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This site last updated 08/31/07
� 1999 Quality Technology Solutions, Inc.
201 Littleton Road, Morris Plains, New Jersey 07950
telephone: 973.984.7600       fax: 973.984.7650
 email: info@qtsnet.com

 
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Aoril 2007 

Volume 7 Issue 4

April 25, 2007

To view this update as a Web page, copy this link into your browser: http://www.qtsnet.com/stayinformed/quiknews/quiknews april2007.htm.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please follow instructions at the bottom of this page.


Welcome to the April 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.

In this issue:

  • QTS and Partner News
  • Events
  • President's Corner
  • QuikSecure Tip of the Month
  • Patches and Upgrades
  • Product Support Lifecycle Watch
  • Solution Spotlight
  • Special Offers
  • Partner Spotlight
  • Practice Area Spotlight
  • Recruitment Spotlight

QTS AND PARTNER NEWS

WELCOME TO NEW CUSTOMERS
QTS offers a �welcome aboard� to the following new customers:

�         Builders Group

�         Cole Schotz

�         Northeast Radiology

�         NPT Publishing

QTS IS HIRING!
QTS is recruiting for sales personnel, senior and mid-level technical personnel and 1099 contract technical resources.  If you know anyone who might be a good fit, please have them visit our recruitment page at http://www.qtsnet.com/jobs/Default.htm, or submit their resume to Liz Meechan, our Office Manager. Liz can be reached at lmeechan@QTSnet.com, or (973)984-7600 x223.

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PRODUCT NOTICES AND ADVISORIES

CITRIX METAFRAME XP VERSION UPGRADE PROMOTION
 Citrix has announced a new promotion running from now through June 30th for customers running MetaFrame XP with expired Subscription Advantage, allowing you to get current with Version 4.5 at a cost of $215/concurrent user for Advanced Edition or $275/concurrent user for Enterprise Edition.  Please contact your QTS account manager for more information.

CITRIX PRESENTATION SERVER PRICE INCREASE
 Citrix has announced an upcoming price increase effective May 15th, on Presentation Server 4.5.  Please contact your QTS account manager for more information.

CITRIX PRESENTATION SERVER PLATINUM EDITION UPGRADES
Citrix has announced a new promotion for customers to move to the new Platinum Edition of Presentation Server, with an offset against Subscription Advantage renewal costs.  The Platinum Edition adds EdgeSight (monitoring), Password Manager (single sign-on) and SSL VPN tunnel licenses to Presentation Server.  If you are a Citrix Subscription Advantage customer with an upcoming renewal, please contact your QTS account manager for more information.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER SERVICES REBATE
Microsoft has announced a new promotion running from now through June 30th on Windows Server 2003 R2 purchases under its Open License programs, where customers can receive rebates of $400-$1,200 per server license that can be applied toward Partner (QTS) services.  Please see www.microsoftincentives.com or contact your QTS account manager for more information.

FREE MICROSOFT CRM SERVER LICENSE FOR MBS CUSTOMERS
 At its Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft announced that all new customers purchasing its Dynamics ERP products (Great Plains, Axapta, Navision, Solomon) will receive a free Dynamics CRM Server License.  This offer also applies to all current customers who presently have maintenance on their systems.  Contact your Microsoft Business Solutions Partner, or your QTS Account Manager, for more information.

TERMINAL SERVICES CAL TRADE-UP EXTENDED THROUGH 6/30/07!
Due to a change in the way Microsoft licenses Terminal Services as of April 2003, customers may be eligible for free Terminal Services Client Access Licenses (CALs).  With the release of Windows Server 2003, the �built-in� CALs under Windows 2000 were eliminated.  However, customers owning Windows XP Pro receive a free Terminal Services CAL for each XP license.  This offer has been extended through June 30, 2007, so we strongly recommend processing this before that date.  For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/tsletter.mspx.   

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PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Last month, we began reviewing 10 Steps for a successful Desktop Deployment effort, covering the first 3 steps.  Now, we continue with the next 4 steps.

4. Decide on Configurations & Components

The next step is deciding on the operating system, and then how the operating system will be configured � what major features will be turned on, and how applications will be initially delivered (built into the image, or delivered via a deployment tool like Group Policy or SMS).  Essentially, this stage entails planning for the Image build.

However, before deciding on the configuration, we need to perform a checkpoint � based on your inventory, will your hardware support Vista (or any given operating system)?  If not, do you have the budget you need to replace or virtualize your desktops?  Will your applications run with Vista, or can you work around this through virtualization, delivery by Terminal Services, or other techniques?  If not, do you have the budget and resources and buy-in to upgrade or replace your applications?  This is a major checkpoint to make sure the facts support what you want to do.

With Windows Vista, some features require additional advance planning � there are different versions of the operating system with different functionalities and features.  For example, if you wish to use BitLocker to encrypt data on hard disks and provide enhanced security, there are two major areas of impact � first, you need to purchase the Enterprise Edition of Windows Vista (BitLocker is not included in the other versions), and second you need to plan for a separate data volume since BitLocker does not encrypt the C drive.  This needs to be accounted for in advance, through some design and planning sessions that incorporate the key stakeholders and allow for appropriate input into the process.

5. Deployment Infrastructure

Most of us have used imaging tools to deploy desktop operating systems, and the market share leader is Symantec�s Ghost product, which has done a solid job for over 10 years.  Planning for Ghost generally means licensing that software, allocating a server (particularly if you plan to do multicasting or to use more advanced features) and giving it appropriate disk space for all the images.

Microsoft entered into the imaging and deployment tools game two years ago with its Business Desktop Deployment (�BDD�) Solution Accelerator, and despite best efforts from myself and many others, this still seems to be a well-kept secret.  The BDD tools prior to Vista were good, but overly complex.  With the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft also released the BDD 2007 tools, which are still complex but much more robust and easier to work with.  These tools are well worth the effort of learning them. 

The BDD Solution Accelerator tools (www.microsoft.com/deploy) consist of several independent components that work together as a system, and which are available to you for free:

  • Windows Imaging;
  • Windows Deployment Services (�WDS�);
  • Windows Pre-Execution Environment (�WinPE�);
  • User State Migration Tool (�USMT�); and
  • Application Compatibility Toolkit (�ACT� - see 3. above)

These tools will run from a �WDS� server that will also host the images, and may host components of the ACT.  If you are integrating these tools with SMS, they will run from your SMS Server(s).  All of this infrastructure needs to be planned and deployed, which will take a few days of time to deploy and test assuming you know the tools and how to configure them (more time if you do not � this is an area where skilled help from a Microsoft Partner experienced with the tools can really add value). 

If you are a Microsoft customer and have purchased Software Assurance on your licenses, one of the benefits Microsoft added to this program is Desktop Deployment Planning Service (�DDPS�) vouchers, which entitle you to one or more days of consulting by a Microsoft DDPS-certified partner (such as QTS) to demonstrate these tools, provide training and guidance on their use, and help you plan the upgrade process.  Check your Software Assurance benefits to activate these vouchers, if you are entitled to them � expertise from a partner experienced with BDD can be invaluable in helping you take advantage of these tools.

6. Imaging & Image Management

Now, it is time to start building your image(s).  This takes some time and effort, as you need to configure the operating system with the appropriate files and drivers and applications you will want to deploy, and test the image on your various hardware configurations to ensure stability and performance.

In the case of Windows Vista, images are no longer dependant on the �HAL� (Hardware Abstraction Layer), so you can literally have one image for all of your systems � desktop or notebook, Dell or HP or IBM, white box/clone or name brand.  Windows Imaging is a file-based imaging system, rather than sector-based, so maintenance is also much easier � you can update drivers or files simply by copying them to the image through a management tool.

Also, a decision needs to be made on whether images will include applications or not.  Not all users will require all applications (for example, an accounting department will need their own software, which the rest of the company probably doesn�t need and probably shouldn�t have).  Windows Imaging allows for multiple �flavors� of a single image, so you can have different applications deployed to different groups from the same base image files.  Even if you deploy applications with the image, though, you still need a way to deploy updates and patches (as well as new applications) after deployment of the image.

7. Deployment Plan Including Data and State Migration

Now that you have an image, some discussion and planning needs to go into how the image will be deployed.  This is where the human factor really enters into the project and makes things quite complicated.  There are a number of important questions that need to be addressed in your plan:

  • Which users will get new systems, and in what order?
  • Will existing systems be taken out of production, re-imaged and re-cycled to other users?  Or will systems be upgraded and remain with the current users?
  • How will �user state� (browser favorites, local settings, �My Documents� folder, etc.) be maintained and moved from the old operating system to the new one (hint � consider the User State Migration Tool for this)?
  • How will we ensure locally stored data is not lost in the transition to new or upgraded operating system images?
  • In what order will users be migrated?  Note that it is very effective to pick leaders and power users to go earlier in the project, to build positive momentum and get a good �buzz� going in the company about the new platform being positive.
  • How will your help desk and IT staff be trained to support the platform?  They should be among the first adopters of the technology � they can�t support it if they aren�t familiar with it, and the best way to get familiar with it is to use it!
  • How will applications be installed onto the new platform?  Do you have a software distribution tool?  A patch management tool?  Do you have the media and license keys needed to cleanly install all required applications onto your images?
  • Will users receive training on the new platform?  Will the training be classroom format?  Train the Trainer?  Small group?  Self-study (CBT/WBT)?  Note that with any technology change, there will be a drop-off in user productivity as people get used to the new software and environment.  How much of a drop-off are you willing to tolerate, and for how long?  The less your answer is, the more important a training plan becomes.
  • How will printing be affected by the migration?  Will you replicate current printing configurations?  Are all printer drivers Vista-supported?

It is very helpful to break later rollouts into �waves,� with gaps of time in between to allow for evaluation, changes and refinement.  There will invariably be some changes, no matter how well you test, to your image, your applications and your process � this is natural, so build time into the process to account for this.  Otherwise, as the saying goes, �the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results� � build in some time to evaluate results and refine the process. 

Next month, we will continue with the final three steps in this process.

As always, feel free to email me your comments or thoughts at nrosenberg@QTSnet.com. Thank you.

Neil Rosenberg
President & CEO
Quality Technology Solutions

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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

This month QTS is spotlighting Enterprise Information Management International (�EIM International,� formerly Wertheim Inc.), its partner for document management, document imaging and document-based solutions.  EIM International is a premier provider of information management solutions, office automation solutions and a premier integrator for Hummingbird Software. The result of implementing these solutions is organizations are enabled to increase profits and improve work quality, while enhancing the level of professionalism exhibited to their customers and partners via delivery of their electronic documents.

 

EIM International is able to assist clients in all areas of information management, from initial technology planning through final implementation, including maintenance and audit services.  EIM International�s professionals� extensive experience provides them with the unique ability to provide consulting expertise and to speak to the best practices currently available with regard to document management, imaging, assembly, and content management systems.

 

The staff at EIM International has honed and refined a style of interaction which has garnered many accolades up and down the firm's client list.  Put most simply, clients like them.  EIM International has had many successful engagements with clients ranging from those that are new to document management, as well as organizations need of upgrades.  Their approach to customers and technology mirrors that of the outlook and values held by QTS.

 

EIM International has developed a proprietary set of administrative software tools specifically designed to optimize Hummingbird Solutions.  The �Winc� suite of products works with a Document Management System that provides tools to:

 

* Help manage environments with multiple databases

* Assure proper documents security to users

* Enable business continuity solutions for the DMS environment,  

* Provide a robust array of DMS administrative utilities.   

 

These applications are used by clients today throughout the world. 

 

EIM International is a leading service provider and clients benefit from their depth of experience with the product offerings of Hummingbird (DOCS Open/DM5), PDF applications from DOCSCorp, Microsoft Sharepoint integration with SeeUnity, and document imaging systems from Kofax and eCopy.  While QTS continues to build, enhance and support  the Microsoft platform, networks and infrastructure, our partnership with EIM International significantly extends our capabilities and the total range of services that we can offer clients.

For more information on EIM International, please visit their web site at www.eimintl.com, email them at info@eimintl.com, or call 212-413-8600.  Or, contact your QTS Account Manager.

 

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PRACTICE AREA SPOTLIGHT

QTS offers a broad range of services to its customers.  This month, we are highlighting our Citrix/Thin Client practice area.  QTS offers strong skill and expertise around the broad Citrix product line, encompassing Citrix MetaFrame Presentation Server as well as Citrix' other technologies.  QTS is a Citrix Gold Partner and works closely with the local Citrix team to deliver Thin Client and Secure Access solutions to our clients.

Our Citrix/Thin Client solutions include:

  • Implementing Citrix MetaFrame Presentation Server to provide scalable, high-performance access to Windows applications, or Citrix Access Essentials for Small Business customers;
  • Implementing Citrix Access Gateway, Web Interface and Advanced Access Control to provide highly secure, high-performance web and SSL VPN access to Presentation Server and other network resources;
  • Deploy Windows Terminal Services, Wyse terminals and other technologies to support these solutions;
  • Deploy Citrix Desktop Broker to allow for access to virtualized and blade Desktop Operating System platforms (Windows 2000/XP) through MetaFrame.
  • Implementing Citrix MetaFrame Password Manager for single sign-on solutions;
  • Implementing Citrix EdgeSight for desktop management, troubleshooting and performance monitoring;
  • Implementing Citrix NetScaler to accelerate web applications for high-performance while adding security and reducing the required number of web servers to support an application;
  • Implementing Citrix WANScaler technologies to compress WAN/VPN data and maximize available bandwidth while reducing costs.
  • Network Server Support through our QuikAssist support plan, and server monitoring through our QuikAlert Daily Monitoring Service.

QTS can assist you with implementing Citrix technologies to help you deliver a high-performance, highly manageable application delivery platform and secure remote access solution for your network resources - Worry-Free!

For more information, visit http://www.qtsnet.com/Practice/PA_Citrix.htm.

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RECRUITMENT SPOTLIGHT: SOLUTIONS CONSULTANT/ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

QTS is currently recruiting to fill this important open position.  The Solutions Consultant will work with customers to determine their needs and goals, identify technology solutions to address those needs and goals, and develop proposals and project plans to define implementation of those solutions.  As a salesperson as well as consultant, the Solutions Consultant will be responsible for revenue generation and achievement of new business development sales goals, and for account management and customer satisfaction.

Required skill sets include:

�         Consultative skills � the ability to listen to and understand customers, and work with customers to define solutions that exactly meet their needs;

�         Technical background and understanding of technology solutions, at least at a high level, to be able to map solutions to problems, and to understand how these solutions will be deployed; and

�         Sales and Telemarketing experience, and a willingness to prospect for new business.

A broad understanding of and experience with technology is required, and hands-on experience with server/networking is highly desirable.  A college degree is required, along with strong communications and interpersonal experience.

If you know anyone who would be a good fit for the above responsibilities, please have them contact our Office Manager Liz Meechan at (973)984-7600 x223, or via email emeechan@QTSnet.com.

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Visit www.QTSnet.com for company information.

QUIKSECURE TIP OF THE MONTH

Each month, we now provide a security recommendation to our QuikNews readers based on content from our recent QuikSecure Security Assessments.  One of these reports typically includes 100-200 specific recommendations such as this, but we�re providing some �free advice� here to our readers.

ISSUE � Do you have patch and vulnerability management processes in place, for servers, infrastructure or security components of the network?
 
IMPACT � Security vulnerabilities to server, desktop and infrastructure components are discovered and reported on at least a weekly basis, and unpatched systems are vulnerable systems.  However, not all patches need to be applied, and some can have negative ramifications.  Research, testing and potentially guidance are needed here.

RECOMMENDATION � Establish a clearly defined process for identifying software patches and for monitoring vulnerabilities.  Set up a test lab to test the impact of patches in your environment, or rely on your network/security service provider to supply input based on their experience.  Vulnerability patches should be applied promptly as determined hackers often exploit published vulnerabilities quickly.  Other patches should be evaluated for benefit versus risk, and should generally be tested before being applied.  A good rule of thumb for non-vulnerability patches is to wait at least one week after release, as defective patches or patches that cause other problems are usually �pulled� by the major players within that time.

QTS EVENTS

Please note that QTS seminars are open only to customers and prospective customers, and not to other vendors, partners and consultants.

 

Microsoft Executive Solutions Briefing for Medium Business Customers
 Presented by QTS and Microsoft
QTS and Microsoft are hosting an Executive Solutions Briefing for small and medium business customers (50-1,000 user environments).  Join us for this informative, 3 hour event to learn how your organization can benefit from new Microsoft technologies and solutions, and what tools and resources are available to you from Microsoft.  Microsoft and QTS will also review the benefits of Software Assurance, discuss available promotions that can save you money, and review the roadmap for upcoming product releases and features.  We will also present on key Microsoft product line updates including Windows Vista and Office 2007, System Center management tools, ForeFront security products, Business Intelligence tools and the integration of Microsoft�s Business Solutions offerings.  This event will provide valuable information to any Microsoft customer!  Note that a signed Microsoft Non-Disclosure Agreement is required for attendance at these events.
   9:00 AM-1:00 PM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast)
     With SoftChoice
     Thursday, April 26th, 2007 at Microsoft's NYC Office - Click To Register

 

CxO Seminar: Disaster Recovery Solutions for Medium Business Customers
 Presented by QTS, Citrix, Symantec, Double-Take Software and Microsoft
Join Microsoft, Citrix, Symantec, Double-Take Software and QTS for an informative seminar on how to develop a Disaster Recovery Plan and build a Hot Site Failover Solution for your business leveraging technologies from Microsoft, Citrix and Double-Take Software, or how to rapidly recover servers and data in Cold/Warm Site configurations with technologies from Symantec and Microsoft.  Businesses are challenged more and more each year with the need to maximize systems up-time and availability, amidst an ever-increasing range of threats.  IT management is often tasked with responsibility for developing and implementing Disaster Recovery Plans to protect the business and ensure continuous access to key business systems.  In this seminar, we�ll discuss how to build the plan and what the key elements are, and discuss the various options for Cold, Warm and Hot Site solutions.  We�ll then drill down into how to cost-effectively build a Hot Site leveraging technologies from Microsoft, Double-Take and Citrix to enable access to your applications and data, and conclude with tips and best practices.
   9:00 AM-12:00 PM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast)
     Thursday, June 7th, 2007 at Microsoft's NYC Office - Click To Register

CxO Seminar: Preparing for Windows Vista and Office 2007
 Presented by QTS and Microsoft
Join Microsoft, HP and QTS for this informative seminar on how your organization can get ready for Windows Vista, the successor to Windows XP Professional as the desktop operating system of choice for businesses.  In this seminar, we will discuss some of the features and capabilities planned for Windows Vista, and how your business can benefit from this next release of Windows, as well as the upcoming release of Microsoft Office 2007.  We�ll explore how these new products can improve user productivity and collaborative capabilities, as well as how Windows Vista can improve systems� reliability, security and performance.  We will also discuss how to deploy Windows Vista across your organization, leveraging tools such as Windows Deployment Services, the Business Desktop Deployment Solution Accelerator, and Systems Management Server.  We�ll also discuss best practices in desktop management and patch management.
   9:00 AM-12:00 PM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast)
     Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 at Microsoft's Iselin, NJ Office - Click To Register
     Thursday, June 14th, 2007 at Microsoft's NYC Office - Click To Register

CxO Seminar: Exchange Email Security and Lifecycle Management
Presented by QTS, Microsoft and Symantec
Email has quickly risen to become the most mission-critical application for most businesses, and presents a series of challenges to network administrators around security, management and archiving/capacity management.  In this seminar, QTS, Microsoft and Symantec will show you how our best practices, combined with products such as Microsoft ForeFront Security products (ISA Server, ForeFront Server Security), Microsoft Operations Manager, Symantec Mail Security and Symantec Enterprise Vault can be combined to create a secure, well-managed and highly reliable email environment.  We will also touch on the roadmap and new features in Exchange 2007.
   9:00 AM-12:00 PM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast)
     Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 at Microsoft's NYC Office - Click To Register

CxO Seminar: Systems Management Tools and Approaches for Medium Business Customers
 Presented by QTS, Microsoft, Citrix and IMPACT Management
QTS and Microsoft are hosting a half day seminar on how to leverage Microsoft's Systems Center tools and Management methodologies to implement a Secure and Well-Managed Infrastructure.  In this event, QTS will present on how Microsoft Systems Management Server and Microsoft Operations Manager can help reduce management costs and improve the efficiency and available time for your IT staff, while increasing network uptime and proactivity.  We will demonstrate key features of both products, and discuss other products under Microsoft's System Center product family, including future plans.  We will also discuss virtualization, and Microsoft Virtual Server, as it relates to systems management.  Citrix will present on how its EdgeSight product can manage Windows desktops and Citrix Presentation Servers, and our partner IMPACT Management will also present on Change Control and their SharePoint-based Change Control Portal software.
   9:00 AM-12:00 PM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast)
     Tuesday, May 15th, 2007 at Microsoft's Iselin, NJ Office - Click To Register

CxO Seminar: Storage Management and Virtualization
 Presented by QTS, Microsoft, Symantec and Citrix
 Join Microsoft, Symantec, Citrix and QTS for this informative seminar on how to manage your ever-expanding storage needs and how to better manage servers and applications through virtualization.  This event will explore the benefits of centralized storage using SAN and NAS technologies, including technologies like iSCSI and Fibre Channel.  We will then explore backup issues including dealing with expanding backup windows, tape management and rotation, the benefits of Disk-to-Disk-to-Tape backup, and continuous data protection strategies.  We will then discuss email and data archiving tools and best practices.  We will then explore how HP BladeSystem technologies allow for high density, easily manageable server environments, including related issues such as power and cooling.  We will also discuss how virtualization, and specifically Microsoft Virtual Server, can be used to reduce the physical server footprint in your data center.  Finally, we will discuss Application Virtualization tools from Microsoft and Citrix, allowing for more efficient distribution of software to the desktop.
   9:00 AM-12:00 PM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast; lunch provided)
     Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 at Microsoft's Iselin, NJ Office - Click To Register
     Thursday, June 21st, 2007 at Microsoft's NYC Office - Click To Register

CxO Seminar: Citrix Strategic Briefing - A Review of Upgrade Benefits and Product Strategy
 Presented by QTS and Citrix
Join Citrix and QTS for this informative seminar on the benefits Citrix customers will realize from upgrading their MetaFrame 1.8/XP/3.0 environments to the current 4.0 platform, and Citrix' roadmap for how its products can help customers provide secure applications access within, outside and beyond your network.  Topics will include MetaFrame upgrade benefits, product roadmaps for MetaFrame Presentation Server, Password Manager, Access Gateway/NetScaler, WANscaler, and future product plans.
   9:00 AM-1:00 PM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast)
     Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 at Microsoft's Iselin, NJ Office - Click To Register
     Thursday, May 10th, 2007 at Citrix' NYC Office - Click To Register
 

CxO Seminar: Symantec Strategic Briefing - Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability Products and Strategy
 Presented by QTS and Symantec
Join Symantec and QTS for this informative seminar on Symantec's current product lines and corporate strategy around Security and Availability technologies.  We will present Symantec's vision, and how Symantec's current and future products fit into this vision.  Products covered will include Symantec Antivirus and the Sygate technologies (including "Project Hamlet"), Symantec Mail Security, Symantec Database Security, Enterprise Vault and IM Manager, Backup Exec and Backup Exec System Recovery, and others.
   8:00 AM-10:00 AM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast)
     Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 at QTS' Morris Plains, NJ Office - Click To Register

 

CxO Seminar: Microsoft Solutions for Collaboration
 Presented by QTS, ISS Group and Microsoft
Join Microsoft, QTS and ISS Group at this informative event focused on how Microsoft Office and the Windows Server System can allow organizations to collaborate and share information and resources more effectively, both within and outside their organization.  QTS and Microsoft will show how Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Microsoft Groove 2007 and Office Communications Server and Exchange Server can be used to help teams of people work together, in an internal context (Intranet) as well as across organizational boundaries (Extranet) with highly mobile users.  QTS partner ISS Group will then show how Microsoft SQL Server and Business Scorecard Manager can be added to this solution to empower better business decision making and put key data in the hands of people that need it, creating a more agile and People Ready organization.
   9:00 AM-12:00 PM (8:30 registration/continental breakfast)
     Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 at Microsoft's Iselin, NJ Office - Click To Register

Please visit www.QTSnet.com/events for our full event schedule.

 

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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:

* New Security Updates are available in April for Symantec ESM, Symantec Network Security, Symantec Gateway Security and Symantec Client Security.

To receive notifications of new Microsoft product downloads and Service Packs, click here.

Also, please click here 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.

Note that Microsoft releases security patches on the second Tuesday of each month. New Security Updates to Windows and Office are available.

Symantec (formerly Norton) Antivirus Corporate Edition signature files are currently at version 90423s (4/24/2007). CA eTrust VET signature files are currently at version 30.7.3592 (4/23/2007). McAfee VirusScan / NetShield signature files are currently at version 5016 (4/24/2007). Trend Micro signature files are currently at version 4.433.00 (4/23/2007).  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.

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PRODUCT SUPPORT LIFECYCLE WATCH

The following products are pending �end of life� status by their manufacturers, and therefore customers should be planning for system upgrades or replacement.

* Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 support ended on 12/31/05.
 * Novell NetWare 4.2 reached end of life on 6/1/05.
* Novell NetWare 5.1 reached end of life on 11/1/06.
* Novell NetWare 6.0 reached end of life on 11/1/06.
* Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 reached end of support on 12/31/05.
* Citrix MetaFrame XP reached end of maintenance on 12/31/06, and end of life/support on 6/30/07.
* Citrix MetaFrame Presentation Server 3.0 reaches end of maintenance on 6/30/07, and end of life/support on 12/31/07.
* Captaris RightFax 8.5 reached end of life on February 17, 2006.  RightFax 8.7 is supported until November 1, 2007.

Please remember that end of life for a product does not only impact that product, but also other products that interact with it.  For example, end of life status for an operating system means that no new software products that are released will run on that operating system, as the manufacturers will no longer receive support from the operating system vendor.

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SOLUTION SPOTLIGHT: SYMANTEC ENTERPRISE VAULT

Symantec's Enterprise Vault software provides a flexible solution for archiving and managing email, files and other data types.  Enterprise Vault can work with:

�         Microsoft Exchange Server (5.5-2007)

�         Windows Server File Storage

�         Windows SharePoint Portal Server (subject to certain limitations)

�         Instant Messaging (through third party API extensions)

�         Lotus Domino Journaling (full Domino support in late 2007)

Enterprise Vault allows you to define rules to control archiving and long-term storage of data, in a user-transparent manner.  When users want a message or file retrieved, they click on the placeholder and it is brought back seamlessly.  The solution combines elements of archival storage, Hierarchical Storage Management ("HSM") and full text indexing/search (leveraging the Alta Vista search engine).

Enterprise Vault is a modular product, allowing you to purchase the modules you need for the data and functionality you require.  In addition, modules are also available for:

�         Compliance - uses archiving and storage to manage processes and demonstrate compliance with SOX, GLB, etc.

�         Discovery - allows for flexible search/retrieval to comply with Legal Discovery requirements.

This solution, particularly based on its tight Exchange Server integration, is perfectly suited for environments with large or growing Exchange message stores where it is important to manage that growth while complying with Security Policies and still providing users with an intuitive, easy solution.

*For more information, click here.

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SPECIAL OFFERS

MICROSOFT LIVE COMMUNICATION SERVER � FREE CLIENT ACCESS LICENSES
Microsoft is offering customers with Software Assurance on Microsoft Exchange that was active on or before 10/1/03 free CALs for Microsoft Live Communications Server, to match their Exchange CALs owned at that time.  Software Assurance can also be purchased for redeemed LCS CALs at the time SA on Exchange is renewed.  Contact your QTS Account Manager for more details.

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QUIKNEWS ARCHIVES

For access to past issues of QTS QuikNews dating back to January 2001, click here.

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To View an archive of QTS QuikNews newsletters, please visit http://www.QTSnet.com/stayinformed/QuikNews/QuikNews_Index.htm.

(c) Quality Technology Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

Quality Technology Solutions, Inc.
201 Littleton Road, 2nd Floor
Morris Plains, NJ  07950

Tel: (973)984-7600
Email: QuikNews@QTSnet.com
Web: www.QTSnet.com

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This site last updated 08/31/07
� 1999 Quality Technology Solutions, Inc.
201 Littleton Road, Morris Plains, New Jersey 07950
telephone: 973.984.7600       fax: 973.984.7650
 email: info@qtsnet.com