Upgrade to Broadband Services

I just couldn't wait for the formal announcement.  JPCi.Net are about to launch ADSL 2+ and Annex M!

As part of our infrastructure upgrade, we are launching a number of new business only broadband services to support our focus on business-led, cloud computing solutions. 

Having been at the forefront of Internet product and service innovation over a number of years, we believe it is important to be amongst the first providers in the UK to roll out these services.

The exact date will be announced soon, as will pricing.  To pre-register your interest, drop me an email to out info@ email address and I will update you as soon as further details become available.

Does every cloud have a silver lining?......

It seems like it when cloud computing is the cloud in question!

In these difficult trading conditions, it is great to be able to make a real difference and that is exactly what we have been able to do with one long-term customer.

Their industry sector has taken a particularly hard-hit as a result of the economic down-turn.  This couldn't have happened at a worse time given that their entire IT infrastructure is due for replacement and the lack of processing power has really started to compromise business operations.

By looking to 'the cloud', we have been able to prolong the life of their desktop systems.  Utilising one of our low-cost, no-contract Virtual Private Servers, Terminal Services and rented Microsoft Office software, their users now have access to the very latest application software and staff performance and productivity have improved as a result.  This has been achieved with minimal capital investment and the rental costs have easily been recovered by the increased productivity.

This for me, is an almost perfect example of how the cloud computing model can make a real difference to businesses performance.

 

It's good to be back!

Sorry there’s been no update (again) for a while - well exactly two months to be precise - things are still a little crazy round here.  After the holiday season, we embarked on a series of upgrades and changes to our core network, including a series of new servers, routers and switches.  We have also been commissioning new facilities at Telehouse Europe and improving our DSL infrastructure.

There have also been developments in our product offerings.  Utilising Cisco VRF technology, we are now able to provide our customers with unparalleled levels of service surrounding virtual networking.  When combined with our 'Connect' range of security and hosting products, we believe we are uniquely positioned to provide a fantastic IP networking services supported by the legendary JPCi.Net support & service desk.

If you would like further details, give us a ring in the office or email us at sales@ - well you know the rest of the domain and we don’t want it harvested now do we!

We are also working on a couple of exciting customer ‘cloud’ solutions.  One of them is using VRF-Lite services and Hosted Exchange, the other is using a 100 Mbit Ethernet link and a number of hosted servers running SQL services.  At least it keeps the techies busy!

The other thing taking a great deal of time just now is the restructuring of the business into more focused ‘lines’.

It was obvious to us, maybe a little late in the day, that our business capability had grown to such an extent that our website had lost its focus and was confusing - well it confuses us so goodness knows what it is doing for you guys?!  We are currently creating the necessary focused teams to support you in the manner to which you have become accustomed.  In a nutshell, you will soon be able to contact one of the following areas depending on your specific needs:

-          Business Internet Services - for sophisticated cloud computing and managed internet

-          Technology Partner Services - technology and development support for IT companies and software developers

-          Web Development & Design - Our web design studio & ecommerce systems

-          Service Desk Support - telephone, remote & on-site support for end users

In the meantime, please continue to use the standard email and telephone points of contact.

Why do major suppliers make conducting business so difficult?

Sorry it has been a while folks.  It’s been a hectic time and a holiday in Greece didn’t help but we’re back on the case and looking to move the business forward a-pace.

 

Momentum is being gained with a number of our customers/partners with regard to cloud computing services but just when you thought it was safe to go outside, Microsoft change the rules on the Service Provider License Agreement.  It doesn’t fill one with confidence when Microsoft themselves don’t seem t understand the new rules.

 

On a related note i.e. concerning the ‘big boys’ – does anyone have any tales to tell or experience of the telecoms companies and their reluctance to quote on circuits (well that’s how it appears given the weeks it can take to get even a simple quote) and the apparent hap-hazard pricing policy. I’d be delighted to hear from you if you do.  I’ll say no more at this stage but those of you who have had ‘the experience’ will know what I mean.  I’ll provide an update in the next month or so once I have heard from you.

Pete

Faith Restored!

At last, an enlightened prospect!

 

Had a great meeting today with a CEO who by his own admission is not totally technically savvy but who listened to what I had to say; discussed it; and then realised that strong consideration to the ‘Cloud’ should be given.

 

I will be eternally grateful to him, not only for the chance to submit a proposal but in restoring my faith in human, well at least, business nature.

 

I get back to the office to some further good (and relevant) news.  Our Infrastructure Manager has had a major breakthrough on some routing technology we’ve been looking at with regard to deployment of our STC Connect range of Cloud services, making the integration of centralised services even more seamless to our customers.  He has also added some great system admin functionality – well done him!

 

Sadly, all this good news was offset by the bad news that my car is very sick.  Not terminally so but sick nonetheless.  Oh well, can’t have it all I suppose….heaves a heavy sigh.

 

That’s today’s news folks.  I’m out tomorrow so will have plenty of tales for later in the week….but what will they be?  Only one way to find out – check in again with Captain’s Blog, star-date 09-07-23.

 

TTFN. 

 

Pete

A week in the life of a CEO

Well what a few days it has been.  A day at the seaside with my good friend and naturalised American Jon Chandler - incidentally Jon, good tip on the shares (our little secret) - gave me some excellent insights into the world of advertising...Jon has been an Advertising Exec. for that last 22 years so knows a thing or two.

Then my newly fixed car exhibits the same fault that has just cost me a fortune to repair - I guess that's cars for you!

My golfing partner and I were well-beaten in a grudge match where our opponents were a little less than gracious at times in their courtesy and behaviour.  Who said this was a gentleman's game?!

Then Old Father Time himself (or is that Old Father Tom) nearly wins the greatest event of them all The Open Championship - not sure where this new-fangled British Open thing comes from?  Personally, I'd have let him win as Cink must surely now rank alongside the guy who told me the tooth fairy and Father Christmas don't exist!

And finally, today, after more than 70 years, England beat the Aussies at Lords. Hallelujah!

So what's all this got to do with being a CEO.  Oh yes, one has to try and fit some work in between and what a week it's been!  I've become a born-again-blogger, twitterer and anything else you can think of which involves typing things into a box on the screen which then gets published on the Net.  Do I have any customers left - I hope so.  Best go see.

I'll be back soon.

Pete

 

New hosting facility to open

Take a look at the latest new on our facility, soon to open in Bristol.  Exciting times!

http://www.jpci.net/news.asp?ID=47 

When is a cloud not a cloud........?

Frustration reigns as another poor soul falls foul of the IT cowboys!

I've recently been speaking to a prospective client who has had the most miserable experience with regards to using 'the cloud' to improve their IT and business facilities.

Wanting to use their existing server and broadband connections to network their various offices and utilise the current investment in server and software technology, wouldn't seem unreasonable.  However, when your IT Support company doesn't employ any network security on the VPN connections and exposes your server to hack & attack, then you might wonder if it is all worth it.

The company ended up having 1.5 million emails relayed through its server and was subsequently blacklisted.  What a pain!  As a result, they suspended their attempt to run centralised services on their own server and contacted JPCi.Net.  We have now created a (hopefully) soon-to-be-deployed solution using a suit of our Cloud Services.  This includes:

- stc ConnectServer - a rented virtual private server and software (Windows and MS applications)

- stc ConnectSafe - Web & URL filtering, spam and virus filtering and ISA firewall (rented)

- stc Connect DNA - Token-secured digital network access available at low cost on a 'per seat' basis

Our technology solutions in this area are provided on a per seat basis, allow micro businesses to large organisations to deploy secure cloud computing solution at affordable and sustainable costs.

If you would like more information on this solution (minus the commercially sensitive bits) or potential solutions like this for your business, please call Pete now (free) on 0800 542 6555 or email info@jpci.net.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

Thinking of making an investment in cloud computing infrstructure?

It seems to be the way the world is going.  Is this just another 'fad' or will cloud computing bring real benefits to the majority of small and medium sized businesses struggling to make ends meet during the current economic downturn?

At slicethecoud.jpci.net, we believe we have identified areas where it can!

I was reading an article / white-paper about a large US-based corporate had saved $000's  in the short term by renting a data-centre solution allowing it to invest the capital into a new warehouse.  This in turn led to a decrease in its distribution costs and increased profitability - not forgetting the better service to their customer.  But how can such advantage be gained by a regional UK-based company turning over less that £million?

A customer of ours recently announced the requirement for a short-term uplift in staff in one of its divisions.  The additional twenty or so staff will require hardware (PCs) and access to Email (MS Exchange) plus use of MS Office.  Additionally, because they had no ‘room at the inn’, they were having to rent alternative office accommodation for them and give them remote access to the central server, which as you can probably guess, hangs off the end of an ADSL broadband connection.  Not an ideal situation by any means.

Was there ever a better opportunity for the deployment of a centralised server (in a local data-centre); the implementation of lower-cost ‘thin clients’ as opposed to expensive, power-hungry PCs; and the rental of MS Office software on a monthly, no-contract basis?...I think not!

This type of solution is very workable and saves the customer £000’s over a six month period.  The specific terms of the agreement are confidential of course but we are happy to discuss how this computing model can save your business thousands of Pounds and increase user productivity.

Call Pete free on 0800 542 6555 or email info@jpci.net for further information. .....Or keep coming back to this blog as I will post as many scenarios and project details as I can (whether or not we win the them) to assist you in gaining as much background information as possible about the benefits of cloud computing.

Pete - see also www.twitter.com/slicethecloud