Brian Sherman Posts

When it comes to locking down your customers’ networks and critical data, the end goal is to prevent any intrusions or information loss. Obviously, with all the nefarious characters wreaking havoc on the Internet and sharing ideas on how to penetrate the various security measures that businesses (and individuals) employ, that’s objective is getting harder to accomplish. For every new threat prevention method, the bad guys seem to create multiple ways to get around them. It’s more than a game to ...

Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a variety of IT channel events, from the largest industry conferences to smaller, regional get-togethers. Regardless of the show’s size or number of associated activities, there never seems to be enough time to do everything you’d like to do (let alone everything you need to do).As an editor, I scheduled almost every waking minute at tradeshows for interviews, demos and networking. In order to accomplish that level of activity, the process ...

Regardless of which side of the issue you’re on, last week’s Supreme Court decision upholding the disputed sections of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 added greater urgency to EMR (electronic medical records) implementation, and a shot in the arm to those building a healthcare IT practice. Of course, those relying on federal legislation to drive business may be missing the real opportunities in doctors’ offices, clinics and other medical-related organizations: business improvement.The most succe ...

As a frequent traveler and lover of the outdoors, I have a special place in my heart for the critical business tools that can be easily packed and transported wherever I’m going. My first ThinkPad, a pre-Lenovo, “brick-by-today’s-standards” laptop, introduced me to the benefits of the mobile workplace that’s become commonplace today. Rather than saving work to those lovable floppy discs in my corporate office and transporting them home at night to toil away on my home PC, the laptop gave me the ...

Have you ever considered how your clients’ manage their printers and copiers, and how much these devices and the related infrastructure cost their organization’s each year? If you’re not already providing managed print services, or considering the opportunity, it’s a great time to evaluate the benefits (and obstacles) of offering them to your business customers.Not only are the channel options for offering managed print services expanding, but more businesses are open to outsourcing their print ...

While some may choose to dismiss the various discussions, events and training programs on cloud solutions as hype, there are many more proving that the business model works. Members of the IT channel can be somewhat cautious, but it’s rare for them to ignore business applications that their customers want. And everyone from the smallest mom-and-pop retailer to the largest corporation wants the benefits that cloud services offer, according to respected industry analysts.For example, IDC reports t ...

After several years of discussing the benefits of UC (unified communications) with solution providers, it’s clear that many, including some of the largest MSPs, still haven’t found the right solution to offer their customers. While some indicated questionable value for their clients and others were concerned about potential competition from telecoms and cable companies, most thought the opportunity was limited.UC is one of those unique categories in the technology field, much like the POS (point ...

When sitting amongst attendees at IT channel events, I typically ask which sessions are “must see” on the meeting agenda. Whether looking for real takeaways for their business or attempting to gauge future opportunities, the panel discussions are often at the top of their schedule. After attending a number of these interactive group discussions, I began to understand their appeal—especially when the topic is pertinent and the panelists are willing and able to share valuable business insight.Of c ...

According to a CompTIA research report released a couple months ago, business executives have become increasingly concerned with protecting access to their companies’ information systems and the data they contain. Whether driven by new rules and regulations, or well-publicized news of critical breaches and their repercussions on organizations and their clients, a majority of decision-makers are taking note of the value of an effective IT security program.And the awareness level is escalating rap ...

Just 10 short years ago, the vast majority of solution providers followed the traditional reseller business model. As their client base grew, the number of employees and resources needed to support the new business grew just as quickly, since repairs and maintenance typically required sending personnel onsite to accomplish each task.Help desk and emergency service calls often required lengthy calls, providing step-by-step instructions to collaborate with end-users to fix issues before rolling a ...