State of IT 2017

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As we start the New Year it’s appropriate to look at the state of I.T. and give you the JustWorks perspective on where the best path forward will take us.

First we need to remember that the basic structure of a computer has not changed: a computer uses a processor to process data that is kept on storage. The proximity of the processor to the storage is still absolutely key, and that affects how “cloud services” work, or don’t work. The larger the data being processed, the more important it is that the processor and the data it is working on are joined by a fast connection, so applications like CAD and accounting cannot tolerate a situation where the processor and the storage are separated by the typical Internet link available to most businesses today. Either the data needs to be local (in the same place, like the office) to the computer, or the processing needs to be done remotely, close to where the data is.

Using this model we can more easily understand the different cloud services that are available.

  • “True cloud” services are where both the processing and the storage are provided by the vendor, so all the user needs is a window into their systems — a good example is QuickBooks Online, where the data and the processing are done on Intuit’s servers and all you need is a web browser to see the results.
  • “Hybrid cloud” services are where the processing and the storage are not always colocated. A good example of these type of services are the cloud file services, where the files exist in the cloud but are also replicated locally so that they can be used by your (local) computer. Hybrid solutions typically require both some local systems and some remote (cloud) systems to deliver the solution effectively.

For the majority of businesses the world of cloud services has not advanced to the point where they can replace their local applications, and it may well be many years before that is true. So most businesses are stuck in between the old world of local networks and servers, and some combination of the true and hybrid cloud services.

The way forward is to be ready to move applications to the cloud when that becomes feasible, and in the meantime get as much advantage as possible from hybrid cloud services without breaking what works on the local, office-based network. This is what we have designed JustWorks 7 to deliver.

jw7JustWorks 7 is our seventh major design revision in our 21 year history, and just happens to neatly coincide with 2017 as the launch year. In designing JustWorks 7 we have preserved the ability of our customers to continue to run the applications they need on their office network, while also providing the benefits of a distributed cloud file system that is available from anywhere on any device. Customers can share their data securely with partners and vendors, enable remote working, and still have lightening fast access in the office.

JustWorks 7 provides a platform that supports local applications today, and is ready for those applications to move to a cloud service provider as soon as our customers are ready to do that. Our design is a “hybrid cloud” that prepares our customers to move to “true cloud” when the time is right.

Our new design moves the core collaboration tools of email, calendaring and file sharing so that they are cloud based, but easily accessible from the office too. The reference design for JustWorks 7 is based on using Microsoft’s Office 365 services for email, but can also accommodate anyone who would prefer to use Google, Amazon or another vendor for email. The JustWorks 7 cloud file service works equally well irrespective of which vendor is providing the email services.

JustWorks 7: designed for the future, and today.
We make IT simple.

New “cloud” services for 2016

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JustWorks has added some key new services to our full service managed systems portfolio. All of these services are available as extensions of your existing services, and they have all been tested by JustWorks in production.

To provide advanced services for the new “cloud” era we are offering new services to meet the following needs:

  • Messaging, fax, conferencing & phone in single unified service
  • File sharing accessible from any device, any where at any time
  • Security enhancements for your Internet connection

Messaging, fax, conferencing & phone

We are happy to announce that we have partnered with RingCentral to bring you fully unified communications in the cloud.
RingCentral can completely replace your phone system, or just add additional functionality to what you already have. The service includes “follow me” phone numbers so that you only ever need to provide a single phone number for your business contacts to reach you, no matter whether you are sitting at your desk or on the road (even where you have WiFi but no cell phone signal!). The service also includes unlimited calls and SMS messaging in the continental USA, fax and voicemail to email integration, and last but not least online conferencing for phone, screen sharing and HD video.
You can find out more at www.ringcentral.com or just call us and we can walk you through how it might fit with your needs.
Pricing ranges from $40/month for your whole company, to $40/user/month for full phone functionality including a desk handset.

File sharing accessible from any device, any where at any time

JustWorks has partnered with Egnyte to enable the extension of your in-office file sharing out into the rest of the world, all while maintaining the high levels of security you have come to expect from JustWorks solutions.
Once we have setup your cloud file server, you will be able to access all your files from any web browser, smartphone, tablet or remote computer, with ease. You can also create connections for your vendors and subcontractors to share specific files/folders securely with them.
You can find out more at www.egnyte.com or just call us and we can walk you through how it might fit with your needs. The first 2 users and 1Tb is included in our Manage service level, and pricing is $20 or $40 per user/month after that, depending on what version you choose.

Security enhancements for your Internet connection

We have migrated all JustWorks installations to the Sophos security platform – there’s nothing you need to do, this is part of our service.
Now that the Sophos security system is in place at your offices we will be able to enhance your Internet and network security with better WiFi security, email encryption, and load balancing over multiple Internet connections.

We will also offer Sophos Reflexion email security as an alternative for email SPAM filtering, as McAfee are discontinuing their service.
We will be in touch with you when we roll this out to your site.

We are excited to be able to offer these new services, and look forward to making them simple for you take advantage of.

GreenCitizen – new e-waste option

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Green Citizen

 

We have just become acquainted with a great new e-waste organization, GreenCitizen, and want to pass the information on.

GreenCitizen is based in San Francisco, with four Eco Centers located around the Bay Area: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Burlingame and Berkeley. You can drop off your e-waste at these Eco Centers any time you like.

To help ensure that any data on your hard drives is handled as securely as possible, GreenCitizen offers hard disk destruction services at all of their Eco-Centers. This three-step process starts by tracking each drive down to the serial number. Once tracked, hard disks are crushed using a Department of Defense standard hard disk crusher and then shredded in a certified hard disk destroyer. Upon completion of this process, GreenCitizen will send you a certificate confirming the successful destruction of all drives. When it comes to data security, you can never be too safe – GreenCitizen can help put your concerns to rest!

If you have more than 10 items ready to go to e-waste, Green Citizen will come and pick up from you. Just fill out their form online, or call Kevin Landers on 415.287.0000 x102 or email to pickup@greencitizen.com.

 

Rent I.T. v Buy I.T.

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Why should you rent your I.T.?

Since 1996 JustWorks has always delivered I.T. as a service. Our customers rent what they need, when they need it; and then change it when they need to change IT. As well as predictable cashflow, our customers get other advantages from choosing to rent like flexibility, greater management freedom and maintaining their strategic focus. So why should you rent your IT? Some of the more common business reasons to choose renting over buying are:

  1. The need is unknown: either the quantity, the scale or the duration may change quickly.
  2. The service is more important and more expensive than the parts, because the parts require specialized knowledge and resources to make them work, and keep them working properly.
  3. When you can get a better solution, because you only need part of it.
  4. The technology is changing very rapidly, so it is unlikely that you will depreciate the asset before it becomes obsolete.

When it comes to investing in computing for business today all of those reasons apply, and that makes renting the best decision today.

Return on I.T.

The challenge that purchasing puts up, is that the timescale for a purchase decision to be effective is longer (typically 4+ years, see chart) than any of the other factors affecting the decision. The effective returns generated by the assets, the rate of technical change, and steep fall off on asset values all make a decision to purchase I.T. now very difficult to justify.

Return_on_IT

Purchasing only comes together after 4 years

Coping with Change

A significant unknown for many businesses today is just how much of which kind of technology they are going to need, and for how long. Making a capital investment in a specific technology solution means being stuck with that for at least 3 years, probably 5 years. For most businesses now is a time to be as flexible, nimble and mobile as possible; this is not a good time to be stuck in one position.

Renting the right solution for today’s needs leaves a business free to adjust its strategy at short notice, based on changes in the market and changes in technology. Renting also allows much greater flexibility to scale up or down in response to changing conditions. Maybe there’s an opportunity to enter a new market but success is uncertain, or maybe there’s a blip in demand that may not last – these are situations where having access to technology infrastructure that can scale up and down is to your advantage.

More than the Sum of IT’s Parts

Investing in computing is so much more than buying a list of equipment and software licenses. The money you spend on I.T. is only worth it if the technology works for you. It’s not just buying the parts, it’s making them work together reliably to deliver your applications to your users, that makes the investment worthwhile. At JustWorks we have spent the last 15 years delivering fixed price I.T. solutions and we know how disciplined, skilled and experienced you have to be to make today’s technology work together as a seamless and reliable system.

When the services you need are more expensive than the parts, renting the whole solution makes so much more sense than buying. A JustWorks solution is delivered for a fixed fee that includes all the parts and licensing needed to make it work, and it’s guaranteed to work for that price with unlimited services. Rent from JustWorks and your investment is guaranteed to yield results, and you are not betting your money on some vendor’s marketing spiel.

More Bang for Your Buck

Many smaller businesses can really benefit from the same technologies that only much larger companies can afford, but they can’t justify the expense because of their size. This applies to having the breadth of skills in a team of I.T. professionals, as much as it does to being able to leverage large-scale I.T. infrastructure and management tools.

By renting your I.T. from JustWorks you are getting enterprise-class solutions at small business prices. In our datacenters your servers run on our massively-fault-tolerant, very-high-performance infrastructure that uses the same technologies, from the same vendors, in the same datacenters, that the world’s largest enterprises use. Our on-site JustWorks V systems incorporate features and tools that are only possible to integrate because of our Enterprise Partnerships with Dell and VMware.

On-site or in the cloud, you get more bang for your buck renting from JustWorks than you can buy.

Rapidly Changing Technology

Computing is the most rapidly evolving industry to ever exist. Disruptive breakthroughs continue to emerge, and businesses that can leverage the latest advances before their competitors are more profitable and grow faster.

Virtual_DesktopsIn 2012 the world of business computing is in the midst of the most significant shake-up for a decade. The popularity of powerful phones, tablets and ultra-portable devices has changed the landscape for end users, mostly driven by Apple Computer’s emergence as a dominant force in the consumer technology market.

Your ability to adjust to, and take advantage of, these disruptive changes defines the competitive benefit your I.T. investment will give you. Renting your I.T. gives you the flexibility you need to make those adjustments.

 JustWorks: Full Service Contract Hire

Request pricing informationContact us today and find out how cost effective renting your I.T. could be for you. You will appreciate having the information.

E-Waste

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In order to most efficiently and responsibly dispose of your e-waste, we’ve compiled a list of links and resources for your use. All of the major computer and electronics companies have their own recycling programs and often provide free pickup. Your local community may have state approved e-waste recycling companies. Check your local listings or visit the Computer Take Back website  to find a Responsible Recycler in your area. Many communities also have donation drives for electronic goods.

National & Local Recycling Programs

Manufacturer Recycling Programs