QuikNews November 2002 E-Mail Newsletter




Quality Technology Solutions, Inc. QTS QuikNews – November 2002 – Issue 2002.11 November 18, 2002 ************************************************************************ Welcome to the November edition of QTS QuikNews, our Monthly E-Mail newsletter. In this monthly e-mail, you will receive an update of what's new at QTS - new products we support, new patches and upgrades, solution ideas and promotions to save you money, and information about our company and our clients. As a QTS client, a prospective client we have had discussions with, or a “friend of QTS,” you have been automatically added to our newsletter distribution list. To unsubscribe from this mailing please see the instructions at the bottom of this page, or call your QTS Account Manager. Please do not respond to this e-mail. This is an unmonitored account. ********************************************************************** IN THIS ISSUE ********************************************************************** 1. QTS News 2. Events 3. Patches & Upgrades 4. President’s Corner 5. Business Spotlight: AFS Intercultural Programs 6. Special Offers & Featured Solutions ********************************************************************** QTS NEWS ********************************************************************** MICROSOFT PRODUCT SUPPORT LIFECYCLE Manufacturer support for software offerings typically runs a 3 year lifecycle from initial product release these days – sometimes sooner, sometimes later, depending on the frequency of interim updates. The following Microsoft products will reach the “Non-Supported” stage at these dates: 6/30/2003 – Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 12/31/2003 – Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 After these dates, only online support will be available. See http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/desktop/business/default.mspx and http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/productinfo/availability/retiring.asp for more information. Note that support for Windows 95 was discontinued effective 12/31/01. FEATURED PRODUCT: MICROSOFT SOFTWARE UPDATE SERVICE Software Update Service, or "SUS," is a free software package from Microsoft to help secure your network. As part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing Initiative, SUS was developed to give network administrators an automated means to distribute operating system patches to their desktop computers, while retaining control of the process. SUS leverages Windows Update technology, built into Windows 2000 and higher operating systems, to allow for automated patch distribution, but under SUS a "staging server" is introduced that allows network administrators to download patches, test them for compatibility, and then upon approval release them to client PCs. Plus, patches can be "pushed" down to clients, and the process can be fully automated. SUS fits into QTS' QuikSecure^TM family of security solutions as a key component in ongoing management of security. Contact your QTS account manager for more information on how Software Update Service can fit into your environment, and what benefits you would realize. +++ FROM THE WEB +++ QTS LAUNCHES QUIKSECURE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT SERVICE 11/18/2002: QTS today launched its new QuikSecure™ Vulnerability Assessment service offering, providing customers with a comprehensive report showing specific vulnerabilities on their network, and guidance on removing them. Read more at http://www.QTSnet.com/stayinformed/l3_stay_pr34.htm QTS AND ECONIUM LAUNCH PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER HIGHLY AVAILABLE EBUSINESS AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS 11/18/2002: QTS and Econium today announced a strategic partnership between the organizations to deliver highly available eBusiness and knowledge management solutions to the New Jersey and New York business communities. Read more at http://www.QTSnet.com/stayinformed/l3_stay_pr35.htm ********************************************************************** EVENTS ********************************************************************** No customer events are presently scheduled. QTS will resume its Seminar Series in January. ********************************************************************** PATCHES & UPGRADES ************************************************************************ Call the Customer Support Center to have us apply QTS-standard patches and keep your systems current. The following patches have been recently released and are generally recommended by QTS: * None – no major service packs released or recommended Also, please check http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/current.asp for applicability of Microsoft Security Bulletins to the products in use at your environment. Contact your QTS Account Manager if you would like our Customer Support Center to monitor these bulletins for you and advise with recommendations for your environment upon release of new bulletins. Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition signature files are currently at version 41115d (11/15/2002). CA InoculateIT 4.x signature files are currently at version 40.21 (11/14/2002) and 6.x signature files are currently at version 23.58.22 (11/15/2002). McAfee VirusScan/NetShield signature files are currently at version 4233 (11/13/2002). Please keep your antivirus signatures, and your scan engines, current! If you do not have your system set up to automatically distribute updates from your server to your PCs, please call your QTS Account Manager or the Customer Support Center. Some patches can cause problems, especially in combination with other software programs or patch levels. Please talk to us to verify whether we see any possible problems in your environment before patching your systems independently. We make best efforts to test patch combinations but cannot guarantee compatibility between software and hardware manufacturers’ products. ************************************************************************ PRESIDENT’S CORNER ********************************************************************** One of the more interesting parts of my job, and one that I greatly enjoy, is the opportunity to meet new customers and prospective customers on a regular basis. Understanding their businesses, hearing about the challenges they face, and the opportunities they wish to create or take advantage of, is a constant learning experience for me, as I try to understand their business goals, and to help customers achieve them. As opposed to some of our partners, whose solutions are often highly “verticalized,” the building blocks of our solutions are typically common across industries, so elements of the solution change but the underlying services we provide are fairly uniform. Therefore, we can often see common elements across our diverse client base. What I find particularly interesting is where I see such patterns, and over the last few months I am seeing a clear pattern in the medium business space – with the economy in its present state, IT departments are being told after years of growth that headcount will remain the same (or in some cases shrink), while the services they need to provide are often growing. Furthermore, the complexity of the networks they are supporting often also continues to grow. Sometimes this growth is intentional and understood by management, but in many cases it is not. All this is happening in the midst of an increasingly critical reliance of businesses on these technologies that support their operations. A few key concepts can make a huge difference in making this a winnable fight. First, look for ways to simplify the network – its complexity will generally always continue to grow, but note the difference between additional systems and software that serve a strategic business advantage but cause complexity, versus unnecessary complexity due to older systems with different configurations or operating systems. It is hard enough for IT staff to typically support a consistent environment, let alone one with multiple flavors of operating systems, hardware and configurations. Such environments typically grow to consume significant IT resources to keep them running, and ultimately business managers find the systems are not growing and evolving to keep pace with the needs of the business. Ensure that server and desktop configurations are consistent, with as few variations in hardware, operating systems and configuration as possible. Second, either manage complexity or centralize it. If you need powerful desktop systems with distributed computing power at each users’ desk, then take steps to minimize the number of problems you need to deal with. We’ve seen a sharp drop in many customers’ help desk calls based on the increased reliability of Windows 2000 and Windows XP versus earlier versions, and even more so when applying Group Policies or similar methods of locking down desktop PCs. Many help desk calls are preventable, and expensive when considering internal or external support costs. By preventing users from shooting themselves in the foot by installing their own software, changing configurations or introducing security risks, you can do wonders for your support costs. Another important factor is that these approaches can reduce the stress and burnout factor for IT personnel, which often has significant (but sometimes hidden) impact on the business, especially when it results in turnover. Furthermore, adding remote control software such as Microsoft SMS or Novell ZENworks to these PCs provides your IT team with the ability to support user PCs without having to go to their desks in most cases, which improves responsiveness and saves time. Additional benefits of such desktop management software typically include centralized inventory and software distribution (which also can save considerable time and effort), and usually the cost is fairly modest. As an aside, Microsoft’s Software Update Service is an excellent way of managing delivery of security patches to your desktop computers while retaining control of their configuration, and best of all it’s a free product! However, managing distributed complexity may not be as ideal a solution as centralizing that complexity. In many cases, a “thin client” solution using Microsoft Terminal Services and Citrix MetaFrame (there are other solutions, but this is the one we support) can provide the same capabilities of a Windows desktop, but realize significant cost advantages. First, users cannot change their configurations and create support problems. Second, software can be centrally managed by IT, with limited resource needs. Third, users can realize the same computing experience, a consistent desktop, regardless of what office they are at, or where they are out of the office. This solution can eliminate the need for servers and systems at remote offices, and though it is not the answer for every business, it is for some. Finally, strategically invest in products and technologies that help ensure that systems are reliable and available, at least as much as possible. An upgrade to new hardware or software may have costs, but staying on an older platform that consumes staff time (IT or business staff) has costs as well. Some of our customers are effectively leveraging network management, either in-house with their own tools or via our QuikAlert service, to reduce costs while increasing uptime. An IT staff that is constantly putting out fires and fixing systems is not creating business value. Reliable, available systems typically require less maintenance and support than older, troublesome systems, which means that IT staff productivity can be maximized and focused. As always, feel free to email me your comments or thoughts at nrosenberg@QTSnet.com. Thank you. Neil Rosenberg President & CEO Quality Technology Solutions ********************************************************************** BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: AFS INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS ********************************************************************** In this section of the newsletter, we will spotlight a customer or partner with a unique and interesting mission or message. QTS has been a long-time supporter of AFS Intercultural Programs, both of the USA organization and the International umbrella organization in New York. QTS has contributed resources, secured partner donations and provided technology infrastructure design and support for AFS USA since 1995. By way of background, AFS is the most experienced student exchange organization in the world. In response to the humanitarian crises of World Wars I and II, more than 2,500 young Americans volunteered as American Field Service ambulance drivers on the front lines of battle. Following World War II, the drivers resolved to find a way to build understanding between nations by educating enlightened world leaders through international student exchanges, and, in 1947, founded AFS. Today, AFS exchanges more than 10,000 participants each year. In addition to being the most experienced student exchange organization, AFS is also one of the world's largest volunteer organizations. With 270,000 AFS alumni and 100,000 volunteers, technology plays a critical role in keeping volunteers informed, connected, and communicating. Through AFS Online, an intranet designed specifically to support the AFS volunteer network, volunteers across the country can communicate with ease, receive and exchange up-to-the minute news and programmatic information, and access and update AFS’ databases. Last year, AFS-USA, the largest member of the AFS partnership of 55 countries, launched a website to support students, host families, educators, parents, volunteers, and others who are interested in international exchange and intercultural learning. Students wanting to live and study abroad or those who would like to start or participate in an AFS program or club in the U.S. can receive detailed information on the 128 AFS programs offered in 52 countries, take a culture trek online, learn more about a particular country or topic, participate in moderated chats, and post messages online. Students can also submit their pre-applications online, and apply for scholarships. During the past three years, the number of students going abroad with AFS has increased by 24%, and minority participation has increased from 3 to 18%. This is due, in part, to AFS awarding more than $1 million in scholarships to deserving students each year. In addition to sending students abroad, AFS also brings the world to American doorsteps. More than 2,500 AFS Host Families who want an international experience without leaving home benefit from opening their hearts and homes to remarkable young people from around the world. Schools, a strong and longstanding partner in AFS programs, welcome international students knowing that both school and community benefit from receiving a global perspective that these young ambassadors share. Through more than 50 years of service as a non-governmental, non-profit organization, the mission of AFS has remained the same -- to create a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities. For more information about AFS and its programs and services in the U.S. and abroad, visit the website at http://www.afs.org/usa, or contact AFS’ IT Director, Margaret Hunt, at (212)299-9000 x365. AFS is always looking for corporate partners, supporters and students, to enhance its mission for global understanding. ********************************************************************** SPECIAL OFFERS & FEATURED SOLUTIONS ********************************************************************** SYMANTEC SECURITY SOFTWARE Symantec is offering a 10% discount on many of its security software programs (Intrusion Detection, Vulnerability Management, etc.) to customers who purchase a Vulnerability Assessment utilizing Symantec’s NetRecon software, from QTS. Contact your QTS Account Manager for more details. SURFCONTROL MAIL SurfControl is offering a free license of its Virtual Learning Agent software, which intelligently searches mail contents to classify messages and prevent sensitive information from leaving your company, to all customers who purchase SurfControl Mail between now and December 31^st. Contact your QTS Account Manager for more details. VERITAS COMPETITIVE UPGRADE Veritas is offering competitive upgrade pricing on its Backup Exec products and options to customers who switch from competitive offerings, including ARCserve, between now and December 31^st. Veritas is also offering special upgrade pricing to current customers. Contact your QTS Account Manager for more details. ********************************************************************** To Comment on this newsletter, send an email to QuikNews@QTSnet.com. ********************************************************************** To Remove yourself from this mailing list please send a reply to this message with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject field. Or call or email your QTS Account Manager. ********************************************************************** To Subscribe to this Newsletter, tell your friends and colleagues to go to http://www.QTSnet.com/QuikNews. ********************************************************************** To View an archive of all QTS QuikNews editions, please visit http://www.QTSnet.com/stayinformed/QuikNews/QuikNews_Index.htm. ************************************************************************ ^{ã 2002 Quality Technology Solutions, Inc.} This site last updated 11/18/02 © 1999 Quality Technology Solutions, Inc. 76 South Orange Avenue Suite 302, South Orange, New Jersey 07079 telephone: 973.761.5400 fax: 973.761.1881 email: info@qtsnet.com