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Greetings!
 Happy New Year! Yup, we can all start trying to remember to end our dates with "10" instead of "9." And we can start talking about "the last decade" instead of "the last century or millenium."
Of course, 10 years ago we were all breathing a wee bit of a sigh of relief. Glad that the whole Y2k thing wasn't really that big a deal after all. Those of us in the IT industry had to defend our efforts to clean it up. And we tried to make the point that our efforts to clean it up resulted in...nothing.
Which was in fact the goal. If we did our jobs, nothing inappropriate would happen. Which is exactly what did happen (um, or didn't...uh...happen. You understand this, right?)
But that's the way a lot of good IT work is done. It doesn't make a blip on the radar screen. Stuff just works, the files open, the printers print, the web sites load, the data shows up. A case of "subtle success."
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| Mark your Calendar for these upcoming events! |
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January 20th - January Lunchinar - Email Archiving
We are teaming up with our industry partner, RADAR, to bring you a presentation on spam protection and email archving. Be sure to attend to learn the greatest in archiving technology and ask questions of experts in the field.
February 17th - February Lunchinar - Office 2010
Microsoft is pleased to announce the next wave of Microsoft Office and related products. Designed to deliver a unified experience across the PC, phone and browser, this wave includes Microsoft Exchange 2010, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, Microsoft Visio 2010 and Microsoft Project 2010.
Email or call Julie for more information! |
| A Little Bit About Simplex-IT... |
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What we offer in Spam Protection
Tired of the email advertisements that seem to sneak through to your in-box? Worried that your employees are passing around questionable emails?
Hackers and viruses are only going to get better at what they do and if you don't already have a spam filter in place, it's definitely time that you seriously consider one.
Simplex-IT is partnered with Reflexion Total Control, a managed email security service that blocks unwanted email outside the corporate network. Reflexion's unique technology also assures the delivery of good mail, and provides concrete tools for preserving the integrity of one's primary email address.
Enlist the help of Simplex-IT's email services and relieve yourself of the headache of spam, viruses and blacklisting!
Contact us to learn more! |
| 2010: The year we...? |
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Bob here. I admit it. I'm a bit of a Science Fiction fan. And according to my crystal ball, our lives in 2010 should include:
> No moon (Space: 1999).
> Large settlements on the moon (if we still had one) (2001: A Space Oddity).
> We're recovering from a war based on Eugenics (Star Trek).
> Recovering from a Martian invasion or two (War of the Worlds).
> Manhattan is a Prison Island (Escape from New York)
And for the most part (one can debate the Manhattan thing, I suppose), these things haven't happened.
To read Bob's thoughts for IT in 2010, click here. |
| CEO versus CIO....Can't we all just get along? |
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It has always been interesting to me to see how IT meshes with the overall business structure. I often hear company executives down-playing the role of support technicians and the value that IT brings to the organization as a whole. I recently happened upon an article written by Patty Azzarello, the CEO of a company that works with executives to optimize motivation, fine-tweak strategies and grow their businesses. She made some very poignant observations and connections between the two departments that I felt valuable as we embark on the new year.
Patty lists the top 10 business priorities for the CEO and his Board and then lists that of the CIO and his staff. She calls these lists 'the IT-Business Priority Mismatch'.
The top 10 business priorities from a CEO's perspective include: process improvement, improving workforce effectiveness, expanding current and prospective customer relationships, and creating new products and services. Some of the priorities on the CIO side include: IT Security, networking, voice and data communications, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), and collaboration technologies.
If you compare these lists side-by-side they seem to hold little in common. However, if you combine the needs, wants and desires, truly the business aspects and the IT desires do mesh quite well.
As an example, let's take one item from each list: the CEO's desire for process improvement in combination with the CIO's priority for security. Given some thought, they do lend themselves to one another. The CIO's urgency for security will ultimately help the CEO's initiatives by providing a structure that is sound and trustworthy...a foundation with which the CEO can move forward, and that future business partners and customers can believe in.
To make another example, we can use the 'expanding current and prospective customer relationships' line-item on the CEO's list. Realistically, wouldn't customer relationships become stronger and more expansive with a well-maintained CRM system in place? And, wouldn't CRM initiatives fall alongside the CIO's desire for collaboration technologies?
In reality, the two departments do truly need one another to survive and prosper. The Business/Information Technology partnership can nicely be compared to a love/trust relationship. After all, can you really have one without the other?
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Save the Date - JANUARY LUNCHINAR |
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Email Archiving
You are submitting an important quote and desperately need to access an email that you received last August in regards to it. You search your folders and then realize that you probably thought the opportunity would never resurface, and deleted it. Gone for good? Not if you had email archiving in place!
The structure of email, its constant use by staff and its dual purpose as a communications tool and information repository, demand that its retention be managed more dynamically than regular files and folders. This is accomplished through active archiving.
Simplex-IT partners with Reflexion to bring you email spam and archiving solutions. Reflexion's RADAR is an active archiving system that automatically stores a copy of all incoming, outgoing and internal email in a secure, encrypted, off-site repository for up to seven years. So, you won't ever have to worry about a missing email...or lost information.
Learn more about email solutions and enjoy lunch! Join us on Wednesday, January 20th, from 11:30a to 1:00p, at Hattie's Cafe, 164 N. Main Street in Hudson for a FREE soup and sandwich lunchinar! We will be hosting both live and web demos directly with Reflexion to bring you archiving solutions for your company's needs.
Please RSVP for January's event by calling Julie - 234-380-1277 or emailing her.
And, recapping from last month...
Deirdre, who attended our Infrastructure Overview event commented, "Very helpful information, good format and pace...good food too!"
Bob enlightens attendees at December's Lunchinar at Hattie's Cafe.
Join us in January! |
| Saying Thanks...and Goodbye |
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Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to regroup, refocus, and welcome 2010 with excitement and energy!
I wanted to thank each of you for all that you did to make 2009 a successful year for Simplex-IT. We met and engaged in business with fantastic companies, held Lunchinars, performed managed service and project work, hosted Chamber round-table events, had a picnic bash and even threw in a breakfast gathering. From my marketing and sales perspective, it truly was a great year of networking and gaining traction in the IT industry. I have enjoyed getting to know you and learning about your businesses. I appreciate the time you took to support our events, pass along our name/refer our talents, and provide feedback - allowing us to stay on top of our game and continue to improve upon what we do.
As we open the door on this new year, I must close a window by saying goodbye to all of you as I leave my role at Simplex-IT. I am westward bound, relocating to California in February to start fresh in the warmth and culture that is found only on the Pacific Coast. Although I am excited for this new venture, it is also very bittersweet that I am leaving behind, wonderful friends and business colleagues, a job that I truly enjoy and an environment with which I've become completely comfortable.
I wish you all the very best! Be sure to watch for future eNewsletters as new talent comes on board at Simplex-IT to meet and greet you! And, stay well and safe and enjoy 2010. It is, afterall, all that you make of it!
Please don't hesitate to contact me...and keep in touch! I'll be sure to send sunshine from California your way!
My best,
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| Interested in a Career with Simplex-IT? |
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Bob here. Hey, are you interested in joining Simplex-IT as part of our exciting team? Ok, not all of us get to go to California (read Julie's announcement above).
Seriously, although we're not happy about Julie leaving, we wish her and hubby the best of luck (while we're stuck in the snow<g>)!
If you're interested in working with Simplex-IT, please drop me an email by clicking here. |
Simplex-IT Customer Spotlight 
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American Industrial Transmission, Inc. (AIT) was created on the premise that customers should receive the best possible service. Located in nearby Walton Hills, AIT is known for high quality transmission remanufacturing. They sell remanufactured transmissions for lift trucks, small construction machinery, industrial equipment and more.
AIT offers many different styles of remanufactured electric drive units and lift truck transmissions, including those for import trucks. They use OEM parts to ensure a top-quality remanufacturing process. After each unit is completed, AIT tests the transmission to be sure all ranges operate within OEM specifications, and no leaks are evident. They offer free tear-down and inspection and technical support, and back every transmission with a 6-month (or 1500 hour) warranty.
Simplex-IT and AIT have been in partnership for some time, providing project work and technical support. Ben King, Vice President of AIT explains; "What I would say about working with Simplex-IT is that they have taken one of my daily headaches and turned it into a part of my business that I no longer even have to think about. They have been so helpful and I was able to eliminate a huge amount of my IT costs."
AIT has been in business for over 30 years. They are experienced, thorough and reliable, and their customers get the service and knowledgeable support that comes with experience. They know that providing quality service is the way to ensure customer satisfaction. They are committed to providing just that.
Visit AIT's website by clicking 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 blog:
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| Simplex-IT donates to Malachi House |
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 Our sincere thanks to those who helped support Malachi House by referring our company to perform a Network Audit (a $25 donation with each audit!). We are pleased to have had the opportunity to both help companies with their IT issues and concerns and support a worthy, local cause.
Please remember Malachi House as we venture into 2010. Visit their website www.malachihouse.org to learn more about their wonderful ministry.
We really appreciate your support!
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| Plain Funny #14 |
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| Fast zombies, slow zombies...either way, it pays to plan!
Bob here. Sam and I have a lot of stimulating debates here at Simplex-IT. Many of them involve very heady topics. This isn't one of them.
Quick question. How would a city fare that had 1 police officer per 100 citizens, 20% of the citizenry were armed, and there were slow moving zombies?
Now, before you answer, you'd want to know the # of zombies, their speed and how accurate the police and citizenry are.
Well, wonder no more! Because the Zombie Outbreak Sim is online for just such discussion! Change the parameters and see (with a high-altitude picture of a nice suburban area) how well the city deals with the outbreak?
NRA vs Police State? George Romero versus 28 Days? Now, let science decide!
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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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