Cumulus Global and Google Apps Host Executive Briefing at e-Marketing & Technology Summit

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Hartford, CT – February 21, 2012 – Cumulus Global and Google Apps aree-Marketing & Technology Summit hosting an Executive Luncheon at the Hartford Business Journal’s e-Marketing and Technology Summit on February 29, 2012, at Maneeley’s in South Windsor, CT.  The session, Real Business Value from Cloud Computing and Google Apps, intends to provide small and mid-size business owners and executives with research results and customer perspectives on the business value of cloud computing and of moving from on-premise systems to Google Apps for Business.  Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global, a cloud solutions provider recently awarded Premier SMB Reseller status from Google, will present the luncheon keynote.

“Beyond looking at hardware and software savings, Allen will present tangible ROI that companies gain from resulting improvements in teamwork, innovation, mobility, acquisitions, and eco stewardship,” noted Bill Kenney, Director of Events for the Hartford Business Journal.  “Adding this Executive Luncheon keynote to the e-Marketing and Technology Summit provides business owners with an unique opportunity to learn and to make better decisions.”

Allen will be joined by members of Google’s Enterprise Team, live from Google headquarters, to demonstrate some of the business-enabling features in Google Apps and to answer audience questions.

“I am honored to have this opportunity,” added Falcon.  “I look forward to sharing the research, discussing real customer experiences, and demonstrating value in a way that will help the audience better understand the opportunities that cloud computing, and Google Apps in particular, can provide to their businesses.”

The Executive Luncheon is sponsored by Cumulus Global and Google Apps for Business.  Registrants for the e-Marketing & Technology Summit may add the Executive Luncheon to their program at no additional cost.

Executives may also register for the lunch separately on the Hartford Business Journal’s website here. (https://hartfordbusiness.esecuretransactions.com/event_register.php?cf_form_name=event_cloudgoogle)

About Google Apps
Google Apps brings simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools to organizations of any size – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.  With Gmail (including Google email security, powered by Postini), Google Calendar, and integrated Instant Messaging, users can stay connected and work together with ease. And, using Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and website creation tools, they can share files and collaborate in real-time, keeping versions organized and available wherever and whenever users work.

About Cumulus

GlobalCumulus Global (https://www.cumulusglobal.com), formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1,000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

Tuesday Take-Away: Style Management in Google Docs

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Those who know me recognize that my evangelistic zealousness for cloud computing is always tempered with a healthy dose of pragmatism.  I see the benefits, the efficiency, and the value of cloud computing and Google Apps well beyond the basic savings.   And yet, even I have not fully migrated off MS Office for some of my productivity needs.

Why?  I am a “moderate power user” of MS Office.  I rely on preset and custom styles to make formatting documents easier.  And until now, styles have been lacking in Google Docs. This is not a huge problem, I just never liked the size, font, and spacing selection of the standard Heading styles in Google Docs.

Fortunately, change is here.

In Google Docs, you can now change the default styles to meet your preferences.  To do so is simple.  First, set up the text they way you want it to look — font, size, attributes, line spacing, alignment, et cetera.  Next, pull down the style menu, click on the arrow next to the style you want to define, and select “Update to Match Selection.”  Voila!  You have a style.

There are a few limitations.  Most notably, your styles are saved for the document only and not as a default template.   You can, however, create a document as a style sheet, make it ‘read only’ and make a copy when you need a blank document with your style preferences.

As responsiveness to customer feedback and constant innovation lead to new features and capabilities in Google Apps, the case for Google Apps grows stronger.  Click here to learn more about the benefits.


Cumulus Global Becomes a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller

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Premier SMB ResellerCumulus Global is now a Premier SMB Reseller for the Google Apps™ suite of communication and collaboration tools.  This new designation from Google enables customers to more easily assess a reseller’s expertise advising on, deploying, and supporting Google products.  Google moved Cumulus Global from an Authorized to a Premier Reseller based on the company’s expertise and success in helping small and mid-size customers deploy and use Google Apps.

“We are honored by Google’s recognition of our successful partnership”, stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “We look forward to continuing to serve the needs of small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, schools, and governments.”

Beyond reselling Google Apps for Business, Education, and Government, Cumulus Global offers a range of packaged and custom deployment, migration, education, and support services.  Focusing on organizations with 1 to 1,000 users, Cumulus Global partners with customers to define and create solutions with respect to their unique technology, support, change management, and budgetary needs.  Cumulus Global packages and integrates Google Apps with internal systems and third party applications to provide complete solutions that meet its customers’ business needs and budgets.

”Participation in the Google Apps Reseller Program is a centerpiece of our evolution as a cloud solutions provider,” added Falcon.  “As a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller, organizations interested in moving to the cloud will be better able to differentiate the skills and experience we will bring to the engagement.”

About the Google Apps Reseller Program
The Google Apps Reseller program includes companies globally that sell, service and customize Google Apps for Business for their customers. As a member of the Google Apps Reseller Program, Cumulus Global leverages training, support, and tools from Google to best serve the needs of its customers. Companies can learn more about Premier Reseller eligibility criteria and benefits by visiting the Google Reseller Program website at http://www.google.com/enterprise/resellers.

About Google Apps
Google Apps brings simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools to organizations of any size – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.  With Gmail (including Google email security, powered by Postini), Google Calendar, and integrated Instant Messaging, users can stay connected and work together with ease. And, using Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and website creation tools, they can share files and collaborate in real-time, keeping versions organized and available wherever and whenever users work.

About Cumulus Global
Cumulus Global (https://www.cumulusglobal.com), formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Authorized Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1,000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

Allen Falcon Comments on Role of Distributors in Cloud Channel

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Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global, is quoted in the January 2012 cover story for CRN discussing the role of distributors in Cloud Computing marketplace.

Special Bulletin: Message Security, aka Postini, Goes Native in Google Apps

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A major change is underway within Google Apps for Business / Education / Government editions. Google is fully integrating the spam and virus protection of Google Message Security (GMS, aka Postini) into Google Apps and the cPanel.

While the transition starts in February, there are some caveats to the consolidation. As such, some organizations will want to maintain their stand-alone GMS service.

Currently, the newly integrated service provides for white list, black list, content filters, message filters, and spam sensitivity settings. The integrated service, however, does not have some of the features on which many of our customer rely. If you want/need any of the following, it is necessary to continue running stand-alone GMS for now.

  • Daily Quarantine Messages
  • Addition of Message Archive & Discovery and Message Encryption
  • Policy-Based TLS Encryption
  • Delivery Manager
  • Log Search
  • Reporting

The latter three are more of an issue for the IT folks, and TLS Encryption is transparent to the user.

The biggest user impact is the replacement of the daily quarantine message with the “Spam” label in Gmail.  Some users like the digest structure and the ability to deliver from within the message.  In using the Spam label, users can mark messages as “Not Spam” or can manage them from within the folder.

Also, until we are able to connect the Message Archive & Discovery and Message Encryption services directly to Google Apps, the stand-alone GMS environment will be needed.

If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.

Cumulus Global Offers Program Savings to American Express Cardholders

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Boston, MA – February 1, 2012 – Cumulus Global announced a new program of discounts for businesses that use an American Express card to pay for cloud computing services, including Google Apps for Business.  Businesses that pay with their American Express card will save up to 10% on setup and annual fees, including premium support services.  While the web page for the program (www.cumulusglobal.com/amex) targets businesses in the small office/home office, or SoHo, market, the program is open to businesses of all sizes.

“While Cumulus Global is not part of or in any way affiliated with the American Express OPEN® Savings Program, we are offering comparable discounts to businesses that pay by American Express”, stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “Many small and mid-size businesses prefer to earn Membership Rewards® points or use other card features, such as Pay Over Time, on large purchases.”

Businesses with up to 50 employees can select from Cumulus Global’s range of CumuluSuite for SoHo solutions.  CumuluSuite for SoHo packages bundle Google Apps for Business with premium support services and a selection of value-add features, such as address book sharing, backup/recovery, and options for email compliance archiving and encryption.  CumuluSuite for SoHo gives smaller businesses comprehensive and affordable solutions for email, file services, communications, and collaboration.  Companies with more than 50 employees can contact Cumulus Global for other CumuluSuite options, custom solutions, and program savings ranging from 5% to 10%.

“With CumuluSuite for SoHo, we offer comprehensive solutions in a simple and affordable way”, noted Falcon.  “Larger companies often need more customized solutions.  We deliver those solutions and will extend discounts to larger companies that pay for some or all of their services with their American Express cards.”

The discount program for businesses paying by American Express is scheduled to end on March 31, 2012.  Falcon noted that, if successful, the program could be extended.  Program details are available at https://www.cumulusglobal.com/amex.

About Cumulus Global
Cumulus Global, formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Authorized Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

Disclaimer
American Express is not a party or partner in this Cumulus Global Discount offer, nor has it been reviewed, endorsed or approved by American Express. No endorsement shall be implied, directly or indirectly, by the use of the American Express business card as the payment source for the Cumulus Global Discount offer.

Friday Thought: Building a Cloud File Service

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For many of the companies, non-profits, school systems, and local governments we work with, the desire to use the cloud is expanding beyond email and calendar.  These organizations are looking to move some or all of their file services into the cloud as well.

Motivation:

While the initial motivation is often to improve access to and sharing of information on projects, or in general, the planning process often reveals a greater value proposition. These secondary benefits derive from giving users direct access to data, and include, but are not limited to:

  • Reduced need for SSL VPN services and/or remote access, desktop, or virtual desktop solutions, resulting in lower hardware, software, networking, and support costs.
  • Reduced need for site-to-site links, enabling organizations to replace expensive point-to-point WAN links and MPLS networks with much less costly direct Internet access links.
  • Improved access to information from tablets and smart phones.
  • Reduced backup/restore costs, as physical infrastructure and in-house administration is replaced by cloud-to-cloud data protection services.

In short, cloud file services provide better user access to information, a simpler IT infrastructure, and lower costs.

Ecosystem

Many services exist to provide cloud-based file services and organizations are best off if they  review their needs before making a selection.  Beyond methods of accessing the service, be sure to review your permissions/security requirements with the features and function of the service.

Building a file service also means having the necessary components to ensure a robust ecosystem.

  • Affordable storage purchased as used or in flexible blocks
  • Drive letter access (DLA) or Network Place access from Windows desktops
  • Drive type access from Mac desktops, if needed
  • Access from mobile devices, including smart phones and tablets
  • Ability to integrate user identity with your LDAP, Active Directory, or SSO service
  • Availability of cloud-to-cloud backup/restore services
  • Encryption of data at rest and in transit
  • Ability to set permissions in accordance with your business needs, policies, and procedures

Execution

Moving to a cloud file service starts with understanding your requirements and the impact of the change on your computing environment and your end users.  Which aspects of the ecosystem do you need/want?  How will the change effect the user experience?  How will a new file service fit in with your other cloud solutions?  With an understanding of requirements, you can better match your needs to the available solutions and map out a migration that minimizes risk and enhances the benefits of the move.

 

Google Apps and Google’s New Privacy Policy

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The cloud world is buzzing as Google announced that effective March 1, 2012, it would consolidate more than 60 privacy policies for different services into a single, simplified policy covering all Google services.  Not surprisingly, we are already fielding calls from our Google Apps for Business / Education / Government customers with questions about the impact of the change.

Rest easy.  Here are the answers.

Not Much is Changing

The consolidated privacy policy is not changing how Google collects or uses information with individual services or across services.  The policy is providing a simpler, easier to understand document that is consistent across all services.  Google has also removed components of its existing privacy policies that are redundant with content in the Terms of Service policy for each service, which are also being updated and consolidated into a single, consistent policy.

Note that the Privacy Policy address how Google collects and uses information about individual users, but that the Terms of Service dictate how Google treats content you place or store using Google services.  To understand how your information is protected, you must review both documents.

Public and Free Services versus Business / Education / Government Services

The new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy provide a baseline for all services.  The Terms of Service clearly states that

“Also, in some of our Services, there are terms or settings that narrow the scope of our use of the content submitted in those Services.”

Google Apps for Business, for Education, and for Government all have these additional terms and settings.

Confidentiality in Google Apps for Business / Education / Government

The Terms of Service for Google Apps for Business, for Education, and for Government each define Confidential Information as follows:

“Confidential Information means information disclosed by a party to the other party under this Agreement that is marked as confidential or would normally be considered confidential under the circumstances. Customer Data is Customer’s Confidential Information.

Very simply, the agreement defines all user/customer content in these services as confidential.

The Terms of Service prevent Google from accessing or disclosing customer information without permission and guarantee a standard of care related the security, availability, and privacy of customer information.

Exceptions

There are exceptions when Google may disclose or publicly display Google Apps for Business / Education / Government customers.

  1. A User Marks Content as Public:  If a user marks content as “public” or as “publish on the web”, the user is giving permission to Google and instructing Google to index the content in Google search engine and to make the content available to everyone publicly.   Google Apps administrators can limit user permissions to prevent them from marking content as public.
  2. Required Disclosure:  Per the Terms of Service, Google may “… disclose the other party’s Confidential Information when required by law but only after it, if legally permissible: (a) uses commercially reasonable efforts to notify the other party; and (b) gives the other party the chance to challenge the disclosure.”

Summary

While Google’s consolidation of privacy policies makes for great, sensational headlines, the reality is that their is no material change in how Google addresses information privacy.  For Google Apps for Business, for Education, and for Government customers, there is no change what so ever.

Cumulus Global Partners with 4th Bin Partner for Integrated e-Waste Solutions

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Boston, MA – January 25, 2011 – Cumulus Global and 4th Bin jointly announced a new partnership designed to offer businesses, non-profits, schools, and local governments fully integrated e-waste solutions.  Through the partnership, Cumulus Global will offer its cloud-bound customers discounted, ecologically sound, e-waste recycling services for their retiring hardware and electronics.  Cumulus Global will help 4th Bin clients avoid e-Waste hazards by helping them move to cloud computing solutions, such as Google Apps and online backup services.

“Many organizations hesitate to dispose of e-waste out of concern for the legal and ecological issues and the cost,” noted Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “Partnering with 4th Bin lets us help our customers solve their e-waste dilemma.”
Based on New York City, 4th Bin provides door-to-door collection and recycling services in the metropolitan New York area and can arrange e-waste collection and recycling services throughout North America.

“4th Bin is committed to reducing e-waste throughout the technology life cycle,” added John Kirsch, Partner at 4th Bin.  “Our joint effort with Cumulus Global will help companies dispose of their current e-waste and avoid creating more in the future.”

As a cloud solutions provider, Cumulus Global does more than replace servers with cloud-based solutions.  A sound cloud computing strategy reduces the need for support servers, backup equipment, and networking gear.  Moving to cloud computing has a ripple effect that includes less equipment, reduced HVAC requirements, and reduced power consumption.

Cloud computing providers, like Google, are significantly more efficient than most in-house computer rooms and data centers.

About Cumulus Global
Cumulus Global (https://www.cumulusglobal.com) helps small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

About 4th Bin
After seeing how much electronic waste (e-waste) is irresponsibly discarded, and knowing the City of New York will institute mandatory responsible disposal of e-waste, a team of IT professionals found a solution to this mounting problem and launched 4th Bin (http://www.4thbin.com). The company specializes in e-waste collection and recycling and is the only service in the city to do so.  Since the company began in fall of 2010, it has collected, recycled, or environmentally and ethically disposed of over 900,000lbs of e-waste from offices, schools, hospitals, factories, and residences in New York City. For the processing of e-waste, 4th Bin works exclusively with e-Stewards Certified recyclers (http://www.e-stewards.org) who have been qualified as upholding the highest standard of environmental and social responsibility. The 4th Bin is the only company in New York City picking up electronic waste from local businesses and residents. The 4th Bin’s door-to-door e-waste recycling solution is convenient, simple and inexpensive. Dedicated to educating businesses and consumers about the hazards of electronic waste and providing a simple and inexpensive means of rescue and disposal, the 4th Bin believes in the reduce, reuse, recycle philosophy. Not only do we ethically and responsibly recycle or reuse all equipment we collect, the 4th Bin is also dedicated to giving back to our local community through partnerships and events.