The Company

The Bloom Group has been supporting our community for over 50 years. Since 1961, The Bloom Group has led many of our community’s most progressive social services to reduce homelessness, provide end-of-life care for individuals with mental health challenges and addictions, ensure women-led families in crisis can stay together as they rebuild their lives, and much more. Our ‘low-barrier’ services are inclusive and available to all individuals in need, regardless of their circumstances, and without conditions. Our broad and positive impact is a reflection of our staff’s hard work and dedication.

The Bloom Group was challenged with aging servers, switches, and network equipment. Managing their IT requirements was becoming a daily task of fixing issues. They knew they needed to make changes, however they were not sure of the best way to move forward.

The Solution – Cloud Transition

The MultiTrends team met with The Bloom Group and determined that our Cloud Services would be a great alternative to traditional severs. This solution allows full secure access and support for their 13 locations company data. Multitrends Implemented cloud services by virtualizing their Data Servers and installing them in our off site data center. This would save The Bloom Group a considerable amount of money and resources by eliminating the expense of having to invest in new hardware, software, and the associated setup costs involved.

The Results

Moving to cloud computing has proven to be a great decision. The Bloom Group has noticed a dramatic effect in their computing speeds, improved efficiency, a robust network, with a fully backed up redundant server environment. They no longer need to be responsible for IT.

Hackers are targeting XP

Microsoft has stated that Windows XP will no longer be provided updates. Hackers are looking to exploit this as any vulnerability they find will never be fixed.

Users are more likely to be compromised/hacked using a Windows XP operating system than those using Windows 7 or higher.

Prevent new threats by upgrading today so you can enjoy knowing your information is safe.

Online Banking is incredibly dangerous!

Online Banking is a great way to track/update your finances however with Windows XP it is becoming incredibly dangerous. Hackers attempt to gain access to your information as you type in your Card Number/Pin risking your credit and savings.

Banks are recently starting to upgrade their ATM’s as 95% of the ATM’s are using Windows XP and have recently heard of hackers breaking into the ATM locks and installing viruses/keyloggers to compromise future users bank accounts.

Here are some tips on ATM Safety

Vulnerabilities will not be fixed

As of April 8th Microsoft will no longer be supporting/updating/patching Windows XP. For those using Windows XP this means any new bug/exploit/vulnerabilities found will open users up to attack from hackers.

These bugs/holes hackers use to break into your computer will not be repaired leaving your system more likely to be compromised.

MultiTRENDS recommend all Windows XP users upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.1 to ensure your safe and secure.

Security & Infection Rate

As Windows has stated they will no longer support Windows XP as of April 8th.

Infection Rate

Figure 1: Infection rate (CCM) by operating system and service pack in the fourth quarter of 2012 as reported in the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 14

As shown in Figure 1 the Infection Rate is the highest under Windows XP SP3.
This will only get worse after April 8th as Windows will no longer provide support to XP.

Upgrade Today

Productivity

Aero Snap is a great example on how Windows 7 and 8.1 can improve folder organization.
Aero Snap allows the user to drag their window into the side of the screen to snap it to that side.

If your looking to keep your files organized Windows 8 has a feature that scans your files every hour and stores copies of the incremental changes over time.

If you accidentally overwrite a crucial presentation, or you decide to scrap your changes and want to go back to the way things were a few hours ago, it’s easy to restore a file from any point in the history.

Windows 8 also has the option for scheduled Automatic Maintenance.

Enjoy the benefit of automatic maintenance and provide more time for your tasks.

Accessible to new Hardware

With Windows XP there are limits to using new hardware.
As new hardware’s software is written for new operating systems.

The following devices will likely cause problems with XP:

– Wireless Printers
– Bluetooth Keyboards
– 4K Monitors and more

Relieve any frustration by upgrading before the problems arise.

Replacing an old Server? Use Server Virtualization!

Reduce your hardware and increase your space with Server Virtualization and Design!

MultiTRENDS can reduce the costs associated with running your servers.

No longer worry about adding/removing servers, users, or applications!

More Space, Better Reliability & Increase Performance!

When a server has been virtualized the hardware can be removed from the location. This increases space for more employee’s or other projects.

Enable Staff to Work from Anywhere!

With a Virtualized server storage drives are no longer physical reducing staff problems like data loss and out of date hardware.

Many businesses use this ability to help create on-site estimates as they can provide real-time data and provide estimates without returning to the office.

When considering ways to reduce IT costs businesses should review their expenses for their Software and Hardware.

Reduce I.T. costs with Software as a Service (SaaS)

Stop spending your budget on Software and use Cloud Computing to subscribe to the software as a subscription.

Software as a Service (SaaS) provides the ability to reduce IT costs with ease by introducing software as a subscription.

Stop worrying about how much the new version of is going to cost.

With Cloud Computing you can subscribe/unsubscribe to your software saving I.T. costs during downtime. If you wish to upgrade software you can do so with no extra cost.

Use a virtual desktop to reduce IT Costs on hardware!

MultiTREND’s Cloud Computing services provide the ability to work from anywhere in the world using Desktop as a Service (DaaS).

If a staff member becomes injured and can’t make it into the office will it effect your businesses workflow?

With Cloud Computing your staff can work from anywhere which Reduce IT Costs for hardware as they can use personal laptops, tablets, or even their phone!

Many businesses use Desktop as a Service for on-site estimates as they’re able to provide real-time data and provide estimates without returning to the office.

Reduce IT Costs with Virtual Infrastructures!

MultiTRENDS can provide an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to reduce the costs and headache of managing your internal infrastructure.

Businesses are reducing IT costs by removing their physical infrastructure and going virtual.

This provides staff a strong powerful infrastructure and no longer requires staff worry about maintaining hardware, powering the system, or storage space.

Access to Online Support

Remote Helpdesk Services provide your business peace of mind knowing help is a phone call or email away.

The MultiTRENDS team is always at your side. Call us if you run into an error, have a technical questions, or simply need help setting something up.

Support available anywhere in the world!

The MultiTRENDS team is ready to provide help while you’re on the go.
Need software on your office computer but have no time to install it?

No problem! We’ll take care of the installation, and have it ready for you when you get back. Our team is here to support you where and when you need it.

Access to self help tools!

Wish to take on a task yourself? No Problem!

Our Remote Helpdesk Services include access to our self help tools to ensure staff can resolve issues if they wish to take on the challenge.

Businesses are making the switch to the Cloud to take advantage of the many services.

Better Security with less Cost

Cloud Computing provides layers of security to ensure your data is kept safe and sound. Utilizing the Cloud enables you to access data remotely and securely.

Software as a Service (SaaS) provides the ability to control I.T. costs with ease instead of buying all the software at once and never recouping the cost if its not used.

Work from anywhere / Mobility!

MultiTREND’s Cloud Computing services provide the ability to work from anywhere in the world using Desktop as a Service (DaaS).

Many businesses use Desktop as a Service for their on-site estimates as they can provide real-time data and provide estimates without returning to the office.

Less I.T. Maintenance!

Why deal with I.T. maintenance when MultiTRENDS can provide an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Reduce the headache of managing your internal infrastructure.

Many companies are reducing the headaches of I.T. maintenance by removing their physical infrastructure and going virtual.

This provides them a strong powerful infrastructure and they no longer have to worry about maintaining hardware, powering the system, or storage space.

In the past people would run programs and applications that were based on downloaded software stored on the physical computer. Today small and medium sized businesses are moving to Cloud Computing. Cloud Computing is a internet-based computing that provides a convenient workflow and cost effective solution for I.T. maintenance.

What are the benefits of Cloud Computing?

Natural Disasters

If a business is concerned about Natural Disasters halting their business the Cloud comes with Disaster Recovery. Small and medium sized businesses require a sense of security if a natural disaster effects their business.

With Cloud Computing your data is safely stored in a remote location allowing you to restore access to your data from any computer or mobile device. Without the protection your business could have damaged hardware and data loss could halt your business.

Reduced I.T. Time & Cost

When hardware or software requires maintenance staff spend hours fixing/updating problems which means your staff aren’t able to focus on their tasks.

With Cloud Computing your staff can phone, or email for on-site or remote assistance from MultiTRENDS 24/7 helpdesk. This provides staff the ability to hand off the task to MultiTRENDS while an experienced technician resolves the issue quickly so staff can return to their work.

Work from Anywhere!

Many businesses operate out of their physical location not realizing they are limiting their staffs abilities. When working in a physical location your required to return to that location to access your work.

If invited to an event and staff urgently require a document they’re forced to leave the event to provide the document. With Cloud Computing staff can access their work from any mobile device with their log in credentials.

Many businesses utilize Cloud Computing to provide on-site estimates when they arrive providing real-time prices and information.