Archive for the 'Information Technology' Category

Google to offer virtual desktops? Maybe.

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 13 July 2009
in Information Technology
. 0 Comments

A number of news articles and items of interest lead me to conclude that Google will be offering virtual desktops as a service in the near future.  Consider the following:

  • Google introduced the Chrome browser last year and is widely considered to be competing directly with Microsoft explorer
  • Google is dropping the beta term on some of its software products - the term is preventing enterprise sales of their Apps and Docs products
  • Google has announced its own operating system-intended to get the user to the net faster on boot-up
  • The Google’s recent release of the open-source NeatX - an open source version of NoMachine’s NX Server that allows servers to host virtual desktops.

These elements could be the building blocks for the provision of virtual desktops.  With this service, Google could offer virtual desktops in the same way they offer gmail.

Whether they pursue this will depend on their focus on organizing the worlds information.  If they expand that concept, they could use the virtual desktops to become the world’s computer.

Virtual Corporate IT: Eseri.net is Starting Beta Trials

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 22 June 2009
in Eseri.net, Information Technology and Virtual Corporate Desktops
. 0 Comments

Eseri.net, one of my clients, is starting beta trials of their virtual corporate IT service and is accepting applications from interested customers.

Targeted at enterprise IT, the Eseri service provides a complete corporate IT solution, including individual virtual desktops, hosted in the cloud.  To use the service, the customer’s administrator visits Eseri.net and registers a corporate domain and provides a credit card.  The Administrator receives an e-mail link to their personal desktop and can then create additional desktops for other employees.  These people receive the links to their desktops and can start using them immediately.

The desktops are all connected by an organizational layer that provides common file storage, integrated e-mail and single-sign-on (SSO) to all the applications.  The desktops are loaded with 24 productivity and collaboration applications including:

  • e-mail and Internet browsers;
  • graphics software for images, vectors and diagrams;
  • The Open Office suite of applications;
  • Nuxeo document management;
  • vTiger CRM;
  • HR applications;
  • GNU Cash; and
  • Project management tools.

Internally, we’ve been using the system for over a year and I think it is a great alternative to the traditional IT model.  Eseri customers only need to have access to the Internet and a simple browser capable of running the NoMachine thin client.  There is no need to own a server or expensive software.  There are no capital expenses, only operating expenses. It is a fully outsourced IT model.

Please contact info@eseri.net for more information if you are interested in trying the Eseri virtual IT solution.

Are All Companies Tech Companies?

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 29 May 2009
in Business Planning, Information Technology, Management and Strategy
. 0 Comments

When we think technology and business, we naturally think products.  But it is not always so.

I recently met a friend and we were discussing venture capital and the state of commercialization in Canada for tech companies.  Part of the conversation stuck with me - every company is a tech company to some degree.

Technology is know-how and every company must have some special processes, knowledge and capabilities that make them unique in the market.  This technology usually ends up in the proceses and data stored in the IT.  Even if the provision of the IT services is outsourced, the data and processes still are part of the core competence of the company.

The technology, then, can be any part of the business - logistics, business planning, financial wizardry, marketing, partnerships, … as well as product related.

While this may be a semantic argument about the meaning of the word, it is an interesting point for all those of you who think you aren’t running a tech company.

In Praise of GNU Cash

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 2 March 2009
in Information Technology
. 0 Comments

I’m becoming a bit of a GNU Cashevangelist.  Having used the open-source software now for two months, I find it to be quite adequate for a small business environment.  It has the rigour I’d expect from an accounting package - double entry accounting, charts of accounts, standard reports and the like.  It also has a pretty good investment tracking package and the ability to download data directly from the banks.  I haven’t got this last bit working but I have been able to import the Quicken or Quick Books files my banks will produce without any trouble at all.

While GNU Cash isn’t an MRP system, it can be used successfully in a small business context.  If you are currently running your business with a spreadsheet, then GNU cash would be great upgrade.  It can easily handle invoicing, receivables, bills, payables and payroll.

What I like most is that it is free and well supported - the mailing lists and chat always seem to be active.

What do you think?

Debate Graphs

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 2 December 2008
in Information Technology and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments
Example Debate Graph - Click to see in action
Example Debate Graph - Click to see in action

I ran across an interesting piece of software yesterday from DebateGraph.org.  It creates a visual representation of a debate in a format that is dynamic and rather fun to play with.

At its base, it is a nested tree of XML code in a wiki.  The graph can be displayed as an XML file or as a dynamic bubble chart that the user can navigate around by clicking on the bubbles.  Like a wiki, any one can edit it and add to the debate.  The Debate Graph site hosts a number of public debates on a wide variety of topics.
I’m also interested in how the software could be used for other purposes, such as trouble shooting or diagnosis of problems.
Check it out and let me know what you think.

Cloud Computing and Freedom from Fear

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 6 November 2008
in Information Technology and Virtual Corporate Desktops
. 0 Comments

You probably don’t even realize that you are clinging to your computer.  It is a normal state of affairs - being afraid of losing your data, the manifestation of all the hours and work that you have poured into that machine over the last months and years.  Somewhere, in that hardware, is your life and perhaps your job.  God help you if you lose it. 

I lost mine once.  A laptop, stolen from my car while I dashed into a store to buy milk and bread.  On the hard drive, copies of our strategic plans, financial records, product development plans, customer lists - every piece of critical confidential data short of the actual designs.  I had been working from home and was syncing the data over a VPN with the network at work.  The data wasn’t lost but is was certainly compromised.  I never got the laptop back.

My story isn’t unique.  Laptop theft happens all the time.  Search for it on the Internet to get a long list of high-profile cases.  From the loss of personal data to the extreme damage of loosing other people’s data, the loss of a laptop is a real pain.

And it is not just theft that is the sole cause of fear.  Hard drives crash.  Data gets corrupted.  There are many ways to lose the data.

Note that its the data that concerns people.  The computer itself?  It can be replaced in a few days.  The software?  It can be repurchased and reinstalled.  Its a hassle to be sure.  The data loss? That is painful.  More so if it wasn’t backed up. 

After the loss of my laptop, I started using remote desktop technology.  My new laptop was just a simple terminal.  I never stored any data on it.  All my data and my applications resided on my desktop and network at the office. 

Lately, I’ve been using the cloud for it all: corporate networks, desktops, applications, collaboration tools, storage and communications.  I can work from anywhere there is Internet connectivity which is everywhere I want to be working.  I can work on just about any machine.  I have no fear of loss of the laptop, damage to the computer or inadequate backups.  It is liberating.

How much does your IT cost?

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 5 November 2008
in Information Technology and Virtual Corporate Desktops
. 0 Comments

What is it costing you to run your business?  That can be an easy question.  What is your IT costing you?  That can be tougher.  Especially if you are not tracking all the IT expenses in a consistent fashion.  IT services, equipment, web hosting and e-mail services may be easy to track but that is only a portion of the costs.  Communications costs, like VOIP, may be considered part of the IT costs these days.  The main grey area may be the company credit cards which your employees use to purchase a myriad of IT services on the web.  Web conferencing, storage, memberships, subscriptions, premium services that used to be free, the list goes on… all these small charges can add up and may be hidden if not properly recognized as such and categorized properly when you receive the bill.  How many of these are simply classed Miscellaneous and lost in your accounting records as unknown overhead?

If you have a good idea what you are paying, I’d really like to know.  How much does it cost you per person per month to have adequate IT in your company?

Productivity?

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 2 November 2008
in Information Technology, Management and Virtual Corporate Desktops
. 0 Comments
It happens twice every day.  Sometimes, in some places, all day - it never stops.  Millions of people sitting in their cars, travelling, only to return a few hours later.  It seems like such a waste of time.  Why do we do this?
Hours a day?
Hours a day?
If your staff can, let them work from home.  They can use the extra hours in productive effort or in lifestyle changes that will improve their productivity - like sleep.  Let them save the gas and wear and tear on their cars and stress levels.  Leave the commuting to those who don’t have a choice.
If you only work in an office, there is little need to go there every day.  Network and communication solutions are out there that will allow you and your team to collaborate and work together from any location where there is Internet connectivity.  I’m involved with a company that is selling such a solution.   We are looking for beta customers in North America who would be willing to trial a virtual desktop solution for small and medium sized corporations.  If you want to learn more, please contact me.

12 Ways to Cut your IT Costs

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 2 November 2008
in Information Technology and Virtual Corporate Desktops
. 1 Comment

bMighty.com recently released a slide show on 12 Ways to Cut Your Company’s Tech Costs Now!. While informative, I don’t like the slide format, so here is the meat in a more palatable list:

  1. Bring all your printing together. Use cheap multifunction printers to save desk space and repair costs.  Many of these devices can be used as network printers.
  2. Explor alternative Internet access. Rather than pay for expensive Internet connections that are backed by Service Level Agreements, consider a cable connection that is more consumer grade.  The consumer service may be faster than a T-1 and the lack of the SLA may not be an issue compared to the cost savings.
  3. Dial-in telephone alternatives. VoIP alternatives like Vonage and Packet8 may reduce your phone bill, but computer-based options like Skype and Gizmo Project can slash them to ribbons.
  4. Embrace the OFF switch. Most electronic equipment continues to use power even when switched off.  The power converters (bricks) plugged into the walls continue to consume electricity even when the device is switched off.  With the proliferation of devices, the drain on power adds up.  To conserve, shut down all equipment and then disconnect it by switching off the surge protector or unplugging the devices.
  5. Kick your Costly Mobile Connections. Avoid paying for multiple Wi-Fi connection subscriptions.  Try wireless broadband or a combination service like  iPass.  Keep the subscription linked to your laptop only.
  6. Consider exchanging Exchange. Do you need the free-busy functionality of exchange?  If not, consider a hosted e-mail only account like Gmail.  If you still do, you can move Exchangeoutside your firewall.
  7. Small-Size your office. Have a portion of your staff working from home so that you can reduce the number of offices you need to rent, furnish, heat and power.  Those in the offices can use shared or any of the available desks.
  8. Toss your equipment.  Move your IT infrastructure into the cloud.  Whether you move your existing applications to remote locations or adopt remote applications entirely, you’re likely to reduce equipment, software licensing, energy, and IT support costs immediately.
  9. Know what you’re spending. Analyzing your bills is essential if you are to understand what you are paying for and then make smart changes.  Start with your phone bill.  If you can’t make heads or tails of the charges, consider hiring an auditing firm that specializes in this area.
  10. Get what you need for free.The freemium business model is alive an well.  Make use of it.  Open source applications are getting better all the time and are available in nearly every software category.  Don’t pay for software until you have eliminated the open-source alternatives.  Many on-line services such as Google Docs and Zoho also provide free versions.
  11. Share your marketing efforts. Partner with companies that have complementary products or services and share the marketing costs.
  12. Shatter your Windows dependence.  Linux has come a long way and is now a low-cost alternative to the Windows desktop operating systems.  Some of the most popular Linux migrations include Xandros, Ubuntu, and Kubuntu.  Consider it when you next upgrade your systems.

Visualizing Complexity

Published
by
Michael McKay
on 29 October 2008
in Information Technology and Management
. 0 Comments

I visited with David Watters of Global Advantage Consulting Group last night. A description of the visit is posted here.

Canadas Federal S&T Innovation Ecosystem Map

Canada's Federal S&T Innovation Ecosystem Map

I left the meeting thinking about the difficulties in on-line visualization of complex problems. David’s group generates large 3×5 foot posters showing the linkages and inter-relationships in public policy frameworks surrounding government and business ecosystems, such as the Canadian Federal Science and Technology Innovation ecosystem. These ecosystem maps are depictions of organizations, people, policies, regulations, laws, risks and activities that are national in scope. The paper is big and the print is small but the map still manages to get the information across.

Projected on a computer screen, however, the maps lose their appeal. There is just not enough resolution. Even with the ability to zoom in and out, there is so much information to present that the linkages are lost in the zooming. There has to be a better way.

A quick search of the web shows lots of software tools that provide information visualization capabilities. Much of this stuff was developed by or in relation to the US National Homeland Security initiatives following 9/11. While these may be good at showing trends in data, they don’t have the flexibility I’m thinking of.

Read Write Web had an excellent summary of visualization tools available on the web back in March 08. Some of these tools are very interesting. If there was a way to combine these, they may do the trick. Start with the Visual Thesaurus, an interactive dictionary and thesaurus which creates word maps that blossom with meanings and branch to related words, but instead of words and meaning, use organizations and functions. Make the links include such things as lines of authority, influences, lobby efforts, funding, regulatory controls and the like. Then add drill down and layering of information as in Google Earth so that information can be added or removed as required. Provide scope controls to show only the nearest links or up to the whole network. Add the ability to look at the map from a high-level as if you were in government trying to influence entire industries or switch it to look at it from the perspective of a business where you want to see how you fit with the external world.

Now, while the software tool would be cool, imagine the mountain of data required to make it useful and keep it up-to-date. This goes back to the issue of complexity and is the real value added of David’s business. The visualization tool would only provide a better way to sell this value.