Nothing is constant but change. Backups are no exception to that rule.

Come prepared for a wide ranging discussion of the current world of backups. And come prepared to share your experiences, both pros and cons, with backups of all kinds.

We will discuss:

• How to "sell" backup solutions to customers who are resistant.
• Pros and cons of drive image backups or file copy backups.
• Pros and cons of various cloud solutions.

All types of backups will be covered, including:

Local Data Backups - Including at least:

Second copy, FBackup, Windows 10 File History, AOMEI, Cobian, etc.

Online Backups - including at least

Carbonite, Idrive, Spideroak, BackBlaze, Datto, Solarwinds RMM, etc.

Imaging

Shadow Protect - Storage craft; Time machine; Disk2VHD, Macrium Reflect, etc.

Online sychronization like: Google drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, SpiderOak, etc.

Come prepared with your recommendations, and disaster stories ready to learn and contribute.

Topics Laura will cover include:

• The income and expenses you must track and why
• Setting up a small business chart of accounts
• Good Accounting practices to keep
• Record retention
• Security for your business accounting (both internal and external practices)

Topics Angela will cover:

• Importance for SMB having managed endpoints to reduce costs and increase productivity.
• Brainstorm with audience about SMBs main concerns/challenges when it comes to computers: How often to refresh, security, manageability, productivity,downtime cost?
• Intel vPro as the platform built for business, and how it helps you attend to Performance, Security, Manageability and Stability.
• TCO (Total Cost of ownership). vPro platform x non-vPro
• AMT (Active Management Technology). I want to talk about an online course offered by Intel that explains the sales and activation process for Intel AMT. This course awards a Certificate of Completion to partners who complete all training modules and exercises. It can be a valuable certificate for consultants.
• Hardware-based security
• Unite as a collaboration tool (enterprise and/or for classrooms).

There are some great tools to help us install programs on new machines, and to keep them updated. We will cover 3 of them:

• Ninite
• PatchMyPC
• Chocolatey with BoxStarter

Come and see some great tools to help us install programs on new machines, and to keep them updated.

We will look at:

• IT professional use as well as end user use
• Paid and free versions (if they exist)
• Scheduling updates
• Some scripting
• Automating both initial installation and updating

We will demo the programs and answer questions.

How have you used small form factor devices for yourself and for clients. We'd like to include:

• ChromeBox
• NUC
• Raspberry Pi
• PC-on-a-stick
• Other?

Bring your box and your stories.

Every meeting we have a opportunity to present to the group problems that we have as we go though our days as consultants, but it never seems like we have enough time to answer all the questions. This month's meeting, we will spend the time finding solutions, and talk about all those products and services we have questions and comments about. Bring all your problems, questions, comments, and solutions to this month's meeting.

Join us for a discussion on how to ensure your client's cloud hosted data is safe from ransomware, provider failures, and end users.

A roundtable where we share our approaches and experiences recommending products and vendors to our clients.

Computers

Is it worthwhile to sell it yourself, or just recommend?

• For Workstations
• For Laptops
• For Servers

• If you sell, who do you buy from and what is your experience?
• If you recommend, who do you buy from, which manufacturers and models?
• Are there any partner programs worth joining?
• What are your normal desktop office specs?
• How do you charge? How much do you markup?

Computer Setup

Do you set up clients' computers? What do you do? What do you charge?

Other

What other hardware do you sell yourself? How is it part of your business model?

What other hardware do you recommend? Why?

• Printers?
• Routers?
• Other support services (like Pacific Office Automation)?
• Phone systems?

Do you charge for the expertise in making recommendations?

Join us for a discussion of what you're doing to protect your client's devices. We'll discuss managed DNS, antivirus software, email filtering, and more. This is sure to be a lively meeting as we all have programs we love, and love to hate.

You might run a local business, but your website exists in a global marketplace. Join Nicholas De Salvo, founder of Edge One Media, as he discusses how you can identify important regulations, establish your website goals, and how to compete (and WIN) in an ever-changing environment.

Specific Topics Include:

• What you should do to embrace GDPR compliance?
• How do we measure website success?
• What should your website goals be?
• How do I make more money on the internet?