Microsoft unveils its cloud management bundle

It was expected that Microsoft would unveil it’s cloud management bundle (System Center 2012) details yesterday and that is exactly what they did into two editions: Standard and Datacentre.  It had been rumored that Microsoft would take this move rather than sell individual products. 

The announcements from Microsoft positioned System Center 2012 as a public and private cloud management platform with a number of new additions to the bundle.

There will be two System Center 2012 SKUs: Standard and Datacenter. Each includes the same group of eight point products, but with only two “operating system environments” (OSEs) supported for Standard, and an unlimited number supported for Datacenter. (OSEs can be physical and/or virtual machines).

Microsoft didn’t officially name a RTM date for the final version of System Center, but it is expected that this will be announced sometime in April.

So what is in the System Center 2012 bundle?  Those in italics are new additions for 2012.

• App Controller – This is a new addition to System Center and provides a single management portal showing both public and private cloud resources providing administrators with a single view of their private and public cloud resources.
• EndPoint Protection: The security client formerly known as Forefront EndPoint Protection is now part of System Center and is integrated with Configuration Manager.
• Orchestrator (Was Opalis): Adds workflow automation and third-party integration with the 2012 release.
• Virtual Machine Manager: The 2012 release can now manage even more hypervisors from not just Microsoft, but also additional third parties.  Microsoft have also got the market pretty excited over the last year around server application virtualisation and this is the edition that supports that vision.
• Configuration Manager: Has more valuable features such as settings management with remediation and also provides integration with System Center Endpoint Protection.
• Service Manager: Adds more self-service management capabilities and new data warehousing and reporting features.
• Operations Manager: There is more support for Unix/Linux management functionality, customisable dashboards and more app-performance management and network monitoring.
• Data Protection Manager: New in this release is new role-based administration and item-level recovery for VMs which is a big requirement for virtualisation administrators.

So all in all some long awaited functionality and yet more additional value added by Microsoft and should help you make the move to a private cloud and any subsequent public cloud simpler.

Microsoft to increase it’s Office365 Basic Offering

Microsoft is adding some new capabilities such as Exchange ActiveSync support to its lowest K-plan service.

In a post to his “The Office 365 Display Board” blog, Microsoft Senior Partner Technology Advisor Jesper Osgaard described some of the tweaks the Softies are making to the Office 365 K-plan:

Exchange Online Kiosk Plan: Microsoft is adding Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) support for mobile devices to the current Exchange Online Kiosk plan. Currently, users with that plan only have POP mail capabilities. “With this change, we will enable all smartphones that support EAS, including iPhone, Android phones, Nokia phones (Symbian), and Windows phones,” Osgaard blogged.

EAS is designed for the synchronisation of email, contacts, calendar, tasks and notes from a messaging server to a mobile device, where as POP is limited to e-mail only.

E-mail storage: Microsoft is doubling e-mail storage for K plan users from 500 MB to 1 GB.

Exchange Online Archiving: Microsoft will be enabling “Exchange Online Archiving (EOA) including legal hold and unlimited storage, to be offered as an add-on to any Exchange Online plan, including Kiosk and Exchange Plan 1,” they said.

When the new capabilities will be available was not disclosed but it is expected it will be within Q1/Q2 2012.

For workers on the road most of their day  the above changes obviously will add a lot of increased functionality if they have a smart device, e.g. being able maintain to an updated schedule in their calendars, set reminders via tasks etc.

Citrix Releases CloudGateway 1.0

Citrix spoke about CloudBridge and CloudGateway during 2011 and at last Cloud Gateway 1.0 is available for use.  CloudGateway Enterprise is a single point of control for enterprise delivery of Windows, Web and SaaS applications.  Architecturally it looks like this:

CloudGateway Enterprise comprises of three key components:

1. StoreFront services - The Windows component allowing the various Citrix Receivers to connect to the enterprise store, and deliver Windows, Web and SaaS applications to users, with a follow-me subscription and launch experience.
2. AppController - A linux based virtual machine available for both XenServer and VMware based hosts, providing the central administrative point for configuration of all enterprise Web and SaaS applications, to be delivered to end users, with a single sign-on federation and consolidated provisioning capabilities
3. Gateway services - Delivered through the Access Gateway component, either standalone, or as a feature of the NetScaler MPX, VPX and SDX platforms.

In addition to the above components CloudGateway Enterprise will also consist of regular AppConnector update packs, which will include new connectors for applications, that will keep increasing the number of applications supported for both federation and user account provisioning support within the AppController.

Citrix XenApp Mobility Pack

Got a tablet?  Running Citrix?  Then you might just want to take a look at this.  We  all know that one of the key uses of tablet computers is the integration into the enterprise which poses a problem for many businesses when it comes to addressing access to Windows based applications to ensure the tablet truly delivers a valid ROI. 

Citrix is one way of doing this using it’s Citrix Receiver technology and recently they have expanded this capability with the Mobility Pack.  With this pack, XenApp can intelligently recognize an Android or iOS tablet as the endpoint and render Tablet Optimised Desktops. For published apps, the pack provides a true Native Device Experience, allowing mobile devices with the latest Citrix Receiver for Android (Receiver for iOS coming soon) to interact with apps in the data center.

Now, mobile device specific features such as auto keyboard popup, local selector controls, and auto scrolling are enabled, giving users get the best possible experience with on-demand Windows apps on their mobile device.  It can transform your desktop from this:

to this:

So if you are planning your tablet deployment and are wondering how and when to tackle those Windows applications you now have a better Citrix experience to look at to increase your time to value.  Need help with your tablet deployment, then I suggest you look here.

VMware View for Mac OS X

VMware has released a View Client with PCoIP for Mac OS X. You can download a Tech Preview now. Some of the features include:

• Support for Intel-based Macs
• PCoIP protocol optimised for VMware View 5
• Full screen support for Mac OS X Lion users
• Copy and Paste plain text between View 4.x virtual machines and Mac
• Copy and Paste text, formatted text, and graphics between View 5.x virtual machines and Mac
• Support optional RSA authentication
• Enhanced certificate checking
• Add up to 4 VMware View server shortcuts in VMware View Client.

To download the Mac client tech preview, you will need a VMware.com login and go to the following URL:

http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/crt_macosx_tp_dec2011/dCV0YnRAd3BidGVkdA==

What technology should be in your top drawer this year?

So 2012 is upon us and that brings with it a plethora of roadmaps from tier one enterprise technology vendors mixed with the continuing march of consumerisation of IT.  So given the hype, hysteria and trends presented in 2011 we thought a list of technologies to look at within this year might be useful:

1. Tablets – No surprise here they have gained momentum over 2011 and lets face it I bet a number were shifted over the Christmas period and are now sitting on the desks of your colleagues.  From a business perspective, replacing notebook computers with much lower-cost tablets may have a double benefit of reducing capital expenditures as well as increasing user satisfaction.  Getting the devices to add value and match business requirements can be a challenge but defining your tablet strategy should overcome many of the hurdles that will present themselves.
2. Windows 8 – The combination of both Server 8 and Windows 8 both laptop and mobile with a fully capable unified communications environment -- could mean rapid adoption for mobile organisations that can benefit from the access-anywhere model.
3. Cloud Backups – Cloud will continue to be used for areas of the business that makes sense, one of those is backup and recovery. Because backups are secondary or tertiary copy of your data, cloud backups can more affordably fulfill archiving or disaster recovery than with moving tapes around.
4. Storage Virtualisation - Putting a layer of virtualisation between the servers allows for thin provisioning, automatic tiering of storage, instant snapshots, and de-duplication.
5. Cloud Applications – Again nothing new in concept but we believe that businesses will continue to explore smart utilisation of cloud services that are right for your business model.  Microsoft are touted to launch Dynamics into the cloud this year and we will continue to see broader adoption of Office365 and InTune.  The real trick is to use the cloud effectively while retaining data security and availability  -- no easy task.

Microsoft Technology in 2012

Should Microsoft meet their roadmap plans for 2012 there should be a number of business products and technologies that should be on your own roadmap for evaluation.  Some of those technologies rumored for release are listed below and we think should be firmly on your radar.

1. Windows Server 8: Windows Server 8 has hundreds of new features as you would expect with a strong play with Hyper-V.  Windows Server 8 includes improvements in storage, virtualisation, networking and clustering to name but a few.

2. Windows 8 client: A lot of interest around the Windows 8 client is focused on the tablet experience and the ability to roam across tablet and traditional operating systems, making the move into consumerisation a lot slicker for many businesses.  The noise around Windows 8 client so far has been pretty positive.

3. Office 2012 servers: New versions of on-premises Exchange, SharePoint and Lync  are all in development as part of Office 15.  Businesses continue to hear Microsoft will ship them before the end of calendar 2012.

4. Identity management: We’re talking Active Directory Services; Active Directory Federation Services; Certificate Services/PKI; Active Directory Rights Management Services and Forefront Identity Manager. This provides the foundation of the single sign on experience for Microsoft’s public and private cloud technologies.

5. System Center 2012: Microsoft will launch in the first half of 2012 its full suite of 10-plus systems management offerings. Some of these products will be able to manage non-Microsoft mobile devices for the first time. Some of the advancements in SCCM and SCOM are very compelling for businesses.

6. Skype and Lync/Outlook Integration: The $8.5bn acquisition of Skype should start to show integration this year across the business landscape including Skype integration with Lync, Skype integration with Exchange/Outlook and maybe even built-in Skype integration with Windows.

7. ERP in the cloud: Microsoft Dynamics NAV, will be the first cloud-enabled ERP solution from Microsoft. Microsoft officials have said they  plan to move all four of their ERP products to the cloud.

So looks like a lot of activity for Microsoft this year and a lot of value for businesses looking to upgrade and migrate to the latest product editions.

Need help with your plans?  Contact us to see how we can help you.

Remote Working–It’s a changing landscape.

Remote working has always been on the agenda of many since the advent of laptops, getting access to corporate data was always a challenge and bind that with HR, Security and results based management you always had issues in aiding this move despite the obvious well documented evidence that it works!

The remote workforce has grown quickly over the past decade, but the economic issues have had an impact.  The U.S. teleworking population in 2010 was estimated at 26.2 million — nearly 20% of the U.S. adult working population.

Remote working is one aspect of workplace flexibility. Employers are finding that telework and other flexible work arrangements are effective tools in attracting younger employees who appreciate greater flexibility and to recruit remote workers from a wider talent pool.

Ten years ago, people might have been surprised if you told them you worked from home. Today they’re more likely to be surprised if you don’t have some kind of flexible working arrangement that means you can. 

As remote working becomes more the norm, the number of people who enjoy the ability to work from home occasionally has also increased. This may be on a formal basis in which the employee can work from home a set number of days a week basis, on an ad hoc basis when there’s a childcare issue or a practical need to be at home, or on a crisis basis.

Equanet over the last 6-8 weeks have seen a large number of client engagements for remote working due to Business Continuity to protect their productivity and employees from harsh winters and recent medical pandemic.  Getting employees used to working from home can benefit a company should disaster strike. 

Most modern companies have relaxed into accepting remote workers and trusting them to be productive.  The image of the remote workers having daytime TV on in the background is no longer upheld by many, perhaps because as more people experience remote working themselves they see the benefits (no commute, a distraction-free environment, less office politics to name but a few).

With the emergence of tablet technology, faster mobile networks and better security the ability to keep in touch and work when away from the office has become a policy issue.  If you need help in developing your remote working strategy or implement the right technology you should really contact us to find out how we can get a faster time to value for you.

Your Best Cloud…

Having completed Equanet’s VDI, Cloud and Consumerisation event this week with support from Citrix and Microsoft I thought I would ask you what your best cloud is?  Private, Public or Hybrid?  The answer has to be none of the above.  Too many people get hung up on the idea of positioning a cloud solution without doing their homework and we firmly believe the best cloud is Your Cloud; based upon your needs, legislation and technical readiness.  All too often we are told that Hybrid cloud is the best cloud – why?

You can't blame those for recommending this strategy. Hybrid clouds can leverage both private and public clouds and dynamically choose where processes and data should reside.

The problem comes when enterprises rely too much on vendor marketing and not enough on their own architectural requirements.  Businesses typically realise the limitations too late in the process normally due to a lack of transparency.

Staff involved with these projects get caught up in the hype, feel pressured to get a cloud solution up and running, and hit issues they don't see until it's too late.

Equanet believe that there is an easy resolution to this, it is doing the same that you have for your data centre projects over the past few years without the cloud tag.  Firstly you need to undertake a root and branch assessment of the core requirements to define the right cloud approach for you.  In many cases the complexity of a hybrid cloud can overshadow the cost benefit of cloud in the first place and a straight forward public or private cloud solution is best for business.

Remember there is no silver bullet: Cloud computing requires that you make some compromises.   Just understand them before committing.  Have a cloud strategy in place and understand what is in and what isn’t.  Alternatively talk to us at Equanet to see how we can help you.

Citrix Acquires App-DNA

It is Citrix Synergy in Barcelona at present and as ever Citrix have come to the table with a number of product updates, product advancements and news of acquisitions.  One of them made yesterday was the acquisition of App-DNA.

App-DNA provide application analysis, assessment and remediation software under the name of AppTitude.  The product assists in migrating users from Windows XP through to Windows 7 and caters for understanding the issues of upgrading Internet Explorer on Wed Based Applications.

Citrix is planning to integrate the AppTitude technology in the Citrix Desktop Transformation Model, offering assessment functionality, remediation of incompatible applications and automated application packaging to MSI, App-V or Citrix XenApp formats.

If you are considering desktop migration either to a physical Windows 7 desktop or to a virtual desktop environment you really should leverage App-DNA to understand where your application issues are and how they may impact the scale of the project.

Talk to us and see how we can support your desktop transformation project.