Cumulus Global in the News

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Death Of Net Neutrality Will Hurt Cloud Adoption
CRN, May 2, 2014
Our View:  Businesses relying on cloud computing need to trust that the services they use have a level playing field for Internet access and performance.

Google Apps Resellers: Referral Program Actually Helps Our Business in the Long Run
CRN, April 21, 2014
Our View: The program raises market awareness and an understanding of the value of the services we offer.

Cumulus Global Receives Pacesetter Award from the Boston Business Journal as the 5th Fastest Growing Private Company in Massachusetts
Providence Journal, April 17, 2014
Our View: We appreciate the recognition of our team and our clients, who recognize that value we delivery through our products and services.

New Google 3-D Tango Smartphone Could Change Business Computing
CRN, April 16, 2014
Our View: 3-D imaging will expand the role of smart phones and mobile devices in education, medicine, law enforcement, logistics, and other business segments.

 

Alternatives to MS Office

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With more businesses moving to the cloud, and Google Apps in particular, one of the questions that comes up is whether organizations still need MS Office.  The fact that MS Office use is drastically lower than peceived within most companies is a subject for another post.

For many organizations, they still need a solution for existing (legacy) documents as well as documents shared with them by others still using MS Office.  The good news is that you have a number of strong competitors that are free, or very low cost, and that run across multiple platforms.  Here a few.

Kingsoft Office

Cost:  Free; Premium Edition for Windows is $69.95
Platforms:  Windows, Android, iOS, Linux

Kingsoft Office is a free MS Office compatible suite available on Windows, Android (including Samsung devices and International), iOS (iPad and iPhone), and Linux.  The suite integrates with Google Drive, as well as Box and Dropbox.

Office Suite from Mobile Systems Inc.

Cost: Android: Free or $9.99 for Premium; iOS: $1.99 (promotion; normally $14.99)
Platforms: Android, iOS

Work with and print Office format documents, as well as PDF and ZIP files.  A file manager works with local files and attachments on smartphones and tablets and can also access Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, OneDrive and SugarSync, plus sharing via email, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct.

QuickOffice form Google

Cost: Free with Google Apps account
Platforms: Android, iOS

Edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files read PDFs.  Works only with Google Drive and supports printing to Wi-Fi printers.

DocstoGo from DataViz

Cost: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS

Supports MS Office 97, 2010, and 2013 formats.  An in-app purchase is required to use Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

Polaris Office 5

Cost: Free
Platforms: Android, iOS

Allows workgroups to use email or social contacts to collaborate on documents.  Works with Google Drive, Box, Dropbox and other WebDAV sites. The iOS version supports OneDrive as well.

CloudOn

Cost: Free; Pro version for $3.99 per month includes printing
Platforms: Android, iOS

Rather than building apps to execute on the local device, the CloudOn connects to a free service that executes Office apps in the cloud, and opens and edits files there. Only screen updates and gestures go back and forth. CloudOn saves to a Google Drive, Box, Dropbox or OneDrive account.

New Google Sheets are Here

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Google Sheets
Over the next few weeks, Google is rolling out the new version of Sheets to all users. Sheets include a many new features beyond offline access, speed, and no more limits on formula complexity and sheet size.

Spell check is not yet part of the new Sheets, but is coming soon.

You can click here to learn more about the new Google Sheets, and you can see Google’s announcement here.

For those that want to help users get the most from Google Docs, contact us about self-paced, integrated Google Apps training and other professional development options.

 

Google Apps and Student Privacy

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student-privacyAs you have probably heard,  there is a Federal lawsuit against Google in California that accuses Google of mining student data for commercial purposes. We have received a few questions and should expect we will have more.

Here is what we know so far.

  • Google Apps for Education remains certified as FERPA compliant. Federal regulators have not seen any issue to warrant reconsideration, revocation, or further investigation at this time.
  • Yes, Google scans all email before it reaches its inbox.  The scanning addresses several issues, including spam and virus protection, archiving, spell checking, and priority inbox, as well as automated identification of keywords.
  • Auto identification of keywords is for ad display.  Unless explicitly turned on by a school district, ads are not displayed and this functionality is disabled.  We have never turned on this service for a school, and to the best of our knowledge, no school has turned on ads themselves.
  • No humans read emails or other Google contents.  The scanning is automated, by computer algorithm.
  • Google does not sell the information it gathers — that is not how Ads work. When an advertiser selects keywords, Google’s system matches keywords from ads with keywords from users.  Advertisers do not know the identity of those who see ads.
  • The lawsuit alleges that Google could use a “profile” learned from email scanning to advertise and market to students using other Google services. Emphasis is on “could”.  While Google could do this, they do not, as to do so would invalidate Google’s FERPA compliance and would destroy the trust of thousands of schools and districts.   Also note that SaaS providers offering SIS and LMS services also have information that could be sold or used for marketing.   Like Google, these providers hold the information as confidential.
  • The judge in the case denied the request for class action status. This indicates that there is likely insufficient cause to expect a broad application of fault or liability. While we are not lawyers, appears to be an early indication regarding the merits of the case.

We will continue to monitor the case for developments and publish relevant information as it becomes available.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Cumulus Global Receives Pacesetter Award from the Boston Business Journal as the 5th Fastest Growing Private Company in Massachusetts

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At the annual BBJ Pacesetter breakfast today, the Boston Business Journal recognized Cumulus Global as the 5th fastest growing private company in Massachusetts.  The Pacesetter Awards recognize businesses with exceptional cumulative revenue growth over a four-year period, highlighting businesses and entrepreneurs that create the dynamic and innovative economy in Massachusetts.

In accepting the award, Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global, discussed the critical role the company’s network of partners, vendors, and advisors has been to its success and growth.  Falcon thanked the entire Cumulus Global team for their efforts, referring to a team, “whose evangelical zeal for all things cloud computing is always tempered with just enough pragmatism to deliver successful solutions to our customers.”  Falcon also praised Cumulus Global’s customers, stating “We are fortunate to have customers that want to learn, innovate, and grow, and that focus on the business value of our solutions.”

Based in Westborough, Massachusetts, Cumulus Global serves small and mid-size businesses, schools, and local governments in Massachusetts, throughout New England, and across North America. The company has offices in New York and is looking forward to continued growth and expansion.

“While the technologies and solutions we deliver are cutting edge,” noted Falcon, “in many ways we are a traditional value-add partner for our customers.  We access business objectives, needs, and priorities; we select technologies and services to create pragmatic and effective solutions; and we follow through with deployment, education, training, and support.”

Cumulus Global’s recognition as a 2014 Pacesetter follows other recent industry accolades, including being named to CIO Review’s list of the 20 Most Promising Education Tech Providers and to CRN’s Next-Gen 250 list of cutting edge solution providers for the second consecutive year.

 

A New Approach to Protection

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Security Key
One of the challenges in today’s world is that malware can come from anywhere.  Traditionally, viruses and other malware travelled by disk or thumb drive.  As our desktop protections improved, malware appeared in infected files attached to emails, or spam.  Today, malware is more likely to come from a web site you visit — even legitimate sites have been hacked — than anywhere else.

Additionally, malware targets every platform.  Once thought immune to viruses, MACs face some of the same risks as PCs.  Our smartphones and tablets, running iOS and Android, are also under attack with malware built specifically for those platforms and the information they often hold and access.

The problem with protecting all devices, is that we have historically needed a solution for each platform.  For those with laptops, smartphones, and/or tablets, as many as three solutions may be needed — each with purchase and subscription costs as well as administrative time and costs.  Additionally, historical malware protection focuses on infected files and malicious code on each device … even though the web is the greatest source of danger.

Looking forward, we need a better way!

Instead of working to protect devices and data, let’s focus on protecting the users.  Let’s offer protection through a single system across all devices.  Let’s offer protection that not only looks for traditional viruses and malware, but prevents malicious code and activities from hacked web sites.  Let’s deploy a solution that works with they way our users work — on smartphones and tablets, as well as PCs and MACs.  And, let’s do this without breaking the bank.

Does such a solution exist?

YES!  And, we are launching it soon.  Fill in the form, below, for pre-launch information and pricing.

A Post XP World? Think Before You Spend!

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Today is the day that Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows XP (unless you are a country or a multinational bank with ATM machines).

There is a lot of fear, uncertainty, and doubt about what businesses should do next, much of it originating with Microsoft.

First, you Windows XP systems will keep working.  As time moves forward, hackers will continue to find exploits in Windows XP, which Microsoft will no longer fix.  If you system is on-line, unprotected, your risk for malware and data breaches will increase over time. Realistically, with 12 years of market exposure, the “easy flaws” have been found.  Most recent security breaches is Windows XP are pretty esoteric or relate to current versions of Internet Explorer and activity in the browser.  So, no need to panic.

No need to panic.  Take time to choose how you move forward.

Option 1:  Upgrade Windows

Microsoft wants you to upgrade, to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 (stay away from Windows 8, please!).  To do so, you will likely need to replace some, if not most, of your PCs and laptops.  You will also need to upgrade your endpoint protection and most of your applications.

Option 2:  Go Virtual

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) services, sometimes referred to as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), provides a full Microsoft operating environment accessible via a small piece of software on your local machine, or via any HTML5 capable browser.  Once in your virtual desktop, you have the current OS and Office suite, along with other applications your business needs and uses.  Maintenance and upgrades are managed for you, and you can securely access your desktops from nearly any internet-connected device.  Once you decide to go virtual, you have options that let you manage the cost of change over time.

2a) Keep your XP for now.  You can keep your existing XP machines (for now), reconfiguring them as “thin clients”.  With the systems locked down to only run the VDI client or a browser, and a solid malware prevention / endpoint protection service in place, you can stretch the life of your current XP systems.  Since users do their work in the remote, Virtual Desktop, the XP platform is shielded from user interaction and malware.

2b) Go Linux.  Linux is now a business-grade operating system and serves well as the operating system for “thin clients”.  Since Linux requires much fewer system resources to run effectively, Linux gives new life to older PCs and Laptops.  As with an XP thin client, you are only using the OS and browser to access the Virtual Desktop.

2c) Go Chrome. Chromebooks cost 1/2 to 2/3 less than a typical laptop, and cost 1/6 as much to administer and manage over time.  With HTML5 receivers installed, Chromebooks can access nearly any VDI environment, including those using Citrix, VMware, and Ericom systems.  Additionally, you get direct access, with built-in malware protection to any web-based application, including Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education.  With a single Google Apps account, you have the option for full mobile device management, to further secure and control your environment.

While upgrading with Microsoft often seems like the best solution, it is fraught with upfront and ongoing costs and challenges.  Going virtual, while seemingly a more complex choice, lets you keep your current environment and replace your aging hardware over time, as you can afford to do so, with less expensive alternatives.

If you are interested in exploring your options further, please contact us for more information.

Moving from SBS? 6 Questions to Ask

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Back in 2012, Microsoft announced the end of life for the Small Business Server (SBS) product line (see SBS End of Life: Microsoft Punishes Small Businesses).  As with any retiring technologies, some organizations will wait to move until there is a current need.  If something works, why fix it?

With Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 reach end of life as well, many are taking a new look at whether now is the time to move.

Here are 6 questions to ask before you make the move.

1) Does cloud-based email work for your business?

While many focus on why you should NOT move to cloud-based email, services like Google Apps for Business provide the security and privacy controls — and support encryption and other services — needed to meet pretty much any data protection requirement.

Focus on the value cloud-based email can provide to your business.

  • Secure access to email, from any device, at any time
  • Built in spam/virus protection
  • No monthly updates
  • No local queue errors
  • No VPN or additional web server needed
  • Affordable options for archiving, encryption, and backup/restore

2) What is the total cost of ownership?

When upgrading from SBS, organizations will need to purchase new 64-bit server hardware with additional disk space, new versions of Windows Server, new Windows CALs, Exchange Server Licenses, new Exchange CALs.  They will also need to purchase or upgrade their spam/virus protection solution and backup/recovery system.

Beyond the purchase, Microsoft still requires administrators to update software monthly — often multiple times each month — in order to maintain security patches and updates.

Moving to the cloud, organizations skip the large capital expenditure.  Cloud-based email solutions are operating expenses.  Costs are tied to the number of users, not to the amount of capacity you may use in the future.

When moving organizations to Google Apps for Business, we see customers saving 30% to as much as 70% over 3 year and 5 year TCO cycles.

3) How much disruption will end users experience?

Yes, some users are afraid to move away from MS Outlook and your existing web access for email.  When surveying users, however, we find that in most organizations, 60% to 80% already use cloud-based email services, like Gmail, personally.  The change in user experience is likely less than initial perceptions.

But, moving is a change and can have an impact.

As we move organizations to Google Apps, we include communications about the changes and opportunities for users to learn how to best use the new tools.  We make self-help learning systems — video and interactive — available to users.  We also offer customized workshops and “web office hours”.  In short, many methods exist to help users make the transition and understand how they can do more with their new email service.

4) Is the replacement system you’re considering easy to administer?

If planning to stay in-house, the answer will be “No!”.  New versions of MS Exchange include features and complexity designed to serve the needs of larger enterprises.  For small and mid-size enterprises, they live with the additional administrative burden.

Moving to cloud-based email dramatically reduces administrative requirements.  Without hardware, operating systems, and Exchange software, management of Google Apps for Business focuses on user settings and support.

5) Is the vendor committed to small and mid-sized businesses?

By deeds more than words, Microsoft is focused on large enterprises.  Recent licensing changes have removed the most affordable Windows and Exchange options for small and mid-size enterprises, increasing minimum costs by as much as 100%.

Cumulus Global, as a Google Apps Premier SMB Partner, is focuses exclusively on businesses and nonprofits with 1 to 500 employees.  We also serve K-12 education, smaller higher education, and local/regional governments.  We tailor our services to the needs of small and mid-size enterprises, understanding needs, priorities, and budgets.

6) Is the change a better value?

When moving from any in-house MS Exchange solution to Google Apps for Business, you are gaining more than a secure, reliable email service.  Google Apps is a small business productivity platform, with:

  • Integrated personal and shared calendars
  • Secure Instant Messaging
  • Voice / Video conferencing
  • Hangouts — video meetings with shared documents and desktops
  • Google Docs productivity tools — word processing, spreadsheets, and more
  • Drive for storage of Google-based and legacy files of any type
  • Local Drive sync and share, providing integration for MS Office users
  • Secure web Sites, for your intranet, projects, and customer portals
  • Integration with hundreds of business applications and services.

With more than email to offer, solutions like Google Apps for Business deliver greater value, even if additional features are not used immediately.

Google Apps for Education Security and Privacy

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Recently, there has been much media discussion in light of litigation regarding data privacy in Google Apps for Education.  Here are the important facts about student accounts and Google Apps for Education.

First and foremost, Ads in Gmail are turned off by default for Google Apps for Education and Cumulus Global advises every school and district we work with not to change this setting at any point in time.

Gmail for consumers and Google Apps users runs on the same infrastructure, which helps Google deliver high performance, reliability and security to all users. However, Google Apps offers additional security, administrative and archiving controls for education, business, and government customers.

Gmail scans and indexes email for multiple purposes, including spell check, virus and spam protection, features like Priority Inbox and auto-detection of calendar events, relevant search results and advertising.  This scanning is done on all incoming emails, is 100% automated and cannot be turned off.

When ads in Gmail are turned off for Google Apps for Education, automated scanning that is done in Gmail is not used to target ads to Education users, whether inside Gmail or in other Google products (e.g. YouTube, Google Search, etc.).

Google does not scan information stored in Google Drive or Docs (or Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms) to target ads to Apps for Education customers.

Google does not share personal information with companies, organizations or individuals outside of Google unless one of the circumstances outlined in the Google Privacy Policy applies.

The data schools and students put into Google systems is theirs, and Google believes it should stay that way. If an education department, school or university decides to no longer use Google, it easy for them to take their data away with them.

Google Apps for Education offers schools a number of additional controls and security features. These include a 99.9% uptime guarantee, 24/7 customer support, greater storage capacity and the ability for school administrators to turn certain features or services on or off. As with all our accounts, we keep our users secure by filtering out spam and looking out for viruses and malware.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Google Apps for Education security and privacy, please contact us.  We are happy to answer questions and provide additional information.

FlashPanel Schedule Reporting Helps Google Apps Admins

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We offer the Flashpanel Panel Partner edition as a free resource to all of our Google Apps customers for many reasons.  Beyond giving our clients additional features than the self-service free edition, we see how an understanding of how the environment is being used, leads to broader and more effective adoption.

Companies, governments, non-profits, and schools that look at how Google Apps are being used, find ways Google Apps can be used to increase productivity and better support their employees’ success.

FlashPanel offers a broader, more relevant range of reports than the Google Apps Admin Console.  With FlashPanel Premium, you can create custom reports and, with the current new release, you can schedule and publish both standard and custom reports.

FlashPanel Basic and Partner editions will receive a free 14-day trial of this feature.  For many organizations, Scheduled Reporting is another reason to consider upgrading to FlashPanel Premium.

You can learn more at the FlashPanel Blog.  Please contact us if you would like FlashPanel Partner edition for your domain, or you want to learn more about FlashPanel Premium.