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EMPLOYEE PROFILE
Jason Leja
Born in
North Adams, MA and a resident of Adams (and as Jason will quickly
remind you, yes, there is a difference!) Jason has been a member of the
IBS team since 2002, providing extended support for key non-profit and small business clients.
IBS Birthdays
Tim Parsons
Nov 5 Traci
Hennessey Nov 27
IBS Anniversaries
Rich Holmes
Sept 27 - (1 year)
Jason Leja
Oct 11 - (4 years)
Ben Scoble
Oct 21 - (9 years)
Glenn Stedman
Nov 13 - (5 years)
Upcoming Events
Berkshire Chamber of Commerce - 2005
Business-to-Business Showcase
Wednesday October 19 @ Crowne Plaza -
Pittsfield - 4:00-7:00pm
Drop Us A Line!
Got ideas regarding technology tips
you find interesting or subjects for a future IBS Newsletter?
Drop
us a line and let your suggestions be known!
Visit us on the Web at:
www.for-ibs.com
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From Dave's Desk - What's New at IBS
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IBS launches scheduling software
IBS has implemented a new scheduling software package, ServiceCEO. The application allows IBS staff
to view daily, weekly, and monthly schedules for any
individual or our entire team at a glance. In
addition, service call history is tracked over time,
allowing the system to be used as an internal knowledge
base for technical fixes.
The system also features a web-based
interface for our field technicians to maintain better
contact with the office. Please feel
free to contact us for more information or a demo of the
system!
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Announcing two additions to the IBS
staff
Beginning in May, Traci Hennessey joined the IBS team.
A graduate of Western New England College, Traci brings over
fifteen years experience in technology and telephony
administration, support, training, and consulting.
At IBS, our goal is to continue to proactively search for
new and innovative ways to maintain the high level of
customer service that our clients have come to expect. Traci
will be a vital link between our clients and our technical
and operations staff moving forward in exploring ways to
streamline these efforts.
In addition, Jeremy Redmond started with IBS in mid-September.
Jeremy
brings to IBS extensive experience in supporting clients
running Microsoft Exchange Server and related compression
and archival software. Jeremy holds CompTIA A+,
Network+, and Security+ certifications, as well as being a
Microsoft Certified Professional, Systems Administrator, and
Systems Engineer (MCP, MCSA, and MCSE).
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IBS Training Room now available
as a resource to you!
For those that haven't visited our
Easthampton office, IBS has a fully-equipped eight-seat
training facility available for use. Whether used
for training on computer software and technology, or
just as an off-site meeting space, please contact us for
information on using our space for your business!
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Tech Review - To VPN or not to VPN -
that is the question
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Using a VPN to
connect your branch offices can save $$$
In the past decade,
access to the Internet has become ubiquitous mostly through dial-up
connections using telephone modems with a maximum speed of 56 kilobits per second (Kbps). More recently, high speed Internet access
has become more available and affordable through digital subscriber
lines (DSL) and broadband connections. The significance of this
technical step means high speed connectivity to the Internet is no
longer limited to the pricier connections such as point-to-point and
frame relay circuits. Combine this with other technology such as
encryption, network address translation and various Internet
protocols, users located at different sites can now exchange data
securely and reliably via Virtual Private Networks (VPN). |
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A case in point is
with an insurance company that took advantage of having DSL
available to two of its four locations, replacing the point-to-point
fractional T1 line and its wide area network with a VPN using Cisco
PIX firewalls, drastically lowering their monthly IT cost. |
Toole Agency - A VPN ties remote offices together
"Prior to VPN technology connecting our branch offices to our main
office, I honestly don't how we managed to keep staff in the branch
locations. " - Joan Tyer of Toole Agency
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Software Focus - IBS
creates consolidation software for IFP
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Integrated Financial Partners,
Inc., a member of Lincoln Financial Group, was struggling with an efficient way
to manage commissions paid to over 130 financial advisors throughout their five
northeast regional offices. They utilized a complex combination of electronic
print, manual, and spreadsheet systems in a monthly, labor-intensive effort to
produce these commission payments.
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The process was taking one, highly-skilled, well-paid financial
manager over two weeks (80 hours) per month to complete this task.
Additionally, there was no historical reference of monthly payouts
and agent summary information. Through the use of IBS custom
software, significant time (and money) was saved.
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