News

The Force Field to carry TPN coverage of CES 2010

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(TheForceField.net) January 5, 2010 — The Force Field will begin video coverage of The Consumer Electronics Show to the public and members of The Force Field beginning tomorrow.

Through an arrangement with The Techpodcast Network and Geek News Central the site will feature daily HD video coverage from the floor of CES 2010. The Force Field podcast is a member of the Techpodcasts.com Network.

The videos will be hosted by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central, Andy McCaskey of SDRNews and Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine to provide daily reports from the floor of CES 2010 in Las Vegas.

There will be three separate video productions. The official video episodes on the Primary Channel will be published on the home page of THEFORCEFIELD.NET and available to the public. These are HD video feeds that will recap the events of each day.

There is also a second video production. This will be a BackChannel feed. This daily video update will follow the hosts and crew and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the CES event normally only available to members of the press, including press events and insider tours. In addition to the two recorded video feeds members of The Force Field will be able to watch a third feed in real time. The feed will be streamed live from the floor of CES and will be available based on available time and bandwidth.

The backchannel and live video feeds will be available from TheForceField.Net web portal to members of The Force Field only. The backchannel can be viewed from a special menu link after login. Members can watch the live feed from the Home Page of TheForceField.Net after login. Guests and Non-members can watch the Primary Channel Daily Wrap Show and Interviews from the home page of TheForceField.Net.

Membership to TheForceField.Net is free but will be subject to administrator approval for the event. All fields on the membership application form must be filled out with valid information such as a valid e-mail address, mailing address and contact number to be considered for approval.

The Force Field also carried TPN coverage of CES in 2009 and 2008. The videos proved to be popular and the decision was made to feature the event this year as well.

CES is an annual event held every year in January. This year the event will be held January 7-10, 2010.

 

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New Force Field Forums now online

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After an intense 24 hours the New and Improved Force Field Forums are now online! The new forums incorporate the latest stable version of Simple Machine Forum and new features to enhance the forum community experience.

This migration was not without its challenges, however. Originally the outage was scheduled for four hours but numerous technical snafus and data migration issues forced them offline for almost a full 24 hours.

The Force Field forums were scheduled to go offline last night, December 15, 2009 from 8 PM to 1 AM EST for upgrades. Due to activity the outage was delayed for an hour to ensure all the data from the new activity would be backed up before the migration. The planned migration to a new forum called Kunena failed on a test site and prompted an eleventh hour (literally 11 PM) decision to use another forum already chosen in case Kunena did not work out.

During this time members were not able to access, read and post in the forums but were able to access other areas of the web site as the initial migration was performed on another test site.

The second forum required a database conversion that also failed on the test site. After several attempts a manual conversion process was performed this afternoon and after testing the database and forums were moved to the production site.

Although great care was taken to preserve the data, some posts and settings may not have transferred successfully. In addition, some logins may not function properly and it may be necessary to change login passwords.

If you do encounter an issue logging in, please click "Forgot Password" on the forum login screen and a new password will be sent to your e-mail address on file.

The new forums will resolve old bugs and introduce new features to enhance The Force Field forum community experience. As these new forums are a separate component of the site and no longer integrated into the rest of The Force Field, The login function on the front page of theforcefield.net will no longer automatically log you into the forums. The forums require separate registration and login from the rest of the site. If you have any questions or trouble logging into the new forums please contact an administrator or e-mail forums@theforcefield.net.

You can access the forums from the Forums link in the menu on the left sidebar or at http://www.theforcefield.net/forums .

Enjoy the forums!

Forums offline tonight for upgrade

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The Force Field forums will go offline tonight, December 15, 2009 from 8 PM to 1 AM EST for upgrades. The new forums will resolve old bugs and introduce new features to enhance The Force Field forum community experience.

During this time members will not be able to access, read and post in the forums. From time to time members may not be able to access other areas of the web site as well while we complete migration. We will do our best to minimize the interruption but it is possible certain portions of the site such as the IT Business Resource Directory and Marketplace may also be affected.

The podcasts episodes should not be affected by the upgrade. During migration you should still be able to access, download and listen to episodes of The Force Field podcast at http://www.theforcefield.net/wordpress . The entire site, including the forums should be available after 1 AM EST tonight.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

IT Monitoring Guru To Demonstrate Complete Netscaler Monitoring Setup In 5 Seconds Flat

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As part of the World’s Shortest Webinar Series, veteran data center manager and monitoring guru, Steve Francis, will demonstrate LogicMonitor’s configuration-free Netscaler Monitoring system. The online demonstration will give datacenter managers the opportunity to see how in-depth monitoring can be configured from start-to-finish in a matter of minutes.

Santa Barbara, CA (Vocus/PRWEB ) December 9, 2009 — As part of the World’s Shortest Webinar Series, veteran data center manager and monitoring guru, Steve Francis, will demonstrate LogicMonitor’s configuration-free Netscaler Monitoring system. The December 17th online demonstration will give datacenter managers the opportunity to see how in-depth monitoring can be configured from start-to-finish in a matter of minutes. The company will offer webinar attendees a complimentary 21-day trial of LogicMonitor’s Netscaler monitoring service.

 

LogicMonitor gives you flexible dashboards, alerts, and trending, all without any configuration
LogicMonitor gives you flexible dashboards, alerts, and trending, all without any configuration

 

Registration is open to all IT managers on a first-come, first-served basis:

Click here to register

The Netscaler monitoring demonstration is the second episode in The World’s Shortest Webinar Series, the first being on NetApp monitoring. On the idea for the World’s Shortest Webinars, LogicMonitor CEO, Steve Francis notes, “IT managers don’t have hours of spare time, so we thought this would be a unique opportunity to prove to them that configuring in-depth monitoring for Netscalers, NetApps, networks, servers, and applications, doesn’t have to be a lengthy, and often-times error-prone process. We can demonstrate the value of LogicMonitor in just minutes. So why take up any more of their time than we have to?”

With LogicMonitor, configuring a load balancer for monitoring is as simple as entering its hostname — no additional configuration is needed. The system then automatically discovers all content switching VIPs, active interfaces, load balancing VIPs, etc., saving IT managers hours of time. The LogicMonitor service revolutionizes monitoring by providing more metrics, and presenting them all in intuitive visual format, so trends can be easily spotted.

“We managed datacenters for ASPs and Enterprises for over 15 years. During that time, we were never able to find a monitoring system that delivered what is really needed in the trenches by a web-focused company. So we built it ourselves,” stated Francis.

About LogicMonitor:
Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, LogicMonitor LLC was founded by a team of datacenter managers and technology experts dedicated to making datacenter monitoring simple.

IT Support Firm Guidance Consulting Finds that Bigger is Not Always Better

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Smaller IT consulting firms like Georgia-based Guidance Consulting are finding that their smaller size makes them more marketable in today's corporate environment. The ability to specialize and personalize their approach to IT support results in lowered costs and time estimates over larger IT firms.

Duluth, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) December 9, 2009 — The experts at IT support provider Guidance Consulting have always known that large IT consulting firms have dominated the market for technology support services for years, in everything from the fields of education and online storefronts to healthcare. However, the company is now finding that in today's market, there is a new focus on smaller, more personalized firms that can offer specialized services at a fraction of the cost.

The first company to report on this new phenomenon was healthcare research firm KLAS, which found that smaller IT firms are better at everything from planning and assessment to staff support. Guidance Consulting, Inc., an IT firm operating out of Georgia, reinforces these findings with an emphasis on more than just the healthcare field.

“What they found in the healthcare field is that the smaller companies like Guidance Consulting have to be more competitive,” says Guidance Consulting senior consultant Ronald Gottilla. “We have to offer better rates and better services in order to compete. So that's just what we've done.”

The IT field is one that is always changing and developing, particularly when it comes to issues like the latest in vulnerability protection needs. Larger IT companies are slower to adapt by virtue of size, and there's simply no way around it. “You've got layers of bureaucracy to get through in a large IT company,” asserts Gottilla. “When you work with a small firm, you can get decisions and answers almost immediately.”

Of course, it's impossible to ignore the dollars and cents side of things, as well. Although skimping out on IT protection is never a good way to ensure a company's safety against viruses and attacks, cutting costs is one of the most important measures business leaders can take in today's economy. Cutting costs by hiring a smaller IT consultant firm is often the ideal solution, since companies don't have to take a hit to quality even if they're paying less.

“When you hire a company like Guidance Consulting,” adds Gottilla, “you also get the benefits of our IT staffing department. If you're cutting costs by getting rid of an internal IT department, we can not only provide the protection planning you need, but we can supply you with temporary employees to get you through the rough patches.”

About Guidance Consulting

Guidance Consulting is a technology solutions firm offering a range of services related to technology, infrastructure development, and general information technology consulting.

For over 15 years, Guidance Consulting has been delivering profitable technology results to everything from small, private firms to Fortune 500 companies. In addition to meeting employment and staffing needs, Guidance Consulting implements a wide range of IT solutions that help companies to cut costs, increase productivity, and avoid damages associated with vulnerability issues to get the most out of the current technologies available for businesses of all sizes.

For more information on making Guidance Consulting a part of your company's IT support team, visit their website at http://www.guidance-consulting.com.

Contact for Media Inquiries:
Kami Trieu
Office: (678) 528-2681
Fax: (678) 669-2829

Geeks On Site is Making Geeks for Life by Adding more Benefits to VIP Program

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Geeks On Site is adding additional features to their “Geeks for Life” program. “Geeks for Life” is a VIP plan Geeks On Site customers can join in order to receive special offers and coupons on myriad services for repair and maintenance.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) November 14, 2009 — Geeks On Site now sends their “Geeks for Life” members monthly postcards and emails with unique deals available exclusively for them. In addition, Geeks On Site has a special toll free number members can call for assistance on their account. These particular customers enjoy special treatment in appreciation of their loyalty to Geeks On Site.    

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“Geeks On Site is looking for so much more than just one on-site visit or remote call- we believe in on-going customer care,” explains George Otte, president of Geeks On Site. Geeks On Site trains their customer service representatives and sales staff to always keep customer satisfaction as one of their main goals.

The “Geeks for Life” Program, which the Geeks On Site Customer Loyalty Department oversees, was created to reward repeat customers. This program offers a monthly computer tune up and unlimited assistance all at no additional cost to the Geeks On Site customers. Members can call in as many times as they wish, and request technical support, or to schedule preventative maintenance. Geeks On Site customers also receive expedited dispatch for onsite support. And Geeks On Site technicians not only repair and maintain PCs, Macs, and laptops, but peripherals such as printers, Blackberries and webcams. Finally, Geeks On Site’s “Geeks for Life” members receive 10% off any onsite service needed.

Geeks On Site has customers that have been with the company for almost eight years, which was when the company came into being. Geeks On Site says their customer base is growing at an incredibly rapid rate; therefore, the company is seeking new ways to stay connected with their customers. Geeks On Site is striving to give individualized attention to each and every client. The toll free number and the monthly offers are additions to make VIP customers feel appreciated; and to eventually have every customer join “Geeks for Life.”

IT Pros Seeking Security Certifications, CompTIA Survey Reveals

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Interest also high in ethical hacking and forensics certifications

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. (Vocus/PRWEB ) November 5, 2009 — Information technology (IT) professionals are placing their bets on security-themed certifications as they plot their next career moves, a new study from CompTIA, the leading trade association for the IT industry, reveals.

The CompTIA survey of more than 1,500 IT workers found that 37 percent intend to pursue a security certification over the next five years. Another 18 percent of IT workers said they will seek ethical hacking certifications during the same time period, while 13 percent identified forensics as their next certification target. The results are included in the CompTIA study IT Training and Certification: Insights and Opportunities.

“Given the growing reach of security, with threats becoming more pervasive and dangerous and with no business or industry immune to those threats, it makes sense that many IT professionals view this as a must-have for career advancement,” said Terry Erdle, senior vice president, skills certifications, CompTIA.

Other technology areas where survey respondents said they will seek new certifications over the next five years include green IT, healthcare IT, mobile and software-as-a-service.

Economic advancement and personal growth are key drivers for seeking IT certifications, the CompTIA study also reveals. Eighty-eight percent of certification holders indicated they pursue a certification to enhance their résumé. An identical 88 percent said personal growth is a major or minor reason in their decision to pursue a certification.

IT workers are willing to invest the time and resources necessary to advance their career by adding new certifications to their credentials. On average, candidates for an IT certification spend 44.5 hours studying and preparing to sit for an exam; and approximately one in three individuals spend 60 or more hours preparing. Fifty percent of IT certification holders pay for the exams themselves, while 38 percent rely on an employer to cover the exam fee.

“This confirms that many professionals are truly committed to the IT field and take pride in developing their skills and showcasing their expertise,” Erdle said.

The web-based survey was completed by 1,537 IT professionals during the period from July 13 through July 31, 2009. Survey participants were primarily from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

IT Training and Certification: Insights and Opportunities is available at no cost to CompTIA member companies. It can be accessed at CompTIA.org or contact research(at)comptia(dot)org.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.

Contact:
Steven Ostrowski
Director, Corporate Communications
CompTIA
630-678-8468
sostrowski(at)comptia(dot)org

NASBA offers Kaspersly AV Pre-installs for System Builders and VARs

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(TheForceField.Net ) October 27, 2009 – NASBA is now offering a free 60-day trial version of security software from Kaspersky Lab for resellers. The software is intended for system builders, VARs and integrators to pre-install on the systems they build and sell to their customers as a value-add for their products.

NASBA, one of the largest IT and CE reseller trade associations in North America,  announced  the offer in an e-mail to members October 22.

Free trial versions of security software suites is nothing new, of course. McAfee and Symantec have been offering trial versions of their anti-virus applications for years through large OEMs such as Dell and HP. 

What makes the Kaspersky offer different is that it is a 60-day free trial, which is double the usual 30-day trial period most other vendors offer. This is smart move on the part of Kaspersky as it is a more soft sell approach as it eases pressure on the customer to make an immediate purchase decision, giving the initial PC purchase and the product itself more value.

In addition to the free trial, special discounts are being offered on KIS products to NASBA members  through D&H distributing. Resellers who have accounts with D&H can contact their D&H rep for details.

Membership to NASBA is free for VARs, system builders and other IT resellers. For more information contact NASBA at http://www.nasba.com .

OnForce: OSMI for Q3 2009 Points to Cost Stabilization in IT and CE Service Work

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Work order pricing in the OnForce marketplace holds steady for a second quarter; total break-fix service events declines slightly, while installs see an uptick

BOSTON – October 21, 2009 – OnForce , the trusted online services marketplace that matches solution providers with quality, local service technicians across the U.S. and Canada, today released the OnForce Services Marketplace Index (OSMI) for the third quarter of 2009. Based on tens of thousands of service events this quarter across North America, the OSMI provides a comprehensive analysis of spending trends in information technology (IT) and consumer electronic (CE) services. Key findings show that average work order pricing across the OnForce marketplace remained stable for the second consecutive quarter. Additionally, OnForce saw spending in break-fix work decrease slightly and a small increase in new equipment installations.

“While many companies continue to manage their service-related budgets tightly, the OnForce
marketplace saw signs of growth and stabilization this quarter. As we get closer to 2010 we are seeing spending on technology services even out in our marketplace as the supply and demand scale balances,” said Peter Cannone, CEO of OnForce. “We are also seeing indicators in the services industry and economy as a whole, which suggest more companies are beginning to invest in new technology as opposed to solely maintaining current infrastructure.”

Overall, prices within the OnForce marketplace stabilized for the second quarter in a row after
experiencing a period of downward pressure. Install work grew this quarter by 4 percent, offsetting the number of break-fix service events, which declined from 63 percent in the second quarter to 61 percent in the third quarter. VoIP, network, and audio saw the highest installation rates.

Other key findings include:

· The top four categories this quarter in terms of work order volume include:

o PC Desktop: 30 percent (down from 32 percent in Q2.)
o TV/Video: 16 percent (down from 19 percent in Q2.)
o Network: 15 percent (up from 13 percent in Q2.)
o Printer: Nine percent (steady compared to Q2.)

· The “Other” category accounted for nearly seven percent of all work order volume in Q3, remaining at an elevated state as enterprises continue to use OnForce for non-traditional and emergency service work.

· Hourly rates for home theater onsite service were the most expensive within the Consumer Electronics category.

· Maine, New Hampshire, and Nevada were the least expensive states for onsite services in Q3, a shift from Q2 when Kentucky, West Virginia, and Maryland were the least expensive.

· Houston, Chicago, and New York saw the most onsite service volume in Q3 for the fourth quarter in a row.

“Businesses will continue to look for ways to control IT costs throughout the end of the year and into the next,” noted Cannone. “So while we will continue to see elevated break-fix activity for some time, we expect installs to gradually increase as companies strategically invest in new IT infrastructure that will yield better long-term ROI.”

The OSMI Q3 2009 report is available for download at http://www.onforce.com/OSMI/Q309 .

About OnForce
OnForce is service made simple. The company provides access to a trusted national network of more than 13,000 onsite service technicians connecting service demand with local supply through an online marketplace — easily, efficiently, and profitably. With more than one million completed service orders, OnForce is a proven leader in helping solution providers increase profits, gain a competitive advantage, and contain service costs. The OnForce community is made up of 5,000+ IT and CE solution providers and more than 13,000 service technicians who work in a number of technology categories, including computers, printers, networking, VoIP, point of sale, and consumer electronics. For more information, visit www.onforce.com .