At the end of last year we entered into an agreement to deliver some IT presentations to members of the St Helen’s Chamber of commerce and on March 16th, we’ll be doing our first event with the Chamber on “The Future of IT”.

Here is the official release from the Chamber;

The future of IT – Gaining a competitive advantage

Throughout 2011 and probably well beyond, most companies will want to either reduce existing costs through better use of IT or will consider an entirely new IT process as long as it offers a new and promising income stream. Discover where the key industry players see major returns on IT investment taking place.

Benefits:

• Gain an insight into the way IT providers are shaping and delivering their solutions in 2011 and beyond
• Find out how key topics such as Cloud computing, Dynamic IT, Data Efficiency, Backup and recovery solutions, Unified communications and Virtualisation continue to evolve
• Give yourself a competitive edge by understanding what technologies will be relevant to your business and how IT can help you to continue to grow in challenging times

Lunch and refreshments will be provided

so expect lots of information on topics such as Office 365, Lync, NetApp, Systems Management, Automation, desktop solutions, data centre efficiency, control of data and any other hot topics that pass our way between now and then.

It’s a very exciting change for us, working closely with a Chamber like this, and congratulations to the Chamber for doing something new, if it sounds like something you think you could benefit from, visit the Chambers website by clicking here it would be great to see you there.

The Windows 7 OS has recently celebrated it’s 1st Birthday (Happy Birthday Windows 7) and it’s growing up fast with Microsoft recently announcing the release of Service Pack 1 (sp1). The date for this SP1 public release is 22nd February 2011 although MSDN and customers with a Volume License Agreement can grab the update from 16th February 2011.

What’s to be included?

SP1 does not include any new features to the Windows 7 OS and will consist mostly of security patches and non-security fixes that have previously been made available through Windows Update.

Two features that will be included are RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory. Allowing companies to better leverage virtualisation technology with Windows Server 2008 R2.

RemoteFX

Microsoft say:

By leveraging the power of advanced codecs and virtualized graphics resources on the data center host, RemoteFX adds support for any application, including 3D, and rich media to a virtual desktop environment. In doing so, RemoteFX complements and extends the user experience enhancements of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) in Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services.

From a user perspective, things are going to look a whole lot nicer, Windows 7 Aero will be possible on thin clients. What this means from a business perspective is that the cost of client machines can be significantly reduced without having to compromise on graphical performance. Thin-clients can even do CAD design. Excellent!

For more info, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/rds-remotefx.aspx

DynamicMemory

Again, for use in Virtualised Infrastructures; Dynamic Memory is the ability to pool memory as a resource and use it where it is needed when it is needed. This ability to automatically shift RAM from one virtual machine to another whilst running increases RAM utilisation and can reduce overall equipment costs.

For more info. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff919570%28VS.85%29.aspx

A few months back I blogged about Microsoft’s new Small Business Server (SBS) codenamed Aurora and SBS7. (Blog post here)

Since then, the development of this Operating System has been relentless. Including a name change to Windows Small Business Server 2011, a simplified user interface and interaction with cloud based services.

Official SBS Website http://www.microsoft.com/sbs

Features of SBS 2011:

• Simplified IT Management
• Automatic daily backup of client machines and servers
• Access Business Information from Virtually Anywhere, Anytime
• Built-in Document Collaboration
• Designed and Priced for Small Businesses

Despite going through some changes, SBS 2011 still remains available in two editions:

Standard – supports up to 75 users

This, like previous versions of SBS is an entirely on premise solution including Email, File and Print features.

Essentials – supports up to 25 users

This edition contains a minimal number of inbuilt feature and relies on cloud based offerings to provide functionality such as email eg Exchange Hosted Services.

For more information see the Official SBS Website at www.microsoft.com/sbs

Ground-breaking two-socket server delivers outstanding performance, memory and storage

I have just finished a course on the x3690 X5 and to say it changes how 2 way processors delivers performance would be an understatement.

The x3690 X5 is a 2U platform with 16 drive bays SAS, or 24 1.8” SAS SSD drives. Combined with a staggering 1TB of memory capacity delivers Datacentre computing to medium size business.

IBM have released their fifth-generation X-Architecture (eX5) technology that helps the x3690 X5 to achieve four socket performance in a two socket Intel processor Xeon platform.  

The x3690 X5 can handle 12% more database transactions per minute than standard two socket servers, doesn’t sound much, but when you compare the cost of a four processor server with four database processor licenses; therefore 12% transaction per minute increase is a lot.

Memory Mezzanine

16-DIMM Internal Memory Expansion module can be installed to increase the DIMM slots available by16-DIMM; thus giving you 32 DIMMS within the x3690 X5 server.

MAX5

Connecting a MAX 5 memory module to the x3690 X5 system (three MAX5 modules are supported), adds 16-DIMM additional memory slots.  The MAX5 is connected to the server via the QIP ports and using the IBM cable kit. Additional MAX5 memory module trays are connected together using a MAX5 cable kit.  The QIP architecture delivers an impressive 6.4 GT/s between the MAX5 modules and the x3690 X5. 

Virtualising

If you are virtualising your existing environment, then the x3690 X5 can support more VM’s than any other two socket servers.  This is due to the high memory capacity and accelerated CPU performance delivered by IBM’s fifth generation X-Architecture technology. 

The following IBM YouTube has Andreas Groth, IBM Virtualisation Architect and Matt McSpirit, Microsoft Partner Technology Advisor.

Highlights:

• Achieve four-socket performance at a two-socket investment
• Grow to meet changing workload demands with superb memory expansion
• Own and operate your systems with less complexity and cost
• Get peace of mind with enterprise-class reliability and availability.

More Information:

Delivering database services or looking to virtualise? then you should be looking at the   IBM x3690 X5.

The IDC published a white paper entitled ‘The Value of Memory-Dense Servers: IBM’s System x MAX5 for its eX5 Server Family’ sponsored by IBM.

Visit IBM System x for more product information.

Hi all, first blog post in a while (sorry!).

Just to remind all of you that were hot on the heels of downloading and installing Windows 7 RC (build 7100) – your time is almost up. Starting on 1st March 2010 users with this RC release will experience their machine shutting down every 2hrs, messages warning that the copy of Windows is not genuine.

On June 1, 2010, if you are still on the Windows 7 RC, your license will expire and the non-genuine experience will be triggered. Your wallpaper will be removed and "This copy of Windows is not genuine" will be displayed in the lower right corner of your desktop, above the taskbar. Starting on February 15, 2010, Windows 7 RC should actually start giving daily prompts to remind you about the expiration, but just in case two weeks’ notice isn’t enough, we’re letting you know a month in advance.

If you have enjoyed using Windows 7, upgrade to it! It’s brilliant!

Upgrade sooner rather than later to avoid issues in the future.

Monday 7^th December – 9 a.m. until 11.30 a.m.

Gardner is please to present the first of our “No Brainer” IT consultancy days. Now that the worst of the recession is hopefully behind us, what are the obvious IT strategies and tactics we can adopt to improve and grow our businesses at last? Our presenters will be drawn from current industry leaders who will give you the best advice on how to get the best from your IT, with specific reference to the significant technology changes taking place in 2009/2010.

If you are just a bit confused or bewildered about what it all the challenges mean to you, then come along and have things explained simply. Our agenda will include:-

• Microsoft “The New Efficiency” including Virtualisation, Business Management
• NetApp Storage Efficient Technologies
• IBM Energy Efficiency Servers
• Hosted Services
• Cost Effective Security through IP cameras
• Power and cost saving tools including PC PowerDown and DocSense

The venue is the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port. The only sharks present will be those in the aquarium! Much of the advice offered on the day is around energy and cost saving, so we will all be doing a lot towards saving the planet. The session will finish around 11-30 am, leaving you plenty of time to network with the advisors or just take the opportunity to wander around Blue Planet and add to the enjoyment of your morning.

http://www.blueplanetaquarium.com

If you are interested in attending this event please register here

Over the last few months Gardner Systems have been working hard with its technology partners evaluating and working with them on new releases , especially with Microsoft, with a new wave of technology, now included in the Microsoft “New Efficiency” campaign.

Our Network Manager Alan Eves said “ we have been so impressed with the quality of the products, but more importantly with the efficiency is running costs and importantly business practices that these new products are bringing to us”

Alan has been involved in transforming a number of the day to day operations at Gardner by heading up a SharePoint roll out across the business, “this has revolutionised the way Gardner interact with not only each other, but also our customers and event attendees”. As part of the new technology migration Gardner are looking to enhance their event management and customer interation further by deploying Microsoft CRM.

Other technology products currently rolling out across the business include;

· Windows 7 on all desks

· Server virtualisation programme, using Microsoft Hyper-V and managed with the System Centre Toolset (Virtual Machine Manger, operations manager and config manager)

· Exchange 2010

· Online Services (integrating on premise solutions with online Exchange, OCS and Live Meeting)

“these technologies are transforming the way we are operating out business, as an example the deployment of Hyper-V R2 is going to greatly reduce the physical server count, reducing both out power and cooling requirements” Alan Added.

Alongside the Microsoft technology, Gardner are also taking advantage of their NetApp storage platform as well, to allow for a hugely efficient delivery mechanism for their new virtualised infrastructure . “The NetApp storage technology is very important in our virtualisation programme, we believe it bar far the most efficient storage technology on the market, with its deduplication and cloning technology, allowing both massive space savings as well as incredibly efficient machine creation, letting us create new Windows servers in a matter of a couple of minutes. Both technologies have positively impacted what we are doing, allowing us to be much more cost and time efficient” Alan Added.

If you want to see more about what Gardner’s are doing, contact Alan to arrange a demo alane@gardnersystems.co.uk

On 24th September 2009, Gardner Systems and Microsoft will be presenting Essential Business Server 2008. This event is free to attend and runs from 9am – 1pm (including lunch).

This is the perfect opportunity for you to come and speak with Microsoft and Gardner Systems about how your IT infrastructure can save you money. Save money by providing an easy-to-manage technical solution which can address issues you are currently experiencing in your business.

EBS has been specifically designed by Microsoft for the mid-market to address the following issues:

If you wish to attend the event or to find out more click here

Gardner Systems are pleased to announce that we have been carefully selected by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft Essential Business Server to the mid-market within the UK. Microsoft are working with only 5 UK partners out of 36,000 on a special LightHouse programme to help deliver EBS in the UK.

 So what is EBS I hear you ask…

EBS in Microsoft’s own words is:

“Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is an enterprise-class server solution designed and priced for midsize businesses. Windows Essential Business Server 2008 provides a unified Administration Console to manage an integrated IT infrastructure with the latest versions of management, messaging, and security server technologies.  By helping to improve IT manageability and reliability, Windows Essential Business Server 2008 turns a midsize IT infrastructure into a strategic asset, boosting productivity and growth”

We at Gardner Systems met with Iain Frew, Principal Program Manager for EBS last week to discuss what it can bring to the typical mid-market business. Throughout the slides we were shown it was clear to that Microsoft has realy studied what a potential customer could want when producing EBS. It includes key technologies such as Exchange 2007, forefront security, SQL server 2008, hyper-V, system centre essentials and many more.

Gardners are presenting an event around this topic here in Liverpool on the 24th September 2009. This event is free for anyone to attend and will consist of us demonstrating EBS with Microsoft key speaker and Principal Program Manager, Iain Frew. A perfect opportunity for you to come and meet with Microsoft.

Visiting the Essential Business Server website this product is usually shown on multiple (3/4) servers with one per function-Management Server, Messaging Server, Security Server. This can, according to this document be virtualised onto less hardware to provide “infrastructure in a box”.