Brian Sherman Posts

Our new member forums, such as the IT Security Community, are generating some great discussions. In the most recent web meeting/conference call, the group of industry thought leaders (IT vendors, solution providers and tech security experts), moved the needle on some major topics. By joining a CompTIA community, members can engage with others with similar business needs, tacking projects that will advance the industry. The IT Security Community is focusing its efforts on a few key initiatives, i ...

It’s much more than a new name for an old technologyI chuckle every time I listen to a debate centered on cloud computing and SaaS being just new terms for an older application delivery system. People will go on for hours discussing the topic, and dismiss the real issue: The revolution is here, whether you like it or not, and solution providers and vendors need to understand how to make it work for their sales models.Many of you will remember the earlier versions of SaaS, either application serv ...

I’ve had the opportunity to work with many innovative business owners over the years and, while their technological and service knowledge is vast, most are quick to acknowledge their understanding of business law is limited. Recognizing this problem is the first step, with a call to a reputable lawyer the typical response when a need arises. But what about the companies that have limited resources or those that wish to learn more about legal best practices on their own? While there are websites ...

When building a managed IT services business, the technology and service options are almost as numerous as the number of MSPs currently in the market. From multiple RMM (remote monitoring and management) software alternatives to an ample supply of online data storage solutions, the possibilities available for MSPs are exponential. When you add email management, IT security, VoIP, and other technology services solutions, it can be very complicated selecting the proper portfolio for your customers ...

Every serious IT channel event should have some fun activities where attendees can unwind and socialize in a less formal environment, to clear out the cobwebs and enjoy some camaraderie. When combined with a charitable cause, could it get any better? At the CompTIA Annual Member Meeting in Chicago, the Creating Futures Charity Miniature Golf Classic was added to the welcome reception, producing an interactive evening of excitement and amusement.The CompTIA Educational Foundation hosted the event ...

Sitting in the Managed IT Services discussion during the CompTIA Annual Members Meeting last week, I got the feeling the group was at a critical crossroad on one of their key initiatives; how best to build an accreditation that accomplishes the goals of the members. The objectives for a certification or business endorsement aren’t numerous, but each is crucial to the success of the program and its participants, which those in attendance grasped very well.Let’s take a step back to Dec 17, 2008, w ...

The morning session of the Small Business Owners Community meeting, at the CompTIA Annual Members Meeting in Chicago, concluded with two members stepping forward to highlight the development of the programs they are leading. Each of the initiatives the group is working on was listed as a priority in previous meetings, and significant advances are coming from the collaborative efforts of each project team.Norbert Doeberlein, President and CEO of Netzbahn is leading the discussion on the MicroVAR, ...

The Small Business Owners Community had the opportunity to learn more about the government services available to support their company growth and projects. While most people are aware of the loans supported by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), Carole Harris of the Illinois office pointed out they actually provide other services to support small business. The three areas that the SBA focuses on include: 1.  Counseling and training The SBA works with an allian ...

At 7:30 AM, it’s typically hard to get a good crowd to show up for conference presentation, but that wasn’t the story for the morning CompTIA Communities sessions at the Annual Member Meeting. The Small Business Owners Group had a packed room to start the day, with discussions that focused on the challenges, and related opportunities that face IT services businesses with less than 50 employees. Bob O’Malley, the CEO of InFocus and Chair of the CompTIA board of directors, lead ...

The raging debate on healthcare in the United States set the stage for another momentous event this week; a conference call with members of the CompTIA Healthcare IT Community. No matter which side of the discussion you subscribe to, I think it’s safe to say a momentous change in our healthcare system will occur over the next few years - including mass deployment of new technology solutions. With Federal stimulus programs already in place to implement a national electronic health records ( ...