When: Wednesday, December 14th 2011: 3pm – 8pm
Where: 600 N. Commons Drive, Suite 107, Aurora, IL 60504

Please join us for an evening of fun and holiday cheer while helping to support the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry.

We kindly ask that attendees bring either a non-perishable food item or make a monetary donation to Loaves & Fishes. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Come out for some festive cheer and chat with our staff in our brand new office space! We look forward to seeing you there.

Please RSVP by Friday, December 9th.

Contact us at 630-870-1088 or events@webitservices.com for more information.

On December 1st 2011, WEBIT Services will be moving into our new Corporate Headquarters located in the Meridian Tech Center in Aurora, IL. Our new office will be almost double in size to help facilitate our continued growth. We will be announcing an open house combined with our annual Helping Hand charity benefit sometime in mid-December.

(Click on the picture to enlarge the map)

On Friday October 28, 2011 we were very honored to learn that WEBIT Services has been named the Loaves & Fishes – 2011 Outstanding Community Partner of the year. As part of our Giving Back program, WEBIT Services donates time and IT Services to Loaves and Fishes and it is our privilege to work with such an amazing staff and volunteers. If you would like to learn more about the impact Loaves and Fishes has on our community and how you can help or volunteer, please contact their office or feel free to contact our office and we will help put you in touch with someone who can assist you.

Take a Walk in the Cloud: Presented by WEBIT Services & Intel

WEBIT Services is hosting this special event on Friday, September 23rd from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, in order to promote the launch of our iCloudWork service with Intel, as part of the AppUp program.

Please join us for an evening of fun, food and entertainment while having the opportunity to see live demonstrations of our new iCloudWork solution powered by the Intel AppUp platform and ask questions with the experts at WEBIT and Intel in a casual environment. We’ll have live music from Jennifer Peterson and Creekstone, beverages and hors d’oeuvres from My Chef Catering and dessert provided by Just Baking Around.

Click here to register!

As a SPECIAL BONUS: all attendees who sign up for a Cloud Service Review by 10/31/2011 will be eligible to receive 2 FREE MONTHS of service on the iCloudWork platform.

We hope to see you there!

It is inevitable to have to upgrade any kind of software sooner or later. This is now true for Windows XP, as Microsoft has announced a discontinuation of support for the operating system in 2014. Microsoft recommends upgrading to the newer Windows 7 OS, which is something worth considering as early as now.

Part of using any sort of software is the inevitable need to upgrade. Most if not all software needs to either be replaced and upgraded as the demands of the market entail more efficient processing of the various data and information a business handles.

Such is the case with Windows XP. While many continue to use this proven straightforward operating system, Microsoft has decided to stop support by the year 2014. Microsoft further recommends upgrading to its latest OS, Windows 7, in order for users to continue to receive OS support.

While there are some lines of business applications that have not been upgraded to work with Windows 7, most have — and there are alternative approaches. Also, your business needs the security and protection that only a current, up-to-date operating system can provide.

We understand that changing your OS will entail some expense, including new licenses, hardware, and some training. Fortunately, these things are designed to help you operate more efficiently and increase your productivity in the long run. But such change will take time, and if you are interested in starting to plan for an upgrade now, we’ll be happy to sit down with you and develop an upgrade process that meets your specific needs.

WEBIT Services, Inc., a leading llinois based Managed Technology Services Provider, is pleased to announce the launching of its new WEBIT Early Warning Technology Protection Service.

“With the notable increase in the frequency and severity of destructive storms around the country, we felt that we needed to become as proactive as possible in protecting of our clients data and systems,” said Eric Rieger, president of WEBIT Services, Inc. “Obviously it’s difficult to predict where and when severe weather or other catastrophic events will impact any business but we feel by adding some additional layers of monitoring and redundancy we will have our clients mission critical systems protected and be able to keep them up and running and/or get them back up and running in the shortest amount of time depending on the nature of the crisis.”

WEBIT Early Warning starts with internal technicians monitoring local and national weather and news outlets to determine if there are severe weather events predicted for clients within the next 24-48 hours. If severe weather is predicted, a series of warnings will be issued to clients instructing them what they need to do to be prepared and what procedures WEBIT will initiate should an event impact their business.

Additional layers to the service include redundancy (both onsite and offsite) for mission critical systems as well as detailed disaster planning and training so that all employees of the company are aware of their responsibilities and how to access these systems.
Mr. Rieger finished by saying “The events that recently transpired in Joplin, MO recently were a sobering reminder that we live in a fragile world where at any given moment things can be turned upside down and according to the US Bureau of Labor, 93 percent of companies that suffer a significant data loss are out of business within five years. Our goal with this new service is to not only make sure our clients don’t lose any data, but are actually able to continue functioning through any kind of disaster.”

For more information about WEBIT Services: http://www.webitservices.com
About WEBIT Services, Inc.
WEBIT Services is a full-service Managed Technology Services provider, dedicated to delivering superior, proactive, cost-effective technology support and services that align with the goals of your organization. Headquartered in Saint Charles, Illinois, WEBIT Services has been providing cutting edge support and technology services to the Chicagoland area since 1996, and today it continues to lead the way in making new access and technology solutions available throughout Illinois.

WEBIT’s commitment to the local community is evidenced by our Helping Hand program which provides free or low cost technology support services and financial assistance to local charitable organizations that assist the community with their various programs and services. With over 15 years of dedicated service, WEBIT constantly strives to expand on that mission of giving back and positively impacting as many lives as possible. More information on the Helping Hand program can be found at http://www.webitservices.com/community

Original Source

WEBIT Services, Inc. is the first Managed Technology Services Provider in Illinois to launch this new service which is designed to fulfill the growing demand for cloud computing and technology services for small to medium sized businesses in the Greater Chicagoland area.

SAINT CHARLES, IL – May 25th, 2011 – WEBIT Services, Inc., a leading Illinois based Managed Technology Services Provider, is pleased to be the first such company to offer the new Intel AppUp℠ for Small Business Service as a part of WEBIT’s technology service offering, iCloudWork℠.

“This is a unique service offering that gives businesses the current office technology they need, without the hassles and entry barriers of large upfront costs and ongoing upgrade fees.” said Eric Rieger, President of WEBIT Services, Inc. “We’ve partnered with Intel on this platform because we believe it provides the best features of cloud services in terms of scalability and management with the reliability, security and performance of traditional LAN based networking systems. Intel has continually demonstrated its ability to deliver products and services that exceed their customers’ expectations and WEBIT is excited to help carry on that tradition.”

“Intel is excited to be launching this service into the Illinois marketplace with WEBIT,” said Bridget Karlin, General Manager, Intel Hybrid Cloud. “WEBIT’s business model and client relationships will help businesses in the Chicagoland area adopt this technology rapidly with a very affordable monthly subscription model.”

Karlin continues, “Staying current with software and hardware can be a daunting financial concern for businesses, but with the Intel Hybrid Cloud service offering, available through WEBIT’s iCloudWork, it is simple, affordable and easy.”

iCloudWork offers a comprehensive suite of technology and consulting services that blend current technology platforms with superior IT support services to help businesses leverage technology as an efficient contributor to the bottom line rather than another expense item. By including remote, telephone and onsite support services with 24×7 proactive monitoring, backup and disaster recovery systems and regular maintenance schedules, iCloudWork users gain all the benefits of a dedicated IT support center from a responsive and consistent local technology partner, at a predictable, cost-effective monthly price.

The iCloudWork platform is based on the Intel AppUp for Small Business service, which is a subscription-based software delivery model offered from hardware hosted on-site at the clients’ location. One of the immediate benefits will be that businesses can access software on a monthly, pay-as-you-grow service model, thus eliminating costly start-up and licensing fees. The Intel AppUp for Small Business Service software catalog offers a wide variety of applications from Industry leaders including Microsoft Exchange®, Microsoft Small Business Server®, Vembu StorGrid®, Astaro Internet Security® and many others.

For more information about WEBIT Services: http://www.webitservices.com
For more information about the iCloudWork service platform: http://www.iCloudWork.com
For more information about the Intel Hybrid Cloud: http://intel.com/go/hybridcloud

About WEBIT Services, Inc.

WEBIT Services is a full-service Managed Technology Services provider, dedicated to delivering superior, proactive, cost-effective technology support and services that align with the goals of your organization. Headquartered in Saint Charles, Illinois, WEBIT Services has been providing cutting edge support and technology services to the Chicagoland area since 1996, and today it continues to lead the way in making new access and technology solutions available throughout Illinois.

WEBIT’s commitment to our local community is evidenced by our Helping Hand program which provides free or low cost technology support services and financial assistance to local charitable organizations that assist the community with their various services. With over 15 years of dedicated service, WEBIT constantly strives to expand on that mission of giving back and positively impacting as many lives as possible. More information on the Helping Hand program can be found at http://www.webitservices.com/community

Read and Download the entire press release

Many SMBs are unaware that hackers are finding online banking transactions to be profitable and easy targets for cyber-attacks because of several weaknesses in the security systems not only of both organizations, but also in the authentication protocols between them.

In a recent attack, cyber-thieves managed to get away with $63,000 after they exploited vulnerabilities in the online payroll system of a small business with its bank.

First, the crooks managed to infiltrate the company’s system through a piece of malware called the Zeus Trojan. This gave them access to the company’s data, including the password and username used in transacting with the company’s bank. The thieves then created several new ghost employees and created payroll accounts for them, which they sent to the bank and authenticated using the company controller’s username and password. And to cover their tracks, the hackers erased the confirmation emails regarding the transaction.

This incident highlights the need for better security systems in both the business and their bank – as security experts cite online banking transactions as one of the favorite targets of cyber-criminals. Cyber-attacks such as this one exploit weaknesses in many existing systems that rely on very simple and automated authentication procedures to confirm transactions.

A direct threat to your business finances is not something to be taken lightly. You not only need to review your current online banking system, but also the current security protocols you have installed, since hackers and cyber-criminals are constantly updating Trojans and other malware to adapt to changing IT protection systems.

We encourage you to have us take a look at the systems you have in place to determine if you are at risk for attacks like these. Please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to draw up custom security solutions that address your specific needs.

References:
Sold a Lemon in Internet Banking
Cybercrooks Drive Away With $63,000 from Car Dealership

Internet security is an issue not to be taken lightly. As an increasing number of businesses use the web for more efficient operations, there is also more risk of being affected by malware and viruses. But thanks to initiatives such as WebBlaze and BitBlaze from Professor Dawn Song, developers are better equipped to make more effective IT security systems.

If you think hackers are the only ones doing their research to release newer and scarier viruses and malware on the web, think again. It is comforting to know that there are also very capable people doing what they can to make the internet a safer place – like Professor Dawn Song, associate professor at the University of California at Berkeley and MacArthur Foundation fellow.

In a nutshell, Professor Song has been looking at different ways to make the internet experience more secure. Her two initiatives – WebBlaze and BitBlaze – are aimed toward developers who want to create better and much more secure programs and applications.

WebBlaze is a compilation of different strategies from Song and other like minds who tackle different problems and solutions in all sorts of platforms, and BitBlaze is an analysis tool for malicious software. While we won’t go into too much detail (it involves very complicated math), the gist is that Song and her colleagues are drawing up some very solid solutions to constantly evolving security issues on the web.

It’s exciting to see developments like these in the security industry. As threats continue to evolve, so does the means through which they are fought. The more we use the internet and the more the online experience becomes integral to the day-to-day operations of businesses big and small, the more important securing your data and information becomes. And because of efforts such as Professor Song’s, we can expect security programs to be much more effective and efficient as time passes.

Know more about BitBlaze and WebBlaze

Learn more about Dawn Song here

If you are looking to assess and beef up your security systems, we’d be happy to sit down with you and take a look at improvements that can make your business and your data much more secure.

One thing is clear, quality is still more important than quantity. Especially with the current economic downturn, people are downsize everything – including online social circles.

November 17, 2010 was declared by Jimmy Kimmel during his television show as “National Unfriend Day”, the opportunity for all Facebook users to declutter their Facebook pages by “unfriending” people in their friends’ lists. He claims that Facebook has been “cheapening” the idea of friendship. To many the idea was hilarious, but others are seriously considering the wisdom of unfriending.

Is Kimmel on to something here? Can unfriending benefit your online business?

Research shows that as social media gets bigger, we’re getting smaller. Brian Wong, a network marketer says it simply: “With the growth of social networking, I am finding it increasingly difficult to separate business connections and personal connections.” He says that having almost 1,000 friends on Facebook has made it difficult for him to see the feeds and updates of his “real” friends and important business partners.

Lately there is a growing trend of de-scaling on the internet. People have started “pruning” their social lives online. For example, the popular Farmville app lost 30 million players this year, and people are beginning to realize that conversations and comments are more important than a huge number of blog hits.

So how can de-scaling and unfriending help your business? The drive to be more intimate can benefit your business by allowing you to form a tighter circle of customers, more successfully establishing you as a preferred channel for consumption.

Luckily, there are tools that can help you descale your social networks:

1. Path – Offers small-scale communities where people feel more comfortable sharing personal information. It controls who can view your information and does not include features that make your content viral.
2. Letter.ly – A subscription-based newsletter for bloggers who feel that public posts decrease the quality of conversations. This newsletter opens discussion only to people who pay, or who are privately invited to read a blog post.
3. GroupMe – A texting app which limits your group text participants to only 14, to ensure that meaningful dialogues take place.

What about the flip side of unfriending and descaling? While you’re considering who to eliminate from your social circles, your contacts are likely doing the same. Here are some tips to help you make their cuts:

1.       Be selective in your communications.
Of course, your product is important – to you. But not every little detail is as important to your audience. Be sure to focus on key features and benefits from your audience’s perspective.

2.       Stay on topic.
Always give relevant communications to your customers, and never rant or badmouth competitors. This is a sure way to lose customers.

3.       Provide value.
In addition to talking about your product or service, find ways to provide value to your circle of friends. Understand topics and pain points important to them, and provide valuable information and advice to help them succeed. You’ll soon come to be considered as a valuable resource to your contacts – one that they want to keep in their online social groups.

One thing is clear: quality is still more important than quantity, especially in the current economic downturn when people are downsizing everything. Start “pruning” your social network – and take steps to avoid being pruned – and you’ll reap the benefits of having a tight circle of loyal friends and customers.