Cobweb

Cobweb Solutions management team restructure

Cobweb Solutions Ltd has made changes to its management team to support its growth in the enterprise cloud services market.

 

Paul Hannam, Cobweb’s CEO and founder comments “In response to increasing demand from larger customers, Cobweb has formed a new division focused on a growing number of new enterprise customers.

 

We are pleased to announce that Ed Dixon has been appointed Director of Enterprise Cloud Services. Ed joins us from Icoda, the London based virtualization practice focused on transitioning clients to the benefits of a consolidated and virtual infrastructure across operations, server, storage and desktop, where he was a founding director.

 

Ed will be supported by an experienced team including his co-founder at Icoda Stuart Brown who will lead the enterprise business consulting division.

 

 

Paul Hannam adds that “The appointments together with the recently announced purchase by Cobweb of the first Vblock in Europe (an integrated infrastructure platform combining best-of-breed Cisco, EMC, and VMware technologies), demonstrates the high level of commitment from Cobweb to deliver best in class cloud services into the enterprise sector.” 

 

 

Ed Dixon states “The adoption of cloud computing in the enterprise is inevitable. The combination of the on premise consulting capability we bring combined with Cobweb’s unparalleled position in the hosting industry provides for a unique model, which offers enterprise customers the rapid deployment of on/off premise or hybrid models with the cross premise transparency, security and service which they demand.”

 

To support this initiative, Julian Dyer, co-founder of Cobweb, has stepped back into his role of CTO. Dan Germain, the previous CTO will be stepping down with immediate effect.

 

To  learn more about Cobweb Enterprise Services visit www.cobweb.com/enterprisecloud

Microsoft CRM Webinar - An Introduction to Cobweb Hosted CRM

Join us for a FREE webinar ''An Introduction to Cobweb Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM'. 

Learn how easy it can be to start using an Enterprise grade customer management tool by attending our free webinar and find out how the Cobweb CRM solution can help improve sales, marketing and customer service without breaking the bank.

Agenda: Thursday 30th September 2010 at 10.30am (UK)

1. An introduction to Cobweb Hosted CRM
2. The benefits of the Cobweb Hosted CRM solution
3. Demonstration of the Sales reporting
4. Introduction to the Marketing features
5. Demonstration of the Quick Campaign and Advanced Find feature
6. Demonstration of Communication Tracking 
7. Q & A Session

Attendees automatically receive

• Free 30 day trial
• 13 months for the price of 12
• 1/2 day of professional services absolutely FREE
• Plus, buy online and save £50.

To register for this FREE webinar >> Click Here.

Webinar - An Introduction to Cobweb Hosted SharePoint

Do you have a need to communicate with your workforce, share information, automate business processes and secure your company data?

If so, Cobweb’s Hosted Microsoft SharePoint could be the solution your looking for. 

Why not join us for a FREE webinar on Wednesday 8th September 2010 at 10.30am (UK), where you will see a demonstration of the system and find out more about the business benefits of using Microsoft SharePoint.

Register now to book your place on our FREE webinar

Webinar - An Overview of Hosted Exchange 2010?

Join us for a FREE webinar on Wednesday 15th September at 10.30am (UK) to find out more about Hosted Exchange 2010.  This webinar is aimed at new and existing customers and will give you a broad overview of Hosted Exchange 2010.

During the webinar we will look at:

• What is Hosted Exchange 2010
• What are the main features and benefits
• What are the differences between 2010 and 2007
• What is the migration process & timings. 

Speaker: Wayne Hollomby, Cobweb Architect & Oliver Moazzezi, Cobweb Architect and Microsoft Most Valueable Professional (MVP)

To register please click here or visit our website Here 

Cobweb Cloud Services feature article in the Times

The Cloud-enabled Enterprise.

At MTI customer Cobweb Solutions, an eminently flexible, scaleable and high-performance cloud computing environment isn’t a distant dream. It’s reality today. Cobweb started life in 1996 as a provider of hosted Microsoft Exchange systems to small businesses and now has more customers and more mailboxes than any other Microsoft Exchange hosting business in Europe.

Today, the company is seeing increasing demand from large enterprises, too, and its range of offerings has grown to encompass other software-as-a-service (SaaS) products, such as Microsoft SharePoint and Dynamics CRM systems.

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is also a hot topic and will be part of the next wave of services. As Cobweb looks to the future, it plans to offer customers a whole catalogue of on-demand private and public cloud services.

With that in mind, it is using the very latest in virtualisation and cloud-computing technologies to ensure that its infrastructure will scale to meet customers’ current and future needs.

It has worked with MTI to create a high-performance IT infrastructure based on VBlock - a pre-integrated stack of storage, servers and switches, complete with a virtualisation layer and a full set of management tools, from the Virtual Computing Environment (VCE) coalition of VMware, Cisco and EMC. Prior to deployment, that infrastructure was thoroughly sized and tested in MTI’s Solution Centre.

As one of the first organisations in Europe to implement a VBlock1, Cobweb is now in a strong position to confidently plan new or expanded services.

“Our customers expect both top-end service level agreements [SLAs] and value for money, so we can’t afford to compromise on performance or cost,” explains Cobweb CEO Paul Hannam.

“The VBlock technology enables us to offer both in an efficient, flexible and scalable way and to rise to new challenges as our company continues to grow and expand in scope.

For more information view the Cobweb Cloud Services Enterprise website http://www.cobweb.com/enterprisecloud

Read the full article in the times http://www.cobweb.com/pdf/raconteur_cloudcomputing_article_page.pdf

Hosting Deployment Guide for Exchange Server 2010 SP1 Beta

Microsoft have released the Hosting Deployment Guide for Exchange Server 2010 SP1 which is the first of many services to break away from the HMC and MPS deployment and provisioning model. Multi-tenant capabilities are now built directly in to AD and Exchange, although there are some limitations such as the removal of public folders and no access to ECP for tenant organisations.

Despite some limitations this is the product many hosters and carriers have been waiting for, as until Exchange Server 2010 SP1 Microsoft have not provided guidance or support for multi-tenant Exchange Server 2010. The really good news for me is this opens up the doors to more complex cross-premise deployments where the customer has Exchange in-house and in the Cloud(s).

A couple of warnings about the /hosting install. 1. You must deploy in a new forest where Exchange Server has not been installed previously. 2. There is no GUI for /hosting you must install form command line using setup.com /hosting and manage the service through Powershell. This makes sense as the current Exchange GUI won’t display multi-tenant organisations in a hierarchy and it also prevents simple changes being made outside of automated provisioning 3. Resource forest type scenarios still has limitations.

If you are interested head to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a0965fc9-2723-4947-ae6b-74bc3808e72a&displaylang=en to download SP1, remember to use setup.com /hosting.

While that is installing start reading through the guidance provided here, http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=bba88fb5-9d84-475c-85d7-3ffeb308636e.

I have been testing /hosting in the lab for a few months now and we still have a journey to complete before /hosting will make it in to the Cobweb production platform. I imagine we will start to see the hosting editions, lead by BPOS, gaining new and updated features through regular smaller releases.

Happy Hosting

Daniel

Migrating to Exchange Server 2007/2010? Let me help you.

If your organisation is looking to upgrade an email solution to Exchange Server 2007 or 2010 I may be able to help.

Please feel free to contact me, even if you just want to run through some ideas for your own in-house migration. I’m not a sales person and promise not to try to sell anything. I will just mention now though, a full Exchange Server mailbox (Outlook access, ActiveSync, OWA, Public Folders, etc) starts at £3.29 per month and the number of mailboxes can grow and shrink as you do.

daniel.noakes@cobweb.com
twitter.com/dannoakes
01329 242544

I have been at Cobweb since 2003 and we have been deploying, managing and migrating Exchange mailboxes since 2001. Between us we have Exchange MCSE(2003), MCITP (2007/2010) and MVP awards, add to this our 4000+ customer base and that adds up to a lot of successful deployments and migrations under our belts.

No matter what email solution you currently deploy we can help get you on to Exchange Server whether that be our hugely successful Hosted Exchange platform or a dedicated Exchange deployment for your organisation. We successfully completed migrations for organisations ranging from 5 to 4000+ mailboxes, which can be staged over a period if time if required.

Daniel

Use Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services for Project Management

Cobweb have recently launched a new website to explain the benefits of using Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services for all your Project Management requirements. 

Microsoft Windows SharePoint for Project Management is a powerful web-based project collaboration tool, which connects your teams together, allowing you to share information and documentation securely – no matter which project you are managing or working on. 

It’s simple to setup and use and provides a cost effective hosted intranet or extranet solution which runs on Microsoft Windows SharePoint. 

SharePoint is an ideal scalable and customisable solution for all your projects and project management team.

Check out the website for further information or to sign up to a FREE trial.

System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal on Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company, Cobweb

MTI, a leading international provider of consulting services and comprehensive information infrastructure solutions for mid- to large-size organisations, has sold the first Vblock 1 solution in Europe. The customer, Cobweb, is a leading managed services provider in the UK and Europe. Vblock Infrastructure Packages are integrated and tested IT solutions stemming from the Virtual Computing Environment coalition, that combine virtualisation, networking, storage, security, and management technologies by Cisco, EMC and VMware.

Vblock 1, the package which MTI will be installingin Cobweb’s UK Solution Centre is based on Cisco’s Unified Computing System (UCS), EMC’s CLARiiON storage system and VMware’s vSphere 4 platform and it helps organisations accelerate their adoption of private cloud environments while eliminating the risks traditionally associated with the deployment of this IT model. Paul Hannam, CEO of Cobweb states “The Vblock platform and the relationships that have been developed with EMC, MTI, VMware and Cisco enable Cobweb to widen the range of its ambition as a hosting business.  As a consequence Cobweb has developed a portfolio of service propositions that include both hosting in its own “Cobweb Cloud” as well as integration with a customer’s On-Premise Cloud”

 

Click here to read the full MTI Press Release - http://www.cobweb.com/latest-news/latest-news/mti-vblock-press-release.aspx

 

Links to the articles -

 

Virtual Strategy Magazine - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE)

http://www.virtual-strategy.com/Press-Releases/System-Integrator-MTI-Closes-First-European-Deal-for-the-VMware-Cisco-EMC-Cloud-Coalition-VCE.html

Virtualization.com - MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE)

http://virtualization.com/news/2010/07/07/mti-closes-first-european-deal-for-the-vmware-cisco-emc-cloud-coalition-vce/

vmblog.com - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE)

http://vmblog.com/archive/2010/07/06/system-integrator-mti-closes-first-european-deal-for-the-vmware-cisco-emc-cloud-coalition-vce.aspx

pressbot - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://www.pressbot.org/article_l,2,i,124574.html

TMC Net - MTI: System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://cisco-news.tmcnet.com/news/2010/07/06/4885971.htm

Go Articles - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1

http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=3074013

Web Host Talk - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://webhosttalk.org/news/system-integrator-mti-closes-first-european-deal-for-the-vmware-cisco-emc-cloud-coalition-vce-the-sale-of-vblock-1-with-european-hosting-company-cobweb/

TMC Net - MTI: System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://europe.tmcnet.com/news/2010/07/06/4885971.htm

PRESSEBOX - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://www.pressebox.com/pressreleases/mti-technology-gmbh/boxid/357940

4G-Wireless Evolution - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://4g-wirelessevolution.tmcnet.com/news/2010/07/06/4885906.htm

Global Security Mag - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://www.globalsecuritymag.com/System-Integrator-MTI-Closes-First,20100706,18459.html

TechWhack - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://press-releases.techwhack.com/56767-mti

IT News Online - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://www.itnewsonline.com/showrwstory.php?storyid=3303

TMC - Microsoft News - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://microsoft-news.tmcnet.com/news/2010/07/06/4885906.htm

News Blaze - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1

http://newsblaze.com/story/2010070604212600002.we/topstory.html

SYS-CON Media - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://realwirenews.sys-con.com/node/1455892

Zimbio - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://www.zimbio.com/IT+Security/articles/sKVNh-03IGg/System+Integrator+MTI+Closes+First+European

CRM Helpdesk Software - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition

http://crmhelpdesksoftware.com/system-integrator-mti-closes-first-european-deal-for-the-vmware-cisco-emc-cloud-coalition/

BizWire Express - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://www.bizwireexpress.com/showstory.php?storyid=36827

Channel EMEA - MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition

http://www.channelemea.com/spip.php?article2866

IT Director - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE)

http://www.it-director.com/business/regulation/news_release.php?rel=18828

IT Analysis - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE)

http://www.it-analysis.com/business/regulation/news_release.php?rel=18828

Conjungo - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://www.conjungo.com/rss/news/IT/release_detail.asp?ReleaseID=23156

redtram - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition

http://en.redtram.com/sources/realwire.com/

Green TMC - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE), the sale of Vblock 1 with European Hosting Company Cobweb

http://green.tmcnet.com/news/2010/07/06/4885906.htm

VIB - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Coalition (VCE)

http://www.vibriefing.com/2010/07/system-integrator-mti-closes-first-european-deal-for-the-vmware-cisco-emc-cloud-coalition-vce/

TechnoWorldInc.com - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Clo

http://www.technoworldinc.com/techno-news/system-integrator-mti-closes-first-european-deal-for-the-vmware-cisco-emc-clo-t118833.0.html;msg123415#msg123415

Webbers Corner - System Integrator MTI Closes First European Deal for the VMware, Cisco & EMC Cloud Co

http://www.webberscorner.com/showthread.php?tid=23866

 

Changes in Outlook 2010

Here's a full list of the changes in Outlook 2010 over Outlook 2007. It cover's what new, changed and removed.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc179110.aspx

 

Dan

http://twitter.com/dan_germain

I like this: “Congratulations you are now a VMware Enterprise Partner!”

Awesome news! Cobweb have met the revenue, competency and certification requirements to be promoted to the Enterprise level of the VMware Service Provider Program.

I'm pretty happy about that, bodes well for Cobweb Enterprise Services. Well done to all the VCPs at Cobweb!

 

Dan

http://twitter.com/dan_germain