The IT specialists in Barrie/Midland and area gathered at General Mills in Midland on April 13th.  As always, discussion was lively and the topics ran the gambit.

Discussion centred on:

-          Anti - virus software

-          Funds for IT - budgets for anticipated projects

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  • Schedules for computer upgrades

-          Server issues

-          Monitoring the environment in server rooms

-          Disaster recovery

-          ERP packages:

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  • implementations - generally plan 1½ to 2 years - need support right from the top down and everyone's involvement
  •  Sightline,  Fourshift, SAP, and others
  • Vanilla or custom
  • Progress database software - new versions

-          Cloud computing:

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  •  monthly fee and backups, archiving, etc. are handled for you remotely
  • No servers etc.
  • All web based
  • Guaranteed recovery times - immediate replication
  • PLEX ONLINE
  • Need to ensure confidentiality of data - pricing, designs, etc.
  • Eases telecommuting

-          Lotus Notes - works really well with Exchange and with Blackberries

-          FREE - Business Enterprise Server for Blackberry Express!

-          Backups - Time taken to perform them

-          .pst files - size limitations

-          Cell phones, Skype, and connecting to the internet

-          Website for free software equivalents - search Open Source Alternatives

-          MAC vs. PC