• How to prepare clients and manage their expectations for a migration
• What can go wrong and what to expect
• Tools that will help you prepare for the migration
• How to install Small Business Server 2011
• The migration process
• Using the Call Stack Window
• How to remove Small Business Server 2003

While I agree with all of the topics and considerations, upgrading technology, particularly from one version of a product to a newer version, should not be this difficult.  And, in reality, migrating to new solutions need not be this difficult for most businesses.

For most small businesses, moving from Small Business Server to Google Apps for Business will be easier than upgrading Small Business Server in-house. Here is why:

1. No need to add, replace, or upgrade hardware
2. No need to upgrade Client Access Licenses (CALs) on every computer
3. Dual delivery ensures zero data loss and little or no downtime
4. Data migrates directly from server to cloud without complex data preparation procedures
5. No need to also upgrade your email spam/virus protection — Postini is part of Google Apps
6. No need to upgrade your email server backup solution — Message Archive & Discovery and/or enhanced backup services can be added instantly to your Google Apps domain
7. No need to upgrade your mobile connections — Android, Blackberry, and iPhones integrate directly with Google Apps
8. Easier remote access — your data is in the cloud, so you may no longer need your VPN, Citrix, or remote desktop service

While Google Apps for Business may not be the solution for every small business, it is a solution worthy of serious consideration.

Cumulus Global offers bundles that integrate Google Apps with value-add services to provide small businesses with a more complete and custom solution.  Click the links to learn more about Google Apps and the CumuluSuite for SoHo bundles.

“Beyond looking at hardware and software savings, Allen will present tangible ROI that companies gain from resulting improvements in teamwork, innovation, mobility, acquisitions, and eco stewardship,” noted Bill Kenney, Director of Events for the Hartford Business Journal.  “Adding this Executive Luncheon keynote to the e-Marketing and Technology Summit provides business owners with an unique opportunity to learn and to make better decisions.”

Allen will be joined by members of Google’s Enterprise Team, live from Google headquarters, to demonstrate some of the business-enabling features in Google Apps and to answer audience questions.

“I am honored to have this opportunity,” added Falcon.  “I look forward to sharing the research, discussing real customer experiences, and demonstrating value in a way that will help the audience better understand the opportunities that cloud computing, and Google Apps in particular, can provide to their businesses.”

The Executive Luncheon is sponsored by Cumulus Global and Google Apps for Business.  Registrants for the e-Marketing & Technology Summit may add the Executive Luncheon to their program at no additional cost.

Executives may also register for the lunch separately on the Hartford Business Journal’s website here. (https://hartfordbusiness.esecuretransactions.com/event_register.php?cf_form_name=event_cloudgoogle)

About Google Apps
Google Apps brings simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools to organizations of any size – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.  With Gmail (including Google email security, powered by Postini), Google Calendar, and integrated Instant Messaging, users can stay connected and work together with ease. And, using Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and website creation tools, they can share files and collaborate in real-time, keeping versions organized and available wherever and whenever users work.

About Cumulus

GlobalCumulus Global (http://www.cumulusglobal.com), formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1,000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

Why?  I am a “moderate power user” of MS Office.  I rely on preset and custom styles to make formatting documents easier.  And until now, styles have been lacking in Google Docs. This is not a huge problem, I just never liked the size, font, and spacing selection of the standard Heading styles in Google Docs.

Fortunately, change is here.

In Google Docs, you can now change the default styles to meet your preferences.  To do so is simple.  First, set up the text they way you want it to look — font, size, attributes, line spacing, alignment, et cetera.  Next, pull down the style menu, click on the arrow next to the style you want to define, and select “Update to Match Selection.”  Voila!  You have a style.

There are a few limitations.  Most notably, your styles are saved for the document only and not as a default template.   You can, however, create a document as a style sheet, make it ‘read only’ and make a copy when you need a blank document with your style preferences.

As responsiveness to customer feedback and constant innovation lead to new features and capabilities in Google Apps, the case for Google Apps grows stronger.  Click here to learn more about the benefits.

Cumulus Global is now a Premier SMB Reseller for the Google Apps™ suite of communication and collaboration tools.  This new designation from Google enables customers to more easily assess a reseller’s expertise advising on, deploying, and supporting Google products.  Google moved Cumulus Global from an Authorized to a Premier Reseller based on the company’s expertise and success in helping small and mid-size customers deploy and use Google Apps.

“We are honored by Google’s recognition of our successful partnership”, stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “We look forward to continuing to serve the needs of small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, schools, and governments.”

Beyond reselling Google Apps for Business, Education, and Government, Cumulus Global offers a range of packaged and custom deployment, migration, education, and support services.  Focusing on organizations with 1 to 1,000 users, Cumulus Global partners with customers to define and create solutions with respect to their unique technology, support, change management, and budgetary needs.  Cumulus Global packages and integrates Google Apps with internal systems and third party applications to provide complete solutions that meet its customers’ business needs and budgets.

”Participation in the Google Apps Reseller Program is a centerpiece of our evolution as a cloud solutions provider,” added Falcon.  “As a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller, organizations interested in moving to the cloud will be better able to differentiate the skills and experience we will bring to the engagement.”

About the Google Apps Reseller Program
The Google Apps Reseller program includes companies globally that sell, service and customize Google Apps for Business for their customers. As a member of the Google Apps Reseller Program, Cumulus Global leverages training, support, and tools from Google to best serve the needs of its customers. Companies can learn more about Premier Reseller eligibility criteria and benefits by visiting the Google Reseller Program website at http://www.google.com/enterprise/resellers.

About Google Apps
Google Apps brings simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools to organizations of any size – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.  With Gmail (including Google email security, powered by Postini), Google Calendar, and integrated Instant Messaging, users can stay connected and work together with ease. And, using Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and website creation tools, they can share files and collaborate in real-time, keeping versions organized and available wherever and whenever users work.

About Cumulus Global
Cumulus Global (http://www.cumulusglobal.com), formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Authorized Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1,000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

While the transition starts in February, there are some caveats to the consolidation. As such, some organizations will want to maintain their stand-alone GMS service.

Currently, the newly integrated service provides for white list, black list, content filters, message filters, and spam sensitivity settings. The integrated service, however, does not have some of the features on which many of our customer rely. If you want/need any of the following, it is necessary to continue running stand-alone GMS for now.

• Daily Quarantine Messages
• Addition of Message Archive & Discovery and Message Encryption
• Policy-Based TLS Encryption
• Delivery Manager
• Log Search
• Reporting

The latter three are more of an issue for the IT folks, and TLS Encryption is transparent to the user.

The biggest user impact is the replacement of the daily quarantine message with the “Spam” label in Gmail.  Some users like the digest structure and the ability to deliver from within the message.  In using the Spam label, users can mark messages as “Not Spam” or can manage them from within the folder.

Also, until we are able to connect the Message Archive & Discovery and Message Encryption services directly to Google Apps, the stand-alone GMS environment will be needed.

If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.

Boston, MA – February 1, 2012 – Cumulus Global announced a new program of discounts for businesses that use an American Express card to pay for cloud computing services, including Google Apps for Business.  Businesses that pay with their American Express card will save up to 10% on setup and annual fees, including premium support services.  While the web page for the program (www.cumulusglobal.com/amex) targets businesses in the small office/home office, or SoHo, market, the program is open to businesses of all sizes.

“While Cumulus Global is not part of or in any way affiliated with the American Express OPEN® Savings Program, we are offering comparable discounts to businesses that pay by American Express”, stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “Many small and mid-size businesses prefer to earn Membership Rewards® points or use other card features, such as Pay Over Time, on large purchases.”

Businesses with up to 50 employees can select from Cumulus Global’s range of CumuluSuite for SoHo solutions.  CumuluSuite for SoHo packages bundle Google Apps for Business with premium support services and a selection of value-add features, such as address book sharing, backup/recovery, and options for email compliance archiving and encryption.  CumuluSuite for SoHo gives smaller businesses comprehensive and affordable solutions for email, file services, communications, and collaboration.  Companies with more than 50 employees can contact Cumulus Global for other CumuluSuite options, custom solutions, and program savings ranging from 5% to 10%.

“With CumuluSuite for SoHo, we offer comprehensive solutions in a simple and affordable way”, noted Falcon.  “Larger companies often need more customized solutions.  We deliver those solutions and will extend discounts to larger companies that pay for some or all of their services with their American Express cards.”

The discount program for businesses paying by American Express is scheduled to end on March 31, 2012.  Falcon noted that, if successful, the program could be extended.  Program details are available at http://www.cumulusglobal.com/amex.

About Cumulus Global
Cumulus Global, formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Authorized Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

Disclaimer
American Express is not a party or partner in this Cumulus Global Discount offer, nor has it been reviewed, endorsed or approved by American Express. No endorsement shall be implied, directly or indirectly, by the use of the American Express business card as the payment source for the Cumulus Global Discount offer.

Fortunately, a feature in the Chrome browser designed to carry settings across multiple computers and devices offers a solution, particularly for those running Google Apps — Use Profiles.

Chrome lets you establish multiple user profiles, each with its own settings for home page, cache, and cookies.  By setting up a user profile for each Google and Google Apps account, you can multiple instances of Chrome.  Each instance of Chrome can be logged in and connected to a different Google account, providing you access to multiple accounts without having to use the Switch Accounts feature in Google Apps.

On the Options screen, select Personal Stuff.  From there you can add accounts and select each account’s default setting.   Once you connect Chrome with the first account, you will see an icon in the tab bar.  As you add user accounts, you can click on the icon and select a user profile, which will open in a new browser instance.

Switching between browser instances switches user accounts.

Motivation:

While the initial motivation is often to improve access to and sharing of information on projects, or in general, the planning process often reveals a greater value proposition. These secondary benefits derive from giving users direct access to data, and include, but are not limited to:

• Reduced need for SSL VPN services and/or remote access, desktop, or virtual desktop solutions, resulting in lower hardware, software, networking, and support costs.
• Reduced need for site-to-site links, enabling organizations to replace expensive point-to-point WAN links and MPLS networks with much less costly direct Internet access links.
• Improved access to information from tablets and smart phones.
• Reduced backup/restore costs, as physical infrastructure and in-house administration is replaced by cloud-to-cloud data protection services.

In short, cloud file services provide better user access to information, a simpler IT infrastructure, and lower costs.

Ecosystem

Many services exist to provide cloud-based file services and organizations are best off if they  review their needs before making a selection.  Beyond methods of accessing the service, be sure to review your permissions/security requirements with the features and function of the service.

Building a file service also means having the necessary components to ensure a robust ecosystem.

• Affordable storage purchased as used or in flexible blocks
• Drive letter access (DLA) or Network Place access from Windows desktops
• Drive type access from Mac desktops, if needed
• Access from mobile devices, including smart phones and tablets
• Ability to integrate user identity with your LDAP, Active Directory, or SSO service
• Availability of cloud-to-cloud backup/restore services
• Encryption of data at rest and in transit
• Ability to set permissions in accordance with your business needs, policies, and procedures

Execution

Moving to a cloud file service starts with understanding your requirements and the impact of the change on your computing environment and your end users.  Which aspects of the ecosystem do you need/want?  How will the change effect the user experience?  How will a new file service fit in with your other cloud solutions?  With an understanding of requirements, you can better match your needs to the available solutions and map out a migration that minimizes risk and enhances the benefits of the move.

Rest easy.  Here are the answers.

Not Much is Changing

The consolidated privacy policy is not changing how Google collects or uses information with individual services or across services.  The policy is providing a simpler, easier to understand document that is consistent across all services.  Google has also removed components of its existing privacy policies that are redundant with content in the Terms of Service policy for each service, which are also being updated and consolidated into a single, consistent policy.

Note that the Privacy Policy address how Google collects and uses information about individual users, but that the Terms of Service dictate how Google treats content you place or store using Google services.  To understand how your information is protected, you must review both documents.

Public and Free Services versus Business / Education / Government Services

The new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy provide a baseline for all services.  The Terms of Service clearly states that

“Also, in some of our Services, there are terms or settings that narrow the scope of our use of the content submitted in those Services.”

Google Apps for Business, for Education, and for Government all have these additional terms and settings.

Confidentiality in Google Apps for Business / Education / Government

The Terms of Service for Google Apps for Business, for Education, and for Government each define Confidential Information as follows:

“Confidential Information means information disclosed by a party to the other party under this Agreement that is marked as confidential or would normally be considered confidential under the circumstances. Customer Data is Customer’s Confidential Information.

Very simply, the agreement defines all user/customer content in these services as confidential.

The Terms of Service prevent Google from accessing or disclosing customer information without permission and guarantee a standard of care related the security, availability, and privacy of customer information.

Exceptions

There are exceptions when Google may disclose or publicly display Google Apps for Business / Education / Government customers.

1. A User Marks Content as Public:  If a user marks content as “public” or as “publish on the web”, the user is giving permission to Google and instructing Google to index the content in Google search engine and to make the content available to everyone publicly.   Google Apps administrators can limit user permissions to prevent them from marking content as public.
2. Required Disclosure:  Per the Terms of Service, Google may “… disclose the other party’s Confidential Information when required by law but only after it, if legally permissible: (a) uses commercially reasonable efforts to notify the other party; and (b) gives the other party the chance to challenge the disclosure.”

Summary

While Google’s consolidation of privacy policies makes for great, sensational headlines, the reality is that their is no material change in how Google addresses information privacy.  For Google Apps for Business, for Education, and for Government customers, there is no change what so ever.