Windows Server 2008 Training – Manage, Maintain, and Secure Your Networks

Author Archive for Della Wyler – Page 16

Windows Server 2008 Training – Manage, Maintain, and Secure Your Networks

By Della Wyler
Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

Windows Group Policy is a great tool that every IT Pro should utilize. In order to get the most out of what it has to offer, education on its various functionalities and solutions is important. IT Systems Administrators are faced with the complex challenges of managing and maintaining an organization’s IT infrastructure. This includes, but is not limited to, task such as:

  • Installing, supporting and maintaining servers or other computer systems
  • Planning for and responding to service outages and other infrastructure problems
  • Scripting or light programming
  • Project management for systems-related projects
  • Supervising or training computer operators
  • Being the consultant for computer problems beyond the knowledge of technical support staff.

To perform his or her job well, a system administrator must demonstrate a blend of technical skills and responsibility. As an administrator, Group Policy is one way to  increase your productivity on the job. It’s the infrastructure that allows administrators to implement change quickly and affect large numbers of users and computers on the object level through Active Directory.

 

Windows Server 2008 Group Policy makes things simpler

Group Policy is a feature of the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems that control the working environment of user accounts and computer accounts. It provides the centralized management and configuration of operating systems, applications, and users’ settings in an Active Directory environment. System administrators rely on it to secure and lock down their Windows environment. Understanding how to implement and manage group policy can certainly make life easier, from deploying new software, to setting printer defaults, there are so many options to simplify IT infrastructure management tasks. By using Group Policy, businesses can:

  • Reduce costs
  • Control configurations
  • Keep users productive and happy
  • Harden security

Does this sound like a solution for your business? Do you want to learn more about using Windows group policies?

 Why should you take Microsoft class #50255?

Microsoft Official Course (MOC) 50255: Managing, Maintaining, and Securing Your Networks Through Group Policy, is a 4 day course where you will discover how to consolidate the administration of an enterprise IT infrastructure with Group Policy. In this course, you will learn to control and manage computer systems and domain users running Windows Server 2003, Server 2008, XP, and Vista. You will learn to create Group Policies, implement administrative and security templates, and determine best practices when deploying software packages. Walk away with the experience and tools needed to optimize your enterprise systems and networks.

 After completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Design and deploy security policies for all your Windows 2003/2008 servers, workstations, member servers, XP, and Vista clients
  • Delegate Administrative Control of Group Policies
  • Back up and restore Group Policy Objects (GPOs) through Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
  • Easily roll out selected software updates and operating system patches from your network environment
  • Tips for troubleshooting Group

Upcoming Windows Server Group Policy Training Classes

MOC 50255 is on our upcoming schedule, running July 8th – July 11th. There is still time to register for this class, so visit our website or contact your TechSherpas Rep. Other class dates are available.

We also offer a list of other Windows Server classes, including:

Categories : Microsoft, Windows Server
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Inside Peek – SharePoint training 50470: Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 for the Site Owner/Power User

By Della Wyler
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Why should you take Microsoft class 50470?

SharePoint is one of those tools that can truly change and facilitate the way we communicate with one another, especially in the job setting. This is why the demand for SharePoint savvy people has increased over the last several years. Want to land a good job in IT? Want to become a valued team member that your company can’t do without? Learn SharePoint!

 

Gain the skills you need to become a “power user” for a SharePoint site by enrolling in our two-day, instructor-led training course, 50470: Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 for the Site Owner/Power User. Learn how to create lists and sites, manage user access levels, and customize your lists and pages. This class uses the SharePoint Server 2010 version of SharePoint. While it is of equal value for users of SharePoint Foundation, it does include a few features not found in Foundation. After completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Manage Sites and Site Collections
  • Add users and groups and manage site, list, folder and item security
  • Add and configure web parts
  • Configure sites, include themes, title, description and icon
  • Configure site navigation
  • View site activity reports
  • Customize lists and libraries
  • Work with Site Columns and Site Content Types
  • Create Forms libraries
  • Configure Check out/in, Content Approval and Versioning
  • Create and modify pages and web part pages

Upcoming SharePoint Training Classes

SharePoint training class 50470 is on our upcoming Guaranteed-to-Run schedule, running July 11th – July 12th. There is still time to register for this class, so visit our website or contact your TechSherpas Rep. Other class dates are available.

We also offer a list of other SharePoint training classes, including:

  • 20331: Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
  • 55014: Upgrading Your Development Skills to SharePoint 2013
  • 10174: Configuring and Managing Microsoft SharePoint 2010
  • 10232: Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Applications
  • 50354: Microsoft SharePoint 2010 SharePoint Designer
  • 50478: SharePoint 2010 Advanced Foundation Development
  • 50352: Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Overview for End Users

For a full list of SharePoint 2013 classes, click here.

For a full list of SharePoint 2010 classes, click here.

Mention this blog post and receive 10% off your registration for 50470.

Categories : Microsoft, SharePoint
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Can you hack it? Ethical Hacking skills in demand

By Della Wyler
Friday, June 14th, 2013

Turn on the news and you will undoubtedly hear about some new cyber-attack. They happen to individuals, large organizations, financial institutions, retailers, and even government agencies. The latest and now very public issue regarding our nation’s security is the persistent computer-hacking problems the US has been having with China, spanning a decade! These cyber-attacks are quite disturbing because hackers can steal intellectual property, weapons, financial data and other corporate IT-Security-300x261secrets. You may have also heard claims that the US government could be the biggest hacker in the world, investing millions of dollars in offensive hacking operations. Hmmm, that will get you thinking. The point is, Cybersecurity is crucial in this age of advancing technologies, and hacking is one skill that can provide insight and solutions to the rampant stream of cybercrime. President Obama recently stated, “Cyber threat is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation” and “America’s economic prosperity in the 21st century will depend on cybersecurity.” With cyber-attacks on the rise with no sign of slowing, the demand for hackers is higher than ever.

White Hats off for Ethical Hackers
Although there are those who will not support hacking in any way, shape, or form, the growing threat on information systems is evident, and we need to be able to counteract, or even better, prevent these attacks. The terms hacker and hacking typically carry a negative connotation as they are commonly associated with the skill of unlawfully breaking into computer systems. But not all hackers are bad. In fact, through ethical hacking, these ridiculously skilled people have the ability and knowledge to navigate computer systems, diagnose security flaws, and provide insight and solutions to the problems created by “crackers”. An ethical computer hacker, or a computer security expert, aka White Hat hacker, specializes in penetration testing and other testing methodologies to ensure the security of an organization’s information systems. Their job is not to break-in and cause damage, but to determine how to break-in current systems, point out vulnerabilities, and provide suggestions on how to make penetration of the system less likely by Black Hat hackers. Ethical hacking jobs are done with consent from the target.

Although hackers are constantly teetering the gray area, by following certain guidelines hackers can stay within the legal boundaries and out of trouble. Unfortunately, not all do, and eventually some cross over to the dark-side of “cracking” aka Black Hat hacking. On the flip-side, some Black Hat hackers have found the light (mostly after being busted and serving time) and are now White Hat hackers working for government agencies, or running their own consulting firms. (We dive into the famous and infamous hackers in our “Cracker busting Hackers” blog.)

Avoid the underground – the dark side of “cracking”
Although Black Hat hacking can create an exciting big screen drama, the damage it can create in real life can be devastating, costing large amounts of resources and money. Black Hat hackers are those who unlawfully break into computer systems for malicious reasons or personal gain. They can be motivated by profit, protest, or challenge. These are the ones that give hackers the bad rap. These are the bad guys you hear about on the news – the ones that steal confidential information from credit card companies, or money from financial institutions. They cause major damage, comprising security and functionality of websites and networks. They steal:

Client or customer information or other business data
Credit card details and social security numbers, for identity fraud or theft
Passwords for access to our online bank, ISP or web services
Email addresses, which may be used for spamming
Children’s names, photographs, ages or other of their personal details held on the computer
DDoS (Distribution Denial of Service) attacks

Andrew Auernheimer, a 26-year-old independent security researcher, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for programmatically scraping user information from a public AT&T website and sharing it with Gawker.com. Auernheimer was charged under the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act, which many feel is too broad. After he was convicted, Auernheimer wrote for Wired that the selective prosecution of some security researchers will deter future hackers from ever disclosing exploits, even critical ones that effect national security. Do you think Auernheimer has a point?

Certified Ethical Hacker Training & Certification
With so many types of cyber-attacks, protection is vital and many people rely on the ethical hackers to help with their protection strategies. People who enter into this particular field are typically computer savvy, and have acquired much of their computer knowledge through self-teaching methods. They likely have a solid understanding in computer programming, and possess creativity skills. In addition to computer programming courses, those interested in ethical hacking should explore certified ethical hacking training, and certifications. The International Council of E- Commerce Consultants offers a professional certification – Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). CEH training courses provide students with interactive environments where they learn to scan, test, and penetrate their own systems, through various techniques and tools used by black hat hackers. They learn all about ethical hacking and countermeasures. Students are typically required to provide signed documentation that they will not use this knowledge for malicious purposes.

Some of the techniques that hackers use to penetrate the systems include:

Vulnerability Scanner
Password Cracking
Packer Sniffer
Spoofing Attack (Phishing)
Rootkit
Social Engineering
Trojan Horse, Viruses, & Worms
Key Loggers
In addition to CEH training, inspiring hackers should explore these other IT Security courses:

CISSP: Certified Information System Security Professional
Certified Penetration Testing Engineer
Certified Forensics Examiner

Job opportunities and salaries for Ethical Hackers
With the majority, if not all, important business information being stored on computer networks, IT security is more important today than ever before. Both public and private organizations face cyber threats, and take security of confidential information very seriously. A CEH is usually employed by an organization who trusts him or her to attempt to penetrate networks and/or computer systems for the purpose of finding and fixing computer security vulnerabilities. Who better protect your information than a Hacker? Because of this way of thinking there are plenty of job opportunities available for Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH). Here are some of the job positions that CEHs in the US currently hold along with their associated salaries:

Median Salary by Job – Certification: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) (United States)Median Salary by Job

Choose the life of a hacker, not a cracker
If you’re going to lead the life of a hacker, you need to be conscientious and responsible as some areas start to look gray, and less black and white. Becoming certified and knowing the law will help you stay out of trouble. White Hat hackers often become Black Hat hackers, and vise-versa. If you are a hacker, we highly encourage you to use your powers for good versus evil. We get it! Hackers enjoy cracking codes. It’s fun! So why not get paid to do it? Get certified and get paid to do what you love. The outlook on finding a job and keeping a job in this field is very promising, as cybercrime increased 8.3% from 2011 to 2012. Ethical hackers have the opportunity to save people, organizations, and agencies from falling victim to costly cyber-attacks. Avoid crossing over to the dark-side, or be prepared to spend life on the other side of steel bars. Go down in history as a famous Hacker, not an infamous Cracker. Read about the most notorious Hackers & Crackers on our next blog.

Categories : Careers in IT, IT Certifications
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If you can’t go live, RCI! Live virtual training via Remote Classroom Instruction

By Della Wyler
Friday, June 7th, 2013

Technology is constantly improving the way people do business, how businesses operate, and how people communicate. It has also had a very positive impact on education within the classroom, and has expanded the delivery methods available to students and instructors. Remote Classroom Instruction (RCI) is one way technology has been integrated into classrooms, especially in the IT training and education industry.  Also known as Virtual Live training (VLT), RCI connects multiple locations, enabling instructors to provide live training to students at various different locations world-wide, simultaneously.

What is RCI?

Sometimes a second computer is used so that you can see the live presentation while using the other one to complete the labs. What you will need is an internet connection, as well as speaker phone or hand-free device to free up those digits. Web cams are also available to you, so don’t lose the human touch putting a face to the voice.Train in your PJs if you want to! RCI allows students to get live instructor led IT training from the comfort of their own homes. They can also choose to get the training straight from their desk at work, or at a designated training facility in their city. Not to be confused with a webinar, virtual training via Remote Classroom Instruction is live online training. It’s a live class, delivered by a live instructor, but students don’t actually need to be present to get the benefits of live instruction. They get these benefits virtually. Using remote desktop technology, students have the ability to log into and control a PC from inside the live class. This means as an RCI student you don’t even have to have the software being utilized during the training class. It is provided for you. Just a few click and you are logged into the live session.  Web conferencing allows you to see Instructors desktop as he or she provides presentations, demonstrations, example, and discussions. Join in the conversation, ask questions, and interact just as you would if you were physically in the live class. The instructor can also remote into your computer at any time, if you need help with something.

Click here to watch our brief video on virtual training via RCI.

Benefits of RCI

Class cancellations are a top concern by students. Students sign up for classes that they are truly interested in or need. Naturally, you would be upset if a class you needed was cancelled, right? Well RCI has significantly reduced class cancellations across the training industry.

Choosing RCI as a delivery method for your IT education can be a very frugal decision. Travels cost can be significant, especially if you have to travel out of town, purchase plane tickets, accommodations, and local transit.

Virtual training benefits include:

  • Saves money! Decreases your training/travel budget.
  • Saves time! No additional time spent traveling to training facilities.
  • Training when you need it! Prevents students from having to push training out to another date due to scheduling issues.
  • Less cancellations.
  • Live and interactive experience.  Live online training allows for a more personal training experience, as compared to pre-recorded or non-interactive classes.

When is RCI right for you?

Although RCI provides a solution for many and has high satisfactory rates among our students, this type of delivery method may not be the best option for everyone. Those who lack some basic computer skills, such as switching between documents, opening and saving files from application, and locating the task manager and start menu, may still want to participate in the live class. In addition, those who have a hard time following the English language should also consider the live class over virtual training. RCI is meant to provide a solution for students, making training more convenient and effective for their particular needs. It should not cause added stress or complications.

Virtual training via RCI with TechSherpas

 

TechSherpas was one of the first to implement RCI.  When you browse our course schedules, you will notice that every class offers these two delivery methods – ILT (Live, instructor-led training in classroom) andVLT (Live, instructor-led training delivered virtually). The VLT option is made available trhough RCI. Our conferencing is done via VOIP (voice over internet protocol) so to fully experience the course a headset or microphone & speakers are required. We have fully adopted the use of VOIP for RCI, as you may have noticed that nowadays many people don’t own a home phone. This would present a problem with the phone conferencing option.

A few days before your class is scheduled to begin, our hands-on Operations team sends each student detailed step-by-step instructions on how to access RCI. It’s recommended that you test your connections a few days prior to your class beginning, and not wait until the last minute.  The Operations team is available to answer any questions or trouble-shoot for anyone who needs assistance.

If you are getting training through RCI at one of our training facilities located throughout the US, all you have to do it show up. We control all the technical aspects of the room software and hardware set-up. Just show up and get ready to learn!

Microsoft Lync is the cool tool we use to deliver the live presentation to you. GoToMyPC is used by the students to complete the labs.

RCI is just one learning method we provide. The others include:

Do people prefer virtual training over other delivery methods?

Our students have shown high regards towards RCI training, been satisfied with the delivery and content, and have expressed their intent do it again – in fact, many have! In one of our more recent student surveys, they left this note, “This was my first virtual-classroom course. Although I was skeptical at first, it worked out very well.”

 

Don’t knock it until you try it! If you have not tried virtual training yet, we encourage you to go ahead and give it a run. You may be thinking that you really prefer to physically be at the live instructor led class, but you may find this to be a more convenient option for you. We live in a fast paced society where there never seems to be enough hours in the day. The RCI option gives you the opportunity to fit training in your schedule without unnecessary travel cost, time, and scheduling troubles.

This is actually the perfect opportunity to try RCI, as one of our BOGO promos includes RCI classes. Buy One RCI Course, Get a Second One FREE! Get more details here.

Categories : Training & Education, Virtual Training
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IT Training Spotlight – 10747: Administering System Center 2012 Configuration Manager

By Della Wyler
Tuesday, May 28th, 2013

Based on current trends in the job market and world-wide technological advances, we are going to be posting an IT Training Spotlight article a couple times a month. These articles will feature one particular training class that we feel our stakeholders will find helpful in achieving their career and knowledge building goals. This month’s Training Spotlight class falls under System Center 2012. Getting trained in System Center 2012, gives you the skills needed to manage the physical and virtual IT environments across data centers, client computers, and devices. Microsoft class 10747: Administering System Center 2012 Configuration Manager covers the basis, providing the information you need for daily administration of this management tool.

What is MS System Center?

Microsoft System Center 2012 is an integrated management platform that helps you to easily and efficiently manage your datacenters, client devices, and hybrid cloud IT environments. If managing the life cycle of software is your thing, this class will interest you! Are you responsible for configuring and/or managing system center sites and supporting systems? Then System Center 2012 could make your life a bit easier. Whether you’re on the desktop or server support team, Microsoft Class 10747: Administering System Center 2012 Configuration Manager is definitely worth exploring. This class, along with 10748: Deploying System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, will help you prepare for your Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: System Center 2012 Configuration Manager certification.

What can the Configuration Manager do for you?

“A member of the Microsoft System Center suite of management solutions, System Center 2012 Configuration Manager (SCCM) increases IT productivity and efficiency by reducing manual tasks and letting you focus on high-value projects, maximize hardware and software investments, and empower end-user productivity by providing the right software at the right time. Configuration Manager helps you deliver more effective IT services by enabling secure and scalable software deployment, compliance settings management, and comprehensive asset management of servers, desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.”- Microsoft. SCCM 2012, which is the latest version, has many upgraded features from the 2007 version, making it much more user friendly with more capabilities, including enhanced cloud and datacenter management. Just a few include:

  • User-based – The ability to associate a user with one or more devices.
  • A fan favorite – Role-based Administration (RBA) feature flattens the complex hierarchies once required to isolate access to Configuration Manager features Assignment of Client Agent settings, Inventory collection, and Remote Control settings by collection offers increased flexibility in configuration
  • Integrated Configuration Manager Set-up
  • Client and Deployment Operations such as software updates
  • Automated Remediation can be applied to desktops,  servers, mobile devices and users that are not in complaint

Why register for SCCM 10747?

So what are the goods of Microsoft class 10747? Why should you take this class? This 5-day class will NOT teach you to design and install SCCM hierarchies. It WILL however teach you the day-to-day administration skills of the Configuration Manager. Your 5-day session will be broken up into 14 modules, packed with information that will allow you to get the most out of this software, excel in your position, look like a stud, and become a valuable asset to the support team. SCCM students will get the 411 in:

  • Overview of System Center 2012 Configuration Manager
  • Discovering and Organizing Resources
  • Managing the Configuration Manager Client
  • Managing Inventory and Software Metering
  • Querying and Reporting Data
  • Managing Software Deployments by Using Packages and Programs
  • Creating and Deploying Applications
  • Managing Application Deployment
  • Deploying and Managing Software Updates
  • Implementing Endpoint Protection in System Center 2012 Configuration Manager
  • Managing Operating System Deployment
  • Managing Compliance Settings
  • Managing Mobile Devices
  • Configuring Wake On LAN, Power Management, and Remote Control

Get detailed information on each topic and find a class near you by visiting our Administering System Center 2012 Configuration Manager page.It’s recommended that you take 10747 before 10748, unless you are familiar with SCCM 2007, but this is not a requirement.

Class 10747 qualifies for our BOGO Promotion we are currently running, so grab a friend or colleague to take the class with keep the second class for yourself and take class 10748: Deploying System Center 2012 Configuration Manager to help prepare for your Microsoft certification exam 243.

 

Categories : Microsoft, System Center

Will Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription make you “unsubscribe”?

By Della Wyler
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

By now you have probably drifted in, out, and through the Cloud, or have at the very least heard about the Cloud. If you have used Evernote, Spotify, or DropBox then yes, you have been in the Cloud. As technology needs keep evolving companies and individuals alike are utilizing various technologies within the Cloud. The new buzz is these subscription based services, and Cloud-Only subscriptions, such as Adode Creative Cloud, and Microsoft 365. “Long gone are the days of purchasing and owning boxed-up software.” Could we really be saying that in the not so distant future? That idea is not totally inconceivable. Google Apps, AutoCad, Microsoft, and pay-as-you-go infrastructure such as Amazon Web Services are just a few technology companies that are already using subscription pricing, or software-as-a-service, a form of cloud computing. Adobe, a major design software tool that includes Photoshop, Acrobat, Flash, and InDesign, can now be added to the list. They recently announced they are transitioning, feet first, to a cloud-only subscription model, meaning all future versions of the software will only be available via the cloud for a monthly fee. New versions will no longer be created and packages in the familiar boxed package. Providers claim the user gets more from the product following a subscription based model. Is that really the case, or are these subscriptions really about nickel and diming you?

What are Cloud-based Subscriptions?

Cloud-based subscriptions, is a type of cloud computing where a third party delivers a single application to many different users. Upfront costs are low for the user, and maintenance costs are low for the provider. Cloud subscriptions have been an attractive investment for both large and small companies because it provides IT a way to increase capabilities, and capacity without having to invest in additional IT infrastructure and software. Red Hat, a software provider who specializes in enterprise operating systems, was one of the early pioneers for this model, and their argument to convert to this model was they felt it was better for customers to make steady payment, while receiving a steady stream of updates. Adobe agrees with this way of thinking, and is one of the reasons they have made this dramatic change so quickly.

Adobe’s Subscription Model – What’s it going to cost?

“Everything moving forward is focusing on creative cloud” —Adobe. Adobe’s Creative Suite 6 (CS6) will be the final boxed version, meaning boxed-versions and perpetual licenses will not be available for versions later than CS6. In addition, they are dropping the name Creative Suite (CS), and have introduced the Creative Cloud (CC). Adobe will continue to support and sell Adobe Creative Suite 6, with fixes and security updates, but newer versions will not be released. Upgrades will only be available via the Cloud via Adobe’s Creative Cloud service. As with boxed versions, there are different pricing options. Adobe has reduced prices for existing customers, and other qualifying customers:

  • $29.99/month (with annual commitment) Complete Access – For existing CS3 or later customers
  • $49.99/month (with annual commitment) Complete Access – For new Creative Cloud members
  • $74.99/month (Complete Access) – Month to Month
  • $19.99/month (with annual commitment) – Single App / one desktop application
  • $29.99/month (with annual commitment – Teacher & Student Edition
  • Free – 30 day trial of all apps

As with other software subscription models, like Microsoft, Adobe is sweetening the deal by offering additional treats such as storage and additional licenses for use on multiple computers. You can see each option in more detail here:

https://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud/buying-guide.html

 

Adobe Suite Subscription – The good & the bad

Since Adobe announced its decision on May 6th, to offer their software through a Cloud-Only subscription, there has been uproar amongst its users. A petition was immediately started and as of today, a week and half after the announcement, it has reached over 15,000 signees. Although there are people who don’t care for this software subscription model, there seems to be an overwhelming number of people who do like it, which is why Adobe has made this drastic change. They launched the first phase over a year ago have over a half million subscribers who are pleased with the offerings. Some of the pros to the cloud subscription model include:

  • Customers receive updates/upgrades all the time. Adobe doesn’t have to wait to release updates as they have done in the past, waiting for the release of major paid updates.
  • Users can sync setting across devices
  • Users have access to all the creative suite tools. In the past the entire Creative Suite would cost the user $2,600.   The cloud based model allows users to try all the tools in the Suite without having to pay that large upfront cost. Adobe found that, with access given to users, they are using the new software, whereas before they were not if they did not purchase that box version.
  • The revenue stream is constant, which enables updates to be constant and automatic.
  • Easier administration
  • Better Compatibility & Collaboration: All users will have the same version of software.

On the flip side, here are some of the cons of the Cloud-Only Subscription based model:

  • No Ownership. You are basically renting the software.
  • No payment = No access. If a user cannot make the $50.00 payment, then they will not be able to use the software.
  • Paying for a lifetime.
  • Another monthly bill to be added to your budget, along with rent, utilities, and car payments.
  • Forced to use new versions. Some people are content with older version and get comfortable using them.
  • You could end up paying more for Adobe tools you don’t really use.
  • Depending on certain factors, such as how often you use the tool, you may or may not come out on top when it comes to the new pricing structure.

Other companies offering software-as-a-service under subscription based models such as, Microsoft haven’t received as much negative reaction because although they believe moving to the Cloud is a good thing, the transition and majority buy-in will take time, so they still offer both options.

Is the upgrade to Adobe Creative Cloud subscription worth it?

If you want the latest creative tools Adobe has to offer then you will have to upgrade to Creative Cloud, which rolls out in June. They have made some really cool feature upgrades from CS6, including integration with Behance, but these new features may be getting over shadowed because of the how they are selling new products, via subscription only. Based on certain factors, some users could benefit from Adobe’s monthly subscriptions while others will not. Adobe states that they made this change with the various types of users in mind. They realize that there are some users who make a living using these graphic design tools, many of which are angry and have already expressed their decision to no longer use Adobe products. Many are choosing to “unsubscribe” from Adobe.

If you don’t qualify for upgrade or educational pricing, or plan on upgrading every year, then this change may actually appeal to you, and you will end up spending less. As you know the box versions, especially the Master Suite, can be very pricey, especially if you upgrade every time a new version comes out. You do the math. An individual license for Photoshop runs $699, and the Master Suite runs about $2599. A two-year subscription (about how often new versions were rolling out) of a single-app will cost $600. A two-year subscription for the master suite would cost $1200 for new customers, and even less for existing customer who are upgrading.

How often do you purchase new versions of Adobe software? Those it will likely affect negatively are those who don’t use the tools often, and those who don’t care to upgrade as new versions roll out. There are plenty of users who like to use the product, but don’t have a daily or weekly need. What about those graphic designers that use this tool and prefer to make a one-time payment to own it? How often do they pay the large upfront cost to own the software? Is it every time a new version comes out? They could benefit if they were constantly upgrading, but then again they could feel like prisoners to Adobe, making payments forever! One fear expressed by customers is that will be victim to rising prices a year or two down the road. Adobe says they will not raise prices as this would jeopardize their relationships and trust with customers. They are currently offering discounted rates, but have made it clear that those are limited time, and have given them the prices that will take effect after those have expired. The decision to stick with Adobe will need to be made by the user, but apparently Adobe feels like their customers like to be able to have the latest versions at their fingertips.

Do you Like or Dislike the subscription model?

Some people think the move to a cloud-only subscription is inevitable. Software providers such as Autodesk, Microsoft, and Quark are already using subscription based models, although not Cloud-only at this point. It’s apparent though, that things seem to be moving in that direction, and perhaps we need to get used to the Cloud software-as-a-service model. One option for customers who dislike the change is to go out and purchase the boxed CS6 now! You’ll have it to use when you want, and who knows, by the time you can no longer use that version, Adobe may have a change of heart, but I wouldn’t hold your breathe.

What are your thoughts about subscription based models for software? Will you continue to use Adobe products through the Creative Cloud subscription? Do you think software providers should offer both boxed software with perpetual licenses in addition to a cloud subscription model and leave the choice to the customer? Or is that too much to ask? What would the cost implication be in the long run?

Click here to take a poll.

Categories : Cloud Technology

Top In-Demand IT Certifications

By Della Wyler
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Studies have shown that IT professionals with a certain degree of expertise and knowledge via a certification are more likely than their non-certified counterparts, to get selected for the job. In addition, the certified applicants land higher-paying jobs. This news may not be new to you, but you may be wondering which certifications you should get. If you can get all of them, be our guest! There is no limit on how many you can earn, but if your time is limited, and you want to capitalize on one in specific, we have a list of the top in-demand IT certifications for 2013.

Mastering Microsoft

As the application of the Cloud gained popularity, Microsoft realized the need to revamp their certification program. There different levels of certifications based on what path you decide to take: Client, Server, Database, or Developer. Of these, there seems to be a higher demand for the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate), and the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert): Private Cloud.

The MCSA is actually a prerequisite for the MCSE, and is the place for experienced IT professionals to begin the certification process. The salary range for those who hold and MCSA Certification is $52,000-$115,000, with an average salary of $59,000. The salary can vary greatly based on the location, company, industry, and experience. Organizations seeking individuals with MCSA certifications cover industries across the board: Healthcare; Information Technology; Financial; Government; and Communications. Basically any organization that has an IT department wants their IT staff to have at least an MCSA Certification.

The MCSE is available for those choosing to excel in Microsoft’s Server & Database paths. Although there are currently 8 different MSCE paths you can take, the one that seems to be sought more often by is the MCSE: Private Cloud. That’s not a huge surprise since these days you can’t do anything without hearing about the Cloud. Because of its accessibility and space-saving attributes, the Cloud is appealing to a large audience both in the personal and business worlds. The Cloud is quickly gaining popularity, amongst organizations, as they are realizing the savings in cost associated with housing and maintenance of their IT hardware and software. The salary range for those who hold a MCSE Certification is $52,000-$102,000, with an average salary of $61,000. As with the MCSA, the range of industries seeking MCSE Certified individuals is vast, and includes those mentioned above, as well as teaching positions.

Although these appear to be the highest in demand currently, studies have shown Microsoft certifications fuel new careers and six figure salaries, so feel free to explore all the options.

Networking Knowledge

Although CompTIA is known for their excellent A+ Certification, the Networking+ Certification appears to be a slightly stronger factor when selecting an individual to manage and maintain the IT infrastructure. This isn’t too much of a surprise as this certification extends beyond the generalist knowledge and skill set associated with the A+ certification. The salary range for individuals that hold a Networking+ certification is $36,000-$66,000 with an average salary of $38,000.

Perfecting Project Management

The ability to manage projects effectively and efficiently is a skill set that is required and desired across all industries. Those who master these skills can achieve great success for not only for themselves, but for the organization they work for. This has been recognized world-wide, and Project Management has earned itself a certification program that is respected and sought my many. There are several certifications that fall under this umbrella, but the one currently in highest demand, is the PMP (Project Management Professional). IT is a large part of project management certifications. These systems enable professionals to excel in planning, budgeting, managing time, and reducing costs. What company wouldn’t be interested in a candidate holding this certification? The salary range for those holding a PMP Certification is $65,000-$232,000, with an average salary of $86,000.

Virtualization

VMWare specializes in virtualization and cloud software and services. As previously mentioned, Cloud computing is becoming more common as organizations around the world, are exploring and utilizing the Cloud. This drives the demand for experienced and knowledgeable IT professionals up. Those holding a VCP (VMWare Certified Professional) certification are attractive candidates for organizations looking to reduce IT infrastructure costs. This competency is built on the skills and knowledge needed to successfully install, deploy, scale, and manage VMware vSphere environments along with a solid foundation in basic cloud infrastructure concepts including public/private/hybrid clouds, multi-tenancy, and cloud security. The salary range for those holding a VCP certification is $59,000-$80,000 with an average salary of $69,000.

Security Savvy with CISSP

Protection of an organizations data, systems, and networks is important, and as such, requires a qualified individual to maintain the security of these vital components. As these systems are moving to the cloud protection has become even more essential. The vast majority of company information is transmitted via email or the web, and with this comes the threat of viruses and hackers. There are several certifications available that focus on the IT security, so choosing which one to get could be a difficult task, but it appears that the CISSP is the one with highest demand and helps land better paying positions. The salary range for an individual holding a CISSP certification is $65,000-$111,000, with an average salary of $80,000.

Train for Success

There are many IT certifications available for IT professionals who want to take the next step in advancing in their careers. There are several factors that come into play when choosing the certification that is right for you. Depending on the type of IT you want to specialize in, will guide you down the path you need to follow, and pay will likely be a factor for you as well. Now you know which certifications are being sought out most, and how much earning potential is there. Training for your certification exam will give you the knowledge and tools you need to pass your exam, but even better will better prepare you for real, on the job situations, which is most important. This knowledge and experience is what will make you excel in your job position, creating value, high-demand, and higher pay. Contact TechSherpas to get the valuable training you need to become an asset your company can’t refuse.

Categories : IT Certifications

Get Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Units (PDUs) Through IT Training

By Della Wyler
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Continuing education and professional development are important facets for long-term success for people across a variety of industries and job positions. Many organizations require their employees to maintain specific certifications by obtaining Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Professional Development Units (PDUs). Although CEUs and PDUs are required to sustain a particular status of expertise, they also provide great opportunity for building up an individual’s knowledge base. This enables current employees to stay relevant to their particular line of work. On-going training allows skills sets to be kept up to speed with improvements in current technologies and best practices, keeping the organization productivity at optimal levels. CEUs and PDUs are important to people for various reasons. Did you know you could earn CEUs and PDUs by participating in IT training courses?

CEUs for IT Certifications

There are several IT certifications, such as CompTIA’s A+ and Network+, which require recertification every few years. Students can choose from remote or instructor-led courses to help them prepare for their exams to pass! The recertification requirements only emphasize the importance of maintaining a thorough understanding of these technologies as newer versions are developed, and released. This allows for smooth and seamless transitions from one upgrade to another, which is critical when firms need to conduct business as usual.

Know your CEU Requirements

Depending on your industry, profession, or job function, the amount of CEUs you are required to obtain, and the amount of time you have to obtain those will vary. It is important that you verify this information with the organization or governing agency who issued your certification. Universally, 1 CEU = 10 Contact hours. The top five in-demand IT certifications for 2013 include: MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate); MSCE: Private Cloud (Microsoft Solutions Certified Expert); PMP (Project Management Professional); VCP (VMware); and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). If you currently hold these certifications, you should be aware when they expire, and make sure you get recertified, as they are in high demand by employers. CEUs in these areas will ensure competency to pass the exam. View our full list of Microsoft Courses here.

Know your PDU Requirements

If you are a Project Manager and hold PMP, PgMP, PMI-SP, or PMI-RMP, or PMI-ACP credentials, adherence to the Continuing Certification requirements (CCR) program, is essential to maintain these pertinent credentials. To report your PDUs, you will need to use the Continuing Certification Requirements System (CCRS). The CCRS provides online PDU reporting for all PMI credentials that are included in the CCR program. Each PMI credential requires a specific amount of PDUs per three year certification cycle. Follow this link to find out the specific requirements for each. (1 PDU = 1 Hour of Engagement) https://www.pmi.org/Certification/Maintain-Your-Credential.aspx.

Check out Project Management training courses here:

Microsoft Project
Project Management
Earn CEUs & PDU through IT Training

Let TechSherpas help you progress in your field, industry or profession. We offer courses that will earn you CEUs and/or PDUs, whether you are an IT professional, accountant, project manager, educator, or business professional. Just search our Courses page for the class you are interested in, and more importantly, fits your continuing education and/or professional development needs and sign up. Once you have completed the course, you will be provided a certificate stating the course completed, hours, and CEUs/PDUs earned. For more detailed information on how to earn your CEUs or PDUs through TechSherpas , click here. Just another way we can help you succeed! Contact us today to start earning your credits.

Categories : Training & Education
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Get your head out of the Clouds…or maybe not?

By Della Wyler
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

SharePoint has earned a reputation as being an excellent business solution that can increase collaboration, effectively manage important business documents, manage workflow & processes, and promote social engagement. The way people are communicating and conducting business are constantly evolving as technology and business needs change. The new version of SharePoint 2013 has added a new capability that may serve businesses of all types and sizes quite well. SharePoint 2013 is just as much an online solution as an on-premise solution, and as technology and organizations continue to evolve it’s not inconceivable to think that all business may be conducted in the Cloud one day. Gartner Research predicts that 50% of Global 1000 companies will store customer-sensitive data in the cloud by 2016 (https://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/1862714). But, let’s just put the brakes on that thought for right now, and get a basic understanding of what business solutions in the Cloud versus on-premise look like, specifically for SharePoint.

SharePoint in the Cloud

SharePoint 2013 is taking it up a notch. Well taking it way up, to the Cloud. SharePoint in the Cloud is the managed, on-line delivery of the SharePoint technologies and servers. This can include a company’s intranet, extranet, document management, records management, or external website. This means that companies utilizing SharePoint in the Cloud can now experience the same feel, capabilities, and functions as the on-premise version of SharePoint. SharePoint in the Cloud allows an external provider to host and manage SharePoint, taking the burden of administration and maintenance off the organization’s IT department, allowing the organization to allocate those resources more effectively elsewhere. This is the premise of the Cloud. Allowing third parties, who specialize in cloud environments, to manage and maintain the IT needs of a company, leaving the company more resources to focus on the main goals & functions of the business. So what does this mean for companies using SharePoint and what should they consider before moving SharePoint to the Cloud?

Cloud vs. On-Premise

Once SharePoint has been implemented in the Cloud, companies do realize the benefits associated with the change (decreased management responsibilities for your IT team, increased flexibility in terms of scalability, infrastructure disaster recovery, and more cost effective licensing models) but first you need to decide if you should and can indeed complete the implementation of this program. You need to evaluate your resources and decide if your IT staff can complete this in-house or if it will be wiser and more cost effective to outsource it, or perhaps a little bit of both? A smooth transition is crucial for business operations to remain on point, unaffected by the decision to move to the Cloud.

Keeping up with the hardware and software of SharePoint can be a difficult task for many organizations. Maintaining the infrastructure takes time and money. One advantage of moving SharePoint to the Cloud is the savings realized in IT maintenance. The time and money spent on the challenges to start-up and maintain SharePoint can be reduced, and maybe even eliminated by hosting SharePoint on the Cloud. Be aware though, that the SharePoint provider will not take care of everything. The company still needs to make the important decisions of how they want the environment to look, it’s URL, as well as how the content is categorize, search functionalities, and the type of authentication.

Search requirements need to be discussed as they can be one of the most important functions for SharePoint users, and not all SharePoint providers allows full functionality of the search function. If this is a key function for the successful experience for your users then you may need to reconsider the migration or determine a solution that will allow you to search for both internal and external content.

As mentioned, categorizing content cannot be overlooked by the organization implementing SharePoint. This is how users are able to locate the information they are looking for. SharePoint on the Cloud can create some difficulties on this area that need to be evaluated and solutions explored.

Capture

Add up your scores, and see how you match up:

32:  You are probably already on SharePoint Online or Office 365. Enjoy the view from your cloud!

24-31: You are a strong candidate for SharePoint Online. Study carefully and understand some of the functional tradeoffs of the platform. SharePoint Online doesn’t support the following:

  • Deployment of custom solutions that require direct access to the server, such as Visual Web Parts. It does support sandboxed solutions, however.
  • PowerPivot
  • SQL Server Reporting Service Integration
  • Business Connectivity Services (originally this was a blanket restriction, but a slipstream release in 2011 added support for access to web services-based remote data in O365 BCS).
  • FAST Search Server Integration
  • Web Analytics
  • Site collections greater than 100GB

10-23:  You are somewhere in between. Understanding the platform advantages and tradeoffs is essential to figuring out your cloud strategy. Odds are good that you may use a hybrid approach in which parts of your SharePoint world remain on premises, with other aspects living on Office 365.

0-9:  If SharePoint is already living in your data center, it’s probably in the right place.

Evaluate & Decide

So are you a good candidate for SharePoint on the Cloud? Should you implement SharePoint on-premise, on the cloud, or as a combination of both? It really just depends on the organization’s specific needs, size, and type of cloud environment that is right for the organization: Software as a Service; Infrastructure as a Service, or Managed Services. The decision to stay on premise versus moving to the cloud is an important one. The organization needs to decide what control they still want to have, and what they want others to have so they can focus on other things. What is most important to you and the success of your business?

Categories : Cloud Technology, Microsoft, SharePoint
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Validate Those Vouchers- Microsoft SATVs

By Della Wyler
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Validate those Vouchers!

Microsoft customers have the ability to receive quality training at no additional cost, but unfortunately many are not taking advantage of their Software Assurance Training Vouchers (SATV’s)! Are you this Microsoft customer? You’ve paid the price, so now take some advice! Microsoft SATVs are your ticket to free training! Your clearance to attend first-rate training for the newest in technology, at no additional cost. Why aren’t you cashing in?

Software Assurance

Microsoft SATVs
Redeem your SATVs today!
Perhaps the reason Microsoft customers aren’t cashing in on these valued vouchers is that they don’t know what they are and how they can help them get the most out of their recently purchased software. The Software Assurance Training Voucher (SATV) is a value added component of the Microsoft Software Assurance program offered to Microsoft customers. Software Assurance (SA) is sold along with Microsoft Volume Licensing programs and may be included as part of your Enterprise Agreement or Open Value Agreement, or it can be financed through Microsoft. SA is highly recommended because it has proved to be beneficial for firms utilizing Microsoft programs. “Software Assurance for Volume Licensing helps boost organizational productivity with 24×7 support, deployment planning services, end-user and technical training, and the latest Microsoft software releases and unique technologies, plus support for cloud services adoption, all in one cost-effective program.” – Microsoft. SA provides many resources to its users allowing employees to be more productive, which has positive benefits on the total operation and efficiency of the company. Corporations can improve productivity across the organization by implementing the latest in product versions as soon as they are available. The SA program allows them to do this seamlessly and at a lower cost. The firms that get the most out of the SA program are those who utilize all the benefits especially when planning for and deploying new software. The training vouchers are especially attractive because employees are able to receive the training required to effectively use the new product versions, decreasing time wasted by the learning curve. The awesome part about it…..this prime training comes at no additional cost!

SATV? Say What?

The Software Assurance Training program provides instructor-led technical training by a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions (CPLS) through a straight forward voucher creation and redemption process, Software Assurance Training Voucher’s (SATV’s). Customers are allotted a certain number of training days based on their qualifying Microsoft Office and/or Windows license purchases. These training days are converted into vouchers, which they can redeem with a Microsoft Partner. A Microsoft Partner will be able to provide a large selection of Microsoft training courses.

These courses are designed by Microsoft experts and are typically held at the training partner’s facilities. These training classes are such a valuable part of the SATV because they allow the staff to maintain their tech skills as the company deploys new product versions.

Cashing in on the Voucher

They are many different class options available when it comes time to actually cash in on the voucher. Based on your specific needs you can redeem your voucher for Microsoft courses of your choice including those within the following areas:

  • Windows Server
  • Exchange
  • Lync
  • SharePoint
  • System Center
  • Windows
  • SQL Server
  • Visual Studio
  • Shelf-life

These vouchers were created so that Microsoft users have the ability to deploy new software versions without it effecting regular business operations, while in fact increasing productivity. The point is they are there! Microsoft SATVs are available for you to use and the do expire! As a successful business, aren’t you looking for ways to enhance the skills of your staff and reduce training costs? If you are, you need to cash in on these vouchers…you’ve earned them! You can use vouchers on technical training classes as well as Demonstration sessions.

Ready to cash in? It’s simple! First, verify how many training days you received (which again are based on the purchase made). Once you know that training days are available, activate the firm’s SATV account. Once activated, create & assign vouchers to employees. Once assigned the Voucher clock is ticking and will stop after 180 days. Let the employees know that vouchers have been assigned, and they have 180 days to locate a Microsoft Learning Partner and sign up for one of their Microsoft training courses or Demonstrations, and take the class. These vouchers have a shelf life so don’t sit on them and let these training opportunities pass you by. It’s also important to note that once the organization’s licensing agreement expires, so does any remaining SA training days that have not yet been assigned. Again, these opportunities should not be overlooked. Think about it! The company has already paid for these services, so they need to be used, not discarded.

Redeem vouchers with a Microsoft Training Partner

TechSherpas is a Microsoft Learning Solutions Partner and accepts the Software Assurance Training Vouchers. Here is the list of training courses we provide. Take a look! Search our site until you find the class that will meet you educational needs, and register! Redeem and take advantage of those SATV’s before it’s too late. As a Microsoft Learning Partner we want users to be able to utilize these programs and get the most out of them. You’ve earned these benefits, so use them.

Categories : Microsoft, software assurance
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