing them with mobile devices to work remotely.

There is some good news for managed service providers (MSP) following the getting your device (BYOD) trend closely. A recent survey of iPass Inc (IPAS) presented a report between BYOD policies, use of smartphones by region and worker productivity, finding that mobile workers use connectivity to be more productive and more hours, and most of this work was done via Wi-Fi. What is the ratio of the company? We reveal the key takeaways.

Take a trip across the globe, and you will find that North Americans are working more hours every week, on average, than peers in other regions, the survey revealed. North Americans, in addition to working more hours, find smartphones as a tool of production, opening more opportunities for these workers to be more productive with BYOD policies at work.

In fact, 70 percent of mobile workers are taking advantage of company policies BYOD, the survey said. North American workers are more likely to work at companeis with BYOD policies, unlike workers in other regions, and tend to seek employment with companies that implement such policies. Around 35 per cent of respondents said that a BYOD company policy can sway their employment choices.

iPass CEO Evan Kaplan said in his prepared speech that companies can increase employee productivity by providing them with mobile devices to work remotely.

But where do you put WiFI in this equation? Non-productive hours in a workday. Most mobile workers reported that they spend the majority of their business days within a range of a WiFi hotspot. On the other hand, however, 41 percent of workers believed that the lack of wireless coverage makes them unproductive at least 10 percent of their workday.

"Although not fi BYOD are everywhere, this poll indicates that mobile workers want access to reliable, affordable connectivity anytime and anywhere they need to work," said Kaplan.

Other key findings from iPass Mobile Workforce Report include the following:

Fifty-nine percent of mobile workers have paid more than $ 20 for occasional use of WiFi. Twenty-four percent of workers have paid $ 30 or more for the only access to WiFi; seventy percent of mobile workers are allowed to use their mobile devices to work (BYOD). North American workers were most likely to work for a company with a policy BYOD, followed by Asia Pacific and European workers. Workers who make BYOD, the majority said that currently or would WiFi costs from spending their personal mobile devices.Mobile workers spend their time working in a variety of places. The most likely to have their houses or some type of Office, but the 75 per cent also work remotely from hotels; the report 40 percent work from airplanes and coffee shops; and 29 per cent report working on public transport such as trains, buses and subways; andNearly three of the four mobile workers (71 percent) search availability WiFi hotspot before travelling. Asia Pacific workers are more likely to do this kind of research, followed by European and North American workers.

The company's report was based on a survey of 1,150 employees of mobile enterprise worldwide between March 28, 2013 and April 19, 2013.

iPass announced a new version of its iPass Open Mobile for iOS, a WiFi client for iOS devices, in January 2013.