Building an IT PlanBuilding an IT Plan

Michael St. JohnMichael St. John

About ExpetecAbout Expetec

• 15 year old local company being part 15 year old local company being part of the Expetec system for 5 yearsof the Expetec system for 5 years

• Over 65 years of combined IT Over 65 years of combined IT experienceexperience

• Currently managing and monitoring Currently managing and monitoring over 500 PCs and 50 servers with over 500 PCs and 50 servers with backup and disaster recovery backup and disaster recovery devicesdevices

Your Presenter: Michael Your Presenter: Michael St. JohnSt. John

• VP of Sales and Marketing at Expetec VP of Sales and Marketing at Expetec of Rochesterof Rochester

• WMU GradWMU Grad• SGT in MANG – Iraqi VeteranSGT in MANG – Iraqi Veteran• Philosophy – Put the needs of my Philosophy – Put the needs of my

customers, employees and business customers, employees and business before my ownbefore my own

• 6 years in the IT/Telecommunications 6 years in the IT/Telecommunications ArenaArena

ObjectiveObjective

• How to plan for Computer/Server How to plan for Computer/Server Purchases and ReplacementPurchases and Replacement

• Proper Parts of a Voice and Data Proper Parts of a Voice and Data NetworkNetwork

• Employee Use PolicyEmployee Use Policy• What to do now to plan for future IT What to do now to plan for future IT

needs?needs?

Planning for Computer Planning for Computer PurchasesPurchases

• 1 Think about the Software you will 1 Think about the Software you will need to run on your computers. Note need to run on your computers. Note their Requirements: Industry their Requirements: Industry Specific, Accounting, Microsoft Specific, Accounting, Microsoft Office, CRM Office, CRM

• 2 Are you and your employees going 2 Are you and your employees going to be mobile? Would a laptop be more to be mobile? Would a laptop be more suitable?suitable?

When do you need a When do you need a Server?Server?

• You have more than one PCYou have more than one PC• Remote users need accessRemote users need access• Many users interacting on projects Many users interacting on projects

and using same software databasesand using same software databases• Restriction of rights for users to Restriction of rights for users to

certain filescertain files• Aging computersAging computers• Centralized backup & restore testingCentralized backup & restore testing

Where to buy?Where to buy?

• Pros and Cons ofPros and Cons of– Big Box and Retail StoresBig Box and Retail Stores– OnlineOnline– Local IT CompaniesLocal IT Companies

• Be sure to consider:Be sure to consider:– CostCost– Industry Standard/Market ShareIndustry Standard/Market Share– Best Practices and SupportBest Practices and Support

Proper Parts of a Data Proper Parts of a Data NetworkNetwork

• FirewallFirewall• RouterRouter• SwitchSwitch• ServerServer• Back Up DeviceBack Up Device• Secure Storage RoomSecure Storage Room• Disaster Recovery PlanDisaster Recovery Plan• Use PolicyUse Policy

Proper Parts for a VOIP Proper Parts for a VOIP NetworkNetwork

• PhonesPhones• Phone SystemPhone System• QOS & POE SwitchQOS & POE Switch• Redundancy planRedundancy plan• Emergency planEmergency plan• Use PolicyUse Policy

Creating an Employee IT Creating an Employee IT policypolicy

• Who has access to files and what type of Who has access to files and what type of files should they have access to?files should they have access to?

• Who maintains administrative Who maintains administrative passwords and where they are kept?passwords and where they are kept?

• Who has access to server rooms?Who has access to server rooms?• What websites are employees allowed to What websites are employees allowed to

access and for what purpose with your access and for what purpose with your assets?assets?

• Who can call where for what reason? Who can call where for what reason?

Preparing for Future Preparing for Future

• Computers operate efficiently 3-6 yearsComputers operate efficiently 3-6 years• Servers operate efficiently 5 to 7 yearsServers operate efficiently 5 to 7 years• Haas as an alternativeHaas as an alternative• Virus scanners need licenses renewed Virus scanners need licenses renewed

yearlyyearly• Software upgrades should happen Software upgrades should happen

regularlyregularly• Saas – pros and consSaas – pros and cons• Onsite staff vs. outside vendor for supportOnsite staff vs. outside vendor for support

Preparing for Future Preparing for Future PlansPlans

• MPLS (multiple protocol label MPLS (multiple protocol label switching)switching)

• CloudCloud• Data CenterData Center• BDR (backup & disaster recovery)BDR (backup & disaster recovery)• Moves, Adds and ChangesMoves, Adds and Changes• Growth/DownsizingGrowth/Downsizing

What others SayWhat others Say

• Mike ButlerMike Butler, Health Insurance Agent, Rick , Health Insurance Agent, Rick Young and Associates Young and Associates

• ““I have a quick story that best describes the type of business I have a quick story that best describes the type of business professional Mike St. John is - I am a sales professional like Mike, and I professional Mike St. John is - I am a sales professional like Mike, and I was referred to a top Competitor of Mike's in our geographic area. As I was referred to a top Competitor of Mike's in our geographic area. As I presented my proposals and products to Mike's competitor at some presented my proposals and products to Mike's competitor at some point I mentioned that I knew Mike and I have a business relationship point I mentioned that I knew Mike and I have a business relationship with him. The competitor raved on Mike's Integrity, and commitment to with him. The competitor raved on Mike's Integrity, and commitment to his profession and his clients. Think about this for a minute. THIS ALL his profession and his clients. Think about this for a minute. THIS ALL CAME FROM HIS TOP COMPETITOR! Now just think how he would CAME FROM HIS TOP COMPETITOR! Now just think how he would treat you and your business as a client of his. For all your treat you and your business as a client of his. For all your telecommunication needs, you owe it to yourself to deal Mike St. John. telecommunication needs, you owe it to yourself to deal Mike St. John. Just ask his competitors!!” June 19, 2009Just ask his competitors!!” June 19, 2009

What Others SayWhat Others Say

• Kevin MacklemKevin Macklem

Kevin hired you as a IT Consultant in 2007 and Kevin hired you as a IT Consultant in 2007 and hired you more than once hired you more than once

• Top qualities: Personable, Expert, High Integrity Top qualities: Personable, Expert, High Integrity

““Mike provided our company with our VoIP system Mike provided our company with our VoIP system in 2007. An expert in the field, Mike helped us in 2007. An expert in the field, Mike helped us significantly lower our costs and greatly improve significantly lower our costs and greatly improve our telecommunications with our new office. our telecommunications with our new office. Should we ever have an issue, Mike is always Should we ever have an issue, Mike is always right there to help!” July 13, 2009right there to help!” July 13, 2009

Wrap UpWrap Up

• Sharing of personal IT experiences Sharing of personal IT experiences with planning and budgetingwith planning and budgeting

• Q & AQ & A