MC+A

For Immediate Release:

Chicago (PRWEB) – As the competitive nature of business increases, new and innovative ways of providing technical solutions to access their business intelligence continues to become more necessary. To provide a larger array of solutions to their customers, MC+A, a Google Enterprise Partner, announces its participation in the Google Apps™ Reseller Program.

“This is just another important step towards assisting organizations manage their information assets, what we call business intelligence,” said Michael Cizmar, MC+A President and Managing Partner. “The wide variety of apps that Google Apps provides will allow our organization to continue to assist our clients collaborate on a greater scale. The fundamental need for companies to become part of ‘the cloud’ is becoming recognized.”

In joining the Google Apps Reseller Program, MC+A looks to continue working with clients to leverage their expertise into solutions that will allow their end-users to engage co-workers and digital assets. “Workers can now use communication apps to easily connect with one another,” Michael Cizmar continues, “this provides a greater quality output and reduces wasted time.”

Google Apps brings powerful and easy-to-use communication and collaboration tools to the enterprise. With Google Apps, users are able to use GmailTM webmail service, Google TalkTM messaging, Google CalendarTM, Google DocsTM program, Google SitesTM web application and Google VideoTM within their work domain. Because the apps are hosted by Google™, there is no hardware to install or software to download and maintain.

MC+A customers and prospects can today begin to utilize Google Apps by completing the online form and purchasing here.

For more information on MC+A Collaboration Solutions please visit:
www.mcplusa.com/solutions/collaboration

About MC+A:
MC+A is dedicated to solving business challenges by enabling organizations to derive maximum value from their business intelligence. They provide solutions focused on managing business intelligence. They focus on helping our clients build, find and share those assets securely. Additionally, MC+A provides managed services implementing enterprise 2.0 initiatives.

Contact: John Cizmar
Ph: 312.275.5737 x366
media@mcplusa.com

Google, Google Apps, Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sites, and Google Video are all trademarks of Google, Inc.

Last month, I wrote about best practices for and some business impact of search technology. This month, I am delving into the Google Search Appliance’s ability to protect corporate information. To stop the loss of data, corporations spend thousands, nay, millions of dollars per year, either preventing the loss or cleaning up after it has been leaked (see my post on the $20 million laptop). It would be safe to say that protecting confidential information is at the top of the executive priority list.

Understanding how the Google Search Appliance works is part of what my job entails. Every time I hear something in relation to the Google Search Appliance or the Google Mini its usually their ability to keep secure information secure. From the Google Enterprise Search site, they provide a list of ways in which the Google Appliances can protect important and confidential information.

Here is a list of ways that Google Enterprise Search will protect sensitive information:

1. The Google Appliances work already existing security policies within the organization.
2. Kerberos Support: Provides native support for Kerberos, enabling a silent authentication process for end-users
3. Metadata Biasing: Administrators can bias results based on metadata (in addition to biasing on source, URL or date)
4. Advanced Reporting: View and export daily and hourly result sets, top queries, special feature usage and more. Report for every query, including reports on which queries receive no clicks by a user and how often the user is clicking on sponsored links in comparison to organic search results or OneBox modules.
5. Secure Web Content: Enable secure searching of information protected by basic HTTP authentication, NTLM versions 1 and 2, as well as Windows Integrated Authentication
6. Enterprise Single Sign-on: Integrate with forms-based single sign-on security systems, included Oblix and Netegrity, to enable seamless searching across secure content
7. Secure Content API: Search across secure content using Google’s SAML Authorization SPI to integrate into existing access control systems
8. X509 Client Certificates: Serve secure results to users using mutually authenticated x509 client certificates
9. Lotus Domino Security: Integrate with Lotus Notes environments using fast, efficient crawling of Lotus Domino servers

Here are nine specific examples of how the Google Appliances can protect sensitive information from reaching the end-users. Coming from a non-IT background, I understand that some of these reasons seem a bit difficult to understand. That is why I added the number one protection item (The Google Appliances work with existing security policing all ready existing within the organization). This means that no matter what environment the Google Appliance is placed in, it will not release information to users who do not identify themselves as an individual who has access to see that information. All this right out of the box!

If more proof is needed you can take a look at Windows Networking’s “10 million documents in a single box” post. It is also understood that security is constantly on Google’s mind for their Enterprise Search as well . There are other high marks that are touted for the GSA such as:

“The Google Search Appliance’s unrivalled security functions were the perfect answer to our requirements and allowed for optimal information sharing”- Administrative and Financial Manager, Societe Generale.

For searching secure content, Google enterprise search seems to be the choice to make. It’s plug-and-play simplicity for security is unmatched in the field of enterprise search. I have seen first-hand the impact that Google Enterprise Search has on an organization and its power and speed are only rivaled by its security.

Next month, I will be analyzing workers and how the Google Search Appliance has benefited them. Happy searching!

Invariably, more often recently we have been involved with configuring the Google Search Appliance with Single Sign On forms authentication based content. As you may know, this is one of my many on board features of the appliance. In many cases it can be easier said than done to complete the wizard successfully. This article demonstrates some easy tricks to help you complete the wizard.  Unfortunately the topic of SSO is quite large.  I will be just describing some short cuts that we employ when attempting to configure the Appliance.

Single Sign On – The Problem

Most of the difficulties in completing the form come from small amounts of javascript that is called with the web browser normally submits the form. The appliance does not execute any javascript on the page. It instead simply rewrites the form and presents it to you. Evidence of javascript is when you hover over you see javascript:submitLogin() in your browsers status window.

Single Sign On – The Solution

Using a tool like HTTP Analyzer you can examing the posts and responses during the normal login process. By taking note of the form variables submitted you can recreate this if necessary during the form wizard process.

Be careful to note what the javascript is actually doing. In most cases, there is no logic in the javascript. In that case, you may use the next technique to complete the wizard successfully.

Completing the wizard:

1. Turn off Styles

   Sometimes developers will use Javascript to turn on and off styles. By turning off all styles, you’ll see areas of the HTML that is hidden by CSS styles. In some cases, simply complete the form and save.

2. Editing the HTML that the Google Search Appliance returns to you.

   If you submit a ticket to Google Support with javascript as the cause, the first response will be to see about getting the javascript removed. This will involved multiple internal departments within your company or your clients company.

   I find that this can be difficult at times. At best, a company can roll a version of the form that just the GSA sees. Since you may need to reset the form in the future, a simple swap form temporally will need to be repeated in the future and this too can cause internal stagnation.

   You can save yourself the trouble by simplifying editing the HTML that is returned by the appliance. If you remember earlier, I said to note what actual form variables need to be sent. Simply find the form and make appropriate changes to mimic the original submission. For example, your GSA returned form could look like this.

   <form action="/EnterpriseController" method="post" name="frm1" onsubmit="defaultSubmit(); return false;" />
   <input name="cookieUrl" value="http://sso.mysite.edu:80/amserver/SomethingWrong/" type="hidden" />
   <input name="GoogleOriginalFormMethod" value="GET" type="hidden" />
   <input name="cookieLoginSubmit" value="true" type="hidden" />
   <input name="actionType" value="ssoSites" type="hidden" /><input name=”cookiePattern” value="http://portal.mysite.com/" type="hidden" />
   </form>
   

   Simply change it to this:

   <form action="/EnterpriseController" method="post" name="frm1" onsubmit="defaultSubmit(); return false;">
   <input name="cookieUrl" value="http://sso.mysite.edu:80/amserver/CorrectFormLocation" type="hidden"/>
   <input name="GoogleOriginalFormMethod" value="POST" type="hidden"/>
   <input name="cookieLoginSubmit" value="true" type="hidden"/>;
   <input name="actionType" value="ssoSites" type="hidden"/>
   <input name="cookiePattern" value="http://portal.mysite.com/" type="hidden"/>
   </form>
   

   Then, make sure that all of the text field, hidden and otherwise are included in this form.

   Submit and save.

3. Clicking back and save

There have been times where simply clicking the back button and saving and done the trick.

Of course, MC+A can help you with a detail explanation of this during one of our Search Health Checks or other related support services. Feel free to Contact us.

Within the world today, it is essentially important to protect data that is being shared both across a network and externally. Loss of information can cost companies both financially and legally. Protecting data before a problem strikes is key to ensuring companies are adhering to both governmental and corporate regulations.

Recently it has come to national attention through a class-action lawsuit that was filed against the Veterans’ Affairs Department. The full article is outlined at Federal Computer Week. To outline the situation, the VA had gotten one laptop stolen in 2006 that contained sensitive individual data. The laptop was reported stolen from a VA employee’s home by vandals. Because of this event, the VA was concerned that the secure information that was contained on the laptop would be leaked to unauthorized individuals creating a serious security threat. It had been found, after authorities had retrieved the laptop, that the criminals were unable to access the data that was stored on the laptop. However, because the laptop with sensitive information was stolen, all veterans could have been affected. Lawyers said there could have been a loss of individual information including Social Security Numbers, medical histories, and other personal data. The US Attorney’s office conceded to the lawsuit and settled by paying $20 million to the affected individuals.

The most important aspect of this case is that this security threat was created by the loss of ONE laptop. Many state governments are cracking down on the enforcement of sensitive data policies. California, Nevada and now Massachusetts have passed new legislation that add significant prescribed security controls in support of their previous data privacy regulations. The new Massachusetts law has stringent requirements for corporations that process or store the personally identifiable information (PII) of Massachusetts residents.

The Workshare products can protect against data lost either by the before mentioned incident or from information being leaked out from email or instant message. Because governmental entities will be cracking down on personal information leaks of state residence, and because Workshare is the leader in protecting data, companies will need to recognize the value add of Workshare products. Governments will be cracking down much harder on sensitive data loss because it represents easy revenue from organizations they know will have to adhere to the policy.

Most likely, you have heard this saying before, but have you really thought about what it really means?

Quite frankly, there are times when I have felt like it would be better when I win and the other party loses. This may be true in cheering for your favorite sports team or even more so if you are on the team. However, in business, it’s different. Think about it. Do you really want the cheapest price? Or would it be more accurate to say you want the best value?

Before you answer, think about this.

Cheapest price = short term actual cash leaving your company’s balance sheet and going to the company you are buying’s balance sheet. If short term is ALL that you are interested in, then this may be a good philosophy. Granted, in business, the “what have you done for me lately” philosophy will always be a factor. But, more importantly for most of us, we want and need to be a going concern for the long term. With this in mind, my argument for having a win / win philosophy fits the business model more appropriately. Let’s say that your company can buy a widget from “The CP (Cheapest Price) company” or from “The BV (Best Value) company”. Buying from the CP company, like I mentioned before, means the least out of your Cash Account……for now. What about the support that you need later? Is it possible for a company to sell at the cheapest price AND to be able to pay a competent support person to provide you support later when you need it? Good luck, you’ll probably be on your own, wasting time and money. One step further, will they even be in business for you to contact them?

Let’s take your company’s need to implement a GSA, Workshare, or Connectbeam solution. That’s where MC + A becomes the BV company. You could buy the GSA, for instance, from a reseller and pay your IT professionals their salary (time and opportunity cost) to figure out a basically one time, one use implementation and not know if you are getting the full capability out of your GSA… or you could engage MC+A and have your GSA up and running, using very little of your own IT resources and know very confidently that you are making the most of your new GSA purchase in as little as a few days.

That’s win / win.

It is interesting to see another year come and go. In the waning months of 2008, it was great to get involved in such a versatile and needed industry. Over the past couple months the importance of the Google Search Appliance and what it can do for companies, has really come into focus for me.

With each passing day, more and more documents are created, modified and deleted. When end users are going through the documents that make their workday easier, it is important for them to know whether documents have been altered in anyway. Corporate information security is particularly analyzed and scrutinized by both legal and IT departments. So would it not be beneficial for employees to know if documents are the most relevant or now out-of-date? The Google Search Appliance and the Google Mini assist end users much the way Google helps internet users find the sites they are looking for online.

For the new year, I have set out to do a best practices analysis of companies that utilize the Google Search Appliance (aka GSA) or the Google Mini. My blog post will be what I will call a “secular” (or non-IT) analysis of the Google Search Appliance and which companies would benefit most from this outstanding and adaptable technology.

What are your company’s most important needs? Most managers and executives would agree with a 5 simple answers: information security (also known as data leak prevention), knowledgeable workers, timeliness, effective and efficient task completion, and great customer service. The amazing aspect of the Google Search Appliance (GSA) and the Google Mini (as well as other products offered by MC+A) is that it can assist, if not alter, all of these important business facets.

In upcoming blog posts, I will go through each of these business needs and analyze in depth how the Google Search Appliance and/or the Google Mini can help with each of these areas. I hope that you have a great New Year and that 2009 brings market growth and with it a healthy bottom line.

Full Article:
http://www.crn.com/software/21290062

Michael was interviewed by crn.com for an article posted today. CRN’s article covers the growing Google Partner channel and how it compares to Microsoft robust partner channel.

Keypoints

• Google believes their new reseller program for Google Apps Premier will put them on par with Microsoft, as a channel vendor
• Google has been open and willing to included partner feedback moving forward.
• As a Partner, MC+A has observed Googles williness to educate partners, and pass on leads.

The Quote:
“Google has been very helpful in educating the partner community and providing training, marketing and lead referrals,” Cizmar said. “We’ve encountered no channel conflict.”

As always, if you have any questions about Google, SharePoint or how we can help you more efficiently integrate those or other technologies for your business, contact us at sales@mcplusa.com.

In this difficult economic environment, it’s easy to see why many companies will look to slash 2009 IT budgets in an effort to reduce costs and streamline operations. While this may be justifiable in some instances, it shouldn’t be a given that IT is a wise area in which to cut spending.

Case in point:  In a recent keynote address at the Gartner Symposium/IT Expo, John Chambers stated that Cisco will increase its IT budget for 2009 as they look to increase productivity and cut travel expenses through the use of collaboration tools. Chambers noted that internal use of collaboration and Web 2.0 technologies has helped Cisco save over $150 million on travel costs. In addition, Chambers said that IT managers need to look closely at the use of blogging and video collaboration as a way to reduce long term expenses and gain near term competitive advantage (source:eWeek).

Other leading companies are doing the same. Difficulty breeds distinction, and as the saying aptly states, “When the tide goes out, it’s easy to see who’s been swimming naked”.

In short, companies that view IT as a strategic business enabler that can reduce overall costs and increase productivity are using this economic downturn to ramp up innovation and take market share from less savvy competitors who are forced into slash and burn mode.

While cutting IT costs now may seem to be an easy short-term band-aid, it most likely will have negative long- term consequences as stronger, more able competitors use the mismatch to leapfrog ahead. By the time the business environment actually improves, most of the weak players will be too far behind to catch up.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most challenging business environments in decades. In spite of these challenges, however, it is also a time when great companies will seek to turn short-term obstacles into long-term opportunities.

About MC+A:
MC+A is a leading IT solutions provider.  We work with clients seeking to leverage and extract the business value of a well planned IT strategy. Our core focus includes helping companies create, find, share, and protect their business intelligence assets in a way that reduces overall costs, improves efficiency, and drives more revenue to the bottom line.  For more information, please contact us.

I recently attended a Workshare training/demonstration at Microsoft’s Chicago campus and was impressed with the product. The Workshare product suite is great for securing your company’s intellectual property and other critical data. Workshare just recently released a network appliance that is designed to sit between your company’s intranet and the Internet acting as a gatekeeper. It can function as a MTA or just passively monitor your network traffic.

The appliance uses policies, created by the admin, to determine what characteristics to look for in emails, IMs, data transfers, and more. If it finds any of these characteristics the appliance puts a halt to the transmission. I am excited that we have decided to partner with them. MC+A will be implementing Workshare across our network. You can find a little more information on Workshare and Information Leakage here:
http://www.workshare.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_loss_prevention_products

An update was released last week for the Google Search Appliance. Version 5.2 has been updated and released for the GB-1001. It also contains some bug fixes from the previous version as well.

Below are a list of version 5.2 includes the following features (Copied from here).  A detail of the fixes in the release can be found here.

The latest Google Search Appliance gives users secure access to more content sources, with enhanced search quality and new user interface options.

End User Features

Personalized Search Experience
Allow administrators to adjust search results for different user groups, based on department or function.

Alerts
Employees can subscribe to email alerts for topics and documents of interest, choosing an hourly, daily, or weekly schedule.

Spellchecker in Six New Languages
French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch.

Enterprise Content

Languages
Restrict search results to any of 27 auto-detected languages including administrative functions in five new languages (Czech, English-UK, Portuguese-Portugal, Turkish, Vietnamese); contextual spell checking for all end users in Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Dutch.

Security and Access Control

Kerberos Support
Provide native support for Kerberos, enabling a silent authentication experience for end-users.

Metadata Biasing
Administrators can bias results based on metadata (in addition to biasing based on source, URL or date).

Advanced Reporting
View and export daily and hourly result sets, top queries, special feature usage, and more. Report for every query, including reports on which queries receive no clicks by a user and how often users are clicking on sponsored links in comparison to organic search results or OneBox modules.

Administration and Customization

Localized Administration
Administer your Google Search Appliance around the globe in 27 different languages. Full administration is now supported in Basque, Catalan, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (US), English (UK), Finnish, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese.