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Greetings!
 The Browns have kicked off the season with the kind of performance that makes the Indians look good. And any week now, I suspect that our starting quarterback will be determined by lottery.
Ah, Cleveland. But of course, there's still the Cavs (it's still hard to think of the Cavs as the strongest team in town).
Still, there are finally signs of growth, of recovery. We're starting to see an increasing number of projects crossing our paths. And we're still busy with our projects:
- Had four events featuring Windows 7 at Hatties' Cafe in Hudson (thanks to Microsoft for providing the meals);
- Had one event featuring Windows Server 2008 R2 (the next one is Thursday);
- Raised money for Youth Opportunities Unlimited (see the story further down here) while providing some free training in Active Directory;
We're announcing several events over the next month or two (see the next announcement here). Those of you who know us know we try to market our services by sharing our knowledge, not by arm twisting. So our events aren't dog and pony shows, but serious attempts at trying to be an effective resource.
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| Mark your Calendar for these upcoming events! |
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October 10th - Greater Cleveland PC User's Group
"Windows 7" Cleveland State University. Click here for more information.
October 21th - Simplex-IT Lunchinar
Search Engine Optimization for your company's website
October 29th - Industrial Roundtable, 8-9:30am
In conjunction with the Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce and geared toward manufacturing facilities, Bob will present an overview of infrastructure and networks. (Location to be determined)
November 3rd - Business Continuity Executive Breakfast
Simplex-IT in partnership with StorageCraft will present "How to Maximize Business Continuity and Protect Your Critical Data." StorageCraft will present topics to consider when creating a disaster recovery and data protection plan for your business and will showcase the latest version of the award-winning ShadowProtect™ line of disk-based backup, disaster recovery and system migration solutions.
November 4th - Richfield Chamber of Commerce
Introduction to Security
Email or call Julie for more information! |
| A Little Bit About Simplex-IT... |
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What exactly do we do?!?
Sure we write newsletters and host breakfast and lunch events. We network with local Chambers of Commerce and speak at IT venues. But really, what do WE do?
Simplex-IT is an Information Technology Managed Services provider. In a nutshell, we provide an efficient and effective IT department when a company cannot or does not want to employ a full staff. We monitor networks, set up workstations and provide tech support remotely and in person, as if you had a full staff on board...but at a fraction of the cost. With the 'big picture' in mind, we also work with you to create business directives and IT focused initiatives all aimed at providing efficiencies in a time when economics are worse for wear.
Visit our website to learn more about our company, our team and to read testimonials from our clients! And, watch for more snippets about our company and what we offer in upcoming eNewsletters! |
| Here comes Windows 7 |
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Under Promise, Over Deliver
Bob here. Can you handle the excitement? Can you feel it in the air?
Um...no? Well, you're not alone. On October 22nd, Microsoft will be releasing the latest version of their desktop operating system, Windows 7. For those of you who are used to mega-release events, full of Rolling Stones music, coverage of folks standing outside stores at midnight or wearing (I kid you not) clothing made out of CD's used for beta copies of the software, you might be disappointed.
Why's this? Well, it's pretty simple. Last time out? Not so good. Windows 7 predecessor, Vista, isn't going to go down as a resounding success for Microsoft. It'll probably go down in Microsoft's history books in the same chapter that mentions Windows ME and Microsoft Bob.
Want to read more? Click here.
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Save the Date - OCTOBER LUNCHINAR |
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Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for your Business Web Site!
Mark Geyman, owner of OhioBiz Web Consulting, LLC and OhioBiz.com will help identify ways you can increase your website's natural search engine visibility and ranking results. He will provide practical tips that you can apply to your site, explain what the typical process is of doing an SEO project and perform a couple of site reviews requested by attendees.
OhioBiz Web Consulting, LLC has been providing SEO, content maintenance, website hosting and administration services to small businesses and organizations since 2001.
Mark also owns and operates OhioBiz.com, Ohio's largest business search directory containing approximately 500,000 Ohio businesses. Mark has been actively involved in SEO since 1997 and developed one of the country's first online local/regional business directories in 1995.
This FREE pizza Lunchinar will be held on Wednesday, October 21st from 11:30a to 1p, at Simplex-IT's office located at 5225 Darrow Road in Hudson.
Our Lunchinars are catching on! Sandra, who attended a Windows 7 event commented "I found the presentation more infomative than expected"!
Come on over and see what Sandra and others are talking about!
Please RSVP by calling Julie - 234-380-1277 or emailing her. |
| Leaning on Others - Hawk Style |
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Tony Hawk is known for turning skateboarding, a once dwindling sport, into a billion dollar industry. He amazed others by the success that quickly followed him, particularly at a time when professional skateboarding was losing steam. Hawk's newest creation is due for release this November. It is a video game that features a motion-sensing skateboard controller to give players a virtual riding experience - in the comfort of home. How is Hawk achieving such success? What has he done that most people aren't doing? Before going further, perhaps we first need to look at his approach and his mindset to help us understand how he got to where he is now.
The things that stick in my mind when reading an interview with a guy like Hawk are his determination and gumption. Sure it took a lot of hard work, grit and face-meeting-pavement along the way, but doesn't everybody have obstacles to overcome? He really went after what he loves to do, utilized amazing talents and ideas along the way to make his dream a reality, and never stopped networking.
During this time of difficult situations and a tough economy, we need to be creative and varied in our approach to the way we market and sell our niche. Simplex-IT leans on the expertise and experience of our in-house staff as well as others outside of our company who compliment what we already do. We engage in information sharing at luncheons and host launch events and seminars to provide opportunities to get our 'name' and talent out there. We utilize different approaches to communicate our products and services to those around us and have surrounded ourselves with like-minded professionals who share input and value our passion and vision. We are beginning to brand our company as one that thinks outside of the box and isn't afraid to take on a challenge. We are already seeing steady growth and traction and even our vendors (such as Microsoft and StorageCraft) are taking note and are engaging us in marketing efforts with them. We are reaching beyond being just a one-dimensional company.
At Simplex-IT, we do what we can to refer, encourage and bring in new business to help us and others. My boss calls it 'co-opetition' and I like it! People working together and achieving goals (or dreams) by networking and sharing ideas with those around them. Be it a partner, a competitor or a vendor, the more we communicate with each other, gather ideas and listen to the needs of others, the more effectively we can provide unsurpassable customer service and value, ultimately growing the business as a whole.
Tony Hawk isn't any different from you or me. He just took action and trusted his intuition and gut feelings. And, he surrounded himself with people who networked with others who networked with yet others, who kept on networking with others to get the job done.
Get the point? Get out there!
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Simplex-IT Customer Spotlight
Theken Spine, LLC |
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Theken Spine, LLC, an Integra Life Sciences company, was founded in 1998 by Randy Theken. Their team designs, develops, manufactures and distributes a full range of spinal fixation products. Theken Spine markets its products through an international network of independent distributors.
Theken Spine has been able to accomplish industry success by utilizing a technologically advanced Research and Design Facility (including 3D modeling systems) and enlisting the help and expertise of spinal specialists (including engineers and surgeons) who see and use the product throughout its entire lifecycle.
A master-degreed electrical and mechanical engineer, Randy Theken and his rapidly growing family of orthopedic medical device companies are making significant impact on the spinal implant industry.
The Information Technology staff at Theken Spine works with Simplex-IT via our monitoring program as well as enlisting our help with special projects. Ron Clough, Vice President of Operations explains; "Each of our departments is continually faced with making changes to facilitate the rapid growth we are experiencing. Our utilization of technology to provide efficiencies in our operations places many demands on our IT department. The network administration portion of our work is kept to a minimum by incorporating monitoring services from Simplex-IT. The Servers and Workstations are monitored 24x7 by Simplex-IT with triggers established that notify our IT department when actions are required. Each of these triggers has helped us to identify areas that need attention. As each of these areas is reviewed, we have been able to establish new policies or procedures or updates that reduce the number of triggers that occur. The network monitoring is only part of the solution provided by Simplex-IT, we also utilize their staff for Active Directory issues, Database questions and VPN opportunities, to name a few." You can learn more about Theken Spine by visiting their website, www.ThekenSpine.com. |
| Event Recap |
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| Active Directory and then some...
On Tuesday, Sept. 29th, DeVore Technologies and Simplex-IT teamed up to offer 14 attendees a look at Active Directory 2003. The event was well-received by everyone and provided a nice look into Active Directory from the deployment and administration side. Bob also touched on Server 2008 R2, just to keep things up to date.
 This event (normally a $400/student class) only cost attendees a donation of $25. Proceeds of the event went to Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.). Their mission is to empower disadvantagetaged youth born into poverty to succeed in school, in the workplace, and in life.
Many thanks to DeVore Technologies for hosting the event and also to all of those who attended! It proved to be very worthwhile and well-received by everyone! |
| Microsoft's Small Business Website |
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Get special offers...find local events...read articles...research upcoming ideas...engage in product demos and technology.
Discover business resources that work for YOU. Visit Microsoft's Small Business Website and let us know how we can help you get the most value for your company via their products and services! |
| Getting Others to Link Back to your Website |
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OhioBiz Web Consulting
Getting others to link back to your website is typically a time-consuming but critical part of any Internet marketing strategy. This process involves finding qualified and thematically relevant one-way linking partners who will link back to your website.
Remember, it is not quantity of links BUT quality of the links. There are really no short cuts in cultivating authoritative links back to a website. Stay away from automated linking services where they claim to get thousands of links to your site in a short period of time. Spammy, automated products often don't cultivate valuable links and tend to do more harm than good.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
1. Develop a Link Building Strategy
When starting a linking campaign, think of sites in your industry - suppliers, vendors, clients, business partners, and industry association websites. These sites may have a "Links" page and would be more than willing to link to your website.
Besides these sites, other tactics include:
· directory submission (DMOZ, Yahoo Directory, OhioBiz.com)
· article submission (ezinearticles.com, goarticles.com)
· optimized press releases (PRWeb.com)
· social media outlets (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)
· blogs (niche blogs)
· forums (niche forums)
· classifieds (niche classifieds)
Want to read more? Click here. |
| Want to find out about this stuff quicker? |
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| Blog updates from Simplex-IT over the past month
Remember to check out our blogs:
Getting Others to Back to Your web site
Under Promise, Over Deliver
Windows 7: Free Breakfast for End Users
Interesting Work-Place Statistics
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| LinkedIn is Free - Why Pay a Consultant? |
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 By Crystal Thies, Owner
On the face of it, hiring a LinkedIn Consultant may not look like it makes much sense. LinkedIn is the "hot" thing right now and there are tons of free blogs, eBooks, webinars, seminars, etc. out there telling you how to build your business using LinkedIn. So, if the service is free and the information is free, why pay someone to tell you how to use it and/or manage your LinkedIn account for you?
There's a ton of free information about every marketing strategy available online. However, simply having the information doesn't mean that you can implement it. First, not every LinkedIn strategy will work for you depending on your business and target customer. Each strategy takes time, so why spend a significant amount of time on a strategy that is unlikely to produce results for your business? Second, transitioning the awareness, leads and connections you generate in LinkedIn into your real world sales process is not easy. And lastly, time, time time! If your strength is being with customers and prospects, spending too much time using this free service costs you money!
Read more by clicking here. |
| Plain Funny #11 |
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| That's what it meant??
Seriously, do you ever watch a music video and just think "huh?" You wish that the video came with explanations of what was going on?
Ok, neither have we. But we didn't know what we were missing. Apparently there is a small group of creative folks who try to explain what's going on during some of the more...um...peculiar videos.
Click here to see a more literal version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart." | |
We'd love to hear feedback about this! Send comments to Bob@Simplex-IT.com, or call us at 234.380.1277!
Sincerely,
Bob Coppedge
Simplex-IT LLC |
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