Apple would like to say that security is the driving factor for buying a Mac, however we now know that was just great advertising on their part. I think the big difference is the overall user experience. Common things we want to do simply just work without any extra software.

I will relate this to a simple life experience. As many people know I relocated myself to Texas a few years back. (Sorry for all of you stuck in the cold) As a result, I find that I travel more often and sometimes my family decides to join me. My boys are young and haven't quite figured out patience yet, so my wife often brings DVD's with us. Half way through the trip the boys decide they have had enough and need to be entertained. Simple solution is to put the DVD in my computer and let them watch. This is where the problems start.

I plug the DVD into my PC and think that I can just simply play the DVD. Of course it comes up telling me that I need to download a Codec in order to play it. Seriously PC? You couldn't install that for me! You came with a 30 day eval of Norton Antivirus, Office and all of the other junk I don't plan on using! Can't download the Codec on the plane, so now I'm stuck with some screaming kids. Thanks PC! (However American does have Internet on some of their flights now.. WestJet, Air Canada hint hint)

The sad truth is that I carry two laptops with me (and a tablet) and my fall back plan of using my Macbook Pro simply worked however I still prefer to use Windows.

After this painful experience I decided to go back to ensure that this type of situation would never be encountered by a Lexcom customer ever again. As a result of this we created the Lexcom Optimized PC. A PC without all of the bloated trial version software that the vendors like to put on. With the codec's installed and features tested to work. Pre-installed with licensed antivirus and malware software to protect your information and comes with access to our service desk for support and advice.

A number of people ask me which mobile device is the best choice for our business to standardize my company. I had predicted over 6 years ago that the power would shift away from Blackberry to Microsoft. While I am wrong today I believe that this will eventually come true if Microsoft executes their strategy right.

Heres why:

1) Microsoft exchange is the communication platform of choice for most enterprises. Microsoft has toppled Blackberry's BES server with  ActiveSync which is now the syncronization platform of choice for Android, iPhone, and Windows devices. When Microsoft provides that capability for free, its the likely choice for most organizations.

2) Companies already have a substantial investment in Microsoft technology. Not just software, but their employees are skilled in developing applications on Microsoft, supporting Microsoft and using Microsoft. 

3) Microsoft has yet to release a tablet device in the same form factor as Apple. Apple in the iPad has given us a look at what Bill Gates envisioned the tablet to be. Apple lacks the backend software in corporations to be "the device" for corporate america. If you have ever used an iPad, I truly believe the device can replace paper. If Microsoft gets this right with Windows 8, and the OS supports Exchange, Lync, and Sharepoint forms I think they will see major adoption.

4) Apple and Google are gaining market share now largely due to the ease of getting applications to the consumer. This is catered to the consumer market and not a corporation. If Microsoft can present an interface that gives better control for corporate application deployment and security, while also providing the user the ability to help themself they will be in a great spot.

5) I think Microsoft has a good concept with the ability to switch between the touch interface and the desktop interface. I believe that the workforce is becoming increasingly mobile and needs access to their applications from anywhere. A tablets touch interface is a better interface for a mobile workforce however this introduces a new thought around applications. At the same time, if I have both interfaces I can dock my tablet and essentially carry my desktop with me everywhere I go. That too is attractive.

What are your thoughts?

The night kicked off at the Bushwakker Brew Pub with some appetizers, a presentation on Lexcom’s business model and offerings, and some beverages. Everyone in attendance raved about the quality of food and beverages at the Bushwakker. Our guests also had some great questions and comments about Lexcom's way of doing business and our partners. We then boarded a bus for the ride to Mosaic Stadium to watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Calgary Stampeders.

Lexcom had reserved one of the 3 chalets at the game. The chalets were at field level in the south endzone. There was more food, more beverages and of course, lots of football action. The weather was spectacular, the atmosphere was electric and the view on plays in our endzone was mindblowing, even to this diehard fan.

We also had a surprise celebrity guest in our chalet, Bret “The Hitman” Hart.

We would like to thank Bushwakker Brew Pub and the Saskatchewan Roughriders for their hospitality. We cannot say enough good things about our relationship with either organization. Both worked very hard to make everything easy for Lexcom and our guests to have a good time.

We would also like to thank IBM for their sponsorship of this event. Lexcom is always happy to work with partners to help get their word out as well as ours. IBM is a valued partner and we hope to continue to foster this relationship.

The only downside to the entire event was the fact that the Riders couldn’t pull out the victory.

We are hoping for a better result for the team at the next event Lexcom is hosting with the Riders. The next event on October 16^th when the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium will be our client appreciation event. We will have details shortly, stay tuned!

For the Rider fans that haven't downloaded this app yet, here are the links

Android
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.idnoodle.android.riderapp&feature=search_result

iPhone
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/sasktel-rider-app/id334116986?mt=8

Blackberry
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3676?lang=en

Bandwidth will always be the deciding factor on how many people and how good the user expereince will be with View, but the next release of the PCOIP protocol in View makes huge strides in the View WAN department.

http://blogs.vmware.com/euc/2011/07/pcoip-enhancements-coming-to-vmware-view-75-bandwidth-improvement.html

http://blogs.vmware.com/euc/2011/07/android-tablets-now-have-an-awesome-view.html

Winnipeg. August 9th. 11am-2pm. Hy's Steakhouse
Register for Winnipeg

Saskatoon. August 10th. 11am-2pm. Sheraton Cavalier
Register for Saskatoon

Regina. August 11th. 10:30am-1:30pm. Hotel Saskatchewan.
Register for Regina

At Lexcom, we place strong emphasis on the success of our clients. We developed a 5 step process involving: Assessment, Design, Implementation, Operation and Improvement. The assessment phase places a heavy emphasis on assessing not only the IT needs of a potential client, but also the business needs. We tailor the assessments to look at business gaps and needs because it is often the case that what may seem to be an IT need is actually a business need and vice versa. Essentially, we take a holistic approach to the assessment and look at each organization as a whole.

I would like to tell you about a client who has found great success by using our process to address their needs and meet their goals: the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Riders have experienced unparalleled growth in the past 5 years and decided they wanted to try our process to see if we could help them with their continued growth into the future.

The business side of the assessment was conducted by interviews of all major management personnel in every major department. The purpose of this stage was to uncover any business gaps, get first-hand accounts of any possible IT issues, as well as highlighting the goals of each department individually and get a feel of the workflow of the organization.

The IT side of the assessment was carried out simultaneously and involved a thorough analysis of the IT infrastructure as well as an analysis of the IT issues the club was currently facing.

By combining these two stages of assessment, we were able to get a detailed picture of how the Club conducted business, their goals and where they were experiencing shortfalls. Therefore, we were able to provide them a comprehensive analysis and design a strategy for them that will help them achieve their goals.

We presented the assessment to the Club in the fall and shortly thereafter they started to implement the strategy we recommended. Our diligence throughout the process allowed us to implement exactly what they needed.

At that point, we hand over the services to our operations team who are responsible for keeping the Club operational. The Club has access to our service desk to provide training, support and operational leadership to transition new services from the implementation phase to full production.

As the Riders continue to grow, our periodic reviews will help them manage their growth and improve their overall functionality, as well as look for ways to improve service and cut costs.

The process was a huge success with the Riders, and was the foundation to the start of a great relationship which we consider to be one of our greatest success stories.

Lexcom is proud to be the Exclusive IT Provider to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Go Green Go!