Last week  at the  annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, U.S. CIO Steven VanRoekel pledged to make 2012 “the year of the mobile.” VanRoekel, a former Microsoft executive, the past managing director of the Federal Communications Commission, and the second CIO of the United States, plans to remake the way the federal government approaches mobile technology.  Acknowledging that the government has lagged behind in adopting new technology, he is looking outside the government for ideas and best practices, hoping to divide the bridge between the private sector and the feds.

VanRoekel noted that the feds and the private sector are both dealing with the recent transformative IT trends, including the migration to the cloud, the consumerization of IT, and the increasing reliance on mobile devices. In light of these developments, VanRoekel created a new federal mobility strategy with six primary goals:

1. Incorporate the potential of mobile technology into federal government activities;
2. Build mobile technologies and services so they can be reused and shared among agencies and public developers;
3. Manage mobile and wireless acquisition, as well as inventory and expenses efficiently;
4. Create a government-wide foundation to provide mobility services across all agencies;
5. Promote collaboration to enhance mobility technology across government; and
6. Set up a governance structure for federal mobile efforts.

Besides leveling the IT playing field, VanRoekel believes that the new strategy will save the government money—in fact, it already has. By coordinating efforts and analyzing current technology, the administration is able to spot costly, ineffective practices, like the 21 distinct email systems employed by the Department of Agriculture. The department now has one system, which operates at a third of the cost of the former one. “We have a really great opportunity to cut costs while increasing our productivity,” said VanRoekel.

As an IT management consulting firm, we applaud the government’s proactive efforts at organization. We also believe that this strategy (and the fact that there now is one) provides a few takeaway lessons:

• Mobile technology is here to stay.
• Every business needs to have a mobile strategy.
• Employing a mobile strategy can make your business more efficient and save you money.

Not sure where to begin? NCC Data, the premier provider of IT Services in the Dallas-Fort Worth, can help. We offer more than computer network support services — as an IT management consulting firm, we can assist you in creating and employing a mobile strategy that can improve efficiency, and take advantage of the many opportunities that new technology provides.

Even Steven VanRoekel admits that the federal government lags behind most of the private sector. If your business doesn’t have a mobile strategy, it’s time to catch up. Let NCC Data help.

Technology and Life Intertwine

At NCC data, technology is our life. After all, we make our living by providing computer network support. This year, we watched as the rest of the world began to understand—and use—the very real connection between technology and life. Just take a look at some of the top news stories of 2011:

Egypt’s “Facebook Revolution:” Online social networking helped to topple Mubarak’s regime last February. Pro-democracy leaders used Facebook to nurture and organize the movement that kicked off the “Arab Spring.” Their online efforts were so were so successful that Egyptian Internet service providers, under pressure from the government, cut connectivity to the Internet for five days in early 2011.
Britain’s Riots: As if to demonstrate the dark side of social media, the past summer’s riots were largely organized via Blackberry Messenger, Facebook, and Twitter. Prime Minister David Cameron decried the use of social media, and went as far as saying, “Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence, we need to stop them.” Cameron’s government considered censoring and/or shutting down social media sites in the wake of the riots.
Japan’s Earthquake/Tsunami and Thailand’s Floods: At first glance, these tragic stories seem to have little to do with technology. But look a little deeper, and you’ll realize that both Japan and Thailand supply much of the PC and component markets. The impact of the damage to Sony, Freescale, Fujitsu, and Texas Instruments facilities isn’t just felt in Asia, but globally. You may feel even it in your pocketbook soon, as the cost  of computers and phones is expected to rise as a result of the shortages.
Steve Jobs: When was the last time a tech hero was so lauded? When was the last time a tech hero was ever lauded? The fact that the world mourned Steve Jobs proved how much technology touches our lives, The fact that many people received the news of his death via one of Jobs’ own devices makes the point all the more relevant, and more poignant.

Is your company ready for 2012? The new year is poised to bring big changes in the way the world does business, courtesy of technological advances. Smart businesses are gearing up to take advantage of the new opportunities. At NCC Data, providers of computer network support and IT Services for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we’re excited about the changes in IT and business—and we want to make sure that none of you are left behind.
What are these changes and how might they impact your business? We advise you pay special attention to:

Big Data - According to IBM, we create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day. If that’s not overwhelming in itself, consider that the number is growing: 90% of the data in the world today was created in just the last two years. This “big data” is an opportunity and a challenge. More information can give companies an edge, but only if they can manage, assess, and understand it. Analysts from Gartner, the world’s leading information technology research organization, believe that most organizations are ill prepared to address the challenges posed by big data. In fact Gartner predicts that “Through 2015, more than 85 percent of Fortune 500 organizations will fail to effectively exploit big data for competitive advantage.”

Mobility - Technology will continue to trend toward mobile devices. The pace is expected to quicken. In the next four years, smartphones and tablets will make up more than 90 percent of new devices adopted. If Gartner predictions are accurate, by 2016, at least 50 percent of enterprise email users will rely primarily on a browser, tablet or mobile client instead of a desktop. This shift toward mobility will likely affect software, too, as much more will be created for mobile technology, maybe even excluding traditional PCs.

The Cloud – More businesses will rely on cloud services in order to streamline management and optimize benefits. They may also be more vulnerable, as new security risks are bound to arise. In the next few weeks, we’ll take a closer look at each of these areas, so that you’ll get overviews of each of these opportunities and the challenges they present.

We’re happy to give you up-to-date information, but we’d like to do more. We’d like to provide your business with computer network support services that allow you to take advantage of these changes in technology, while leaving you time to run your business. We’d like to help you utilize big data, make a smooth transition to mobile technology, and ensure that you’re accessing the cloud in the most efficient and secure manner. We can do all this and more. That’s why businesses trust NCC Data for IT Services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Harvard Business Review reported that companies that successfully manage their IT investments generate returns as much as 40% higher than those of their competitors. But how do you know if your business is getting the maximum benefit from IT? NCC Data, the premier provider of IT Services for Dallas-Fort Worth, suggests you begin by assessing your maturity level.

Gartner Research, the world’s leading information technology research organization, developed an IT infrastructure maturity model, so that companies could evaluate their infrastructure and operations (I&O). Gartner identified six levels of infrastructure maturity:

• Level 0, Survival — Little to no focus on IT infrastructure and operations.
• Level 1, Awareness — Realization that infrastructure and operations are critical to the business; beginning to take actions (in people/organization, process and technologies) to gain operational control and visibility.
• Level 2, Committed — Moving to a managed environment, for example, for day-to-day IT support processes and improved success in project management to become more customer-centric and increase customer satisfaction.
• Level 3, Proactive — Gaining efficiencies and service quality through standardization, policy development, governance structures and implementation of proactive, cross departmental processes, such as change and release management.
• Level 4, Service-Aligned — Managing IT like a business; customer-focused; proven, competitive and trusted IT service provider.
• Level 5, Business Partnership — Trusted partner to the business for increasing the value and competitiveness of business processes, as well as the business as a whole.

Why is it important to understand your company’s I&O maturity level? Because each step up gives your company a boost in terms of service, customer satisfaction, and decreased cost. By assessing where your company is currently, you can see the benefit of moving forward.

The experts at NCC Data, the premier provider of IT Services for Dallas-Fort Worth, can help you to evaluate your organization’s maturity level. Even better, they can help your company build and manage an infrastructure that provides value, productivity and flexibility. They not only offer outstanding computer network support, but understand industry best practices, and stay up to date on tools and products that can enhance your existing business processes.

NCC professionals also understand business, and consult with you to ensure that your infrastructure is strategically aligned with your business goals. By partnering with NCC Data to provide infrastructure optimization for your business, you’re getting computer network support that helps you to run your business more efficiently, manage your IT investments, and generate higher returns on those investments.

It’s a win-win situation. You’d like to make some year-end purchases to reduce your taxes. Your employees would like some new mobility devices, either laptops or tablets. But before rushing out to take advantage of holiday sales, you’ll want to carefully consider which type of mobile computer best serves your business.
NCC Data’s Dallas and Ft. Worth IT consultants would like to offer a little guidance in regards to the laptops versus tablets debate. To begin with, consider how your business uses mobility devices. Ask yourself:

• Who is using mobility technology? What are they using it for?
• Who else might benefit from its use?
• How are mobile technologies being managed, procured, and evaluated?

The answers to these questions can begin to guide you to the best device for your business. For example, if your employees mostly use mobile technology for email or to send documents when telecommuting, a laptop may be a better choice, as it has a traditional keyboard that makes typing easier. But if you have field-based employees who’d benefit from GPS technology for route planning, or salespeople who need to make impressive presentations, enterprise-ready tablets may be the right choice.
There are a few general differences to keep in mind:
Weight: Tablets are typically lighter than laptops.
Durability: Laptops tend to be more durable than tablets, whose touch screens can be scratched or damaged.
Battery life: Tablets generally have a longer battery life than laptops.

And then there are the more specific differences. Since laptops have been around a while, you’re problem pretty familiar with their attributes. Tablets have some of the same features as laptops, but not all, and some tablets are more business-friendly than others. To make sure you’re getting what’s best for your business, make sure to ask:

1. Will Adobe Flash work on this tablet? Adobe PDFs?
2. What apps are included?
3. How much storage does it have?
4. What ports and peripherals does it have?
5. What security features are included?
6. How will it interface with my company’s current configurations?

These last two questions are vital. It’s important that people using your mobility devices have access to the data they need, and that your data is secure if the device is lost or stolen.

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider. If it all seems a bit much, consider asset management services from a computer network support company like NCC Data. The professionals at NCC Data live and breathe technology, so they’re up-to-date on the latest offerings. They’re plugged into a network of other computer experts, so they hear about the issues and benefits surrounding new technology. By leaving your asset management to NCC Data’s Dallas and Ft. Worth IT consultants, you’ll know that whatever device you buy works for your business and that data protection is in place. You can make the right year-end purchase, make your employees happy, and make sure you use your time for your business, when you use asset management services from NCC Data, the computer network support company you can depend on.

Virtualization isn’t just a type of computer network support. It’s not just the newest imperative for business. It’s not just the best way to give your IT staff greater control over assets and more time to manage them. The experts at NCC Data, the premier provider of IT Services for Dallas-Fort Worth, can tell you that virtualization is all that and more —it’s green.

Let’s look at the big green picture first. Virtualization can reduce your company’s carbon footprint. Every server that’s virtualized eliminates four tons of CO2 —the equivalent to taking one and a half cars off the road. By virtualizing, you’re also using less energy—a lot less energy. For each server virtualized, you can save approximately 7000kWh of electricity a year. That’s nearly $700 in reduced power and cooling costs. It could be even more in the future: Gartner, the world’s leading information technology research organization, estimates that most enterprise data centers will soon spend as much on energy as they do on hardware infrastructure.
Just by considering reduced energy costs, you can see how your company may be able to save some green along with saving the planet.  Want to save even more? When you outsource your virtualization strategy to the computer network support professionals at NCC Data, you can:

• Reduce your capital investment. You don’t need to purchase or run the number of servers you’re using now.
• Save on hardware costs. Less servers mean less hardware, too.
• Increase hardware utilization rates from the typical 15% to as much as 80%.
• Save money on system maintenance.

Virtualization also frees your IT staff, enabling them to focus on proactive innovation instead of maintaining and managing existing infrastructure. In fact, virtualization and cloud computing topped the agenda for CIOs in 2011, according to a recent survey by Gartner.

As  the premier  provider of  IT Services for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, NCC Data can make your company’s grass greener by providing you with virtualization  of :

• Servers
• Operating Systems
• Applications
• Storage
• Database
• Network

Consider going virtual with the computer network support experts at NCC Data. You’ll get a boost from doing something good for the environment—and an extra boost to your budget.

Businesses benefit from knowing where they stand, from recognizing their opportunities, their risks and their assets. But many companies aren’t truly knowledgeable about their IT assets. It’s understandable: The world of IT can be confusing at best. That’s where a computer network support company like NCC Data can help. NCC Data experts ensure that companies realize the true value of their assets. Even better, they can help your business save money through asset management. How? NCC Data’s asset management can:

1. Reduce purchasing costs. By understanding your business needs, NCC Data’s Dallas and Ft. Worth IT consultants will help your company to benefit from corporate purchasing agreements and volume discounts.
2. Control licensing costs. Part of asset management is reviewing licensing policies and procedures. We’ll eliminate unused licensed applications, and control costs by purchasing only essential licenses.
3. Eliminate maverick purchases. Enough said.
4. Ensure that your IT assets are better utilized. We’ll make sure that IT equipment (including software) is only purchased  for and issued to employees who actually need it. If we find underutilized equipment we’ll reallocate it elsewhere in your company where it will be better used.
5. Apply under-used warranties. Your business may spend money on items covered under warranty. We’ll find out.
6. Reduce security risks. Un-patched or old software installations can create gaps in your data security. Our regular reviews uncover any vulnerabilities and remove or strengthen them.
7. Increase the capability for upgrades. By understanding the capabilities of your IT equipment and properly maintaining it, we’ll ensure that it can be used as productively as possible.
8. Improve reliability. NCC’s IT Hardware Lifecycle Management not only allows for more upgrades to your existing equipment, but makes sure that it will work dependably, with fewer problems and down time.
9. Re-use, repair and recycle your IT equipment. NCC Data’s Dallas and Ft. Worth IT consultants can assist in you make better business decisions about your old IT equipment, helping you to reuse high value components and saving you money on new purchases. Of course, if it’s time to buy, we’ll help you with that decision, too.
10. Increase the life of IT assets. All of the reasons above add up to another great cost–savings: a longer life for your IT equipment.

Asset management can save your business money. A computer network support company like NCC Data helps you utilize your company’s resources for maximum effect.

Asset management is just one of the IT services offered to Dallas-Fort Worth businesses. Learn about all the ways that NCC Data can help your bottom line.

According to the Norton Cybercrime Report 2011, online criminals cost global businesses $114 billion in 2010. In addition, the value of time lost to cybercrime was estimated by the victimized businesses as $274 billion. All together, cybercrime set companies back a whopping $388 billion. To put it in perspective, that’s more than the global black market in marijuana, cocaine and heroin combined ($288 billion). The number of people affected is also staggering. Each day, more than a million people will fall victim to cybercrime. That’s twice the number of babies born every day (490,000).

Surprised? You’re not alone. To begin with, the enormity of cybercrime is just recently mainstream news. The cost to businesses had not been calculated until Norton’s recent report, and it’s not the type of crime to make big headlines, with the exception of a few notable cases. You may also be surprised at the profile of cybercrime victims: it’s tech–savvy men between 10 and 35 who most commonly experience cybercrime. It may be because they’re more likely to use mobile devices. The Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, Volume 16, released this past April, observed 42% more vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems in 2010 than in 2009.
According to the Symantec report, cybercrime in general is up, too: web-based attacks increased 93% in 2010. Besides the new mobile technology threat mentioned above, the report noted four other cybercrime trends:

• Targeted attacks. As the name implies, these are not random attacks.  Instead, the attacker chooses victims by identifying them as having access to valuable data or systems. It’s not just large corporations who are at risk: more than 50% of victims are businesses with less than 500 employees.
• Social networks. Criminals often peruse social networks for identifying information, so that they can gain the trust of their victims and then target them with malicious malware.
• Zero-day vulnerabilities and rootkits. Organizations are often not aware of a cyber threat in time to stop it. Criminals exploit this window of opportunity to attack. Rootkits, which allow the attackers continued privileged access to the computer system, may be installed.
• Attack kits. Easily available, sophisticated attack kits allow even novice criminals to steal online information.

The rising wave of cybercrime and the costs involved should make it obvious that online security should be a priority. Instead, many businesses who could benefit from the protection offer by a professional computer network support company leave themselves open to attack. NCC Data offers complete IT services to Dallas-Fort Worth businesses and can protect your business from cybercrime. Our specialists recognize the complexity of current threats, keep abreast of new trends in cybercrime, and understand the best ways to protect your company’s valuable information. By engaging NCC Data as your computer network support company, you can make sure that your business is armed with knowledge and shielded with support.

Fires. Power outages. Employee gaffes. What do these have in common? They can all cause serious damage to your company data— unless you have a reliable disaster recovery plan in place.

Most businesses don’t. According to Gartner, a research and advisory firm, only 35 percent of small businesses have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place. And businesses that aren’t ready may lose more than data. The National Archives & Records Administration reports that 60% of companies that lose their data close their doors within six months of the disaster, and 93% of companies that lost their data for 10 days or more filed for bankruptcy within one year of the disaster. And even businesses that mange to stay open suffer large damages: International Data Corp. estimates that companies lose an average of $84,000 for every hour of downtime.

Disasters do happen. The recent spates of wildfires across Texas bear witness to that. An alarming number of businesses are affected by similar emergencies: a recent NFIB National Small Business Poll reported that natural disasters have impacted more than 30% of all small businesses in the USA. And when you add in the man-made disasters and accidents that can cause data loss, the number of businesses affected grows.  A recent survey conducted by Symantec shows that 93% of organizations have had to execute their disaster recovery plans.

Another sobering statistic: According to analyst firm IDC, about 70% of all successful attacks on computer networks were carried out by employees and insiders. That number doesn’t include the non-malicious accidents like dropped laptops and spilled coffee.

When it comes to disaster data recovery planning, it’s wise to play it safe by capitalizing on the experience of the knowledgeable professionals at a computer network support company.  NCC Data offers complete IT services to Dallas-Fort Worth businesses, including disaster data recovery planning that can keep your data, and your company safe. Why use a computer network support company rather than your in-house IT staff? Outside professionals like the ones at NCC Data can often see the big picture, identifying mission-critical workflows that keep your business productive. In addition to saving your valuable company data, professional disaster data recover planning, due to its analytic nature, can actually improve your business processes and technology. And because we at NCC Data understand that business is all about the bottom line, our solutions are not only customized to your business, they’re tailored to your budget.

Although your company may not be able to avoid a natural disaster, you can prepare for one, so that it doesn’t become a business disaster.