Running Linux and Windows applications on Chromebook isn’t an issue for most organizations – why would it be? The whole point of Chromebooks is that they’re tied to Google’s ecosystem of web-based applications and backend systems. The hardware, software, services, deployment, and management cost you a lot less than the … Read More
Have we made Desktops and Desktop Support too Complicated?
Once upon a time, desktop support was the entry-level echelon of the IT infrastructure ladder. The mapping of drives, checking of cables and maintenance of printers was considered to be the perfect area for junior staff to cut their information technology teeth. Career progression moved you further towards the “back” … Read More
Is Application Virtualization now a necessity?
Microsoft’s move to Windows 10 and Server 2016 puts enterprises into a state of “perpetual migration” that brings a whole raft of challenges to enterprise IT departments, including taking into account whether Application Virtualization is now a necessity. In a previous article, I discussed this state, and some of the … Read More
Managing Office 365 performance issues
Office 365 has been upon us for a while and represents one of Microsoft’s big pushes (alongside Azure) towards their “cloud first, mobile first” model. Most of us haven’t gone for full-fat Office 365 just yet, because of a few Office 365 performance issues with the web-based versions such as missing functionality, … Read More
Client OS deployments & management
Part 3 of our Network Remodeling / Redesigning / Restructuring services series In my previous post: Active Directory Design and Network Resource Availability we discuss how your organization’s Active Directory design acts as a central orchestrator for your entire network and what roles you should be utilizing within your organization. … Read More
Setting the default file location for attachments in Microsoft Outlook
Let’s suppose you’re the Network Administrator that provides IT support for a company called Globex Corporation based here in Waukesha, WI. You have 100+ users accessing Microsoft Outlook 2013 from a Remote Desktop Service farm (RDS). Unfortunately, without the default file location configured for Outlook 2013, one of the most … Read More
Why Your Business Should Consider Office 365 in 2016
Each day, new applications release with the sole intent of improving the efficiency of businesses. While some apps are not necessary, others can be real lifesavers. Here is a piece of software from the latter category: Office 365. This new Office has the features of Office 2016 and many more. … Read More
Google Chrome – “Class Not Registered” error
I recently ran into a situation where one of our school customers was planning on doing some standardized testing (the FORWARD exam) and the Google Chrome browser application they needed to use for the testing suddenly wouldn’t start for a number of users. The error was: I had not seen … Read More
“Help! My Outlook contacts are missing!”
Imagine this scenario… A Microsoft Outlook user gets a new computer. Everything is loaded and it works great. After several minutes of using their new computer, the user shrieks in horror, “All my Outlook Contacts are missing!” You confidently but sheepishly point to the Contacts part of their Microsoft Outlook … Read More
Application Analysis and End-User Experience part #2 – picking your poison
In the first part of this article, we discussed the reasoning behind the rise in popularity of client-side metrics, application analysis tools and quantification of the user experience. User expectations are changing, and the focus of monitoring should be equally divided between client and server, rather than weighted towards the … Read More
Application Analysis and End-User Experience part #1 – why should I care?
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Attributed to Winston Churchill, this quote has a particular resonance for IT projects. Over the past fifteen years or so, near enough every project I have worked from has suffered from the same problem – that there is … Read More