ZAG Technical Services IT News

ZAG involved in setting up IT group serving Monterey County.

Greg Gatzke — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:27:25 +0000

ZAG Technical Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that it is involved in assisting in setting up an IT group serving Monterey County. The Monterey County Information Technology Group is a gathering of organizations with the purpose of increasing awareness surrounding various Information Technology issues. The group will work together to share knowledge and best practices around:

Security
Infrastructure
Communications
Business Intelligence
Other topics requested by members

ZAG is excited to be involved in the formation of this group. For further information, please visit http://www.mcitg.org. If you have any questions, please contact us at 831.422.3100.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Microsoft and ZAG Technical Services Present: Cyber Security Briefing

joey — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:03:06 +0000

Thursday, May 13th 2010 – 8:30 AM through 11:30 AM PST
Please join the FBI, Microsoft and ZAG in a Cyber Security Briefing hosted in Building 1 at the Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus located at 1065 La Avenida, Mountain View, CA 94043.

Included in this briefing will be:

A detailed review of various types of real world attacks that have occurred with Bay Area Corporations
Current top threats seen in the wild
The role the FBI plays in combating these threats
How Corporations can best work with the FBI to assist with security
How Corporations can work with the FBI to protect our National Infrastructure
How Microsoft Works with the government to ensure security
An overview of Microsoft’s security initiatives

Sign in will be from 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM. During that time a light breakfast will be served. Speakers will present from 9:00 AM through 11:30 AM. Please register early as seating is limited.

Register here

For more information or assistance, contact Joey Jose: joey@zagtech.com

Microsoft Online Services Webinar

joey — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:14:51 +0000

Here is a recent Webinar on Microsoft Online Services.

http://www.zagtech.com/MS_ZAG_Online_Apr2010.wmv

Microsoft Releases a Critical Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer

robert — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:30:23 +0000

April 2, 2010 – Microsoft has released a critical cumulative security update for Internet Explorer. This security update resolves nine privately reported vulnerabilities and one publicly disclosed vulnerability in Internet Explorer. The more severe vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported releases of Internet Explorer: Internet Explorer 5.01, Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, Internet Explorer 6 on Windows clients, Internet Explorer 7, and Internet Explorer 8 on Windows clients. For Internet Explorer 6 on Windows servers, this update is rated Important. And for Internet Explorer 8 on Windows servers, this update is rated Moderate.

The security update addresses these vulnerabilities by modifying the way that Internet Explorer verifies the origin of scripts and handles objects in memory, content using encoding strings, and long URL.

Recommendation: The majority of customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action because this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically. Customers who have not enabled automatic updating need to check for updates and install this update manually.

For more detailed information and a link to the security update visit http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS10-018.mspx

About ZAG Technical Services, Inc.
ZAG Technical Services, Inc. (ZAG) is an award winning IT consulting firm specializing in network infrastructure, security, communications, disaster recovery and remote access. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, a Citrix Silver Solution Advisor ZAG and a ShoreTel Certified Champion Partner, ZAG provides Enterprise class business solutions that help companies reduce IT costs, increase productivity and ensure security.

Located in San Jose and Salinas, California; ZAG serves businesses throughout Northern California. For more information about ZAG, please visit the company website at http://www.zagtech.com.

For additional information about ZAG contact us at +1.408.383.2000, +1.831.422.3100 or via email at info@zagtech.com

Webinar – Microsoft Cloud Services – It is right for your business?

robert — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:18:54 +0000

Microsoft Cloud Services – Is it right for your business? Join us for a webinar where you will learn more about Microsoft’s cloud computing offerings and how it can help your business reduce costs and improve business productivity by improving uptime and reducing infrastructure costs.

Are you considering any of the following?

• Migrating to a cloud based environment for some or all of your email or other key business offerings. Microsoft offers a Business Ready Online experience that takes advantage of the investment you have already made on your infrastructure.

• Providing anywhere access to business productivity software solutions to improve business processes and collaboration for your company?

• Reducing costs while providing your company with the latest business productivity tools such as Exchange, SharePoint, Live Meeting, and Office Communications Server?

The Webinar will include information about:

• Overview and benefits of using Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS).
• Key technology features that matter to business leaders
• How you can reduce costs
• Pros and Cons to switching to the a cloud based solution
• Overview of how to get started

Join Microsoft and ZAG Technical Services, Inc for a discussion of Microsoft’s cloud computing offerings and how they can help your business.

Date: April 8, 2010

Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm PST

Register today for this informative session.

ZAG Earns Winning on Value Award from Microsoft

Greg Gatzke — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:05:10 +0000

Awarded for Microsoft’s Northwest Region

San Jose, CA – March 25, 2010 – ZAG Technical Services, Inc. (ZAG), a leading Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, recently announced that it has won the Winning on Value Award for Microsoft’s Northwest Region. “We are excited about this recognition” stated Greg Gatzke, President of ZAG Technical Services, Inc. “The value of the Microsoft offering is unparalleled. To earn this honor for demonstrating the value of the full Microsoft offering is wonderful.” As Jon Arikata of Microsoft states, “ZAG Technical has always provided a consistent, customer centric business value proposition to their customers. With Microsoft’s Cloud offerings, ZAG is able to offer customers complementary IT strategies to the traditional on-premise infrastructure. ZAG is one of our top managed partners who has adopted Microsoft’s Cloud Strategy early and gained unparalleled technical expertise to provide the customer with a non-disruptive, integrated cloud based solution.”

About ZAG Technical Services, Inc. ZAG Technical Services, Inc. (ZAG) is an award winning IT consulting firm specializing in network infrastructure, security, disaster recovery and remote access. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, ZAG provides Enterprise class business solutions that help companies reduce IT costs, increase productivity and ensure security. Located in San Jose and Salinas, California ZAG serves businesses throughout Northern California. For more information about ZAG, please visit the company website at http://www.zagtech.com. ZAG can also be reached at +1.408.383.2000, +1.831.422.3100 or via email at info@zagtech.com.

Considering Virtualizing Your Desktops? Save Money with the Trade-up to XenDesktop 4 Program from Citrix

robert — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:03:47 +0000

Along with the release of XenDesktop 4, Citrix announced the Trade-up to XenDesktop 4 Program. The Trade-up Program provides XenApp customers the unique opportunity to add complete desktop virtualization to their proven XenApp implementation and save up to 80% on XenDesktop 4. The Program will be available until June 30, 2010.

Citrix’s Trade-up to XenDesktop 4 Program provides customers a simple, low risk path to desktop virtualization for their entire enterprise. By trading-up, customers leverage their XenApp licenses to get XenDesktop 4, which allows them to do everything they do today with XenApp and deliver high-definition virtual desktops to every user in their organization. XenApp customers can trade up their licenses now, continue to use application virtualization as they always have, and add virtual desktops at their own pace.

Three Ways to Save

1. Trade-up all your XenApp licenses at once:

Receive two XenDesktop 4 licenses for each XenApp license.
Save up to 80% on XenDesktop 4.
For customers with active Subscription Advantage.

2. Trade-up a sub-set of your XenApp licenses:

Receive one XenDesktop 4 license for each XenApp license.
Save up to 70% on XenDesktop 4.
For customers with active Subscription Advantage.

3. Trade-up XenApp, Presentation Server or MetaFrame licenses:

Receive one XenDesktop 4 license for each XenApp license.
Save up to 50% on XenDesktop 4.
For customers with expired Subscription Advantage

Located in San Jose and Salinas, California; ZAG serves businesses throughout Northern California. For more information about ZAG, please visit the company website at http://www.zagtech.com.

For additional information about the Citrix Trade-up to XenDesktop 4 program or ZAG contact us at +1.408.383.2000, +1.831.422.3100 or via email at info@zagtech.com

Microsoft Releases Security Updates for Internet Explorer Vulnerability

jim — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:58:30 +0000

Microsoft has released a critical security update for Internet Explorer. This security update resolves seven privately reported vulnerabilities and one publicly disclosed vulnerability in Internet Explorer. The more severe vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported releases of Internet Explorer: Internet Explorer 5.01, Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, Internet Explorer 7, and Internet Explorer 8 (except Internet Explorer 6 for supported editions of Windows Server 2003).

The security update addresses these vulnerabilities by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory, validates input parameters, and filters HTML attributes.

For more detailed information and a link to the security update visit http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS10-002.mspx.

Located in San Jose and Salinas, California; ZAG serves businesses throughout Northern California. For more information about ZAG, please visit the company website at http://www.zagtech.com.

For additional information about ZAG contact us at +1.408.383.2000, +1.831.422.3100 or via email at info@zagtech.com

Saving Money on Your Microsoft Licensing Purchases

robert — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:09:54 +0000

Microsoft has reinstated the “Big Easy” program and is offering a subsidy when you purchase qualifying licenses. For every qualifying product you purchase, Microsoft pays you partner subsidy funds that can be used with ZAG Technical Services, Inc. to help with the implementation of your Microsoft solution including software, hardware and services.

The products that qualify for the subsidy are:

Microsoft® Office		Microsoft® SQL Server®
Microsoft® Exchange Server		Microsoft® Office Project
Microsoft® Office Communications Server		Microsoft® Expression®
Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Server		Microsoft® Visual Studio®
Microsoft® Forefront™		Microsoft® Visual Studio® Team Suite
Microsoft® Windows Server®		Microsoft® System Center Essentials
Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 Datacenter		Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager
Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server		Microsoft® Dynamics® CRM
Microsoft® Windows® Web Server 2008		Microsoft® Windows® Essential Business Server
Microsoft® Office Visio®

What is a Subsidy?
A subsidy is a check made payable to the Microsoft partner of your choice. This subsidy can be used to enrich and implement your Microsoft solution. The subsidy allows you to purchase additional products or services from the Microsoft partner of your choice thus lowering your Total Cost of Ownership.

How do I take advantage of the Big Easy Offer 4.0?

Make a qualifying purchase between January 3, 2010 and March 31, 2010.
Redeem your purchase within 30 days of purchase date at http://www.microsoftincentives.com/BigEasy4/redeem.aspx.
Receive your partner subsidy check from Microsoft.
Spend your subsidy funds with your Microsoft partner upon receipt. Please note that subsidy funds expire after 90 days of the check issue date.

Located in San Jose and Salinas, California; ZAG serves businesses throughout Northern California. For more information about ZAG, please visit the company website at http://www.zagtech.com.

For additional information about ZAG or the “Big Easy 4.0” program contact ZAG at +1.408.383.2000, +1.831.422.3100 or via email at info@zagtech.com

Server 2003R2 Mainstream Support ends July 13th 2010

joey — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:22:19 +0000

Microsoft has announced that Windows Server 2003 R2 will be retired from Mainstream Support on Tuesday, July 13^th, 2010. After that date, the Operating System is scheduled to be moved into Extended Support. Extended Support will continue until July 14^th, 2015.

Extended Support generically means that “no-charge” support options are no longer available and that Microsoft no longer provides new non-security hotfixes. Essentially this means that customers will need to open up paid support cases to obtain support for Server 2003 R2 after July 13^th.

ZAG strongly recommends that customers look into upgrading to Server 2008 R2. Server 2008 R2, the second major release of this offering, has significant benefits over 2003. It is truly a strong offering that ZAG has deployed to both large enterprises and small businesses. Please feel free to contact us to discuss the options around Microsoft Server 2003.

Located in San Jose and Salinas, California; ZAG serves businesses throughout Northern California. For more information about ZAG, please visit the company website at http://www.zagtech.com or contact us at +1.408.383.2000, +1.831.422.3100 or via email at info@zagtech.com.