chrismiles’s posterous

What goes on (that you can't see) on your Computer Network

We recently found a corrupt print job on a customer's computer network that was using 50% of the CPU by the Print Spooler.  The Print Spooler, also called the Queuing System, manages printer use on computer systems that have more than one printer, and a 50% usage causes a much slower computer network. 
 
The corrupt print job occurred months ago, but wasn't found until our customer took advantage of our "5 to 50" Computer Network Support Service.  Part of this service is 24/7 Network Monitoring, allowing us to foresee and diagnose problems much faster, and in some cases, remedy the situation immediately without having to go on-site. 
 
If this was an existing customer why wasn't this problem found earlier?
 
Typically, Computer Support is based on what we call a "Break & Fix" model.  Unless there is a problem or a project, we are NOT involved in the day-to-day management of our customer's network.  However our "5 to 50" service is a Pro-active Support model, which delivers computer support at a flat monthly fee that our customers can budget for just like rent.  And part of this service is the 24/7 Monitoring, which is constantly scanning the network looking for problem that might not be seen by an end-user.  In the case of the high CPU usage on the Server, our customer really didn't notice anything until after the problem was fixed, and they noticed everything running faster.
 
If your business has 5 or more workstations, and is located in the Vancouver Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley, we'd welcome the opportunity to manage your Computer Network.  Contact us anytime at 604-484-5141 in Vancouver or 604-864-0465 in Abbotsford.
 
Chris Miles                                                       Follow me on Twitter
604-484-4218 direct
cmiles@insightit.ca
 
Insight Information Technology
604-484-5141 Lower Mainland
604-864-0465 Fraser Valley
 
www.insightit.ca
 

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An Inexpensive Way To Help Ensure Business Continuity

There was a great article in the February Business In Vancouver newspaper, written by Alan Zisman.  In the High Tech Office section, the headline reads "Lessons from another malware meltdown".  The article explains how by mid-January of this year millions of Windows systems had been successfully attacked by malware, even though Microsoft had released a patch in October.  It goes on to explain how easily one infected machine can spread throughout a network, even a network that is behind a firewall.  "Infected systems are hooked into botnets, serving up mass amounts of spam e-mail messages. An estimated 90% of all spam comes from such botnets."
 
For business owners, the lesson learned is to ensure all your machines, including Desktops, Laptops and Servers have Virus Protection and they have been regularly updated and are always current.  I'd argue that your Virus Protection be updated automatically, without you thinking about it, or without your staff or IT guy needing to update manually.  Now here's the Sales Pitch.  Insight IT customers, who take advantage of our "5 to 50" Computer Support Service have the option of our Virus Protection service that is always current 24/7.  Nothing for your staff to do, and each machine is monitored around the clock, 365 days per year.
 
Click here, to read Alan Zisman's Business In Vancouver article.
 
And if you are interested in an inexpensive way to ensure your Computer Network is safe, contact us anytime.  Insight Information Technology or Insight IT for short delivers Enterprise Computer Support at a Small Business price, for organizations throughout Vancouver BC Lower Mainland, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.
 
Chris Miles                       Follow me on Twitter
604-484-4218 direct
cmiles@insightit.ca
 
 

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2 Hours Free Computer Support For Richmond BC business

Attention Richmond B.C. Business Owners

 

I Want To Give You 2 FREE Hours Of Support To Prove I Can Make Your Computer Problems Go Away Faster And With Fewer Expenses Than Ever Before.

 

My name is Chris Miles from Insight Information Technology, or Insight I.T. for short. As a small business owner myself, I know how frustrating it can be to spend a ton of money on a computer network only to have it constantly give you problems and demand more money out of your pocket. I also understand how difficult it can be to find a reliable computer expert you can trust to give honest, straightforward advice on how to set up and maintain your network for optimum performance and minimal costs.

 

That's why we've decided to be the first and only small business computer support company to offer a 100% "Zero Hassle" Guarantee. Here's how it works:  Call us today and let us know what's not working with your computer network. It can be as small as a nagging printer error to a larger, more complex problem like a server crash.

 

We'll send one of our senior computer technicians to your office to diagnose the problem. He will be on time, guaranteed. He will diagnose the problem for FREE, and explain in PLAIN ENGLISH (not confusing computer babble) what your options are for resolving the problem. He will detail the pros and cons of each solution so you can make an intelligent decision on how you want to resolve it without feeling intimidated or in the dark about what you are agreeing to.

 

Then we'll give you a guaranteed price in writing, NOT an estimate. If you decide to let us perform the work (you are under no obligation) we'll get to work right away.

 

Plus, you'll be 100% covered by our Fix It Right The First Time Guarantee. Simply put, if you continue to have problems, or if you are just not satisfied with the way we have resolved your issue, we will come back onsite and fix it for FREE until you are 100% satisfied with the solution we've implemented. That way you won't have to worry about escalating repair costs from a technician who doesn't know what they are doing, or getting ripped off by someone stretching out the amount of time it really takes to resolve a problem so they can over charge you.

 

As you can see, we don't think it's fair for you to incur all the risk when hiring a computer technician, even us! That's why we'd like to give you 2 FREE Hours of computer support, no strings attached. This will give us a chance to earn your trust and prove ourselves BEFORE you spend a dime. You just can't lose.

 

To secure your 2 FREE hours of computer support or repair, simply give me a call on my direct line:  604-484-4218 or e-mail me on cmiles@insightIT.ca

 

Remember, you are under NO OBLIGATION to do or buy anything. And if you decide not to hire us for more work after the two hours, that is ok too. No guilt, No question, No problem.

 

 

Don't Take Our Word For It; Here's What Our Customers Have To Say:

 

"Aside from the overall improvement of the functioning and reliability of our equipment, I believe the greatest benefit is the peace of mind we have gained, knowing that our systems are being monitored and that Insight IT will address any issues quickly and efficiently." - Debbie Oliynyk, Office Manager, Entrust

 

"Problems on our network get addressed on a regular basis, allowing our users to work problem free. We need our systems up and running at all times, in order for us to serve our clients effectively."  - David Rossi, VP Finance, Pacific Coastal Airlines

 

 

 

Chris Miles
Insight Information Technology
cmiles@insightit.ca
604-484-4218 Direct
 
604-484-5141 Lower Mainland
604-864-0465 Abbotsford
604-357-1471 Fax
 
"Let Us Manage IT"
  www.InsightIT.ca

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Web Enable Your Microsoft Applications

Imagine running ALL your Windows Applications over the Internet, from any Workstation or Browser, anywhere in the World!

 

Let's say you're working from your home, maybe on the family Mac.  And you need to access an important Windows application that you run from your PC back at the office.  All you need to do is fire-up your web browser, log-in to a secure web site and there is the Windows application you need.  Just like at your workstation back at the office, you can open, change, save and delete documents remotely, and even send print jobs to your local printer at home.

 

Or maybe you're running a new feature rich application in your office, but don't want to upgrade all your PC's.  Now older, under powered workstations can access the new application using only a web browser.

 

Another example is a Law Firm who, instead of investing in new machines with Microsoft's Vista Operating System, he chose to implement less expensive Linux software.   All his existing applications worked fine, except for one that he simply Web Enabled allowing all users to access from any desktops, either in the office or from a remote location. 

 

Web enabling any Windows, Unix or Linux application is made available through a product called Go-Global from GraphOn.    With Go-Global you can access applications from any platform, take advantage of enhanced security and eliminate Citrix and Terminal Server.  Not only is GO-Global an efficient Web-enabling and application publishing solution, it's also a cross-platform solution. So now Linux users can run Windows applications. Windows users can run UNIX and Linux programs. Mac users can run Windows applications. Windows 98 users can Windows XP programs. You get the picture, right? Mix and match for the most effective application access solution.

 

How Go-Global Works:

 

GO-Global consists of two parts: the GO-Global server software and the GO-Global client software. The GO-Global server software runs on a central server along with the application being published. Each client device runs one of the GO-Global client software modules which are available as native thin clients or as browser plug-ins.

 

You can click here to see an interactive Flash presentation of GO-Global's Web-enabling and application publishing features.

 

If you looking to connect remote users or get more from your existing PC's, contact us anytime.  We offer Computer Network Support and Repair for business customers throughout Vancouver BC, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. 

 

Chris Miles

Insight Information Technology

cmiles@insightit.ca  

604-484-4218 Direct

 

604-484-5141 Lower Mainland

604-864-0465 Abbotsford

604-357-1471 Fax

 

"Let Us Manage IT"

  www.InsightIT.ca

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Why Legal Firms Need Document Management Software

I found an on-line article, "Why Legal Firms Need Document Management Software".  At Insight IT we support a number of Law Firms throughout the Vancouver BC area and Fraser Valley, and I thought the information could be useful.

 

Some of our Novell customers use the Document Management system that has been INCLUDED with GroupWise, while other clients that are using Outlook or have very specific requirements are looking for an affordable Document Management system that can still integrate with their Accounting and Time & Billing applications.

 

The on-line article was found at the Knowledge Tree web site.  KnowledgeTree is an easy to use Document Management system that allows Law Firms to secure, share, track and manage the documents and records they depend on.  It integrates with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and you can drag and drop documents directly from the Microsoft Windows Desktop.  As a side note, Knowledge Tree is also used by members of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

 

If you need more information on "What is Document Management", click here.

 

And if you are adding Document Management, or looking for support for your Windows, Linux or Novel network, contact us anytime.  

 

Chris Miles

Insight Information Technology

cmiles@insightit.ca

604-484-4218 Direct

 

604-484-5141 Lower Mainland

604-864-0465 Abbotsford

604-357-1471 Fax

 

"Let Us Manage IT"

  www.InsightIT.ca

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Get More From Your Internet Connection

I just posted a Blog that may be of interest to anyone implementing Voice over IP, or trying to connect remote users to important business applications.

 

In the Blog, I explain some of the problems using Broadband services like ADSL and Cable, how these compare to more expensive services like T1 and Fibre.  And I offer an inexpensive solution for better VoIP voice quality and more robust Terminal Server sessions.

 

Click here to connect to my Blog "Get More From Your Internet Connection"
 
Chris Miles
Insight Information Technology
cmiles@insightit.ca
604-484-4218 Direct
 
604-484-5141 Lower Mainland
604-864-0465 Abbotsford
604-357-1471 Fax

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SherWeb offers Microsoft Exchange and BlackBerry Hosting FREE for 3 months

Any business with 5 or more users, generally have a Computer Network Server.  And in many cases the Server of choice for small business is Microsoft's Small Business Server.  Included with Small Business Server is Exchange, giving users the ability to share their Outlook Calendar, Tasks, Contacts and even Email.  An Exchange Server can also give individual users an automatic backup to their Outlook data, and offer Archiving options as well.
 
Small Business Owners also have the option to install BlackBerry Server software, automatically linking data between user's Outlook and their Smart Phone.
 
Business owners that have not yet invested in their own Computer Network Server, now have the option to rent access to a Hosted Exchange and BlackBerry service, and for a limited time pay nothing for 3 months!  This offering is through SherWeb, a Canadian ASP that hosts Exchange, BlackBerry and SharePoint, to individuals or Groups (like in a small business).
 
You can contact SherWeb directly, or contact us for more information.  We are Insight Information Technology or Insight IT for short.  We offer Computer Network Support and Repair to business throughout the Greater Vancouver BC area, Abbotsford and Fraser Valley. 
 
Contact us anytime.
 
 

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ESI phone system Integrated with Outlook

My long-time friend, Brian Dunn of ETC Telecom recently shared with me the benefits of Integrating Outlook with your telephone system.
 
ETC Telecom supports the ESI line of Business Telephone Systems throughout the Lower Mainland of Vancouver, BC.  ESI's VIP (Visually Integrated Phone) PC applications let you combine the power of your ESI phone system and Microsoft Outlook to enhance communications in your day-to-day activities, including the ability to control calls and organize voice mail and contacts.
 
The ESI Telephone System combined with VIP lets you do the following from your PC's screen.
  • Manage your telephone calls
  • Manage your voice mail
  • Organize your contacts
  • Quickly program your ESI Feature Phone

Chris Miles
Insight Information Technology
 
Insight IT offers Support and Repair of Computer Networks throughout the Vancouver Lower Mainland, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.

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Integrate your Novell GroupWise

Attention all GroupWise users:

I wanted to share information on how you can easily integrate a number of different applications with Novell's GroupWise. Applications include;

  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • SugarCRM
  • Microsoft CRM
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Oracle Database
  • Salesforce
  • SageCRM
  • GoldMine
  • info@hand CRM
  • Bluefin

Even Facebook!

Here is a link to more information.

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