3D News

Part 1: When Should My Business Upgrade from Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7?

2012-01-30T18:00:00.000-08:00

For most businesses upgrading an operating system is a daunting process. Buying new licenses can be expensive, not to mention you’ll have to make sure your software and hardware will be compatible. There is a list of factors to weigh when deciding if, and when, it’s worth it.

In this first section of a two part series, we will start by discussing how to evaluate your current system and identify potential issues you may face in implementing a new operating system. In Part 2, we will be reviewing additional issues such as how difficult it may be for your users to learn the new system, what kind of benefits you can expect from upgrading, and the final steps to take to make your decision.

Will my hardware be able to run it?

Microsoft had the forethought to provide the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. This handy and free tool can be quickly downloaded and will evaluate your PC hardware to make sure it has the necessary resources to run Windows 7. You can even plug in your USB devices, printers, scanners, etc. which you regularly use and the tool will check if they’re compatible as well.

This tool does not check every piece of hardware and software known to man. Microsoft also provides the Windows 7 Compatibility Center where you can manually check hardware and software important to you.

Most computers running Windows Vista will be able to run Windows 7, however it is highly recommended you check compatibility regardless. The Upgrade Advisor will advise you of hardware and system upgrades which will be necessary and you can evaluate whether or not you are interested in upgrading your equipment to meet those needs. If you are intent on upgrading to Windows 7 and you find your hardware lacking, it may be less expensive to buy a new PC rather than upgrade your existing equipment.

How do I make sure my software is compatible?

The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor does check for program compatibility and the Windows 7 Compatibility Center covers literally thousands of pieces of software, but it doesn’t cover everything. This is a good start, but you’ll want to make sure all your programs are compatible. You can easily check with your software manufacturer; this generally involves a quick trip to their website. You may need to download an update, which manufacturers usually provide at no cost. There is a possibility the manufacturer will want you to purchase a new version of their software, however the only way to know is to check with them.

Windows 7 also has a great new feature: Windows XP Mode. Programs that are not compatible with Windows 7 can be run in Compatibility Mode, which launches a virtualized Windows XP window, and runs it with XP settings. Even better, the software you need to use this feature is provided for free directly from Microsoft, but only for Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise users. XP mode does come with its own set of considerations, and whether or not this will meet your needs completely is a question for your IT team and will likely only be answered with testing.

How easy is the upgrade?

If you have Windows Vista, you can upgrade directly to a comparable version of Windows 7 (ie if you are running Vista Business, you can upgrade to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate). If you are running XP, you will need to do a “clean” install, meaning you will be completely replacing the operating system, not upgrading it. Your files, programs and settings will need to be backed up as they will be erased. If you’re backing up your data already (and every business should be), very few additional steps will be necessary.

A clean install may be preferable even if you are using Vista. A clean install wipes out old registry entries and files no longer in use which can bog down your system, and removing them will free up some disk space. Since you are reinstalling only the programs and files you want, any unused programs that came preinstalled on your computer or any malware you may have picked up will be gone. A clean install also reduces the chance that the upgrade may get corrupted. Sometimes upgrades go bad, and if that happens, you’ll need to do a clean install regardless.

Come back later this week for Part 2, including:
Why is upgrading worth it?
What is the learning curve?
When does XP support end and why does that matter?
Isn't Windows 8 coming out soon?
Final steps

3D Earns Certifications and Partners with SonicWALL and Citrix

2012-01-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce our new partnerships with Citrix and SonicWALL! In order to achieve these partnerships, we were required to demonstrate their technology expertise through a battery of exams passed by members of our Network Engineering and Analyst teams.

3D has been certified as a Citrix Silver Solution Advisor by demonstrating their expertise with Citrix products, as well as implementing virtualization, networking and cloud solutions for businesses. These technologies allow businesses to increase their productivity and efficiency.

SonicWALL has also recognized 3D’s expertise and welcomed them as a Silver Medallion Partner. SonicWALL and 3D provide affordable Enterprise Class security solutions. Companies can utilize these solutions to increase portability through remote access and wireless networking. Combined with layered network security and continuous data protection, clients are able to take advantage of these technologies without compromising security.

These new partnerships are additions to 3D’s extensive professional network, which include partnerships with other leading technology providers such as Microsoft, HP, Intel, Sophos and Cisco.

New 3D ProActive Feature: Exchange 2003 log file Management

2011-12-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

3D is pleased to announce the addition of yet another new feature for our ProActive clients with alerting included in their agreement. Automated alerting for Exchange 2003 excessive log growth is the sixteenth automated feature added to the 3D ProActive portfolio in 2011.

What are log files, and how do they affect me?

Log files are a backup of your Exchange Server transactions. When messages are sent and received, as well as other modifications made to them, they are first recorded in the transaction log files in your system memory until they are committed to the Exchange database when your system allows. In the event of an Exchange failure, the only method of recovering this information is through your log files.

Log files can take up quite a bit of your system memory however, and excessive log file growth can quickly cause system slowness due to reduced disk space. We have found this is particularly common for standalone servers which have been virtualized.

Our automated check identifies if log files are taking up excessive memory and alerts us so that we are able to modify server settings to manage the handling of log files during system backups. This means we can correct any problems before you experience slowness and helps keeps your system running optimally through best practices.

Technical Analyst Anthony Esposito earns Cisco SMBAM® Certification

2011-12-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce that Anthony Esposito, 3D Technical Analyst, has earned the Cisco certification as a Small Business Account Manager (SMBAM®) specialist. These certifications further enhance the company’s range of professional accreditations.

Cisco Systems, Inc., a corporation that designs and sells business electronics, networking and communications technologies, awards SMBAM® certification to network professionals that exhibit the skills required to design and implement Cisco SMB solutions. Esposito employs these competencies when identifying the technology needs of 3D’s clients and implementing products and services to fulfill those needs.

SMBAM® certification adds to Esposito’s existing portfolio of specializations. The 3D team holds an array of certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, WatchGuard, SonicWALL and other technologies that recognize their expertise in using these products to provide businesses with reliable network management and support.

3D Adds 2 New Automated Services to ProActive™

2011-12-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

3D is constantly improving and adding new features to our catalog in order to better serve our clients. Two new features have been deployed for our ProActive™ clients to further the prevention of network issues and save time by eliminating the need to complete these tasks manually.

DHCP Workstation Audit

This new feature automatically alerts when a computer is configured manually instead of with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP is a network configuration for IP networks, and all computers need to be configured before they can connect to the network. When a computer is manually configured it risks not conforming to the network settings and can complicate troubleshooting if there is an issue, particularly when server upgrades are taking place. When there is an alert, the settings can be updated in accordance with best practices. This feature is in place for all ProActive™ clients with alerting.

Watchguard WebBlocker Auto Fix

For ProActive™ Managed and Partner clients, a new automated fix is available which monitors Watchguard WebBlocker. This automation ensures the standard port which the WebBlocker service uses will be reserved. If the port is in use by another program, WebBlocker may not be able to start. This new feature ensures that WebBlocker runs more reliably, preventing unwanted web browsing and slowness which can occur when the WebBlocker service is unreachable.

References: 3DProActive™

Network Engineer Mike McGlothern achieves Cisco SMBE Certification, Technical Analyst Anthony Esposito earns SonicWALL CCSR Certification

2011-12-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

3D Corporation is pleased to announce that Mike McGlothern, Tech Department Manager and Network Engineer, has earned Cisco Small Business Engineer (SMBE®) certification. Technical Analyst Anthony Esposito has earned Certified SonicWALL Sales Representative (CSSR). These certifications further enhance the company’s range of professional accreditations.

Cisco Systems, Inc., a corporation that designs and sells business electronics, networking and communications technologies, awards SMBE® certification to network professionals that exhibit the skills required to design and implement Cisco SMB solutions. SonicWALL®, Inc. designs and sells intelligent network security and data protection solutions around the world. CSSR certifications are awarded to network professionals who have mastered the fundamentals of network security policy and management, data backup, recovery and other security technologies.

McGlothern and Esposito employ these competencies when identifying the technology needs of 3D’s clients and implementing products and services to fulfill those needs. The 3D team holds an array of certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, WatchGuard, SonicWALL and other technologies that recognize their expertise in using these products to provide businesses with reliable network management and support.

Network Engineer Euphrates Greene achieves Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®) Certification

2011-11-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

3D Corporation is proud to announce that Euphrates Greene, 3D Network Administrator and Engineer, has earned Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®) certification, further enhancing the company’s range of professional accreditations.

Cisco Systems, Inc., a corporation that designs and sells business electronics, networking and communications technologies, awards CCNA® certification to network professionals that exhibit the skills required to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size route and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. Greene employs these competencies when identifying the technology needs of 3D’s clients and implementing products and services to fulfill those needs.

CCNA® certification adds to Greene’s existing portfolio of certifications including multiple Microsoft Certified Product and Technology specializations, Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT®), and many others. The 3D engineering team holds an array of certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, WatchGuard and other technologies that recognize their expertise in using these products to provide businesses with reliable network management and support.

To learn more on how certifications like these provide value to our clients, call us at (360) 671-4906, email us at info@3dcorp.us or visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/.

3D Launches Two New Features for ProActive Clients

2011-11-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

3D is constantly improving and adding new features to our service catalog in order to better serve our clients. This week, two new automated alerting features have been announced for our Basic+Alerting, Managed and Partner ProActive clients.

Sophos PureMessage Auditing

The new weekly auditing of Sophos PureMessage anti-virus software checks 59 configuration options to ensure the product is within industry best practices. Since best practices change as technology does, this automated check will continue to further help reduce SPAM and e-mail viruses by alerting if PureMessage is not configured for maximum security. This prevents false positives where valid e-mail is blocked as well as false negatives where SPAM is allowed.

Outlook Web Access Security

This new feature checks Outlook Web Access security on a weekly basis and automatically alerts if a vulnerability is found. This type of security liability can cause the failure of Pay Card Industry (PCI) compliance audits, which can result in fines and penalties from your financial institution. Previously these audits had to be completed manually; with the launch of the new feature automatic alerts will identify any issues immediately.

References: 3DProActive™

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning – Are You Protecting Your Business?

2011-10-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

More than 70% of businesses experience a data loss each year due to technical or human error. This results in an average revenue loss of $4,700, not taking into account losses due to missed business opportunities or natural disasters. Faulkner Information Services found that 50% of companies that lose their data due to disasters go out of business within 24 months, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor indicates that 93% are out of business within five years.

If a business is able to recover after a data loss, there can be further reaching consequences. For example you may lose the trust of your customers, who then begin considering your competitors. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning are essential to protecting the life of your business.

What’s the Difference Between “Disaster Recovery” and “Business Continuity” Planning?

While most think of Disaster Recovery Planning in regards to natural disasters, Business Continuity Planning also addresses other issues which result in a data loss. Essential records are not only stored in your systems; if an executive in your business were suddenly unavailable, would you have access to their key contacts, business appointments, and projects in-progress? Business Continuity Planning includes ensuring these types of data are recorded and accessible.

Implementing Your Plan

Implementing a Business Continuity Plan can seem a daunting task, requiring you to evaluate every function of your business, how to back-up your information and efficiently recover it. For small businesses it can be cost prohibitive to execute the plan themselves, being less likely to have a full time IT staff. For these businesses it is often less expensive to implement a plan utilizing a Managed Service Provider, who have the resources available and the expertise to evaluate your systems and strategize the most efficient recovery.

3D Corporation offers risk assessments, security solutions and multiple data backup options which can be customized to meet your business needs and begin the process of creating a Business Continuity Plan. Please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call us at (360) 671-4906 for more information.

References: HP Business Disaster Recovery, Information Security Systems, CSO Security and Risk, Faulkner Information Services

What Are “Best Practices?”

2011-10-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

A best practice is a method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to those achieved with other means. They also represent common practices that are seen in properly managed networks of similar size and industry. Best practices increase security, productivity and efficiency, helping your business accomplish more with your existing resources.

Here Are Some Best Practice Tips:

Knowledge

Knowing is half the battle! Every employee should read their company’s usage policies so that they know what to expect and what is expected from them. Have an acceptable use policy in place, and update it regularly.
Examples of Acceptable Use Policies (AUP):
Prohibit the installation of software for which the company or employee does not have appropriate licenses.
Lock all laptops and computers when leaving them unattended to prevent unauthorized access.
Utilize anti-virus software, and execute caution when opening e-mails and attachments from unknown senders.
Limit use of private or non-business related activities, such as instant messaging and chat rooms.

Network Security

Use complex passwords for confidential data and programs. Passwords should expire regularly to decrease the likelihood that they will be leaked or cracked.
Network equipment and spare equipment should be locked and in a climate controlled area.
Always encrypt your wireless network. WPA and WPA2 are protocols that most wireless devices are compatible with.
Use a business grade firewall to provide security between your network and the internet such as Sophos or WatchGuard, both of which are capable of Unified Threat Management (UTM) which combines Anti-Virus, Anti-SPAM and content filtering.
Remote users should connect to your network using IP-Secure or SSL VPN connections.

3D Corporation offers Sophos and WatchGuard security products, and can help you select the right product for your business need. Please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call us at (360) 671-4906 for more information.

References: Sophos Security Products, WatchGuard Firewalls

3D Enhances Client Services and Network Administration

2011-10-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

3D Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of Samantha Schultz to its team as Office Administrator and Sales Support Specialist and the promotion of Scott Conrad VanderWoude to Network Administrator.

Schultz is responsible for providing high level support to our Client Services Team, Business Analysts and 3D clients, as well as assisting with other administrative functions.

Schultz brings to 3D her skills in customer service, office administration, marketing and business support through her range of experience supporting both local and national companies.

VanderWoude joined 3D in June 2008 as a Help Desk Administrator and will be taking on new responsibilities as Network Administrator. Recently VanderWoude developed a new service for 3D Managed IT clients to automatically check for e-mail server issues. He will be assisting clients in resolving network issues, mentoring and training Help Desk Administrators, serving as a resource for advanced problem resolution, and scheduling technical resources.

3D is happy to have Samantha and Scott as members of our team and is always looking for talented individuals like them to join. To find out more about how to become part of the 3D team, visit the Careers page of our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/careers.html.

3D Corp Implements New Feature: Automated MS Exchange Banner Checking

2011-10-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

This week 3D has implemented a new feature for our 3DProActive™ clients utilizing Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. This new feature is automated and alerts our technical team immediately if the SMTP banner on MS Exchange does not match the DNS name for your servers.

How Does This Impact My Company?

When your SMTP banner does not match the DNS name for your server you can be blacklisted as SPAM. Mail you send may not be delivered to the receiving party or be sent to their junk mail folder, and you may not receive e-mails. With automated banner checking, we are alerted of the issue immediately and are able to resolve it in a much shorter period of time, potentially within hours depending on your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Most often this issue occurs when you change your ISP.

What Happens to E-Mail I Didn’t Receive?

If you have a SPAM filter such as Sophos Security Suite, e-mails sent to you will be stored and delivered once the issue is resolved.

3D Corporation offers Sophos Security software and can help you determine which solution is best for your business, and automated Banner Checking is available through 3DProActive™ Managed IT Services. Please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call us at (360) 671-4906 for more information.

References: Sophos Security Products , 3DProActive™

October is Cyber Security Month

2011-09-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

As smartphone functionality increases, malicious software becomes more commonplace. Businesses are taking advantage of the new opportunities they provide for employees to operate more efficiently while out of the office. However with the excitement surrounding this new technology, the security of sensitive information is frequently overlooked. There are many steps available to protect your information as much as possible.

What are the Risks?

Without proper virus protection and data encryption, the risk to private information has increased as cyber threats proliferate. Downloadable applications are the new frontier for computer hacking, and traditional malicious attacks pose a greater threat on smartphones, where smaller screens make it more difficult to read the e-mail addresses and links in e-mails. Charges can be billed directly through your service provider. Other opportunities for stealing data are possible with smartphones since many applications are able to access data from phone calls and text messages.

Devices running an Android operating system are more than two times as likely to encounter malicious software, as Google has taken a more open handed approach with Android marketplace applications. IPhone applications are more closely reviewed before becoming available, and so malicious applications are less common on the iPhone.

With the increase of these attacks, new security options are being offered by smartphone manufacturers as well as third party providers. Blackberry devices have built in security protocols for e-mail and applications as they are encrypted by RIM’s servers. MS Exchange users have additional protection and have customizable options for what users are able to access on their device.

How to Protect your Information

Always set a password. Mobile devices are more likely to be lost, and this is the frontline of preventing unauthorized access of information.

Limit usage on public Wi-Fi networks where the connection may not be secured, particularly when shopping or using mobile banking.

Only download applications from sites you trust, and read reviews to see if other users are reporting issues.

Review your monthly bill for any suspicious or unusual charges. Many service providers have prevention options.

Do not “jailbreak” or “root” a device to install an unapproved operating system. Many security features are disabled and software updates to increase security will not be available.

Install an anti-virus program which offers GPS tracking to locate a lost device, virus scans, and remote data wiping.

Check for manufacturer and software options for security packages. RIM offers a free Secure/Multipurpose Internet E-Mail Extensions (S/MIME) support package for Blackberry devices which provides support for encrypting messages.

Consider a third party anti-virus program such as Sophos Mobile Control, Kaspersky, CRYPTOCard, Lookout Mobile Security or Check Point which can be downloaded directly to the device and provides automatic responses to threats.

3D Corporation provides setup and deployment of your mobile devices including integration with your MS Exchange server and can help determine which security solution will work best for your business. Please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call us at (360) 671-4906 for more information.

References: Market Watch, PDDNet “Your Smartphone: A New Frontier for Hackers”, Blackberry Security, Sophos Mobile Control

Adobe Releases Security Bulletin to Fix 13 Vulnerabilities

2011-09-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Our internet security solution provider WatchGuard recently issued an alert describing Adobe’s security bulletin release that was issued as part of their quarterly patch day cycle. The bulletin describes 13 vulnerabilities that affect Adobe Reader and Acrobat X 10.1 and earlier, running on Windows and Mac, as well as Reader 9.4.2 for UNIX. An attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities by enticing a user into viewing a maliciously crafted PDF document which could ultimately enable the attacker to gain complete control of the user’s computer.

More information on the security updates, timelines, and installation instructions can be found in the Adobe security bulletins and advisories. To read more about security threats to Adobe applications, please refer to our previous blog post entitled “An Unpatched Adobe Application does for an Unsafe Network Make”.

3D Corporation can evaluate your network and provide assistance in ensuring patches for these applications are up-to-date. For more information on the services 3D provides to keep business networks secure, please call our office at (360) 671-4906, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/.

References: “Reader and Acrobat Updates Correct 13 Security Flaws”, watchguardsecuritycenter.com; http://www.adobe.com/support/security/

Microsoft Issues 5 Security Bulletins to Fix 14 Vulnerabilities

2011-09-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has released five new security bulletins for September that fix 14 vulnerabilities in its Windows and Office products. While Microsoft doesn’t rate any of these as ‘Critical’, an attacker who successfully exploits these vulnerabilities could allow for remote code execution or elevation of privilege and ultimately give the attacker complete control of the user’s computer.

3D Corporation will automatically test and deploy security patches on the networks of our 3DProActive™ Managed and Partner clients to eliminate the risks posed by these vulnerabilities. Other Microsoft users of the above-mentioned products should download and install the appropriate patches immediately to avoid possible exploitation of their computer and/or computer networks. More information regarding these vulnerabilities and their impact can be found at Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Summary for September 2011.

3D provides up-to-date security solutions that can protect businesses from threats like these automatically. If you would like additional information on how we can make your network worry-free, please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call our office at (360) 671-4906.

References: “Microsoft Black Tuesday: Updates for Mangled Office Documents and Malicious WINS Messazge”, watchguardsecuritycenter.com; Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Summary for September 2011

Adobe Releases Five Security Bulletins for August

2011-08-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

Our internet security solution provider WatchGuard recently issued a high severity alert describing several vulnerabilities in many of Adobe’s popular software packages, including Shockwave Player, Flash Player, Flash Media Server, Photoshop and Robohelp. Ultimately, a remote attacker could exploit the worst of these flaws to gain complete control over the user’s computer.

More information on the security updates, timelines, and installation instructions can be found in the Adobe security bulletins and advisories. To read more about security threats to Adobe applications, please refer to our previous blog post entitled “An Unpatched Adobe Application does for an Unsafe Network Make”.

3D Corporation can evaluate your network and provide assistance in ensuring patches for these applications are up-to-date. For more information on the services 3D provides to keep business networks secure, please call our office at (360) 671-4906, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/.

References: “Adobe Patch Day: Updates for Flash, Shockwave, and Photoshop”, watchguardsecuritycenter.com, http://www.adobe.com/support/security/

Microsoft Issues 13 Security Bulletins to Fix 22 Vulnerabilities

2011-08-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has released 13 new security bulletins describing 22 vulnerabilities ranging from moderate to critical in their severity. The vulnerabilities affect many Microsoft products including Internet Explorer (IE), Windows, Office, .NET Framework and Visual Studio. An attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities in various ways and the impact could allow elevation of privilege, information disclosure, denial of service, or remote code execution which could ultimately enable the attacker to gain complete control of the user’s computer.

3D Corporation will automatically test and deploy security patches on the networks of our 3DProActive™ Managed and Partner clients to eliminate the risks posed by these vulnerabilities. Other Microsoft users of the above-mentioned products should download and install the appropriate patches immediately to avoid possible exploitation of their computer and/or computer networks. More information regarding these vulnerabilities and their impact can be found at Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Summary for August 2011.

3D provides up-to-date security solutions that can protect businesses from threats like these automatically. If you would like additional information on how we can make your network worry-free, please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call our office at (360) 671-4906.

References: ‘Microsoft Black Tuesday: IE9 and DNS Server Flaws Pose Critical Risk’, watchguardsecuritycenter.com; Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August 2011

The Mother of All Garage Sales: Lydia Place’s 13th Annual Garage Sale

2011-08-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

Our valued client, Lydia Place, is hosting their 13th Annual Garage Sale on August 12th & 13th to raise money to help support homeless women and their children. The sale will once again be hosted at the Sportsplex next to Civic Field at 1225 Civic Field Way in Bellingham, Washington.

Lydia Place is a non-profit, community-based agency that offers women and their children shelter, individual and group parenting training, case management, and assistance moving from poverty to self-support and independence. Since 1989, Lydia Place has found safe and supportive shelter for over 285 families and relies on fundraising events to help provide the support and financial assistance vital to keeping their services available.

Last year’s community-wide garage sale event filled both of the Sportsplex’s indoor soccer fields with donated merchandise and raised over $17,000 for the women and children supported by Lydia Place. As a sponsor for this event, 3D would like you to join us in supporting Lydia Place so the organization’s services can continue to change the lives of the women and children in our community.

For more information on the event and instructions on how to donate, please check out the Lydia Place Garage Sale flyer or call (360) 671-7663. If you would like to learn more about Lydia Place and the programs they offer, visit http://www.lydiaplace.org/.

Network Administrators Isaac Peterson & Jason Tosland achieve MCITP: Server Administrator Certification

2011-07-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

3D Corporation announces Isaac Peterson and Jason Tosland, 3D Network Administrators, have earned the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Server Administrator 2008 certification, further enhancing the company’s range of professional certifications.

MCITP: Server Administrator 2008 certification is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their leadership and problem-solving skills in working with Windows Server 2008, a server operating system produced by Microsoft for businesses of all types and sizes. The MCITP certification validates both Peterson’s and Tosland’s ability to plan, deploy, support, maintain and optimize Windows Server 2008 on the networks of 3D clients that utilize this operating system.

To learn more on how certifications like these provide value to our clients, call us at (360) 671-4906, email us at info@3dcorp.us or visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/.

Wood Stone Corporation Featured in Washington State Online Video Campaign

2011-07-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

3D’s valued client, Wood Stone Corporation, was recently featured in a Bellingham Business Journal article as one of four Washington companies highlighted in an online video campaign as part of a Washington Export Initiative. The campaign was launched in June to encourage businesses to expand into international markets and focuses on the companies’ success stories and firsthand takes on the value of exporting.

Wood Stone is a Bellingham-based manufacturer of pizza ovens founded in 1990 by Keith Carpenter and Harry Hegarty. With over 9,000 ovens sold in 75+ countries around the world, they have created an international phenomenon with their one-of-a-kind stone hearth ovens and recognize that exporting is a significant part of their present and future business.

In the video, some of Wood Stone’s key employees offer commentary and advice on exporting and encourage businesses to travel and develop personal relationships with their clients to truly reap the benefits of international trade. To watch the online video, go to http://youtu.be/oeXzoXGiWe4?hd=1 or click to play below. If you would like more information on Wood Stone Corporation, please visit http://www.woodstone-corp.com/.

Microsoft Issues 4 Security Bulletins to Fix 22 Vulnerabilities

2011-07-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has released four new security bulletins describing 22 vulnerabilities ranging from important to critical in their severity. The vulnerabilities affect Microsoft Windows and Office programs, specifically Bluetooth stack, Kernel-mode drivers, Client/Server Run-time Subsystem and Visio. An attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities in various ways and the impact could allow elevation of privilege or remote code execution which could ultimately enable the attacker to gain complete control of the user’s computer.

3D Corporation will automatically test and deploy security patches on the networks of our 3DProActive™ Managed and Partner clients to eliminate the risks posed by these vulnerabilities. Other Microsoft Windows and Office users should download and install the appropriate patches immediately to avoid possible exploitation of their computer and/or computer networks. More information regarding these vulnerabilities and their impact can be found at Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Summary for July 2011.

3D provides up-to-date security solutions that can protect businesses from threats like these automatically. If you would like additional information on how we can make your network worry-free, please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call our office at (360) 671-4906.

References: “Microsoft Patch Tuesday: Critical Bluetooth Flaw Allows Wireless Hacks”, watchguardsecuritycenter.com; Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for July 2011

Michael Richard joins 3D Corporation as System Administrator

2011-06-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL RICHARD

3D Corporation is pleased to announce that Michael Richard has joined the company to assume the role of System Administrator.

As System Administrator, Richard’s responsibilities will involve assisting clients with comprehensive remote and onsite network assistance and will eventually evolve into providing project management and emergency network problem resolution services. Richard’s diverse experience with infrastructure design and implementation, in-house network administration and on-site network consulting coupled with his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), CompTIA A+ and CommVault Certified Systems Administrator certifications make him a valuable addition to 3D’s Engineering Department.

3D is happy to have Michael as a member of our team and is always looking for talented individuals like him to join. To find out more about how to become part of the 3D team, visit the Careers page of our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/careers.html.

Microsoft Issues 16 Security Bulletins to Fix 34 Vulnerabilities

2011-06-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has released 16 new security bulletins describing 34 vulnerabilities ranging from important to critical in their severity. The vulnerabilities affect many Microsoft products including Internet Explorer (IE), Windows, Office, SQL Server, .NET Framework, Silverlight, Visual Studio and Forefront Threat Management Gateway. An attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities in various ways and the impact could allow elevation of privilege, information disclosure, denial of service, or remote code execution which could ultimately enable the attacker to gain complete control of the user’s computer.

3D Corporation will automatically test and deploy security patches on the networks of our 3DProActive™ Managed and Partner clients to eliminate the risks posed by these vulnerabilities. Other Microsoft users of the above-mentioned products should download and install the appropriate patches immediately to avoid possible exploitation of their computer and/or computer networks. More information regarding these vulnerabilities and their impact can be found at Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Summary for June 2011.

3D provides up-to-date security solutions that can protect businesses from threats like these automatically. If you would like additional information on how we can make your network worry-free, please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call our office at (360) 671-4906.

References: “Microsoft Black Tuesday: 16 Bulletins, 34 Vulnerabilities, Lots of Patching”, watchguardsecuritycenter.com; Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for June 2011

3D's New Service Coordinator Position

2011-06-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

3D continuously enhances our services in order to provide the most current and ‘best-in-class’ technology solutions to our clients. In April, we established and filled a new position within our organization entitled Service Coordinator.

The Service Coordinator is essentially the ‘hub’ of our Engineering department, adding an additional layer of service and providing continuity between our Engineers, our Business Analysts, and our clients by communicating and ensuring your needs are addressed appropriately and met in an effective and timely manner. As the initial point of contact for our Engineering department, the Service Coordinator provides you with immediate assistance when you contact our Help Desk. Keenly aware of our engineers’ whereabouts, current workloads and schedules, the Service Coordinator determines the quickest, most effective path to resolve your IT problems and helps ensure your satisfaction with our service.

In addition to Help Desk assistance, the Service Coordinator is responsible for project coordination which involves maintaining consistent communication and disseminating project-related information between our Engineers, Business Analysts and clients. This coordination is vital to the project process as it minimizes project impact and ensures the project stays on track.

Other duties of the Service Coordinator include creating and updating service tickets, coordinating technical training, and maintaining cohesion within our engineering department.

Heidi Metour has taken on the role of Service Coordinator and has proven to be a valuable asset to 3D and our clients. Please take a moment to welcome her to 3D the next time you have the opportunity to speak with her.

Please keep in mind the Help Desk is here to provide technical support and solutions to your network and computer issues. Your Business Analyst, however, will continue to be your primary point of contact for planning, questions, initiating projects or resolving complex issues and is your resource to ensuring 3D understands the big picture and provides effective solutions that meet your business’ technology needs.

The IP-Acolypse is Upon Us, it's Time to Make the IP Switch

2011-06-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

On February 3, 2011, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the organization that manages the global IP address pool, allocated the last blocks of IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) Internet addresses to the five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs): AfriNIC, APNIC, ARIN, LACNIC, and RIPE NCC. The RIRs will eventually allocate these IP addresses to large network operators in their respective regions, including enterprise organizations and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Essentially, with less than 3% of the IPv4 address pool available among the RIRs, the remaining addresses will soon be exhausted and IPv4’s successor, IPv6, will officially take its place.

When the Internet first began using IPv4 in 1981, the 4.3 billion potential web addresses it provided seemed more than enough to accommodate the public Internet. However, due to the Internet’s explosive growth and the proliferation of Internet-enabled devices coming online such as smartphones, netbooks, laptops, tablets, etc., it has proven to be insufficient in keeping up with demand. IPv6 stands to solve this problem by providing an exponential increase in IP addresses, 2^128 or 340,282,366,920,938,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 of them to be exact, which should be more than enough to support the foreseeable growth of the Internet.

While IPv6 was created in 1998 in anticipation for the depletion of IPv4 addresses, most ISPs and software vendors waited until 2008 to begin their IPv6 deployment. Now, in 2011, the first real test of the IPv6 network will occur tomorrow, June 8th, on what is known as World IPv6 Day. The Internet Society (ISOC) is sponsoring a 24-hour global testing of IPv6 content enablement that will give web companies such as Google, Facebook and Yahoo the ability to test drive the network to see what it can handle and what still needs to be done. The goal of World IPv6 Day is to motivate organizations across the industry – Internet service providers, hardware makers, operating system vendors and web companies – to prepare their services for IPv6 to help ensure a successful transition and better equip businesses, and the world, for the switch.

Though IPv4 and IPv6 will run parallel for quite some time, businesses are encouraged to begin the transition to avoid any potential software, router or server support issues that may occur with the IPv6 network. 3D Corporation can assist your business in determining whether your network is IPv6 compatible and help you take the appropriate steps to ensure a smooth transition. Please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call (360) 671-4906 for more information.

References: http://www.worldipv6day.org/; “IP Address Pools”, arin.net; “IPv4 & IPv6: A Short Guide”, mashable.com; “Are You Ready for the Great IPv6 Migration?”, watchguardsecuritycenter.com; IPv4 address exhaustion, Wikipedia.org