P-Guides, Articles and Reviews

DoubleTake and XOsoft Comparison

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March 9, 2010 - A company’s data has always been important. But just having a backup of your data from Noon, 3PM, 6PM or even an hour ago isn’t enough anymore. Data needs to be available in real time because even small periods of downtime can bring productivity to a halt and lead to serious bottom-line consequences. Read more

Technology to Consider in 2010

Feb. 26, 2010 - The world of technology never stops evolving and with each year brings with it the latest trends. Here are ten technical trends that should be seriously considered by IT professionals at small to mid-sized firms in 2010. Read more

Parting the Clouds: A detailed look at the promises, challenges, and top uses of cloud computing for mid-market companies.

Of all the “next big things” to emerge in the last few years, cloud computing is quickly becoming one of the biggest. It offers tantalizing promises: cost savings, scalability, unlimited storage, and more. But while it might indeed be the next big thing, it might not be the best thing for every company. Read more

Windows 7: Should You Take the Plunge?

With Windows 7, Microsoft appears to be making a bold step in terms of functionality over the Vista and XP operating systems. While the software looks similar to Vista at first glance, it has a host of new features under the hood that can make life easier, safer, and more productive for its users. This P-guide takes a closer look at some of those features and offers some key points to consider before you take the plunge. Read more

CA ARCserve and Symantec Product Comparison

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Market leaders in backup and recovery recommend Symantec's Backup Exec and CA's ARCserve, as the leaders in high performance storage solutions. The differences of these two leading storage solutions are marked by the subsequent features; ease of install, ease of use, scalability, performance, cost, data security, supported systems, customer service and added value. Read more

Product Comparison: BigFix Patch Management and Shavlik Netchk Protect

This article contrasts BigFix and Shavlik's Patch Solutions across six key areas: product architecture, product requirements, scalability, ease of deployment/use, cost, and platform vs. point solution. We think these may be helpful while contemplating which patch management solution is the best fit for your environment. Read more

Patch Management: An In Depth Look

By any measure, patch management is a crucial task. Data security is more important than ever, and threats to your data are multiplying and growing more sophisticated all the time. On top of that, given the number of updates and patches that vendors release each month, the patch management process can quickly overwhelm the typical mid-market IT staff. What options do you have? This P-Guide examines some of the latest solutions. Read more

The Next Layer of Desktop Security Host-based Intrusion Prevention Systems

Mid-market IT staffs face a serious challenge in today's economy: how to keep Web-based security threats at bay and keep costs down at the same time. The reality is that it requires multiple layers of defensive tools to keep intruders out of your system-something that can be an expensive and time-consuming proposition. In the last few years, however, host-based intrusion-prevention systems (HIPS) have emerged as an increasingly viable option for companies looking for a cost-effective and reliable final layer of defense. How can you find the right system for your needs? This P-guide walks you through the process. Read more

CA, Symantec and McAfee Security Suite Comparison

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In today's ever-changing security landscape, small and mid-sized businesses are facing a dramatic increase in security threats. As an IT professional within this industry, you are responsible for determining the vital tools that will provide protection of business data and prevention of confidentiality breaches from these impending, diversified security threats. Because of this threat-laden environment, you must choose a viable solution that will minimize use of resources and increase productivity; which security solution should you turn to that will provide you with seamless multi-layered, vital data security? Read more

Integrated Endpoint Security

In the last few years, a number of new bundled solutions have come onto the scene. In fact, there are now so many to choose from that finding the right one can be a challenge in itself. With that in mind, here are some questions to ask to help you find the right solution for your unique needs. Read more

Is Hosted Backup and DR Right for You?

The value of your company's data has never been higher, and yet many businesses rely on long-used backup practices that are at best, inefficient and at worst, often ineffective. Thanks to a new generation of hosted solutions, however, solid and effective backup and DR practices are now within reach for mid-market companies. This P-Guide explores what you need to know to find a solution that works for you. Read more

Mid-market Software Licensing

In recent years, Software as a Service (SaaS) and open source solutions have been emerging as potential solutions to the challenges posed by software licensing. While both have undeniable benefits, users should examine the pros and cons of each before taking the plunge. At the same time, it also pays to take a look at innovative new offerings from incumbent vendors such as Microsoft Corp. Read more

Continuous Data Protection A Closer Look

A sound data protection strategy is more important than ever. Unfortunately, many of the typical solutions are not as effective as advertised. In the last few years, however, an innovative new type of backup approach-commonly referred to as Continuous Data Protection (CDP)-has been providing IT administrators with a range of flexible new data protection options. Read more

Best Practices for Threat Management Implementation

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Many companies now address the threats endangering their IT infrastructures with integrated and/or unified threat management solutions rather than a complex of disparate point products that make administration daunting and expensive. This expert eGuide takes a look at the challenges of implementing effective unified threat management (UTM) strategies and shows you how to select the best solution for your organization. Discover how to ease your company's UTM implementation burdens. Read more

How Green Are You?

We are in the era of global environmental awareness. Going green isn't just a slogan for a small community's recycling program. Going green stands for national and international efforts to save the earth from global pollution. The main question of a mid-size company is how to go green and not just to save the planet, but at the same time to save money. All companies contribute to the cleaner planet when they replace light bulbs with the energy efficient ones (LED light bulbs are the best, and they don't contain mercury, which is toxic), use a soy-based photocopying ink, recyclable cups, or carpets made of recycled materials. But what are the main issues that IT businesses experience and how to address them? Read more

Tips for Justifying Your IT Budget for 2009

During this general economic downturn more companies are cutting IT budgets. What should be done to minimize the damage? The best way to justify IT spending is to show how necessary it is to both the short-term maintenance and the long-term development of the company. The best place to start that procedure is with the development of a well thought out planning and budget process which indicates where, why and how money is being and should be spent, and how that spending improves the position of the company as a whole. Read more

Best Practices for Network Security in Emerging Businesses

Protecting your business's network and all the computers on that network can be quite a daunting task. Being the IT professional where you work means a lot of potentially sensitive information and computer files are in your hands. You hold the responsibility to protect all the information on your employer's networks. Between keeping the system safe from viruses, ad-ware, and spy-ware you also have to deal with potential hackers, employees who always seem to mess up their workstation, and physical security of the equipment itself. Read more

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