small office needs (windows environment)

Originally Posted by sycamorex After I've spoken to the director of the company, it seems that they don't want as much support as they (someone else) had initially indicated. The director said that they have no need for cleaning the boxes or helping them with emails. Hey, whatever the boss says. On the plus side, I'll do another website for them (they're opening another business and want a separate website for it.) It turns out that the only thing they need is some shared folder for documents and a backup solution. In terms of sharing files, I think I'm going to get them some NAS device (with samba protocol) and am still not sure about the backup medium. I wouldn't even have to buy any NAS but they don't have any spare box. What do you think about the NAS solution?

I will be very polite but very direct and say that... (s)he who signs the checks has clearly spoken. The person who you previously spoke with does not sustain the MAP Principle.

MAP = Money, Authority, and Pain. This is a fundamental principle that IBM used to stress to every one of its salesmen: that you must be certain that you are actually speaking to an individual who actually possess all three of the following qualifications:

• They actually possess the money that you need.
• They have the authority to direct that money into your pocket.
• They are in pain ... they perceive that they very-justifiably need to give you the money.

Forget about Linux for this client! The person who actually possesses MAP at this organization has expressed the business need to you: they need to share files, and they need a backup solution. There is no mention of "non-Microsoft" here, and there is no objective business indication for "non-Microsoft." The impetus for "non-Microsoft" is, IMHO, coming from you, and therefore ... you err. Seriously.

Linux is great. Sure it is. But the engineers in Redmond are also our colleagues; also good at what they do. They have sold literally millions of copies of their goodies to prove it.

You have two credible business alternatives here, and ... I-M-H-O ... in this business situation, Microsoft is positively indicated. Let them have their cash. There is a time and a place for Linux; there is a time and a place for Redmond. Neither decision is "wrong."

I very politely but emphatically say this to you . . . as someone else who has erred . . . before you!

No argument re: MAP.
However, if the primary stakeholder did not mention non-microsoft solutions, and also did not mention microsoft solutions, then using that to eliminate either category of solutions only reveals your OWN prejudice!

The SA will determine if there is some prejudice on the part of the clients, and within that restriction search for the best answer for the need in a matter that is otherwise vender agnostic. That means that both Microsoft and non-Microsoft solutions will be considered.

While your sales focus is admirable, this SA may not work for either IBM or Microsoft and should not put their offerings ahead of the clients needs.

I came back from their office today. On a closer inspection, it's probably the most poorly managed system I've ever seen. The manager had literally hundreds of uncategorised files and directories on the desktop (obviously you couldn't see everything on it - you had to unfold a very long menu to see all the files/dirs saved on the desktop. Each of the computers had duplicate email accounts set up on outlook. Antivirus software was long expired on each of the computers. They had no admin password to one computer which wasn't actually running with admin rights. Apparently, some student set the password last Summer. Several instances of IE opened at the same time (with loads of crappy add-ons/toolbars). How they function as a business is a mystery to me. Funnily enough, apparently they are doing quite well. I had a brief chat with them describing some examples of good practice and how it can save them time, etc.

I configured a NAS for them and set up an Outlook backup plugin. They asked me to come back next week and set up antivirus software. To be honest, I'm a bit frustrated because it really doesn't matter if/what I do for them. Without some drastic changes in their habits/awareness, it's all pointless. Last year I prepared a security awareness course for ordinary users and I'll try to convince them to attend it. Doubt they will be willing to pay for it.

I can find lot of non IT businesses function this way. And one major reason for it is that they dont earn any money out of good IT infrastructure. They use it because it makes their life easy.

Do they have any disaster recovery, or business continuity plan?
http://www.csoonline.com/article/204...ing-the-basics