Five Technologies for Increased Profit

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Five Technologies for Increased Profit

• Host Joe Panettieri
• Editor in Chief, TechIQ Web www.techiqmag.com
  Email joe_at_microcast.biz

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Rules for Today

• No Sales Pitches
• Interactive Discussion
• Well Answer as Many Qs as Possible
• Fast-moving Dialog
• High-level Overviews
• 45 Minute Program

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Todays Discussion Points

• Open Source on the Desktop
• New Directions in CRM
• Mesh Wireless What Is It?
• Melding Mesh Wireless with Video Surveillance
• Managed Services 2.0

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Todays Guest Speakers

• Desktop Linux - The Hot Option Gerry Carr,
  Canonical
• Fresh Approaches to CRM John Leishman, Geeks on
  the Way
• Mesh Wireless Meets Video Surveillance Dennis
  Holmes, Internetwork Engineering
• Managed Services 2.0 - Opportunities Ahead Mark
  Crall, Tech Care Team Inc.

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Opportunity 1 Desktop Linux
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UbuntuThe Desktop Linux
Gerry Carr Marketing Manager Canonical gerry.carr_at_
canonical.com
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Trends We're Watching

• Ubuntu has reinvented the category of Desktop
  Linux
• Over 6 million active users
• Downloads growing month by month
• USA by far largest downloader of software
• Who's who of partner companies (Dell, Intel, Sun,
  Sony, Google, IBM)
• Traditional hindrances to Linux being removed
  (AMD e.g.)?

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Solutions We Are Tracking

• Increasing number of companies partnering with
  Canonicial
• Training
• Deployment
• Front line support
• Reselling third level support
• Bundled applications
• Virtual Applications
• Commercial software through repositories
• ISV in joint support selling
• Reselling combined solutions

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Trends in 2008/9

• Large OEM deals bringing ubiquity
• Global OEMs offing Ubuntu as standard offering
• Hardware and software hurdles for Linux being
  eliminated
• Ubuntu providing OS for desktop, server, MID, and
  virtual applications
• Partner Programme with Canonical free to join
• Training available in the US
• Time to get to know Linux, don't believe the FUD,
  it's here to stay .

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Opportunity 2 Fresh Approaches to CRM
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Opportunity 2 Fresh Approaches to CRM
Advantages of Open Source software
Integration/Customization
John Leishman Geeks On The Way jleishman_at_geeksonth
eway.com Company Focus Residential, SOHO, Small
Busines
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Problem Outlined

• High volume of calls
• Service in multiple geographies
• Prefer web based system
• Limited Budget
• High degree of customization needed
• Solution needed to scale as company grew

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Solution

• Open Source solution
• SugarCRM for customer management
• Cost effective
• Can customize/integrate
• Sell to clients
• Customization Example includes
• Asterisk integration for call pops pushed out
  from the Server (browser refresh no software
  installed on Agent PC)
• Preloaded database of telephone area codes and
  prefixes for North America so we know from what
  city customers are calling from before we answer
  the phone. If customer not found in database then
  a new record is created with phone number, city,
  state, country and CID name.
• Integration with Sql-Ledger by sharing same
  Contact IDs for future reporting using Jasper
  Reports
• Scheduling Optimization based on latitude and
  longitude of customers (as the crow flies which
  is not optimal)
• Ability to see primary tech, secondary technician
  and last technician out to a client at a glance
  along with next three days availability (built
  into Geek Meeting form through color coding)

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Results

• Time taken to book calls has gone from 2-3
  minutes to 20-180 seconds
• Less data entry errors
• Improved relationship with clients
• Lower marketing costs
• Ability to integrate Sql-ledger(Accounting) and
  E-Commerce
• Back End System that is translated into multiple
  languages and
• Can scale to millions of customers and thousands
  of technicians
• Lessons Learned over two years
• triple or quadruple cost estimates
• Scope creep is hard to control
• Utilize experienced programmers

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Opportunities/Trends

• The open source application market is going to
  continue to grow
• Managed Services not only for businesses but for
  residential customers
• Different versions of Sugar to address different
  industry needs.
• VARs/Integrators canexpand their product
  offerings
• Market is getting more educated
• Integration of Open Source applications will be
  the next challenge
• Salesforce has their App Exchange
• SugarCRM has SugarExchange

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Opportunity 3-4 Mesh Meets Video Surveillance
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A New Era
Wireless MESH andWireless Video
Surveillance Dennis C. Holmes Internetwork
Engineering Wireless Practice Manager dholmes_at_inet
eng.com 423-384-3825
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What is Wireless MESH?

• Client Service via 802.11b/g
• Backhaul via 802.11a
• Need for fewer copper or fiber connections
• Powered from AC, DC, Solar, POE, or POC
• Blanket coverage for entire city or limited
  hotspot areas
• Fully securable
• Many applications

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What are the coming trends

• 802.11n for client services and backhaul
  capabilities at increased throughputs
• DOCSiS Cable Modems onboard
• Built in battery backup
• Access Points with onboard POE for Cameras etc.
• Aesthetic and Specialty Enclosures
• Enhanced Modular Radios including WiMax and
  4.9gHz support

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Video Surveillance

• Homeland Security Grants
• Municipal and State Governments Funding
• Recent enhancements in cameras and software
• Wireless to feed video via MESH infrastructure

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What are the coming trends

• Enhanced night vision.
• Enhanced face and license plate recognition.
• Integration with applications such as gunshot
  location systems.
• Integration to handheld devices

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Opportunity 5 Managed Services 2.0
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Managed Services 2.0 Where Are We Heading Next?
Presented by
Mark CrallCEO, Tech Care Team, Inc.Charlotte
SBS Group Founder Microsoft SBSC Partner Area
Leader (Pal)
BlogSBSC.TECHCARETEAM.COM
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MSP Trends in 2007

• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Hardware as a Service (HaaS)
• Technology Evolutions
• Alliances and Communities
• Planning for the Commoditization of Managed
  Services
• The Expectations of Consumers Rose
• The Big Guys Started Scheming

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MSP Goals for 2008

• Focus and Partner (acquire only as needed)
• Buy the Same Way You Sell
• Manage Relationships (not just technology)
• Manage Customers
• Manage Vendors
• Manage Partners

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Contact info for Mark Crall

• Email mark_at_techcareteam.com
• Blog sbsc.TechCareTeam.com

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Thank You/Contact Us

• Host
• Joe Panettieri, TechIQ (joe_at_microcast.biz)
• Desktop Linux
• Gerry Carr, Canonical (gerry.carr_at_canonical.com)
• Open Source CRM
• John Leishman, Geeks on the Way
  (jleishman_at_geeksontheway.com)
• Mesh Wireless, Video Surveillance
• Dennis Holmes, Internetwork Engineering
  (dholmes_at_ineteng.com)
• Managed Services
• Mark Crall, Tech Care Team Inc.
  (mark_at_techcareteam.com)

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Thank You/Contact Us

• Host
• Joe Panettieri, TechIQ (joe_at_microcast.biz)
• Desktop Linux
• Gerry Carr, Canonical (gerry.carr_at_canonical.com)
• Open Source CRM
• John Leishman, Geeks on the Way
  (jleishman_at_geeksontheway.com)
• Mesh Wireless, Video Surveillance
• Dennis Holmes, Internetwork Engineering
  (dholmes_at_ineteng.com)
• Managed Services
• Mark Crall, Tech Care Team Inc.
  (mark_at_techcareteam.com)