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What might be included in the next Microsoft Exchange Server?

For the Technology minded amongst you we have been looking at what might be included in Microsoft Exchange server 2016.

According to technology website InfoWorld ‘ We don’t know much about what will be in Exchange Server 2016 — Microsoft has provided very few details. It has said that the new features in the on-premises Exchange were “birthed” in Exchange Online, so Exchange Server 2016 will be a subset of the service.

NIgel_Mills_MBMMicrosoft did say back-end improvements to “Exchange architecture, high availability, and storage” are part of the Exchange Server 2016 mix. So too is enhanced document collaboration (perhaps involving SharePoint 2016 or OneDrive for Business) with a “new approach to document collaboration that makes it easy to send links and collaborate without versioning issues of attachments.”

Personally, I can’t get the hang of Microsoft’s current document collaboration approach when working in Office 365 or OWA, so I usually send the full attachment instead of a link to my OneDrive document.

Tony Redmond, an Exchange MVP, suspects the new document collaboration approach might still feel unnatural: “This is a laudable goal, but one that might run into the fact that it is terribly hard for users to break the habit of a lifetime and stop including full attachments with messages.” I’m one of those users, apparently.

Microsoft also promises search-related improvements in Exchange Server 2016, such as for e-discovery search performance and reliability. It appears they’ll be based on the improvements already made for search in Office 365 or the search improvements promised for Outlook 2016 based on the integration of the Fast search technology Microsoft acquired some years ago and already uses in Exchange and SharePoint.

Second guessing Microsoft can be interesting – feel free to add your thoughts.

Cloud

Wi-fi In-flight a threat warns report

Technology News – The Guardian warns of possible security breech with the introduction of in-flight internet

Hackers on commercial flights could now bring down the plane they are on by using the on board Wi-Fi, a US government watchdog has warned.

wifi Coffee CupThe US Government Accountability Office (GAO) does not suggest it would be easy to do but it points out that as airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration attempt to modernise planes and flight tracking with internet-based technology, attackers have a new vulnerability they could exploit.

The GAO says: “Modern aircraft are increasingly connected to the internet. This interconnectedness can potentially provide unauthorized remote access to aircraft avionics systems.”

The report highlights the fact that cockpit electronics are indirectly connected to the passenger cabin through shared IP networks. The connection between passenger-accessible systems and the avionics of the plane is heavily moderated by firewalls, but information security experts have pointed out that firewalls, like all software, can never be assumed to be totally infallible.

“Four cybersecurity experts with whom we spoke discussed firewall vulnerabilities, and all four said that because firewalls are software components, they could be hacked like any other software and circumvented,” explains the office.

“According to cybersecurity experts we interviewed, internet connectivity in the cabin should be considered a direct link between the aircraft and the outside world, which includes potential malicious actors,” the report adds.

The Federal Aviation Administration does not currently verify the cybersecurity of a new airliner before certifying it for scope, although it “currently issues rules with limited scope, called Special Conditions, to aircraft manufacturers when aircraft employ new technologies where IP interconnectivity could present cybersecurity risks”.
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The report praises the FAA for the steps it has taken to get its cybersecurity policies in order, but says that “opportunity exists for further action”, and particularly highlights as a cause for concern the fact that cybersecurity responsibility is split over multiple FAA offices.

A worst case scenario is that a terrorist with a laptop would sit among the passengers and take control of the airplane using its passenger Wi-Fi, said Rep. Peter DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee who requested the investigation.

“That’s a serious vulnerability, and FAA should work quickly” to fix the problem, DeFazio said.

slidethreeThe GAO released a separate report last March that determined the FAA’s system for guiding planes and other aircraft also was at “increased and unnecessary risk” of being hacked.

One area of weakness is the ability to prevent and detect unauthorised access to the vast network of computer and communications systems the FAA uses to process and track flights around the world, the report said. The FAA relies on more than 100 of these air traffic systems to direct planes.

In January 2015, the GAO praised the FAA for taking steps to protect air-traffic controllers, but warned that “significant security control weaknesses remain that threaten the [FAA’s] ability to ensure the safe and uninterrupted operation of the national airspace system”.

Cloud , Office , Online Backup

Who can be trusted with your data?

Think about a day without computers or tablets, whether for personal or business use – could you cope – how would you feel?
So what do you do when your computer system fails? Who are you trusting at the moment with all the information on your computer?
logo_RGB_squareYou could Google your options and find there are thousands of choices, including real companies or web-based organisations.
This is when it could get tricky as many web-only computer repair concerns have very impressive websites and offer rock-bottom prices. The problem is, you have no way of knowing where these companies are operating, who the people are behind the scenes and what kind of things they may be doing to your systems in the background but the premier concern is can you trust them with your company’s data?
Most remote software allows the third party access to do things you cannot see. Some may advertise you can watch everything the technician is doing unfortunately this is not always the case – would you give complete strangers your passwords or your wallet?? . Although there will be companies that are legitimate, they often use remote technicians operating out of their home locally and this could be situated anywhere typically in a third-world country call centre.
What precautions should you take?
• Research the business. Take advice from satisfied clients. Whilst there are some repairs that can be done remotely, making location not as important as ratings, complaints and reviews. Search out testimonials on their website. If they’re all written in a similar style, it’s possible they’re not as genuine as they make out.
• Contact the business. Call the business to test how responsive they are. If the business does not answer the first time, do they call back within a reasonable amount of time? Are the calls or emails handled professionally? Avoid doing business with companies that don’t respond in a timely fashion; it could be a sign of how queries are handled as well. Good customer service is endemic in an organisation.
• Check the website. Does the company’s website represent its business well? If the website is poorly organized maybe even on a self-build platform, it may be a sign to take your business elsewhere.
• There is the old adage about paying peanuts don’t always go for the cheapest price. When it comes to computers, you want the job done correctly the first time. Businesses with more experience and expertise may charge more for their services, but it should ensure that you get quality service. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. NIgel_Mills_MBMCompanies that seem to offer the lowest price might not be the best deal for you.
Just one parting thought your computers and your systems in effect ARE your business. Look after them and you will never have to worry about not being able to access your data. Paying cheaply can lead to paying twice. Never has there been a better example of getting what you pay for.

Cloud , Office , Tip

Put your IT in the cloud – not your head!

There are great advantages to cloud computing services and no wonder it is becoming an easy choice for businesses: the minimal upfront costs, pay-as-you-go cost structure, flexible access to software and data, and the fact that the expensive and awkward parts of the IT setup are someone else’s burden!
Cloud services can make applications that were once the preserve of only the largest organisations, like CRM, sales management, contact centre software, call recording – available to any company, from a two-person business to a £20 million turnover organisation.
officeOne of the biggest benefits of Microsoft Office 365 is that it gives you virtually anywhere access to the Microsoft Office tools you know and rely on – your complete office in the cloud.
Some businesses are concerned about exactly how to choose the right cloud applications, how to get the best use from them, and if their data will be secure when it’s up there. To help dispel these doubts, here are the key questions you should ask a cloud service provider before committing.
logo_RGB_squareSo do you know what the cloud is? Simply put, cloud computing is computing on the internet. Rather than installing programs on a computer, for example, people can run applications directly from a website. This principle also applies to storage of data; rather than keeping folders full of important work on your own PC, it can be stored remotely online this gives you data you can access from any computer regardless of where you are
And the reason why you should be using it ?Cloud computing and storage has a huge number of benefits for small businesses – as well as being more efficient, it also gives you a little protection if the worst happens and you lose access to the files on your computer – no real need for an IT disaster recovery plan !
Cloud computing allows you to store as much or as little data as you need to, usually charging on a pay-as-you-go basis. SOSThis means that you don’t need to upgrade your own hardware, and allows you to keep saving and working without worrying about limitations. The vast number of servers involved in a cloud system also means that bandwidth requirements can be increased on demand, so you don’t have to wait around to gain more space.
Would you like to discuss Cloud Computing for your Business? Give MBM a call.

Cloud , Tip

Are you letting Business Walk out of your Door?

How often now do you check if a venue has in-house wi-fi ? From fast food outlets, Pubs, takeaways, shops and even church halls have their own in house platforms for you to login to.

Offering Wi-fi to customers of your business is highly beneficial more so in a retail or leisure/entertainment environment. Businesses can also offer guest wireless access from a private office which is ideal for contractors, visitors or associates working on-site.

wifi Coffee CupIt’s important that your business WiFi is kept separate from guest and visitor WiFi and encrypted to ensure they don’t access your wireless traffic.

Offering Free WiFi will encourage users to take your offering in exchange for their contact details.

MBM can offer you a package solution and are happy to help you implement a solution which will be a perfect fit all around.

Talk to MBM today and join thousands of businesses benefiting from this provision.

Cloud , Office , Online Backup

Why you should choose Office 365

If you’re looking to upgrade, you have to decide whether the traditional desktop version of Office is the way to go, or if Office 365 is a better fit for your needs.

officeThere are a few compelling arguments in favour of Office 365. Let’s take a look at three reasons Office 365 might be the right choice:

1. Cost

Office 365 plans start on per month basis. Small businesses can get access to Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync in addition to the core Office productivity applications for only a little more per month. Larger businesses that want to take advantage of Active Directory integration can do so again for a small additional cost per user per month.

Breaking those down, it takes more than three years to reach the levels of a traditional off the shelf desktop version.

2. Updates and Maintenance

What else do you get with your Office 365 subscription? An IT department. Sure, you can set up your own Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, and Lync infrastructure. You can manage and maintain the desktop Microsoft Office software, and install the patches and updates every month yourself. How much will that cost?

Consider that implementing the same capabilities in-house requires servers, and network infrastructure, and IT personnel to install, manage, update, and maintain it all. Plus, you still have to buy and maintain the Office software itself.

With Office 365, Microsoft takes care of all the dirty work so you don’t have to. Updates, patches, and upgrades just happen in the background without you needing to worry about it. When the server crashes, its Microsoft’s problem. When a hard drive needs to be replaced, Microsoft will handle it. You get the benefits of using Office without any of the headaches of updating and maintaining it all.

NIgel_Mills_MBM3. Accessibility

Office 365 lives in the cloud. That means you have access to Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft Office tools from anywhere you can get a Web connection, and from virtually any device–Windows or Mac desktops and laptops, Android devices, iPhones, iPads, and other smartphones and tablets. Office Web Apps provide basic features and functions for free.

This isn’t quite the selling point it once was for a couple reasons. First, even with the desktop Office 2013 suite Microsoft is pushing users to save files to the cloud-based SkyDrive, or to a SharePoint server by default. So, there’s no reason the data can’t be accessible regardless of whether you choose Office 2013 or Office 365.

The second reason it may not be all that compelling is that Office Web Apps are already available for free from the SkyDrive site. So, even without Office 365 users can create, view, and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote files from the Web.

For businesses, though, SharePoint, Active Directory, and other elements of Office 365 that go beyond simply creating and editing Office documents still make Office 365 a better value.

Your mileage will vary of course. There are a number of factors involved in calculating the cost of purchasing, installing, configuring, updating, and maintaining Microsoft Office and the accompanying back-end services versus the ongoing subscription costs associated with Office 365. Office 365 is a solid service providing tremendous bang for the buck, though, so it won’t be easy to beat the value it brings to the table.

Need help with Office 365? Choose MBM.

Cloud , Office , Tip

Do you know what a gateway is ?

A gateway is a node that allows you to gain entrance into a network and vice versa. On the Internet the node which is the stopping point can be a gateway or a host node. A computer that controls the traffic your network or your ISP (Internet Service Provider) receives is a node. In most homes a gateway is the device provided by the Internet Service Provider that connects users to the internet.

disksWhen a computer server serves as a Gateway node, the gateway node also operates as a firewall and a proxy server. A firewall is a system created to prevent unauthorized admission into a private network. A proxy server is located right between a client application such as a web browser and the real server. The proxy server sees if the client applications requests can be carried out by the real server.

Usually a gateway is associated with a router. A router is a device or sometimes computer software that lets you know the next network data should be sent to next. A router can be connected to two or more networks at a time, it decides the next destination of the data based on it’s comprehension of the condition of the networks. A gateway is associated with a router because a router which uses headers and forwarding tables to figure out where packets or data is sent provides the path through which information is sent in and out a gateway.

So a gateway is one of the many ways we can communicate over the World Wide Web. The gateway allows us to enter different networks on the internet so we can transmit data back and forth. There’s also software available where you can be able to run several networks on a computer. As you have come to see by now having a gateway on your computer has it’s many benefits.

You can get a little smarter by installing different gateways within your business – speak to MBM on how we can help you with this.

Cloud , Office , Tip

Are you aware what the withdrawal of XP really means ?

You are probably aware by now that very soon (just over a fortnight) Microsoft will withdraw support of their XP product. However what does that really mean for you and your business ? Well lets spell things out

officeIt means that there will be no security updates or patches brought out for windows XP not only that but there will also be no support provided either – yes this is a big deal. This will mean any machine or business that still runs on XP by the time that support is terminated will have their security greatly compromised, it will also most likely be a breach of security standards.

There will also be no third party application support for windows XP, meaning that it is more likely that third party applications will not run on windows XP.

There is a solution and we can help you get there but you really cant afford to leave it any longer – make no bones about it not acting could cost you your business. A cloud solution is just a phonecall away – call the goto guys for more info on Microsoft 365.

Cloud , Data Backup , Office

Why your business shouldnt wait any longer for 365 migration

Still companies are waiting before migrating to Office 365 – We can only deduce that they are crossing their fingers that their systems will cope following the withdrawal of support for Windows XP next month. At MBM we can offer you a managed cloud solution on Windows 365 and will support you through the migration process.

As well as being a replacement for XP there are several benefits for your business in upgrading.

office

Top Benefits of Microsoft Office 365 for Small Businesses

  • Saves time and money.
  • Anytime, Anywhere Access.
  • Professional Face for Your Business.
  • Easily Communicate and Collaborate Inside and Outside Your Organization.
  • Simple to Learn, Straightforward to Use.
  • Email, Collaboration, and Online Meeting Solutions.
  • Safety and Security.
  • 99.9-Percent Availability, Money-Back Guarantee
  • Flexibility for Your Business.

Need help ? Call for a no obligation chat – our friendly team are always happy to talk you through your future IT  plans

 

Cloud , Office , Online Backup

Still using XP – Time is running out

You will have heard much about the demise of Windows XP As we never tire of telling you Microsoft are withdrawing support for XP on 8th April and you need to act NOW to protect your data. To put it in frank terms if you do not act and are still using either of these Microsoft products, read on, and pay careful attention! – Official line from Microsoft is:

disksAfter April 8, 2014, there will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates.

Running Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 in your environment after their end of support date may expose your company to potential risks, such as:

Security & Compliance Risks: Unsupported and unpatched environments are vulnerable to security risks. This may result in an officially recognized control failure by an internal or external audit body, leading to suspension of certifications, and/or public notification of the organization’s inability to maintain its systems and customer information.
Lack of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) & Hardware Manufacturers support: A recent industry report from Gartner Research suggests “many independent software vendors (ISVs) are unlikely to support new versions of applications on Windows XP in 2011; in 2012, it will become common.” And it may stifle access to hardware innovation: Gartner Research further notes that in 2012, most PC hardware manufacturers will stop supporting Windows XP on the majority of their new PC models.

Get current with Windows and Office. This option has upside well beyond keeping you supported. It offers more flexibility to empower employees to be more productive, while increasing operational efficiency through improved PC security and management. It also enables your organization to take advantage of latest technology trends such as virtualization and the cloud.

officeCertain stand alone systems that never access the internet may still be fine If you’re unsure about how an upgrade to Office would affect your company, contact us here at Micro Business Machines. We can help you to assess which option is right for your business, and guide you through the upgrade.

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