The information age has seen the transfers of hard files to tape, hard drives and virtual tape libraries (VTLs), and is currently seeing the ascension of data into the cloud. Advances in storage technology have been rapid. Last year’s servers, storage and data management methods have been enhanced and are newer, better, faster and more reliable. Whether you are a small business with a handful of employees or a multi-million dollar corporation, your company can realize greater efficiencies, cost savings and even competitive advantage but optimizing the way you store and access critical data.

If you would like to discuss a new data storage solution in NY, look no further than Siwel Consulting. Siwel builds state-of-the-art storage solutions using NetApp storage products, and is their “go to” partner in the New York City metropolitan area and beyond. Together Siwel and NetApp can transform your cumbersome, expensive data infrastructure into a more agile, efficient and cost-effective asset for your business. The results are clear and measurable: A Siwel-NetApp solution for your current data storage and infrastructure mismanagement can reduce your data center footprint by 50%, boost storage utilization by 200%, increase storage system performance by up to 400% and achieve ROI of up to 166%.

Data Storage in NY Goes to the Cloud

Right now is a vital time for those making NY Data Storage decisions. Many businesses, from SMBs to enterprise, are moving data to the cloud, whether it be a private cloud, hybrid cloud and/or public cloud. Siwel can help you integrate a NetApp data storage solution into your cloud. Siwel can also show you how to take advantage of all the efficiencies inherent in the cloud by developing strategies that capitalize on all the cloud’s main strengths.

Siwel is a NetApp Platinum Partner, and one of NetApp’s go-to consultants for Data Storage and data management in NY. Siwel has designed and implemented storage solutions built on a NetApp infrastructure in almost every kind of IT environment, in nearly every industry. They have extensive experience integrating NetApp into environments with disparate servers, storage, software and networking characteristics. Siwel is also a leader in virtualization, was one of the first partners of VMware in North America, and has been a partner of VMware for almost 20 years, Siwel is one of the most capable consulting firms currently developing data infrastructure solutions that link seamlessly and take greatest advantage of the benefits of the cloud. Siwel consultants have the unique ability to listen well, quickly identify key problems and issues, then plan and implement a solution that addresses all issues. This approach helps Siwel, NetApp and VMware clients develop the most cost-effective ways to achieve their key business objectives. Data Storage in NY is simply made easier with Siwel and NetApp.

Contact Siwel Consulting today for all of your Data Storage needs in NY. Learn more about unique data storage and management solutions built by Siwel and NetApp online at http://www.siwel.com/, by phone at 212.691.9326 or by e-mail at info@siwel.com.

You will learn how to:

• Save money by lowering secondary disk utilization and system resources by 90%
• Optimize your virtualization investment through increased virtual machine density and rapid server migration
• Lower expenditures by reducing primary storage by 50% through de-duplication
• Assure business continuity with backup success rates of 99% and instant system recovery
• Deliver more efficient data and application protection across physical and virtual servers, multi-vendor disk and tape

When: Tuesday, August 3
10am ET OR 2pm ET (2 sessions, please register for the one most convenient for you)

Where:

Click here to register for the 10 AM Webinar
Click here to register for the 2 PM Webinar

You will learn about:

• How do your company’s SAM program and audit-readiness stack up against the big boys?
• Strengths and weaknesses of SAM processes and procedures in real enterprise environments
• Where to look for the best opportunities to save money for your IT organization and your company through a more robust SAM program, and how to make SAM a strategic priority
• Threats facing companies with all levels of SAM sophistication – how do they view virtualization, audits, budget reductions and other challenges
• Desktop v. Data Center: Where do SAM practitioners see the greatest opportunities and needs?
• Deployments v. Entitlements: Do they sync up?

When: Tuesday, July 27
2:00 PM ET

Where: Click here to register for this webinar

When: Thursday, June 24
4:00 – 7:00 PM ET

Where: The Hard Bar & The Rooftop Garden
230 Fifth Avenue
New York City

Attire: Business / Business Casual

Click here to check out the rooftop at 230 Fifth!

The world of x86 computing is evolving, and chances are your business is feeling the pain.  You need more from your IT infrastructure now.  More performance.  More functionality.  More always-on access.  And let’s not forget more memory as your virtualization and application needs grow.  What you don’t need, however, are more demands on your existing resources and budget.  IBM and Intel have risen to the challenge and redefined x86 servers with the newest evolution of eX5 systems based on next-generation Intel  Xeon processors, code named Nehalem-EX; technology evolved to balance cost and efficiency with powerful performance.

Date:  Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Time:  12:00pm ET – 3:00pm ET

Location:  Bridgewaters @ South Street Seaport: 11 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038 (Terrace Room)

Attend this exclusive Lunch & Learn about how the power of eX5 can help your business:

• IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5
  Flagship System x platform for leadership scalable performance and capacity:

Realize premium performance of compute and memory-intensive workloads with a 4-socket, 4U rack-optimized scalable enterprise server.

• IBM System x3690 X5
  Industry’s first high-end scalable 2U, 2-socket server for maximum memory and performance:

Scale up from 2 sockets and 32 DIMMs to 4-sockets and 64 DIMMs.

• MAX5
  Greater productivity and utilization through memory expansion and flexibility in a 1U form factor:

Expand memory capacity without purchasing new systems or processors.

• HX5
  Scalable high end blade for high density compute and memory capacity:

Start with 2 processors and add capacity on demand with eX5 scalability.

Click here to download information on the IBM System x3850 X5 achitecture: eX5 Seminar_X3850_X5

Click to download information on IBM System x3690 X5 architecture:  eX5 Seminar_X3690_X5

Click to download information on IBM BladeCenter HX5 architecture:  eX5 Seminar_HX5

Presentation Slides: To download a copy of the presentation from this event:   Siwel_Intel & IBM eX5 Event_Presentation_041510

CISSPs received 4 CPE credit hours for attending.  One previous Angelbeat attendee from WalMart commented, “Of all the seminars I attend, your format is by far the best.  Brief, informative talks from vendors, followed by one-on-one time at their booth to find out more. I am out of the office for less than a day, yet I have access to all the different solutions.”  Watch Angelbeat on YouTube to see clips from past events and hear testimonials from other past attendees.

Topics at this complimentary seminar included:

• Server & Storage Virtualization
• Thin Client & VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure)
• Cloud Computing & Storage/Backup/Disaster Recovery & Data De-duplication
• Security & Networks
• Cisco Data Center – Server & Cloud Initiative
• 3G/4G High-Speed Wireless Smartphone: Google Android vs. BlackBerry vs. Windows Mobile
• Intel Energy-Efficient Chipset Platforms
• Windows 7 – Maximize Your Potential – Plus Azure Preview
• IBM 2010 Mainframe & Linux Strategies

Speaker:   Thomas Kraus, Director of Engineering – Siwel Consulting

Presentation Slides:  To download a copy of the presentation slides:  Siwel_VMware on NetApp_Angelbeat Seminar_040910

Click here to listen

Storage can no longer be “the tail wagging the dog,” as it has been in so many IT organizations. Virtualization has the potential to provide the same or a similar paradigm shift for storage.   Server virtualization has changed the rules.

Joe Castro, VP of Technology, presented Siwel’s Backup & Recovery Solutions as a NetApp Platinum Partner at this one-day seminar in NYC.

The presentation covers:

• NetApp V-Series Architecture
• Replication-Based Backup
• Making Storage Application Aware
• Siwel Consulting – NetApp Platinum Partner

Speaker Panel:   Joe Castro, VP of Technology – Siwel Consulting

Presentation Slides:  To download a copy of the presentation slides, click here: SiwelIAITAMFeb2010Webinar

Siwel Consulting, VMware and Neverfail have teamed together to bring you simple-to-implement solutions that keeps your applications up and running.  We can show you how to eliminate single points of failure.  You’ll be able to deliver apps to your users faster than ever before.  And, this solution is probably easier to operate than your existing setup.

The presentations cover:

• Virtualizing and Managing Tier 1 Applications with VMware
  • Performance of the Platform
  • Consolidation
  • Value of the Private Cloud
  • ISV Support
• Continuous Availability for Business Applications with Neverfail
  • Neverfail & Virtualization (vXtender)
• Siwel Consulting – Combining Best of Breed Technology with Expert Guidance

Presentation Slides:

Siwel Presentation
VMware Presentation
Neverfail Presentation

The presentation covers:

• Key  Virtualization Strategies
• IBM Sub Capacity Licensing—what is it and how do I qualify for it?
• ILMT Considerations & Challenges
• ILMT Management—Roles and Responsibilities
• Compliance Red Flags & Risk Mitigation Tips

Presentation Slides: To download a copy of the presentation slides, click here: SiwelIAITAMFeb2010Webinar

Replay: To hear a recording of this webinar, Click Here.

Learn more …

• To learn more about IBM’s License Metric Tool, download Siwel’s article from the December 2009 issue of ITAK Magazine: Putting the Puzzle Together: IBM’s Answer to Managing Server Virtualization

• To read the December 2009 issue of ITAK Magazine in its entirety, Click here.

This presentation covers:

• Strategy Development
• Maintenance – How much is too much?
• Terms & Conditions – The Good and the Bad
• Audit Risk Mitigation

Speaker: Barry Friedman – Siwel Consulting
Presentation Slides: To download a copy of the presentation slides, Webinar Presentation

Replay:  To listen to a recording of the webinar, Click Here.

Learn more …

During this webinar, “Best Practices for Software Contract Negotiations,” we received many excellent questions. Below you will find a list of these questions and Siwel’s response. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to send an email toSAM@siwel.com. Thank you!

1. Are there any circumstances where it might be better to NOT include any audit language in the contract? In other words, delete all of the vendor’s standard audit language and rely only on true-up documentation.

We have found that there are sometimes special circumstances that may benefit from radical audit terms and alternatives. However, generally speaking, going into a negotiation with a realistic expectation will help you in the long run. You will likely go farther by submitting your preferred terms to an audit rather than expect the vendor
to concede to forgo an audit altogether. Stipulations such as allowing 3rd party data findings in an audit response and setting response timelines that cater to your company’s workflow will demonstrate that you are realistic and knowledgeable in vendor relations. This approach will garner you more respect and psychological leverage in dealing with the vendor reps than trying to obtain unrealistic terms.

2. How flexible are vendors on accepting T’s&C’s changes?

These vendors tend to be more flexible with contracts of significant value or companies of a significant size. When a vendor knows they stand to gain more from the client in the long run by being amiable in a negotiation (additional licenses or acquisition requirements) they will work harder to “be on your side” to gain your confidence and trust. Conceding to the T’s&C’s you request is one way to achieve this. Typically
with small contracts and companies, these vendors have nothing to lose, and will likely invest less time in a negotiation, using a “Take It or Leave It” approach.

3. The disposition of the Software Vendor at license termination is often overlooked and puts the vendor in the driver’s seat at renewal. What terms have you successfully negotiated to protect the licensee?

The ability to re-deploy, re-use or harvest licenses once the original owner no longer requires the license is the number one contract term that we have successfully negotiated to assist with the efficient management of “retired” licenses. Outside of the contract however, there are processes that can and should be instituted within the SAM model to track license termination in order to have a handle on this data and related contract value.

4. How can you negotiate T’s&C’s if the vendor provides them via a EULA on their website?

Just because a vendor posts contract terms on a website does not mean they are not negotiable. As part of your preparation for entering into the contract, contact the vendor with your proposed T’s&C’s. Depending on the value of the contract or the nature of the terms, the vendor may be willing to tailor the T’s&C’s to your needs.

5. How do you approach the one-person-contact with the vendor when having legal departments review the contracts?

Have your legal department funnel all questions and information through the designated vendor contact. If further discussions or meetings require additional participation have the designated contact chair the meetings and manage the communications.

6. Do you have any recommendations of how to best maintain contracts and track the details of these contracts? We have multiple large agreements and large quantities of individual EULA software.

Developing a database where you can input various details and stipulations for contracts is one approach. Designated personnel can refer to the database when deploying licenses or when a specific question arises. Siwel has developed a sophisticated database that supports an acquisition portal, so those contract terms and conditions are enforced “automatically” upon the license request. We have found this method to be 99.9% efficient and accurate.

7. What is the average maintenance cost as a percentage of software purchase cost we can expect today?

The average maintenance cost percentage for server licenses can range from 20-25%. For desktop software license, this number can jump to 29% of the license cost.

8. What methods can be used to negotiate T’s&C’s with big corporations such as Microsoft?

Typically, a good cop, bad cop approach can gain you leverage over your vendor. A successful approach used by many companies is to have a 3rd party play the bad cop, so at the end of the negotiation, that 3rd party walks away and the integrity of the vendor/customer relationship is left intact. Additionally, holding firm to your stance and insisting to move things up the ladder on the vendor side rather than accepting an unfavorable response should also prove beneficial. Also, have an alternative to the Vendor product would be helpful in a “walk away” tactic. However, being able and willing to actually walk away is key to making this angle work.

9. When discussing negotiating audit terms, specifically the amount of time to respond, you mentioned conducting a self-audit so that you can “cure” noncompliance. What does this mean?

A self audit is going through the process of obtaining your company’s Net Licensing Position (NLP) by matching your software contract license entitlements to the software license types actually deployed in the company. Auditors typically do not differentiate between license types (such as limited use, evaluation and software as part of bundles and suites) and therefore they have a distorted view of license usage data. If done correctly, a self audit will be able to classify these license types as show a true view of license usage and compliance and be an effective method in an audit refute.

Backup is the one topic that continually plagues storage-focused IT professionals. Throughout the day, you can gain insight into:

• Top 10 way people misconfigure their backup systems, and how to avoid
  these mistakes
• Pros & Cons of different disk-based backup targets
• Overview of CDP, data reduction backup and replication-based backup systems
• Deduplication hardware
• Using dedupe to backup remote offices:  software or hardware route
• Encryption
• VMware & Backups ….and so much more!

Also, hear Joe Castro, Siwel’s very own VP of Technology, discuss Siwel
and our NetApp Solutions.  Then, come visit Siwel’s booth in the Exhibitor
area and talk to our engineering experts!

See more details at:
http://storagedecisions.techtarget.com/seminars/backup_school.html

This presentation covers:

• Software discovery functionality for the changing environment
• How new software licensing models  will challenge SAM programs
• Licensing models for SaaS, Cloud Computing, Named User, & Virtualization
• Positive steps to take to adapt the SAM program to manage the new models

Speaker Panel: Barry Friedman – Siwel Consulting Jenny Schuchert – IAITAM

Presentation Slides: To download a copy of the presentation slides, click here: November 2009 Webinar Presentation

Replay: To listen to a recording of the webinar, click here:Siwel Prepare Your SAM

The presentation covers:

Key Virtualization Strategies
IBM Sub Capacity Licensing—what is it and how do I qualify for it?
ILMT Considerations & Challenges
ILMT Management—Roles and Responsibilities
Compliance Red Flags & Risk Mitigation Tips
Speaker Panel: Jason Heckler, Vice President SAM Services – Siwel Consulting
Jenny Schuchert – IAITAM
Presentation Slides: To download a copy of the presentation slides, Click Here: Siwel AITAM Feb2010 Webinar

Replay: To hear a recording of this webinar, Click Here.

Learn more …

To learn more about IBM’s License Metric Tool, download Siwel’s article from the December 2009 issue of ITAK Magazine: ““Putting the Puzzle Together: IBM’s Answer to Managing Server Virtualization”
To read the December 2009 issue of ITAK Magazine in its entirety, Click here.