Hendrickson: The Education Debate – Certification v. Grad School

Harry Brelsford

Harry Brelsford is the founder of SMB Nation (www.smbnation.com) from Bainbridge Island, Wash. He is a long-time SMB channel partner who has served customers and mentored other partners (SMB Nation has over 49,000 members who are Managed Services Providers (MSPs) and SMB technology consultants). He oversees the popular SMB Nation workflow including content and events (webinars, workshops and multi-day conferences).

He holds an MBA in Project Management from the University of Denver (and numerous certifications such as MCSE, MCT, CNE, et al) and is the author of 21 books on technology and business topics. His 20 years of SMB technology experience were supplemented by teaching 12+ years at night as an adjunct professor at Seattle Pacific University and other higher-learning institutions. He served as the Dean in the Graduate School of Technology at Aspen University (where he was awarded a PhD in Letters).

Harry is an in-demand speaker at industry events. Harry’s recent books include the “How to Be an MSP” and he has published over 400-articles in business (Washington CEO, Colorado Business, Alaska Business Monthly) and technology magazine (ChannelPro, Microsoft Certified Professional magazine, etc.). An active entrepreneur, Harry is the force behind the Pocket MBA, Telephonation, Cloud Nation and XPmigrations.com. His latest startup is 420MSP.

Alex Fields

Founder ITpromentor

Alex founded ITProMentor.com early in 2016 after many years of procrastination. Blogs have long been a tremendous source of help and inspiration to me, and I wanted to contribute my own voice to the great dialogue that is technology. (Not to mention: it is also nice to have a searchable archive of notes for myself and my colleagues to use as a reference.)

How do you interact with one of the or more of below: Office 365, Mobility, Security, and or Windows?

He does all three.

Tell us one customer story about Office 365, Mobility, Security or Windows

Alex is key to helping so many consultants understand and secure Office 365

How do you give back to your community?

https://www.itpromentor.com/
Tons. He wrote the Office 365 best practice checklist.

Michael Fraser

CEO, Co-Founder, Chief Architect Refactr, Inc.

Entrepreneur – Technologist – Creative Thought Provoker – World’s Coolest Dad My passion is technology, my drive is innovation, and my life is guided by the universe.

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

I work with Windows 10, Azure, O365, and all aspects of security when it comes to M365. I am also a member of Azure Advisors. I am also a member of CIS SecureSuite, and working to bring CIS security controls benchmarking to M365 for MSPs.

Tell us one Customer story about Microsoft 365

Check out the webinar with Wooden-Spoon. I have been working with MSPs on helping them with M365 and the full Microsoft stack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rnb5CxH-hY&feature=youtu.be

How do you give back to the community?

I am a military veteran, and helping the community through programs with other veterans, giving my time and expertise where I can to other veterans in the channel, in my community, and beyond.

Nuno Arias Silva

MVP Office Apps and Services

Architect Manager at GFI Portugal – Modern Workplace Lead – Microsoft Solutions Architect – MVP Office Apps and Services, Windows Insider MVP and MCT at GFI (Microsoft Gold Partner) for Microsoft Office 365, Exchange, Private Cloud, Infrastructure, Active Directory, SQL and Auditing Microsoft Products, support at pre-sales and sales areas.

Specialist in Office 365, with a focus on Exchange, Virtualization and System Center: With more than 20 years’ experience in Datacenter Architectures, Nuno has 30+ certifications (MCT, MCSE, MCITP, MCSA and MCTS among others). Experience in enterprise environments: He has worked several industries, including Aerospace, Transportation, Energy, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Government, Health Care, Telecoms and IT Services, Gas-Oil Company in different countries and continents. Assisted Microsoft in the development of workshops and special events and case studies, and as a speaker at several Microsoft events. Contributes with several articles and publications in various blogs and communities. Author of Office 365 Essentials Book.

How do you interact with one of the or more of below: Office 365, Mobility, Security, and or Windows?

In all my projects of Microsoft 365 all suite is implemented

Tell us one customer story about Office 365, Mobility, Security or Windows.

Protection of phone with encryption with MDM and MAM was implemented to archive that with encryption of sensitive information with Intune no information leaves the company.

How do you give back to your community?

I’m founder of Office 365 Portugal community and organize several events and also speak in several events like Ignite. Also give contributions in forums and communities like Microsoft Tech community.

Albert Trinh

Executive Vice President of Tuor Networks

Albert Trinh started in tech support in early 2000, and has always loved technology. After being a sales executive at Microsoft, Albert joined Tuor Networks in July of 2010. Tuor Networks is a small IT and consulting firm that serves small to medium sized businesses. As the executive vice president, Albert continues to grow his passion for technology.

How do you interact with one of the or more of below: Office 365, Mobility, Security, and or Windows?

We are currently a Microsoft CSP partner in Canada and are a gold partner as well. We have been pushing their solutions as part of our best practices for years now. To increase security, we use Barracuda to secure these applications for our customers. We sell the complete solution, and maintain our partnership with Microsoft.

Tell us one customer story about Office 365, Mobility, Security or Windows.

We have a customer that has 400 user and they used to use an online Hosted exchange with minimal security. They were daily targets for phishing attacks and the spam kept going through. We implemented Barracuda Total Email Protection to secure these customers. Once we implemented this, we saw that Barracuda Sentinel was blocking all these malicious attacks and these accounts are no longer getting compromised. We were able to fully secure this customer and now they are very happy.

How do you give back to your community?

We donate in numerous ways such as golf tournaments, sponsor events, give money to charities, and encourage employee participation at events.

Gary Flavin

Tier 2 Technical Support/ Cybersecurity Technician II at ASM Research

IT professional with experience configuring and supporting Intel Microsoft servers and computers. Background supporting Windows and Office up to and including 10 and 365. Worked in Corporate, Military, Medical and Government organizations delivering hardware and software solutions. Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone or electronically. May provide help concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, network issues, and operating systems. Experience working from the shop floor to the C suite.

I teach Healthcare IT Fundamentals at LSUS and moonlight as a HELP DESK ANALYST at Willis Knighton Health System (4 Hospitals located in the Shreveport/Bossier City area). I coordinate work with the On-call personnel: Technicians, Network Support, Soarian Clinical Software, Interface, Programmer, Transcriptionist, and Shift Supervisors. The software involved includes but is not limited to: Windows 7 AND 10, Cerner Soarian, Meditech, Medhost, Galactica, VMWare, WKNet Portal, Office 365, Access Passport, API, Citrix, GE Centricity, MAK, Medhost, Mosaic, Medilink, Spacelabs, Systoc, UMS Console, Pharmacy Software.Also do weekly billing for entire Hospital System

How do you interact with one of the or more of below: Office 365, Mobility, Security, and or Windows?

DAILY FOR THE VA

Tell us one customer story about Office 365, Mobility, Security or Windows.

WE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE SECURITY OF THE VA IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING ALL THE PROBLEMS BEFORE!

How do you give back to your community?

VA

RED CROSS

WORK AT WILLIS KNIGHTON A NON PROFIT

TEACH AT LSUS CE HIT

KEEP A CLEAN MACHINE!

David Gildner

System Administrator For Initial.IT

David Gildner, System Administrator For Initial.IT From Denver, CO
Originally from Wisconsin where I graduated with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Utilizing the problem solving and related skills to assist clients in the Architectural and Engineering Field.

How do you interact with one of the or more of below: Office 365, Mobility, Security, and or Windows?

System admin for multiple clients managing and maintaining all aspects of their offices

Tell us one customer story about Office 365, Mobility, Security or Windows.

One of our clients merged with a second client and we utilized microsoft and outside tolls to combine two separate office365 networks and user accounts into a brand new domain with minimal client impacts.

How do you give back to your community?

Support several not-for-profits that you can read about here: https://initialit.net/social-awareness/ (including “Housed Working and Healthy” “Meghan’s Wish” “Sustain-Ability Recycling” and “The Delores Project.

Jack Smith

Owner, initial.IT, inc.

I have been in the technical support industry for almost 20 years. I am a Colorado native and have been married for 27 years and have two daughters and spend most of my time traveling and cycling and working.

How do you interact with one of the or more of below: Office 365, Mobility, Security, and or Windows?

We use this internally and make sure that all of our clients are on the platform as well. We use Teams to communicate internally.

Tell us one customer story about Office 365, Mobility, Security or Windows.

We were able to migrate them from an aging exchange environment to 365 and worked with them to implement the stack to help improve their internal communications especially with their off site employees.

How do you give back to your community?

We have implemented our Social Awareness initiative and we work with 4 entities across the year to help further their individual causes.

Suresh Ramani

CEO and Cloud Computing Evangelist at TechGyan

Suresh Ramani is the CEO and Cloud Computing Evangelist at TechGyan ( www.TechGyan.in ), an IT Company focused on providing Leading Edge Technology Solutions based on Social , Mobility , Analytics and Cloud Computing Platforms ( SMAC) to Small & Mid sized Indian and International Customers He has over 17 years of experience in Technology Services . He is a Consultant to many Small and Medium sized Companies. He is very active in the Technology Community.

He is an expert on Cloud Computing & Microsoft Technologies.

He is the founder President of India west chapter of International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (http://www.iamcp.org), the largest Association of Microsoft Partners in the World.
He runs a Video blog https://www.youtube.com/user/techgyani/videos

He runs a blog on Cloud Computing at http://www.CloudChangesEverything.com/.
In 2012 and 2013, he was nominated for the award SMB150 influencer which honors individuals who have made significant impact on the world wide small and medium business (SMB) channel. An SMB 150 influencer is a person that has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the world wide SMB channel.
In 2009, he was nominated as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional ( MVP ).
In 2007 and 2008, in recognition of his Community building efforts, Microsoft nominated him as Partner Area Lead (PAL) for India. Worldwide there are 20 PALs recognized by Microsoft.

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

1) Evangelize the platform via blog at https://techgyan.in/blog/

2) Evangelize M 365 via YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/techgyani

Tell us one Customer story about Microsoft 365

1) Stories about the Not for Profits:
https://www.dqindia.com/techgyan-takes-the-ngo-route-to-digital-india/

How do you give back to the community?

1) I have founded and setup a Microsoft Partner Community in India . Today it is spread across 5 cities in India and growing www.iamcp.org

2) I am involved with many Not for Profits where I help them with Technology Consulting

3) I also work with Educational Institutes and give them pro bono Consulting Services

Stacy Strole

Owner of Focal Point Solutions LLC

Stacy Deere-Strole is the Owner of Focal Point Solutions LLC, a Cincinnati, OH based company that provides SharePoint Solutions for the Enterprise in the mid-to-large market. Previously, Stacy led a rapidly growing SharePoint practice where she engaged in a wide range of consulting projects across various industries. With 20+ years of experience in the IT Industry, Stacy has mainly focused on Collaboration Solutions such as IBMâ€™s Lotus Notes\Domino and Microsoftâ€™s Messaging and Collaboration Solutions including deployments and SharePoint upgrades.

Within the SharePoint community, Stacy is a SharePoint MVP and is actively sharing her real world expertise through authoring in the blog http://www.spmindmelt.focalpointsolutions.co, http://www.sharepointeurope.com/blog, http://infogovcon.com/ and speaking at various SharePoint Saturday’s, Collab365, ITUnity, SPTechCon, SharePoint Fest, SharePoint Engage, and User Group events. She also co-authored two books called SharePoint 2013 and 2010 Using Managed Metadata.

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

I own a SharePoint Consulting Company and I have the pleasure of assisting companies identify their requirements and match them to M365’s functionality.

Tell us one customer story about Microsoft 365.

Worked with a client who had a major security breach in their tenant. Being a government oriented entity it was a huge blow and left them gun shy to the product and second guessing themselves with every decision. Worked with them to understand the tools that are available under compliance and security along with their configuration being rated (scored) so as their security improved their score improved and confidence was slowly but surely restored.

How do you give back to your community?

I organize the local Office 365 & SharePoint Saturday event, Tri-County Office 365 & SharePoint User Group, I a local and global speaker at a number of Microsoft related events along with local community Chamber of Commerce and Technology First events.

Larry Doyle

Head of MSP at Paradyn

Based in Ireland, working in IT since 1988, starting off my first job updating software on a PDP-11 and writing new software for IBM x86. Moved into the networking & infrastructure area starting on Novell, integrating IBM S36/38 and AS/400 and moving onto MIcrosoft based solutions. SBSer and part of the SMB Nation world community since meeting Harry at SMB Nation in Amsterdam & true believer ever since!
Sold my MSP business (Netforce) in 2016 and now working as a consultant with other resellers and planning my next venture (after I get some summer motorcycle miles under my belt!)

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

Primarily, in my capacity as a consultant I am designing end user solutions based on leveraging the Microsoft stack of O365, EMS, Windows 10, Windows Server 2019 and Azure (and soon Windows Virtual Desktops I hope!)
As well, I also help other resellers design solutions and evangelise the Microsoft cloud stack and as Microsoft enhance their security offerings, I do recommend using the EMS products, Bitlocker and Office 365 to ease the end users’ GDPR compliance journey.

Tell us one customer story about Microsoft 365.

My most recent engagement with Microsoft / Office 365 is helping a local startup accountancy practice get their platform setup to expand from their current 2 users to rapidly scale to their expected 10 employees by end of 2019. My recommendation was to build their systems to scale – so migrate their email from POP/IMAP to Office 365 Business Premium, 2 new Dell Latitude laptops running Windows 10 with docking stations & dual monitor setup, Sonicwall firewall, migrate their standalone data folder to Sharepoint with OneDrive sync for Windows 10 and setup an Azure VM for their LOB accounting application. As well as standard MSP offerings such as cyber security, device management, encryption and backup for O365. This allows this startup to scale at speed as they rapidly add new employees (even if they are not office based but rather mobile or home based employees)

How do you give back to your community?

In my local community I help out with setting up systems for local schools – getting better internet connectivity and setting up solid & secure WiFi

I also give free time & assistance to small & startup resellers to help them move from break/fix to MSP and to help with product/solution selection and try to impart some of the lessons I’ve learned from my time building Netforce into a successful MSP practice.

Joseph Axne

Owner of IT-Guru

About Joseph

It is our team’s goal to educate our clients on the right way to setup and maintain their IT Infrastructure. We have a sole focus on Veterinary Practices. Providing Veterinary Practices with insight and strategy on their computers and network to give them the stability and security required to run their practice.

Through IT Standards of Care, Processes and Procedures we are assisting hospitals and clinics with proven “Best Practices” alignment. We keep you safe from Ransomware and other nasty malware!

How much experience do you have with Microsoft 365?

We have done Hundreds and of migrations and have known this product since the BPOS days

Tell us one customer story about Microsoft 365?

We support Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals. We assisted a client migrate to O365 using their own professional to donain name.

How do you give back to your community?

Volunteer and support animal rights and orgsnizations

Gokan Ozcifci

SharePoint infrastructure consultant for Neoxy

Gokan Ozcifci is an independent SharePoint infrastructure consultant for Neoxy where he assists clients with the design, implementation, maintenance, documentation, operations, configuration, administration and troubleshooting of their new or existing environments with PosH. His background offers half a decade of experience in providing IT solutions to clients in a wide variety of industries using Microsoft SharePoint technologies.

Gokan is a proud author of four TN Wiki eBooks that reached a half million downloads. Due to his active contributions in these domains, he has been honored with Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award (2013-present). Additionally, he is an active Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and a Microsoft Regional Lead for all MCTs in Belgium. You can reach Gokan on his blog (http://www.gokan.ms) and follow him on Twitter @xgokan

How much experience do you have with Microsoft 365?

I’m working every single day w/ X-M365 and help defining the roadmap for it thanks to the Microsoft Regional Director Program

Tell us one customer story about Microsoft 365.

We at the Belgian Federation Institutions are using a shared tenant; and one of the institutions wanted to come to Office365 w/ more than 17500 group-connected sites -And they had archives for like ages ago – so we had to check w/ Microsoft where the limit stopped as the AAD only can supports 500K objects;

How do you give back to your community?

My entire life 🙂 as an MVP + RD i’m living w/ the community

Don Ribar

CFO and Co-Owner - Rampart Hosting LLC

Spent 24 years in consulting before starting two managed services companies a decade ago

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

We sell O365 to many of our customers as well as ancillary services such as O365 Backup

Tell us one customer story about Microsoft 365.

We have a customer with more than 300 mailboxes. We have taken over the full management of their environment saving them significant time and effort keeping track of their employees and the resources used.

How do you give back to your community?

One of partners, sits on the Board of Cultivate, a non-profit set up to coach and mentor entrepreneurs as well as providing other support resources.

Denis Wilson

President | Lead Consultant DWP Information Architects Inc.

Denis was born in Washington and raised in Northern California. He attended San Jose State University and served with the U.S. Air Force.

He initially pursued a career in marketing for network technology manufacturers: Northern Telecom, MICOM Corporation, Stratacom (Cisco Systems), and AT&T Paradyne.

Denis then became a serial entrepreneur, founding Excel Networks in 1992 and cofounded PartSolve.com Corporation in 1998. In 2002, he founded network services firm DWP Information Architects Inc. It has now matured into a full-service provider of IT consulting and managed network support services to small companies. He works primarily with the healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing industries in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley.

He has served his community on the boards of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, Conejo / Las Virgenes Future Foundation, American Red Cross of Ventura County, California Community Colleges: Economic & Workforce Development, and Thousand Oaks Telecommunity Center. He has also chaired the City of Thousand Oaks Business Roundtable. He has served on Rotary International district staff, CSU Channel Islands: Business & Technology Partnership, and SCORE Ventura. He is also a Conejo Leadership graduate at the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.

He is currently a board member of the local chapter of International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) and is a member of Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University’s Community Leaders Association, and Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Denis is also an author and a speaker on cybersecurity for small businesses and the modern workplace for small business. He has presented at a variety of events at Microsoft, the Small Business Administration (SBA), SCOREs, Economic Development Corporations, Women Business Centers, and professional and industry associations. He is currently a certified silver partner of Microsoft, in Cloud Platform, and Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions.

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

We are a channel partner of Microsoft’s with a focus on cloud computing for tough regulatory environment. So the things we bring to the table are:

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, and productivity services that fit well into the Microsoft eco-system
Migration services from anywhere-to-M365
Layered and managed cybersecurity services
Reporting, auditing, and documentation to make regulatory environments easier
And a full suite of out-sources services from 24/7 help desk for hardware and software, to a security operations center

Tell us one Customer story about Microsoft 365

One of our best customers is Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) who is unique for one specific reason: they are wholly road-warriors. This is 15 people who are physically spread from Oregon to North Carolina, with no two of the staff in the same town. As a non-profit in healthcare, their need is for compliancy for disparate staff with disparate IT capabilities. And their workplaces are in their homes. So we have cable routers, laptops that are used for a variety of purposes, a difficult environment to secure, and no central anything.

Microsoft 365 is perfect for their needs. Cloud-based security services is easy to layer in as needed. Portals that allow their technical resources to access management of all types, and ad out-sourced remote 24/7 tech support of the whole kit-and-caboodle.

How do you give back to the community?

We are big believers in giving back, and do that company-wide. Within the local community and our industry, my involvement is through:

Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, the largest and most-involved community and international service club in the 4-county area
Community Leaders Association, a community organization who is raising money for student and faculty at California Lutheran University
International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) is a great organization that I have been on the local board of for 4 years
And local business involvement is channeled through the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce with 1,200 folks that we can network with

Andrew Bettany

Co-Founder of the “IT Masterclasses” series

Andrew Bettany is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), recognized for his Windows expertise, and is the author of many books and Microsoft official training materials from Microsoft Press, O’Reilly, Apress, Pluralsight and LinkedIn Learning.

As a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Andrew delivers learning and consultancy to businesses on a number of technical areas including Windows deployment and troubleshooting.

He has co-founded the “IT Masterclasses” series of short intensive technical courses, www.itmasterclasses.com and is passionate about helping others learn technology.

Andrew lives in a beautiful rural location just outside of the City of York in Yorkshire (UK).

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

I work with M365 on a daily basis, often teaching or writing training courses to help IT Pros understand and get value and protection from the M365 suite of products.

Tell us one customer story about Microsoft 365.

Most customers that I talk with think that Microsoft has simply a re-branded Office 365 to become Microsoft 365. Recently I encountered this belief at a tech conference where I was talking about Windows Autopilot. The audience didn’t realise that with M365 they had all the components and licensing required to utilise Autopilot. They were a little shocked and very pleased to be informed.

How do you give back to your community?

I co-organize the Microsoft 365 User Group in the UK based in the north of the UK. We have evening events with talks, discussions and networking for the 30-40 attendees. I also present and organize free full day training events on M365 topics, such as Modern Desktop, Modern Security and Collaboration. As an eight time MVP I actively volunteer to speak at tech events both in person and via webinar.

Abhijit Chatterjee

Technologist at ABHi TECHNOLOGIES

Abhijit Chatterjee is a world renowned personality in IT industry, a global top IT professional award winner, worldwide topper in MCP and certified IT specialist in various domains. Due to his expert IT consultation and advice, he has been recently selected and invited by Mauritius government to work with Prime Minister Office in Mauritius.

Abhijit Chatterjee is an Industry Certified Professional specialized in IT Infrastructure Management, Network Optimization, Cloud Implementation, Cyber Security, Consultation and Advisory, etc. Learning while earning concept and keeping up-to-date on new technologies made him “worldwide topper” (scored 1000 out of 1000) in MCP. His dedication towards constant learning on latest technologies made him Double MCP. His certification includes SBS Specialist, Certified Surveillance Consultant, Network Consultant, Security Specialist, Microsoft Pre-sales Technical Expert, IBM Storage & Server Sales Specialist, and so on. His consultations and implementations have significantly reduced IT Processes, Manpower, CapEx and OpEx to various Central Government Departments, State Governments, Universities, Banks, Public Sector and Private Sector companies, SMEs, SOHOs and MNCs. He has working knowledge of more than 20 years.

Mr. Chatterjee is highly motivated, organized and detail-directed problem solver. He is very efficient in managing IT Operations, Infrastructure Services, IT Procurement, Vendor Management, Optimization of IT Budget and Resource Utilization. Management of Storage, Server and Virtualization, Deployment of Software and Network, Implementation of Cloud and Cyber Security are some of his forte.

He has a strong technical background and knowledge in multiple domains in IT. He is an effective leader with distinguished abilities in project implementation and motivating team members to maintain deliverables as per SLAs. He has proven ability to perform in stress and scarce resource conditions.

He was the winner of India’s Top-100 ICT Projects Award 2012, ChannelWorld Premier100 Award 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, Most Influential CIO/CTOs of India Award 2015, Business Technology Award 2015 on IoT, SME Channels Award for the three consecutive years -Super50 Awards in 2016, Super100 Awards in 2017 and Infrastructure Specialist Awards in 2018, YES BANK’s Most Promising Future CFOs of India 2016, Dataquest Vertical Warrior Award 2016 in IT/ITeS, IDG Insights Award in Technology for two times – Excellence in Innovation in 2015 and Excellence in Operations in 2017, 4th Datacenter Award 2018, 5th Datacenter Award 2018, Great Indian Workplace Awards 2018, IT Security Awards 2018, Business Leader of the year Award 2018, Innovation and Technology Leader of the year Award 2018. This year (in 2019) till June end, he won six awards in IT and that continues…

Today, he is known by his work, achievements, awards and recognitions. He is not only known in India but also in International community. At every stage, he makes India proud. We are proud to say “He is a global personality in IT world and a gem of India”.

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

In India, we sell and support Microsoft products including Office 365, Exchange, Azure, etc. We interact through email with Microsoft 365.

Tell us one customer story about Microsoft 365.

One of our client placed an order for cloud implementation. We quoted in two parts – Sales Quote, and, Service Quote. When they asked why we quoted 10% higher service charges, we informed this 10% goes to back to community and society. And that was our 1st customer who agreed. Since then we charged 10% extra and contribute the same to community.

How do you give back to your community?

We contribute in the form of serving meals to families who can’t afford 3 times meals, feeding roadside animals, help medicines for senior citizens, monetory help to fellow Indian citizens and below poverty line families, books and study materials to under privileged students, volunteer at local school for computer classes and training, tutor local students,
and so on.

Sharon Vanhoose

Product System Engineer at Cyber Solutions

I have loved technology all of my life but did not get to actively work in a technology related field until 4 years ago. I absolutely love it and even though I was 54 when I got started that has not slowed me down. My super power is the ability to not give up. I have fought through a lot of tough times and I keep on learning and growing.

How do you interact with Microsoft 365?

I love Office 365 and love setting up One Drive and basic SharePoint sites.

Tell us one customer story about Microsoft 365.

I helped a Construction company set up multiple Share Point sites so that they can collaborate with others on Projects.

How do you give back to your community?

I help by donating to a local group that is doing amazing things in Honduros and locally. I also have a blog dedicated to Rescue Dogs. I have a rescue dog and they are the best and I want to make sure that everyone knows how much they can change your life.

Joshua Liberman

28 years computer networking. 18 years computer security.
Offering complete outsourced IT services, including network design, installation and support, secure remote and wireless access, VOIP phone systems, video surveillance and digital signage solutions. Supporting both premise and cloud based solutions, with a laser focus on network security and data protection. Datto Professional, Intel Gold and Sonicwall Silver partners, now in our 28th year, we are the longest serving network vendor in New Mexico.

Andrew Bettany

Microsoft MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer

Andrew Bettany (Microsoft MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer) has authored several Windows exam prep guides and Microsoft training materials, as well as video training for LinkedIn Learning and Pluralsight. He consults on Microsoft 365, Azure, and Windows, and co-founded IT Masterclasses.com.

Denis Wilson

President | Lead Consultant DWP Information Architects Inc.

Denis was born in Washington and raised in Northern California. He attended San Jose State University and served with the U.S. Air Force.

He initially pursued a career in marketing for network technology manufacturers: Northern Telecom, MICOM Corporation, Stratacom (Cisco Systems), and AT&T Paradyne.

Denis then became a serial entrepreneur, founding Excel Networks in 1992 and cofounded PartSolve.com Corporation in 1998. In 2002, he founded network services firm DWP Information Architects Inc. It has now matured into a full-service provider of IT consulting and managed network support services to small companies. He works primarily with the healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing industries in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley.

He has served his community on the boards of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, Conejo / Las Virgenes Future Foundation, American Red Cross of Ventura County, California Community Colleges: Economic & Workforce Development, and Thousand Oaks Telecommunity Center. He has also chaired the City of Thousand Oaks Business Roundtable. He has served on Rotary International district staff, CSU Channel Islands: Business & Technology Partnership, and SCORE Ventura. He is also a Conejo Leadership graduate at the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.

He is currently a board member of the local chapter of International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) and is a member of Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University’s Community Leaders Association, and Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Denis is also an author and a speaker on cybersecurity for small businesses and the modern workplace for small business. He has presented at a variety of events at Microsoft, the Small Business Administration (SBA), SCOREs, Economic Development Corporations, Women Business Centers, and professional and industry associations. He is currently a certified silver partner of Microsoft, in Cloud Platform, and Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions.

Frank J. Ohlhorst

Frank is an award-winning technology journalist and IT industry analyst, with extensive experience as a business consultant, editor, author, and blogger. Frank works with both technology startups and established technology ventures, helping them to build channel programs, launch products, validate product quality, create marketing materials, author case studies, eBooks and white papers.

Michael Jenkin

Michael Jenkin has been pounding the Australian IT streets since 1989. He attended university under the guise of learning to be an Electrical Engineer however, fell in love with computers. Ever since he has worked in a reseller role, wholesaler, MSP, programmer, Internet provider and many more aspects of IT. He was a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for many years and also ranked in the SMB150 twice. He has worked on many notable community projects and has now started on another with Mickyj Whitehat. Currently Michael runs an IT Business in South Australia (Business Technology Partners) with national reaches and through his network of partners, worldwide.

Ken Dwight

Owner of The Virus Doctor

Ken Dwight, owner of The Virus Doctor has been a computer professional for more than 53 years, starting as a Programmer Trainee on mainframe computers in February 1966. He has worked in the PC environment since 1982 and developed a specialty in malware in 2002. That’s when he Trademarked the name “The Virus Doctor™,” and much of the work he has done since then has been malware-related. Today he spends most of his time training other techs in malware-related issues, mostly through his Virus Remediation Training workshop, as well as other courses he has produced. He also operates a break/fix shop, so he remains “in the trenches” on a regular basis. That’s one of the ways Ken stays up to date on the issues faced by typical computer users.

Larry Doyle

Working in IT industry, specialize implementing & securing small to large network infrastructure, since 1988. Vast experience working with SMB and large corporations on many aspects of their IT solutions – networking, software, hardware, storage, security, business process & design.

– Team Lead & Management (Project & Helpdesk)

– Solution & Network Design for SMB & Large Corporate

– Creative Design, Problem solving & Troubleshooting

– Vendor & Product Evaluation

– Client Liason

– IT and Business Consultancy

– IT Security & GDPR

Specialties: Microsoft Server, Desktop, OSX, Virtualization Infrastructure, Wifi Design, Network Security, Network Infrastructure Design, Business Process Design (software), Email Solutions, Cloud Infrastructure, Business Continuity, Backup and Disaster Recovery

Josh Freifield

President & CEO of AxonTech

A highly skilled Network Engineer and outsourced IT Director with notable expertise developing and deploying innovative technical solutions to support an extensive client-base in both freelance and consultative engagements.

Ruben Young

Web Developer/Consultant

Ruben is a seasoned web developer with expertise in responsive WordPress web development, Graphic Design and Branding. His focus is on developing long lasting relationships with clients that have a strong work ethic and allow him to take the reigns on the creative side of any project.

RubenYoung.com@gmail.com | RubenYoung.com

Jason Harrison

Driven, self motivated, highly focused entrepreneur with extensive business and technology expertise.

Jim Bachaud

A number of years ago, I read “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. It had an enormous impact on who I constituted myself to be with respect to doing everything that I do, well. The concept of QUALITY presented there became my fixation and passion.

I bring this commitment to QUALITY to the work we do at Stratocent Technologies. In IT, there are many ways to cut corners or do things on the cheap. However, while it may not seem like such a big deal to cut corners in IT, when disaster strikes, or you have to be able to access critical data on the fly, or your business stops because you can’t figure out how to get to your email, doing IT with a focus on QUALITY is not only important, it’s critical.

We play hard at Stratocent. IT can be a lot of fun, there’s always new toys being offered in the marketplace, new gadgets, new ways to get things done. Our commitment to quality keeps us away from flash in the pan products of the week, and keeps our focus on what’s important – your data and your ability to get to it easily at any time from any place, while keeping it safe from people you don’t want to see it.

Frankly, I love making computers, email, networks, work. I love making it possible for you to focus on your business instead of swearing at your computer. Let’s talk and see what we can do for you and your business!

Michael Fraser

Entrepreneur – Technologist – Creative Thought Provoker – World’s Coolest Dad My passion is technology, my drive is innovation, and my life is guided by the universe.

Dana Epp

Dana Epp is a serial entrepreneur founding several security-based software technology companies that he has taken public or sold through acquisition. He has a passion for the startup growth mindset and believes that there aren’t challenges in every opportunity, but opportunities in every challenge. Everything is impossible until someone does it.

Dana has been awarded the distinction by Microsoft as an Enterprise Security MVP for over 14 years and has been a Microsoft Regional Director for 4 years, focusing on the convergence of writing and deploying secure software. He is an Azure Advisor for Microsoft offering suggestions, guidance and recommendations to Microsoft’s Azure strategy around technologies like cloud identity and security, containerization and serverless computing.

Darrel Bowman

Host of BizTech Talk The South Puget Sound’s Top Rated Radio Program on KLAY 1180 AM Featuring Conversations with local, regional and national business and technology leaders on how to move and improve their businesses.

• Managing Partner in Office in an Icon LLC, A Cloud Desktop/Server Technology Svcs Provider

• Managing Partner in MileStone Strategies LLC – An International Trading Company

• Past Member – Symantec National Small Business Security Advisory Panel

• Certified NxLevel Business Advisor and Instructor

• 2013/14 Chairman – South County Branch of The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

• Co-Author and Program Chair for 9 years of The Computer Information Systems Security (CISS) program which evolved into The Computer Information Systems, Networking and Security (CISNS) Technical Degree Program at Clover Park Technical College. An NSA Certified Certification & Degree Program.

• 10 years Chairman for The South Puget Sound IT and Emerging Technology Skills Advisory Panel focusing on Technology career path development for six Community and Technical Colleges, four Universities and twenty School Districts throughout the region.

• Advisor to Regional Universities, Community and Technical Colleges for Curriculum development of Technology Degree programs

• Frequently featured Business and Technology Speaker at numerous local, regional and national technology conferences speaking to workforce development and technical security.

• Frequent Contributor to a variety of industry trade publications regarding Technology Security

• 25+ years developing technology solutions for Small, Medium and Enterprise Corps/Govts emphasizing secure technology HW/SW designs including best practices & corporate policies.

Awards
• 2010 Tacoma – Pierce County Veteran Owned Business of the Year

• 2011 – National SBA Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year

Jenny Hallmark

Jenny has more than 13 years of experience in various operational and event roles, primarily in the technology field. She joined SMB Nation in 2007 in charge of all worldwide event logistics, conference development, contracts, and conference communications. Through the years, Jenny has worked in various roles at SMB Nation with her current role as president.

Prior to joining SMB Nation, Jenny worked at Microsoft in the conference center as an event manager. Her extensive work experience of event management coupled with her analytical abilities has enabled her to seamlessly plan events from large corporate meeting, product launches and tradeshows to fun team-building activities.

After spending as much time as she can with her family and friends, Jenny can be found enjoying the outdoors.

Hendrickson: The Education Debate – Certification v. Grad School

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