Tony Safoian Speaks on Cloud Computing at Google's I/O Conference

SADA President and CEO, Tony Safoian, joined a crowd of developers and IT professionals estimated in San Fransisco late last month to attend Google's annual developer conference, Google I/O. This conference provides developers and professionals from all over the world a forum to share their experiences, and announce new products or developments in the world of Internet technology.

The paradigm in IT, both in the way it functions within organizations and how companies like SADA Systems deliver services as 'solution providers', is changing. Google understands that, and through innovation in products like Google Apps (a part of a solution set offered by Google Enterprise) is helping drive this change. Organizations like SADA Systems are in turn, helping bring these solutions to market by providing services focused on implementation into organizations of various types and sizes.

You can see Tony's presentation at I/O in the video located here.

POP3 Configuration tool for Outlook: Free, Open, Customizable

What if you're helping move dozens, hundreds, or thousands of users to Google Apps, and you find that many people wish to continue to use Outlook or Outlook Express and download their mail, as opposed to just using their web browser? Simply distribute a version of the tool with your custom settings, and have your users help themselves! This tool can potentially save dozens of hours of manual labor in time it would otherwise requires to plan, coordinate, and manually add the new settings for all Outlook users in your organization or group of users.

About the tool
POP Configuration tool is a free and open Windows executable which will configure Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook 2003, 2002 and earlier versions of Outlook to use Google Apps via POP3/SMTP. The only information a user of the tool needs to provide is the email address and name to be displayed in the From: field.

Usage:
Tool executable can be downloaded from SADA's Public Site

1. Make sure the email client you are configuring (Outlook Express or Outlook) is closed.
2. Download and save the file.
3. Double-click on the file to execute it.
4. Enter your email address (the portion before @ symbol).
5. Enter your full name.
6. Hit Next. Hit Finish.
7. Your email client is now configured to be used with Google Apps POP3/SMTP.

Customization:
The source code can be downloaded from SADA's Public Site

A number of UI elements in the tool can be customized, such as logo, text fields, and icon. If you'd like to modify the logo, it must be 157 pixels wide, 57 pixels high, and less than 15 kilobytes in size.

1. Customize the file sada_customization.txt
2. Create configuration file by running the following command: ./make_config.pl sada_customization.txt NEWDIR English
3. Modify gmailconfig.nsi by replacing pop.YOURDOMAIN.com with pop.gmail.com and smtp.YOURDOMAIN.com with smtp.gmail.com
4. Compile gmailconfig.nsi using NSIS
   -Download and install NSIS from http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Download
   -Run NSIS
   -Click on compile NSI script
   -Click on Load Script. This will compile the script and create tool executable
5. You're done. Distribute the executable to your users

Notebook Computers Go Small, Really Small

For a number of years computer manufacturers have been wrestling with the size of the laptop. Specifically, they've been trying to make notebook computers as small as possible and energize the 'ultra-portable' market. Entries into this division have ranged wildly in price and quality, and the major hurdle for manufacturers and consumers alike was sticker price. Up until recently consumers paid big bucks for tiny computers. With the introduction of the Intel Atom, a miniaturized processor, one of the major hurdles in bringing affordable micro-notebooks to the market has been cleared. Another major roadblock has been storage. Drives small enough to fit the dramatically reduced form factor of a 'sub-notebook' have only recently started to drop in price, paving the way for manufacturers to begin the introduction of smaller and smaller notebooks.

With the Eee PC Asus is now leading the pack in the marketing of small notebooks. These computers have been dubbed 'netbooks' as their primary focus is on wireless connection to the Internet, web browsing, and email.

One interesting outgrowth of this new trend in Internet-centric computers is the adoption of Linux as a viable, even preferable, alternative to Windows. To date Asus has sold over one million units, and has projected that over five million will sell before the end of the year. For Linux this is a huge increase in user adoption. Given the success of Linux on these machines it's easy to speculate that users of Windows might start to question why they need the more expensive OS from Microsoft. That said, Asus is now releasing a version of the Eee PC that uses Windows XP, and HP is marketing their own netbook with Windows Vista.

Clearly a demand has been created for ultra-portable computers with advanced wi-fi capability. So, what could this mean for desktop applications? It could mean that client-side software comes under attack by software in the cloud, or hosted applications. The nature of the netbooks makes them an ideal platform for writing, storing, and sharing all of your documents online with services such as Google Apps or Zoho Office.

Obviously, these are not ideal systems for high-end graphics work or gaming. More typical high-end notebooks and desktops will still be used for those purposes. The low cost and small size of these computers make them ideal for students who need a computer for taking notes during class. Writers and Business professionals who are rarely in the office or at home might also appreciate the low cost and flexibility of a netbook.

Tony Safoian to Speak at Google I/O

Tomorrow Tony Safoian will travel to San Fransisco to give a presentation at an annual developer conference, hosted by Google. Google I/O, as the event has been dubbed, is meant to bring together developers from all over the world to discuss the future of web applications. Developers will get together to discuss new horizons in developing next-generation web applications that make use of Open Source web technologies provided by Google, and the Open Source community.

In his presentation Tony will cover Google Apps, as it relates to customers in the SMB and Enterprise marketplace. Tony's presentation will highlight SADA's experience implementing Google Apps for organizations of all sizes.

Here is the Presently-based slideshow Tony used in his presentation today at the event:


For more information about the Google I/O developer conference visit the official website by clicking here

PC World also has a good article about the event. That article can be found here.

Google Introduces "Print Layout" to Docs!

Thursday morning I was working in a few different Google Docs, gathering information and collaborating with my co-workers when I noticed something different about the next doc I opened up.

The document was in a fixed-width page view; that is the document essentially looked like how it will on the printed page.

Google quietly released this new feature (similar to print layout in Microsoft Word) that gives you the option of viewing your document in either the fixed-width view or normal or "plain" view (the equivalent of web layout in Word). To choose between either, just click on the View menu tab in docs.

Google is continually enhancing and improving Google Apps and updates are delivered without you having to install, patch or do anything. In my view, that's pretty neat!

For more information about Google Apps, please visit goZEROi.com!

SADA Presents Google Apps at Angelbeat

Angelbeat is a series of seminars begun by CEO Ron Gerber. Where most tech seminars are focused on technology professionals and developers, and are full of indecipherable acronyms and techno-babble, Mr. Gerber's seminars are intended to reach out to business and enterprise users. The very people who are wondering, "How do I save money on IT?" In today's troubled economic climate this is a valid concern. The Angelbeat series takes place in several major cities over the summer, and brings together tech professionals, enterprise business executives, and end-users to discuss possible solutions to just this concern.

At the invitation of Google, SADA's own CEO and President Tony Safoian flew to New York for the Long Island Angelbeat event. Tony was attending with Google as a Google Enterprise Partner, and gave a presentation around Google Apps and how it can be used as an Enterprise solution, or software as a service.

To visit the Anglebeat website and learn more about upcoming events that may be in your area, visit their website (www.angelbeat.com) or click here.

Below is the presentation Tony gave at the event:


Following are some pictures from the event:

Gartner: "Windows is Collapsing; Microsoft Must Make Radical Changes"

Speaking at a Las Vegas conference Thursday, Gartner Research analysts Michael Silver and Neil MacDonald described as "untenable" Microsoft's continuing challenges in developing future versions of the Windows operating system. Silver and Mac Donald predicted that if the Redmond, WA based company didn't make "radical change" to Windows soon, they risked becoming a "has-been."

In their presentation, the two analysts said Windows is "collapsing" and issued the following warning to Microsoft:

"Users want a smaller Windows that can run on low-priced -- and low-powered -- hardware. And increasingly, users work with "OS-agnostic applications," the two analysts said in their presentation. It takes too long for Microsoft to build the next version, the company is being beaten by others (GOOG) in the innovation arena, and in the future -- perhaps as soon as the next three years -- it's going to have trouble competing with Web applications and small, specialized devices."

We've been working on and talking about this concept for quite some time. We call it ZEROi.

Our experience around the use and implementation of Google Apps and other software as a service platforms confirms this. Why have lots of expensive hardware, bloated software and even more bloated operating systems when clean, simple, elegant and robust alternatives will do the job?

Don't wait for the consultants and pundits tell you what's next - give us a call here at SADA Systems at 818.766.2400 to see the future!

Offline Google Docs: They're Here!

We all know how great it is to create and collaborate online with Google Docs. But of course the greatest part of Google Docs - the Internet connection - is also a real downside when you don't have it. But not anymore!

Google Docs is slowly rolling out an "unplugged" option. Using the Google Gears platform, a limited number of you (and more of you soon!) will have the option to save and work on Google Docs locally when you have no Internet connection. So if you're on a plane, at your folks' cabin in the mountains or the barista accidentally plugs the espresso machine into the wireless router, you can still work.

The offline version of Docs currently only supports the English language and is not extended to Google Spreadsheets or Presentations. But that will come later. Offline Google Docs pretty much works in the background - your docs are synced with your Google Apps account as soon as you have an Internet connection again.

For more information about using the power of Google Docs online or offline please contact us here at SADA Systems, Inc. at 818.766.2400.

US Navy Program Adopts Google Apps

For over 230 years the mission of the United States Navy has been successfully defending America's shores and its interests at sea. When this branch of the armed forces decides to go with Google Apps, its definitely a "Victory at Sea" for the platform.

According to FCW.com, the Navy's Maritime Domain Awareness program has licensed Google Apps for 5000 users.

The Maritime Domain Awareness program keeps an eye on all types of oceanic traffic, shipping, etc. to scan for potential threats to the US at sea. It also works to coordinate a number of humanitarian efforts.

The Navy will use the collaborative power of Google Apps to share information among various units, government agencies and international partners. It will also integrate much of this information with it's Google Earth Enterprise initiative.

Whether at sea or on dry land, Google Apps is a useful tool to help accomplish any mission. To see how we can put it to work for you, contact us at SADA Systems at 818.766.2400.

The Microsoft and Google SaaS Conundrum

Both Microsoft and Google are challenged in figuring out ways to manage, and profit from the looming move by a lot of business to a lot more hosted applications, and a lot less on-premise infrastructure. It's undeniable this is the way forward (at SADA, we have term for this, something we've been working on for 3 years, called ZEROi - or Zero Infrastructure - computing delivered like electricity). The industry is changing - rapidly - so look sharp!

So, here is how things are stacking up:

1. Build/maintain channel:
1. Google: needs to build a channel, a more formal program, and figure out ways for their partners to be paid not only in implementation services, but in 'reselling' hosted services.
2. Microsoft: needs to build out a brand new channel strategy which won't cannibalize the traditional channel they have had for years.
2. Hosting/infrastructure strategy:
1. Google: has always hosted applications in-house. Results in greater peace of mind for customers. Google doesn't go down, and regardless of which partner helps them get on-board, they know their data is with Google. Google is not going to go out of business.
2. Microsoft: up until recently, developed an SaaS strategy which said "MS Partners could build server farms, and charge customers for hosting and SaaS". At first glance, good for partners. But only large partners can build out hosting infrastructure, and even then, Microsoft is not the protector of that data - the partner is. The partner is more likely to go out of business than Microsoft. Changing their tune to say that now MS will host - threatens Channel.
3. On-premise requirements for customers:
1. Google: got an internet connection? Good. Oh, you had a bunch of Dell servers and Microsoft software before? So what? Got a thin client? A $200 linux desktop for your employess? That'll do.
   
2. Microsoft: Wait, you mean if you adopt my SaaS, you'll need much less hardware and software licensing? Wow... but that's where most of my revenue is generated from, and it's what my Partners make money at installing. You don't need lots of processing power, OR Vista to run web applications.... Oh yea, it's also why traditionally Intel loves us, and we love them. Our more complex, multi-server deployment methodologies require lots and lots of processing power. You mean you won't need that any more?
   
4. Platform:
1. Google: platform independent, doesn't care about the end-point. They know the OS is not going to matter.
   
2. Microsoft: surprise! Still likes IE better than Firefox, and Windows better than anything else. They are moving towards platform independence, but it hurts so baaad! Admitting the OS doesn't matter seems contradictory, and can cost Billions.
   
5. Tools:
1. Google: tools not as rich as MS, though purely web-based, and build from the ground up to be all about collaboration and content, not pretty fonts. Knows the way people work is changing. It takes 2 steps to make my presentation made with Presently embed in my Blog or website.
   
2. Microsoft: more familiar looking tools, but continues to want to make people buy MS Office, which is a cash-cow. Doesn't yet realize that most people don't use 80% of the features of Word 2007. Try to embed your Powerpoint into your Blog...
6. Extensibility:
   
1. Google: API's don't care what you use - Java, .NET, Python, PHP (okay, so there is a slight bias towards Python....). Highly extensible, and customizable, with more API's being released all the time.
2. Microsoft: Have to use .NET and Visual Studio. And have you looked at the Office SDK? Geez...
7. Biggest risks:
1. Google: Apps is seen as a fad, and never adopted by portions of the Fortune 500. Though even then, the SMB could still be a huge paying customer for Apps. Also, they could fail to build a solid channel, and make partners upset by moves like the recent one - offering Postini direct to customers at less than Postini partners buy the product. Ouch.
2. Microsoft: Destroys channel AND it's own source of revenue by incorrectly bringing SaaS to market. But there are some very very smart people at MS - so let's not count them out.

The story is just unraveling, and it's going to get very, very interesting. Check out this article by eWeek.

Microsoft responds to Google Apps - Sites

Microsoft finally responds to the rise of Google as a serious player in the productivity application and collaboration space - I suppose it was the release of Sites (a direct threat to SharePoint in some markets) which finally drew a response out of Microsoft. But as these articles below indicate - most of what we hear are things Microsoft has been talking about (just not doing) for years.

Microsoft seems to have finally decided to take the SaaS service delivery into its own hands - though it has allowed partners to host Microsoft applications for customers since 2002. The one major problem Microsoft has that Google (at least today) does not is this - just the thought of Microsoft hosting the applications directly is a major potential disruption to its basic business model, which is all about using Microsoft Partners and the Channel to do this kind of work! I guess we'll see in the next few months what the fall-out may be - meanwhile, enjoy the articles below!

Microsoft targets Google, Yahoo with Web-hosted SMB wares

SharePoint broadens options for businesses

Google Launches Sites for Google Apps! R.I.P. SharePoint?

As predicated back on February 6th, Google Sites (Wiki / JotSpot resurrection) is now part of Google Apps! This makes Google Apps an even more powerful and valuable set of tools. Now anyone can build dynamic websites and collaborate on them in real-time! This really makes Google Apps a "Sharepoint" killer. The amount of licensing fees, infrastructure requirements, hosting fees, just overall management and administration it requires to run SharePoint is overwhelming - even for an IT company like SADA. So this is definitely going to be one of those tools we use!

Official announcement below:
=

http://sites.google.com/

Google Apps that makes creating a team web site as easy as editing a document. With Google Sites, people can quickly gather a variety of information in one place -- including videos, calendars, presentations, attachments, and text -- and easily share it for viewing or editing with a small group, their entire organization, or the world.

Google Sites is the new version of JotSpot, which was acquired by Google in late 2006. As a former JotSpotter, it's particularly gratifying to see our wiki-based collaboration product surface on Google.com.

Some key product features from http://sites.google.com/overview.html :

- Customize your site's interface to resemble your group or project's look and feel

- Create a new sub-page with the click of a button and edit the page with a WYSIWYG editor

- Choose from a growing list of page types: webpage, announcements, file cabinet, dashboard and list

- Centralize shared information: Embed rich content (video, Google Docs documents, spreadsheets, presentations, Picasa photo slide shows, iGoogle gadgets) into any page, and upload file attachments

- Manage permissions settings to keep your site as privately or widely editable and viewable as you'd like

- Search across your Google Sites content with Google search technology

See also the Sites Help Center page: http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/topic.py?topic=14075

Google Announces Provisioning Toolkit!

We announced it here previously but on Tuesday Google's Enterprise Blog made it official - the release of the Open Source Google Apps Provisioning Toolkit, a browser-based interface for creating and updating user accounts in Google Apps. SADA Systems, Inc. contributed the initial code base in collaboration with Google Enterprise. The toolkit can be found at http://code.google.com/p/google-apps-provisioning-toolkit/.

As noted on Google's blog post by Scott McMullan, Google Apps Partner Lead for Google Enterprise, "The Toolkit joins a few other open source projects that work with Google Apps, including the Google Email Uploader for migrating Outlook mail to a Google Apps mailbox and the Google Apps LDAP Sync project."

SADA Announces Initial Contribution of Open Source Google Apps Provisioning Toolkit

SADA Systems, Inc. announced today the initial release of the Open Source Google Apps Provisioning Toolkit, a browser-based interface for creating and updating user accounts in Google Apps. SADA contributed the initial code base in collaboration with Google Enterprise, and is inviting other developers to join the project. The toolkit has been released under the Apache 2.0 license and can be found on code.google.com http://code.google.com/p/google-apps-provisioning-toolkit/.

Provisioning large numbers of user accounts can be time consuming for administrators deploying Google Apps. The open source toolkit addresses the basic account provisioning needs of Universities, portals, and enterprises that are moving to Google Apps. The toolkit runs on any system that supports Apache, PHP, and Python, and is also available for download as a VMware appliance.

The toolkit was designed to address two common use cases: bulk provisioning and updating user accounts from information stored in a CSV, LDAP, or SQL data source, and enabling users to self-register their own new account through an authenticated web page. Commenting on the tool's performance, Tony Safoian, President/CEO of SADA Systems, Inc., said, “This solution will make it much easier for administrators to move their users to Google Apps. It also happens to be very fast, averaging 20 new accounts per second.”

SADA developed the toolkit in partnership with Google Enterprise. "SADA is a Google Enterprise partner with domain experience in provisioning large numbers of Google Apps users for Universities and enterprises. It made a lot of sense to tap in to their experience and collaborate with them on this open source project," said Scott McMullan, Google Apps Partner Lead for Google Enterprise. "This toolkit joins other open source projects like the Google Email Uploader that offer immediate value to users while also supporting commercial-friendly open source development."

SADA Systems, Inc. is a privately held information technology consulting, outsourcing, and development firm founded in 2000. SADA works with its client base to develop innovative technology solutions to business challenges. SADA designs, delivers, deploys and supports a holistic, cutting-edge suite of best-of-breed technologies. This allows organizations to leverage Information Technology to achieve new levels of effectiveness, efficiency, and collaboration. SADA is headquartered in North Hollywood, CA, but participates in projects world-wide. For more information, visit http://www.sadasystems.com/.

Google, Google Enterprise, and Google Apps are trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

Run the Google Apps Provisioning Toolkit on VMware

Now your organization can run the open source Google Apps Provisioning toolkit in a virtual environment. Please visit the project site for more details - but here are some links:

Project Site

Project Google Group

VMware Download Link

Presentation is below:

Google Apps for the Enterprise - New and Improved!

We are happy to announce the launch of brand new services suites geared around getting a company of any size a QuickStart with Google Apps for under $2,000!

What's new about this packaging?

We've learned a lot since we launched, and Apps has become more powerful than ever. We have completely updated our Apps for Enterprise offerings accordingly:

1. You get more for less. Prices are lower, services are more inclusive.
2. You get Postini configuration for email Archving - free for the 90-day plan.
3. Excellent dual-delivery. You get Business Email Continuity free with proper deployment.
4. Both on-premise and hosted provisioning and user synchronization options.
5. Simple, flat-fee, packaged pricing - free of per-account fees.

Find out more by visiting our website.

Google Apps Team Edition - You're in control, not I.T.

Google announced the latest edition to its Apps Suite – Team Edition. More than anything else released recently in the Software as a Service world, it exemplifies the power shift – AWAY from the I.T. department, and in the hands of you, the productivity worker.

Tens of thousands of people have signed up for Google Apps in the past, only to be halted in their tracks because they did not have the support from their I.T. departments to take the necessary steps to ‘migrate’ them or ‘activate’ their accounts.

There is a lot of buzz about team edition already. Just click here to check out what the world is saying!

This is true productivity, empowered, with no boundaries. Is this a sign of things to come? You bet it is. Utility computing, productivity with a switch, with NO direct I.T. involvement, or infrastructure to support. Zero Infrastructure (ZEROi), coming soon to a company near you.

Here is another great article on the topic: http://www.roughtype.com/archives/2008/02/sneaking_behind.php

Google Sites coming this Quarter!

After much anticipation, Google Sites, the replacement to Google Pages, and the result of over a year of integration work with the JotSpot platform acquired by Google late 2006, is going to be released *some time* in Q1 2008. This is from a trusted source.

Here is a slightly outdated screenshot:

Schools Save Money With Hosted Email

Northwestern University and Arizona State University are both part of a trend in educational institutions, particularly colleges and universities. Higher education institutions have begun examining their email services with an eye toward saving money on licensing and maintenance. According to this article on the Michigan Daily Wire Arizona State University Saved $500,000 by dropping it's locally managed email system in favor of a hosted solution. In this case the decision was made to switch to Google Apps.

Some of the advantages of making the switch that are cited in the article include:

• The university saved money by dropping their internal email service in favor of hosted email.
• Many hosted email services provide larger storage than universities are capable of offering with a local solution.
• Reduced management of email by internal IT departments

For Northwestern University's perspective on Google Apps, click on the video below.

Happy Holidays from SADA!

Though always appropriate, this time of year is a good time to say how much we do appreciate the relationship that we have with our clients. Without their support, we certainly could not enjoy the success we have had so far!

It hardly seems possible that it is already the end of another year. We at SADA Systems, Inc. wanted to take a moment to recap 2007 and highlight some of the great IT solutions we have available.

SADA YEAR IN REVIEW
One of the most exciting things at SADA is our growing partnership with Google. We began as one of Google's original ten Enterprise Partners worldwide and have expanded our scope to become one of the premier experts in the deployment and customization of Google Apps. We have developed and implemented Apps solutions for clients such as Northwestern University, Anderson Merchandisers and the Los Angeles Community College District, to name a few. Lending "street cred" to our experience, we were asked by Google to develop a custom tool for the provisioning of Google Apps accounts.

Another significant development for SADA in 2007 was expansion into Asia. Under the leadership of Senior Developer Johannes Candra, we opened an office in Surabaya, Indonesia which will add greater depth to our web and application development team and expand our marketing presence to whole new markets.

We are proud of the recognition we have received this year. Among the honors; the California Junior Chamber chose SADA President/CEO Tony Safoian as one of "Ten Outstanding Young Californians," SADA was named number 3044 on Inc. Magazine’s "5000 Fastest Growing Companies List," and our philanthropic efforts were recognized by Computech for Humanity, an organization that provides computers, software and training to disabled individuals.

EXCITING SOLUTIONS FROM SADA
As an IT services, IT procurement and web/application development firm SADA Systems, Inc. has a solution for you. The end of the year is a great time to take advantage of SADA's various services to boost your business in 2008.

Google Apps provides businesses of any size with a suite of hosted communication, documentation, and collaboration applications. Bundled in Google Apps are Gmail, Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Presentations, GoogleTalk, and Google Calendar. Google Apps is robust, scalable, offers unparalleled business continuity, anti-virus/anti-spam features - and requires NO infrastructure/hardware investment!

CITO - SADA’s Complete IT Outsourcing programs - provide 100% maintenance and support of Information Technology infrastructure for a Fixed Fee. All CITO customers leverage the benefits of our nSight Managed Infrastructure Services monitoring system. This allows SADA unparalleled visibility into the on-going availability, behavior and performance of every aspect of your infrastructure. Frequent on-site visits help to ensure that your network is 100% operational and stable. With CITO, we make your information and infrastructure challenges our passion.

END OF THE YEAR PROMOTION
2007 is almost over - are your equipment and software up to date? Need additional data storage devices? How about a new desktop, laptop or the latest version of Windows? Please contact Eric Rosenwald at eric.rosenwald@sadasystems.com or at 866.997.0000, option 3 for our current specials.

We look forward to another great year working with you! Here is our wish for a very safe and happy holiday season, and a great New Year to you and yours!