Where System Builders Talk Shop... : service

Q&A from Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Opportunities, Part 2 of 2 webcast

BOBblog — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:51:00 GMT

Below are the follow-up questions & answers from the Thursday, September 27, 2007, webcast “Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Opportunities, Part 2of 2” http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6511). To download the PowerPoint presentation, please visit BOB Wired at: http://oem.microsoft.com/bobwired. Look for BOB Decks: US System Builder Webcast Slide Decks to find a link with a username & password to access a number of BOB Team documents.

We have also announced all twelve winners of the book giveaway in the Windows SBS 2003 Service Opportunities Book Giveaway Winners posting. As always, thanks for attending!

I also wanted to thank our Microsoft partners who participated during the webcast and answer your questions below.

· Karl Palachuk, KPEnterprises Business Consulting Inc., Hardware as a Service

· Dana Epp, Scorpion Software, Security

· Robert Guchee, Parsec Computer Corp., Windows Mobile

· Scott Scrogin, Heartland Technology Solutions, Business Process Improvement

Q: Where can I learn more about all of the events in the 5W/50 series?

A: Please visit http://www.mssmallbiz.com/sbstraining.

Q: Where can I download the PowerPoint presentations for the 5W/50 series?

A: We have created a Windows Live SkyDrive, please visit http://cid-63265f352b9da32c.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/5W50%20Webcast%20Downloads/.

Q: When is the webcast on the Business and Technology Assessment Toolkit?

A: This event is available for on-demand viewing, please visit http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6425.

Q: When is the webcast on Managed Services?

A: This event is available for on-demand viewing, please visit http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6448.

Q: Do you do an assessment first before implementing Hardware as a Server (HaaS)?

Karl: Well, all our clients need to be on our Platinum Managed Service Agreement (MSA) before we'll sell HaaS. So there's a separate process for making sure the entire environment is up to spec. HaaS equipment is all new, and software is all new, so there's no need to add an additional assessment. Taking a step back: Clients do need to have assessment in order to go onto a managed service agreement.

Q: What if the customer decides to end the MSA in the middle of the contract period because they have a change in management, philosophy or just plain think it’s too expensive?

Karl: We have a buyout that is based on a percentage of the original equipment price. Basically, we make that pretty easy. We've only been doing this for 8 months, but so far no problems.

Q: When a technician works on a computer at a customer's site where all the computers are not covered by HaaS, how do they know that it is covered by HaaS and how do they let AR know it was a HaaS service as opposed to a non-HaaS service?

Karl: First, our clients must be on Platinum MSA, so all machines are covered. The only issue would be if there were a hardware problem. We tag the machines with our own asset tags, so it says "Property of KPEnterprises” on the machine, and work gets done under the HaaS service agreement. The tools we use are Kaseya and Connectwise.

Q: Is the MS Financing in your name or in the client's name?

Karl: Financing is in our name. Note: ALL HaaS agreements must be on a credit card. So the client's card gets charged on the first of each month. And we pay Microsoft the same day. So we have our profit in the bank on the first day of the month. I love the first day of the month!

Q: Is depreciation handled on your books?

Karl: Yes. We own the equipment, so both value and depreciation go to our bottom line. This is a good way to increase the measured value of your business: you have assets.

Q: If you own the equipment, are you liable for your customer’s business continuity?

Karl: Yes, to the extent that the HaaS machines are business critical. This is no different from a standard managed services agreement. All of our MSAs cover servers. So we're responsible for uptime companywide to all of our clients. HaaS doesn't change that.

Q: Does HaaS include LOB applications, anti-virus software, etc., and the associated maintenance agreements?

Karl: It can cover anything because we use a formula that allows the client to pick whatever they want and we'll just throw it into the HaaS "magic formula." Basically, we add a premium for the managed service piece and then run a calculation on the financing payment so we get three years worth of payments in 24 months. Year 3 is 100% profit.

Q: Who is the software licensed to? You or your client?

Karl: Software is provided through SPLA. So we are "renting" it to clients. So more details, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/spla/default.mspx.

Q: How do you partner with cellular service providers?

Robert: It’s rather informal at this time, just personal relationships with the business service providers at Verizon and AT&T. We did have them attend and present at our mobility events as well.

Webcast: Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Opportunities, Part 2 of 2

BOBblog — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:34:00 GMT

WHEN: Thursday, September 27, 2007 9 AM Pacific

WHERE: http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6511

WHAT: During this webcast, we will explore in more depth some of the service opportunities that were identified in part 1 of this series (http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6510). We will also be providing a number of links to resources and materials that you can use to get started in these areas.

We have invited several prominent Microsoft Partners to participate on the webcast, to share their knowledge, insight, and experience to help you get started in these areas:

Karl Palachuk, with KPEnterprises Business Consulting, Inc., will discuss Hardware as a Service, which is a bundling of hardware, software, and support into one monthly payment. Learn how Karl leverages Microsoft Finance to drive more business with his customers using this bundled approach.
Dana Epp (Microsoft MVP), with Scorpion Software, will discuss Security Assessments, the Baseline Security Analysis Tool, and compatible product up-sells in the security space. Learn how Dana has created a tremendously successful business around addressing customer security needs.
Scott Scrogin, with Heartland Technology Solutions, will discuss Business Process Improvement strategies. Learn how to take your relationship with your customers beyond technology point solutions and engage with them on a strategic business level.
Robert Guchee, with Parsec Computer Corp., will discuss opportunities around Windows Mobile, one of the hottest growth areas in the small business market. Robert will share his insights on using mobility services to engage more deeply with your customers.

In addition, we will be giving away SIX FREE BOOKS per webcast from SMB Nation Press, SMB Consulting Best Practices by Harry Brelsford. Six winners receiving one book each will be selected in a random drawing from the attendees who fill out the user satisfaction survey at the conclusion of each webcast.

Windows SBS 2003 Service Opportunities Book Giveaway Winners

BOBblog — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:15:00 GMT

Below are the twelve winners for the Windows SBS 2003 Service Opportunities webcast series. Congratulations! And be sure to check out the SMB Nation website, www.smbnation.com. You can find a link to subscribe to their newsletter along the left-hand side of the page.

Books will be shipped directly to the winners using the contact information provided when you registered for the webcasts, no other steps are required to claim your prize. The books will arrive within 4 to 6 weeks after the webcast is presented.

Thanks for attending!

Part 1 (Thursday, September 13, 2007)
A. Rugel, Rugel Computer Consulting
J. Hummel, BudgieSoft
B. Weber, Oliver Licensing LLC
P. Fasoldt, SEI Ltd
B. Walter, Resource Optimization Inc.
N. Yang, Grandtech Technology

Part 2 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)
B. Lloyd, Eorld Stuff
B. Wolosky, Mithril Technology
J. Walker, JWalker Inc
R. Brayer, Ron Brayer Consulting
W. Erla, WME Information Systems
K. VanWinkle, FACTS

Q&A from Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Opportunities, Part 1of 2 webcast

BOBblog — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:32:00 GMT

Below are the follow-up questions & answers from the Thursday, September 13, 2007, webcast “Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Opportunities, Part 1of 2” http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6510). To download the PowerPoint presentation, please visit BOB Wired at: http://oem.microsoft.com/bobwired. Look for BOB Decks: US System Builder Webcast Slide Decks to find a link with a username & password to access a number of BOB Team documents.

We will also be announcing the first six winners of the book giveaway in a separate posting coming soon. As always, thanks for attending!

Q: Where can I learn more about all of the events in the 5W/50 series?

A: Please visit http://www.mssmallbiz.com/sbstraining.

Q: Where can I download the PowerPoint presentations for the 5W/50 series?

A: We have created a Windows Live SkyDrive, please visit http://cid-63265f352b9da32c.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/5W50%20Webcast%20Downloads/.

Q: When is the webcast on the Business and Technology Assessment Toolkit?

A: This event will be presented on September 21 at 9am Pacific, and will also be available on-demand. Please visit http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6425.

Q: When is the webcast on Managed Services?

A: This event is available for on-demand viewing, please visit http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6448.

Q: When considering service opportunities around security, can Microsoft Forefront be used in Windows SBS 2003 environments?

A: Forefront is designed to be installed on a server functioning as an Edge Server running Exchange 2007. It will install on Windows SBS 2003, however, you will not be able to utilize it to its fullest capability. The best scenario for using Forefront Security suite is to install it on an Edge Server that also has ADAM installed. For a more in-depth article, please visit http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb430746.aspx.

Webcast: Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Opportunities, Part 1of 2

BOBblog — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:27:00 GMT

WHEN: Thursday, September 13, 2007 9 AM Pacific

WHERE: http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6510

WHAT: As a Microsoft Partner, you understand the opportunity around selling server hardware and Microsoft Windows Server products. But that is only the beginning of an on-going and mutually beneficial relationship with your customers. Take the next steps to become a trusted advisor for your clients and advance your business to the next level.

During this webcast, we will discuss the wealth of service opportunities that you can engage in with your customers once they have a Windows Server in place. If you are not already engaged in Managed Services, which is often one of the first service opportunities Microsoft Partners take advantage of, be sure to check out this comprehensive webcast, Introduction to Managed Service. If you’re ready to explore additional opportunities, read on!

Service opportunities can be organized into three general areas: IT, Developer, and Business. The services you pursue will depend on your skills and interests. We will talk about a number of possibilities, including:

Security assessment / Penetration audit (white-hat hacking)
Disaster recovery planning
Windows SharePoint Services customization/development
Developing custom solutions using Microsoft Office
Windows Mobile
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Business Process Intelligence (BPI)
Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
Business and IT assessments (Scorecards)
Training

We’ll also discuss how to leverage the toolkits available from Microsoft to help you identify your clients’ highest priorities. In Part 2 of this series, we will talk with some prominent Microsoft Partners who will discuss how they are making money engaging with their customers in these areas.

Register now and complete the user satisfaction survey at the conclusion of the webcast for your chance to win one of SIX FREE BOOKS from SMB Nation Press entitled, SMB Consulting Best Practices by Harry Brelsford!