CASE STUDY: Ohio's Area Agency on Aging District 7

We recently installed AccessIT in the Area Agency on Aging District 7 in Ohio. Here's what Charlie Maillet, IT engineering and operations specialist for the Agency had to say about it:

“Minicom’s KVM IP solution is very appealing because I can manage my whole network from my desk,” stated Charlie Maillet.“They offered the most cost effective solution with the best technology to simplify management of our network.”


The Challenge:
Due to budget cuts, Ohio's Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) was challenged to do more with less. Rather than cut programs that keep seniors in their homes longer, the organization looked to improve their operations by enhancing IT efficiency and implemented a KVM IP solution from Minicom that would save money, enable remote access and provide a more efficient method to manage their distributed network.


The Solution:
Using AccessIT™, AAA7 system administrators gain centralized remote access and power control that enhances IT efficiency & productivity, improving their ability to serve the community’s population


The Products Used in this installation were: AccessIT, Smart 116 IP, & IP Control

Learn more about remote server access, watch this short webcast now: Achieving Remote Server KVM Access to your data center

Ideas that work - a remote KVM strategy for any size organization

When we first promoted the concept of upgrading an installed analog KVM switch to an IP switch by simply adding an IP gateway, I thought this strategy was perfect for small and medium size companies that don’t have IT budgets of enterprise organizations. But in this economy I am finding this approach is valid for Fortune 500 companies as well.

We are working with a globally recognized company on their US datacenter consolidation plans. They have to implement an IP KVM solution to fit their support strategy of following the sun. We originally proposed our Smart multi-user IP KVM switches. The solution fit their needs until they said, sounds great but we can’t afford anything close to that. We quickly changed gears and told them for about 1/10th the cost they can get remote KVM functionality by adding a Minicom IP gateway to their installed base of dozens of working analog switches. This was the perfect compromise of the real functionality they need and cost.

Sure the sale is a fraction of the original proposal but it is a sale not a proposal that will be delayed quarter after quarter due to a shrinking budget. The customer had to sacrifice on some features they wanted but they have the remote KVM access to the servers in their new datacenters that was not within reach with a new digital KVM installation. This might be the answer for your remote access needs or your customers.


If you would like to discuss a solution for adding remote KVM access to your servers contact Rami Sasson or a Minicom technical expert at info.usa@minicom.com


Rami Sasson, VP Sales at Minicom authored this blog post:
*****

Related Material:
White Paper: Real Needs - Add-on Technology that maximizes your IT installed base
Case Study: Government Agency (KVM.net & PX)
Webcast: Achieving Remote Server KVM Access to your data center (22 min)

Fear of Swine Flu Prompts Business Continuity Plan

If you are a medium business owner, CIO or IT Manager, what can you do to protect yourself and the company you work for if the swine flu reaches your city or town? In a recent article “Swine flu prompts CIOs to prepare business continuity plans” some practical ideas were brought up about what can be done if you are forced to work from home. Some companies in Southern California are already taking measures to insure business continuity, in case of emergency.

Some of the highlights from the article:

Stephanie Balaouras, a principal analyst at Forrester Research Inc., said CIOs must check the limitations of the remote access technologies available in the organization to prevent what she described as a 'gotcha situation' -- believing the business is more prepared than it really is.

She goes on to say “having a workforce continuity strategy as part of a business continuity strategy and in addition to a disaster recovery strategy is an important investment across the business.” (click to go to full article)

This is good advice, but what if you don’t know where to start? How can Minicom help you be prepared and keep your server room safe and secure?

Take a look at our IP Control, the remote KVM gateway provides access and control of your computers and servers, no matter how distant, via a standard web-browser. It’s compatible with any brand KVM switch and gives you the power to access and reboot downed devices without having to be physically within reach. It’s affordable and ideal for remote support and remote service applications. If your IT Manager needs to work from home, the IP controls’ secure 128-bit SSL encryption insures secure remote access.

Want to try it out? Go to directly to our online product test drive right now. Don't wait, be prepared!

*****
Related Material:
White Paper: Remote KVM access - Planning your Remote KVM strategy
On-demand Webcast: The ABC's of Remote Management (27 minutes)
Upcoming Webinar: Synnex Presents Minicom's Cost Effective Solutions for Remote Access

Find Where to Buy Minicom Products

Support Report: Remote monitor & control multiple computers over IP from a single computer

Recently we had an interesting application request that I would like to share…

A customer requested a solution to allow him to remotely monitor and control five computers which are located in multiple locations.

His requirement was that there would be five screens attached to a “Master” PC and this Master PC will constantly monitor the remote computers and take the control when needed. There is also a need to maintain a local console next to each remote computer for local operation. Another important requirement is that there should be no software installed on the remote computers.

We recommended adding a Quad VGA adaptor to the “Master computer” that will allow him to connect five screens to the Master PC at once, along with using our IP Control he can remotely view and control each computer without the need of installing any application on them (this feature is also known as remote bios level access). The Smart Extender that is also added to each remote PC will allow the local user to ‘share’ the control with the administrator working from the Master PC without being disconnected.

*********
Thanks to Nir Dary, Minicom's Technical Support Manager for this Support Report!

Do you have a technical question about a Minicom product or are you looking for solutions for your IT department? Visit Minicom Support for FAQ's, product updates, user guides and contact details for our expert technicians around the world.

Support Report: Remote Bios Level Access over 3g Network

From time to time we receive interesting technical support questions and seeing as how it's always fun to share in-house, we are going to also share them here:

Recently a telecommunications company requested to remotely control a PC not dependant on the operating system (also known as remote bios level access). Ideally, the connection would be over cellular network. The main concern was quality of performance when controlling a remote desktop over a 3g network… and primarily how fast will the screen refresh!?

The application he intended on using was to mend an application from anywhere, in other words he has an application that needs to be mended regardless of the physical location of the operator.

Most of the time he needs the remote collection to be over Lan or wireless but there will be times where the remote operator will connect to the cellular network. Their requirement was also not to install any application or driver on the controlled computer.

This is where our KVM over IP technology suits his needs. By using the PX USB (Minicom’s high-performance IP Gateway) or IP Control (remote KVM gateway) products we were able to demonstrate and control a remote computer over a 3g cellular network with excellent performance.

Learn how remote KVM gateways can work for your IT needs, download the FREE white paper “Remote Support using KVM IP Technology” or test one of Minicom's IP products in an interactive live demo - go to Request Demo Form.

*****

Thanks to Nir Dary, Minicom's Technical Support Manager for the first Support Report!

Do you have a technical question about a Minicom KVM product? Visit Minicom Support for FAQ's, product updates, user guides and contact details for our expert technicians around the world.

CASESTUDY: AGH University in Poland Installs Universal System

AGH is Poland’s second largest University and its IT department needed one universal system that 2 or more administrators sitting in 3 separate work stations can manage 20 servers located in a server room. To achieve this they hired C&C Partners Telecom to design and install a solution.

Quick Take:

Clients Challenge
• Superior server management
• Allow multi-user level access

Minicom Solution
• DX System
• IP Control

Benefits
• Significantly increased server access
• More streamlined work environment
• Increased productivity and efficiency

Read more of this case study and others on the Minicom site.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Here is Part V in the Top 10 Things you never knew about Minicom's KVM product offerings.

6) Access and control now comes with power
Until now, the IP Control provided remote access and control. By connecting it to the RPS Serial, you can now add IP-based power control for your servers and computers - the final piece in the puzzle towards providing a complete remote presence experience.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Number 8 in Top 10 Things you never knew about Minicom's KVM product offerings.

8) There's no need to be down
There is nothing on the market that can provide such a complete level of remote support for mission-critical computers or applications as the IP Control and PX. Providing remote BIOS level access - both systems give a major advantage over software support and technician call-outs. The result is a cost saving of thousands of dollars in technical maintenance costs and the elimination of needless downtime in mission-critical scenarios. Read the white paper that explains why.