LightEdge Solutions Achieves Silver Certification from Cisco

DES MOINES, IA – October 16, 2012 – LightEdge Solutions announced today it has achieved Silver Certification from Cisco^®.  To earn Silver Certification, LightEdge had to meet rigorous standards for networking competency, service, support and customer satisfaction set forth by Cisco.

“Achieving Cisco Silver Reseller Certification is yet another validation of our accomplishments as LightEdge continues to redefine itself from a managed services provider to a complete Information Technology business partner,” said Jim Masterson, chairman and CEO of LightEdge Solutions.  “Through our collaboration with Cisco and the use of Cisco routing, switching and compute platforms, LightEdge is uniquely positioned to implement and deliver high availability IT services for our customers though managed platforms within our data center, dedicated on-premise customer-owned platforms or a hybrid of the two for the highest level of reliability and elastic scalability.”

“Cisco is committed to providing tools, training and programs to help drive partner growth, differentiation and profitability,” said Surinder Brar, senior director of worldwide channels at Cisco.  “With specializations in Advanced Unified Computing, Advanced Unified Communications, Telepresence Express and Advanced Data Center Architecture, LightEdge has made an investment in delivering the integrated and customized technology solutions today’s customers demand.”

As a Cisco Silver Certified Partner, LightEdge has met requirements for attaining a broad range of expertise.  To achieve Cisco Silver Certification LightEdge was required to achieve either two from the following four Cisco advanced specializations:  Unified Communications, Routing and Switching, Security, and Wireless LAN, or the Cisco Express Unified Communications Specialization and one of the following advanced specializations:  Routing and Switching, Security, and Wireless LAN.  In addition, LightEdge was required to integrate Cisco Lifecycle Services into their offerings and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction based on independently audited customer satisfaction surveys.

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides partners with the training required to build sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills, and then validates their skills through a third-party audit.  Cisco resale partner certifications—Gold, Silver, Premier and Select—represent an increasing breadth of skills across key technologies and a partner’s ability to deliver integrated networking solutions.  Cisco resale partner specializations—Master, Advanced and Express—reflect an increasing depth of sales, technical and service expertise in particular technologies.

About LightEdge Solutions

LightEdge Solutions is a customer-centric cloud computing and consulting company devoted to solving the IT issues of businesses nationwide. By utilizing our economies of scale, connections with world-class vendors and our own internal passion for engineering, LightEdge allows its customers to “plug in” to enterprise-grade IT solutions that maximize uptime and performance, yet fit into their budget. For more information, visit www.lightedge.com.

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Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems Inc. in the United States and certain other countries.

Yes or No to BYO: What’s the best approach for your business?

By Todd Wirth, LightEdge Engineer

The invitation list to the “Bring Your Own” party is expanding.  Before you RSVP, however, consider the impact…and the potential impact on your voice communications.

Most people have access to high speed Internet connections via cable, DSL, WiFi, or cellular data plans.  SmartPhone and Tablet use is growing and the costs are coming down.  Businesses are accommodating these trends with complex “Bring Your Own Device” and “Bring Your Own Bandwidth” policies.

Because of these trends, many users are now working over the Internet and on their own devices from various locations including home, libraries, airports, and hotels.  As a business owner, it makes financial sense to leverage these resources.  As much as possible, you can enhance your employee experience by allowing access to your company’s systems from whatever device they choose.

There are few obstacles accessing email over BYO networks or on BYO devices, but can corporate voice services be accessed as easily in a BYO environment?

Voice-over-IP is flexible enough to work over any high speed network including the Internet.  Technology is not the obstacle.  Much like the early days of cellular phones, VoIP over the public Internet should probably be avoided for critical calls to make sure that communication is reliable and high quality.

Voice services over ill-prepared data networks are sensitive to connection properties such as latency, jitter, and packet loss.  The best communications solution is to have a dedicated connection to provide all of your data needs including VoIP.  This allows network controls to traffic flow and quality of service.  With a well-managed connection you can have excellent quality.

There are situations, however, where installing dedicated connections does not make business sense.  For example, there is no need to add a WAN connection to a small remote office in a complex that receives high speed Internet as a utility.  Another instance would be when working from a hotel room. In these cases, the Internet can be used to provide a simple and consistent business presentation.  Tolerance is the key as quality will vary.

Simple communication needs:

1. One number to be called regardless of where the employee is working.
2. One number to show on calling line identification on outbound calls.
3. Easy (and if possible fun) solutions.
4. “Good” quality calls*

*It is important to note again that Voice communication in the BYO world is a cautionary tale.  Voice streams must be real-time to deliver the expected conversation experience.  Any network anomalies will affect conversations. 

The Public Internet is wrought with anomalies.  The best way to use the public Internet in voice solutions is to:

1. Know the connectivity.
2. Have alternatives.
3. Be flexible

When setting up VoIP on public Internet, you should get to know the connection. Test the speeds. Assess the viability of voice communication over the network throughout several timeframes.  As part of a BYO installation, LightEdge uses professional assessment tools to make sure that VoIP will work.

On good networks the best alternative is use an Internet Proxy to register your communication device (IP phone, soft phone, etc.).   Utilizing the best technology including low bandwidth codecs and encryption will provide safe good quality communications.

On networks with quality issues, there are several VoIP alternatives that utilize public telephone or cellular networks.  VoIP Anywhere features can be used with or without Smartphone apps for signaling but use a telephone network for voice quality.   This a great alternative to using expensive hotel phones, for example, when the in-room Internet is less than stellar.

Flexibility in communications over the Internet is important.  Realizing that you have different methods that can provide high quality, secure and inexpensive communications can make BYO a real party.

Bring your own Device (BYOD)

 

SAN JOSE, Calif. – May 16, 2012 – Cisco today announced findings from the Cisco IBSG Horizons Study of 600 U.S. IT and business leaders that shows IT is accepting, and in some cases embracing, “bring your own device” (BYOD) as a reality in the enterprise. The study shows some of the quantifiable benefits and complexities associated with allowing employees to use their own mobile devices on their employers‘ networks. Coinciding with the publication of the study, Cisco also highlighted “Smart Solutions” for the enterprise and opportunities for service providers to help customers, and end users, make the most of mobility experiences in the office, at home, or on-the-go.

The study found most organizations are now enabling BYOD in the enterprise, with a staggering 95% of respondents saying their organizations permit employee-owned devices in some way, shape or form in the workplace. This study also concluded that the average number of connected devices per knowledge worker is expected to reach 3.3 by 2014, up from an average of 2.8 in 2012. IT managers are balancing security and support concerns with the very real potential to reap significant cost and productivity benefits from the BYOD trend.

Read more: Cisco Study: IT Saying Yes To BYOD – FierceEnterpriseCommunications http://www.fierceenterprisecommunications.com/press-releases/cisco-study-it-saying-yes-byod?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal#ixzz1v9HmdMfg

Partnering with Strength – LightEdge’s relationship with Cisco

Starting with a complete refresh of our network switches in 2006, LightEdge has standardized on Cisco gear for devices related to our managed services and more recently for the UCS platforms that we base our Virtual Server infrastructure on.  Over the past year, however, LightEdge has executed on a strategy to get closer with Cisco and become one of their most important partners both relates to the devices that we use in our data center and the devices that we sell through our consulting department.

Getting close has its price.  We’ve hired a dedicated vendor liaison to manage our relationship with Cisco, and have been through several business audits with Cisco analysis teams.  Today LightEdge is one of only 11 Cisco Cloud Providers in Infrastructure as a Service and a Cisco Premier Reseller.  Clearly the results are worth the effort that we have put in as our Cisco device sales grew incredibly over 2011.

Cisco has clearly had a great year, based on their recently announced earnings.  Read more about Cisco’s earnings

LightEdge Solutions Achieves Cisco Cloud Provider Certification

LightEdge is very proud to say that it has been certified as a Cisco Cloud Provider and is one of only 11 companies in the United States with a Cisco Powered Cloud Service (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) designation.  Because so few providers have been certified to this level, it puts LightEdge in a very unique position  to provide reliable and effective Private, Public and Hybrid Cloud solutions based on a Cisco powered infrastructure.

In addition to the Cisco Cloud Provider designation, LightEdge holds a Premier Reseller certification which enables the company to sell premise-based equipment.  In combination both certs allow LightEdge to focus on providing the most effective solution for its customers whether it is delivered in a LightEdge or customer-managed data center.

LightEdge Solutions Achieves Cisco Cloud Provider Certification with Cisco Powered Cloud Service Designation

Recognized for Expertise in Deploying and Managing Cisco Cloud Solutions

Des Moines, IA – January 18, 2011 – To support the expanding role of the network in deploying cloud services, LightEdge Solutions announced today it has achieved the Cisco Cloud Provider Certification with a Cisco Powered Cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) designation.

The Cisco Cloud Provider Certification recognizes LightEdge Solutions’ investment in building, owning and operating its own data centers to offer cloud services (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) in a multitenant environment to end customers. Additionally, as a Cisco Powered IaaS designation, LightEdge Solutions’ cloud offering is deployed using a Cisco validated infrastructure.

“The entire LightEdge team, from engineering to sales, stands proudly behind this accomplishment,” said Jeff Springborn, president and COO of LightEdge Solutions. “With a geographically redundant cloud infrastructure located in our data centers and the ability to sell Cisco UCS devices on-premise, we have a truly unique ability to offer our customers access to any cloud configuration that they could want – Public, Private and Hybrid.”

The Cisco Cloud Partner Program empowers channel partners to build end-to-end cloud solutions and professional services practices based on Cisco cloud computing infrastructure. This program offers training based on Cisco best practices, tools, intellectual property as well as one-on-one mentoring to help channel partners as they enhance their competencies in selling and implementing end-to-end cloud services.

For additional details on LightEdge’s services based on Cisco Cloud infrastructure, please contact LightEdge Sales at 877-771-3343, e-mail info@lightedge.com or visit http://www.lightedge.com.

About LightEdge Solutions

LightEdge Solutions is a customer-centric cloud computing company devoted to solving the IT issues of businesses nationwide.  By utilizing our economies of scale, connections with world-class vendors and our own internal passion for engineering, LightEdge allows its customers to “plug in” to enterprise-grade IT solutions that maximize uptime and performance, yet fit into their budget.  For more information, visit www.lightedge.com.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems Inc. in the United States and certain other countries.

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LightEdge to Bring Managed IT Services and Consulting Solutions to Kansas City

Anschutz-owned Company Implemented Enterprise-grade Cloud Computing Platform in KC

KANSAS CITY, MO, January 11, 2011 – LightEdge Solutions is pleased to announce that it has expanded its full-breadth of managed IT business services and consulting solutions into the Kansas City market.  As the trend of cloud-based IT adoption continues to grow and high bandwidth opportunities become more readily available, LightEdge is confident that it can add valuable Information Technology services to businesses in Kansas City and surrounding suburbs.

Headquartered in Des Moines, IA, LightEdge Solutions was founded in 1996 and subsequently purchased in 2008 by Qwest-founder Phil Anschutz, through his Anschutz Investment Company.  The company began as a traditional Internet Service Provider (ISP), but quickly transitioned to a cloud-based service model when the current management team was added in 2004.  LightEdge was one of the first providers to offer Hosted Voice-over-IP services and was ranked as a “visionary” in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications-as-a-Service for two successive years.  LightEdge was also the nation’s first provider of an   integrated BroadSoft VoIP infrastructure with Hosted Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) unified communications solution.  Most recently LightEdge has launched a Public/Private/Hybrid cloud server solution based on a Cisco UCS computing environment and VMware.

“The timing for this market expansion could not be more perfect,” commented Jim Masterson, chairman and CEO of LightEdge Solutions. “We’re approaching a convergence of a fundamental adoption of cloud services by the business IT community and an incredible ability to access very affordable high-speed bandwidth through Google’s Kansas City fiber initiative.”

During the latter half of 2011, LightEdge added a local sales staff, data center colocation space within the Bryant Building and developed an enterprise-grade Cloud Computing platform based on Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) and VMware virtualization software in the Kansas City market.  This platform can be used in conjunction with a similar environment located in LightEdge’s state-of-the-art, free-standing data center facility located just outside of the Des Moines metro area or as part of a hybrid cloud solution with on-premise compute/storage environments.

“What we’re bringing to the market is a real game-changer for the way businesses look at delivering IT services,” remarked T.J. Bangs, regional vice president of sales for LightEdge.  “Through a consumption-based model we’re offering the businesses of Kansas City the ability to simply ‘plug in’ to enterprise-grade IT services like Cloud Computing, Voice-over-IP, Managed Security and Unified Communications with minimal capex and maximum flexibility.”

In addition to cloud-based IT services, LightEdge has a full-service consulting group and is certified to sell, implement and manage premise-based Cisco and EMC devices.  This unique ability allows LightEdge to fulfill the role of Public, Private and Hybrid cloud, giving a business the ability to leverage compute and storage in the Public cloud to ensure optimal performance during temporary or seasonal usage bursts.

For additional details on LightEdge’s managed IT service offerings and consulting services for the Kansas City Market please contact LightEdge Sales at 877-771-3343, e-mail info@lightedge.com or visit http://www.lightedge.com.

About LightEdge Solutions

LightEdge Solutions is a customer-centric cloud computing and consulting company devoted to solving the IT issues of businesses nationwide.  By utilizing our economies of scale, connections with world-class vendors and our own internal passion for engineering, LightEdge allows its customers to “plug in” to enterprise-grade IT solutions that maximize uptime and performance, yet fit into their budget.  For more information, visit www.lightedge.com.

 

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Cisco CallManager/Unified CallManager Support

Through our recent Cisco Advanced Unified Communications certification, LightEdge is now proud to offer solutions and services based on Cisco Unified Communications Suite, including Unified Communications Manager, Unity, Cisco Presence and Unified Contact Center Express. We have created several options that we feel will be well received in the market – from very small companies looking for a turnkey solution to enterprise level companies looking for advanced features and the ability to administer the entire system efficiently.

• Shared/Hosted – this is the simplest and most turnkey offering. Unified Communications Manager hosted in a multi-tenant shared environment similar to our HostedPBX offering. In this model, your company utilizes CallManager as a service for a predictable monthly cost and no upfront costs for software licensing or server hardware.
• Dedicated/Hosted – in this model, the customer purchases the necessary licenses (or uses existing licenses) and moves the platform to the LightEdge virtualization environment. The advantage being a centralized platform based on redundant Cisco UCS devices within a secure data center with multiple power options and having the option to run whatever version or modules that you wish.
• On-Premise – for larger companies with their own data center, the on-premise option gives the flexibility and control of keeping the platform onsite and can offer the ability to integrate with other applications that are hosted on-site. In this instance, LightEdge can help you with as much or as little as you need. From purchasing a Cisco UCS device to procuring Cisco licensing to installation, troubleshooting and future maintenance.

If you currently have Cisco CallManager or any product in the Unified Communications platform, please consider the Voice-over-IP professionals at LightEdge for your maintenance contract. We have a strong alliance with Cisco, and are dedicated to offering the best IT services based on our Cisco network.

LightEdge Launches VMware vCloud for Cloud Computing Customers

LightEdge one of only two VMware Partners in Iowa with vCloud Capabilities

DES MOINES, IA, August 30, 2011 – LightEdge Solutions, a customer-centric leader in cloud computing and resilient collocation services, today announced that it has launched the initial phase of a vCloud administrative portal for its virtual server customers.  This addition elevates LightEdge within the industry as one of only two VMware VSPP partners in the Iowa with vCloud capabilities in place to support their public and private cloud virtual server customers.  LightEdge will use this tool as a critical differentiator for the company to continue to drive the rapidly expanding cloud computing market place.

The initial launch to existing customers is the first step of an ambitious multi-staged process that is expected to be completed before the end of the year.  The vCloud portal will ultimately allow customers to create, deploy, monitor and manage their Cloud-based virtual servers quickly and easily from a single application centered in LightEdge’s own “MyLightEdge” online support environment.  Through the portal customers will be able to review their entire VM environment, make real-time resource updates and schedule backup snapshots to protect their systems.

“The addition of the vCloud portal will be a complete game-changer for the way that our customers are able to monitor, scale and manage their Virtual Server environments,” said Jeff Springborn, COO and president of LightEdge Solutions. “Customers will be able to scale resources for temporary traffic increases directly from the administrative portal at any time of day or night to ensure optimum performance of their application or website.”

LightEdge’s public and private cloud computing environment is based on components from leading vendor partners: Cisco, VMware and EMC.  LightEdge is also currently one of only eleven companies in the United States that has achieved a “Cloud Provider” certification with Cisco.

For details on LightEdge’s Cloud Computing services and vCloud implementation, please contact LightEdge Sales at 877-771-3343, e-mail info@lightedge.com or visit http://www.lightedge.com.

About LightEdge Solutions

LightEdge Solutions is a customer-centric cloud computing company devoted to solving the IT issues of small and medium-sized businesses nationwide.  By utilizing our economies of scale, connections with world-class vendors and our own internal passion for engineering, LightEdge is able to offer our customers solutions fit their budget and allow them to concentrate on their core business, without worrying about the technology that supports it.  For more information, visit www.lightedge.com.

LightEdge Solutions Achieves Cisco Advanced Managed Services and Premier Certifications

 LightEdge Solutions Achieves Cisco Advanced Managed Services and Premier Certifications

Company Expands Expertise in Delivering Managed Services and Implementing On-premise IT Solutions

Des Moines, IA – June 14, 2011 – LightEdge Solutions announced today it has achieved Cisco^® Advanced Managed Services and Premier Certifications. These certifications recognize LightEdge’s investment in the ITIL® processes, practices and tools necessary to provide high-quality managed services while meeting standards for networking competency, service, support and customer satisfaction set forth by Cisco.

“These certifications will truly add another dimension to our ability to benefit our customers”, remarked Jim Masterson, chairman and CEO of LightEdge Solutions.  “Since 1996, LightEdge has been a leader in delivering hosted technology solutions and the Cisco Advanced Managed Services certification will reinforce our traditional role of a data center-based service provider.  The Cisco Premium Reseller certification, however, opens LightEdge to additional markets through the ability to sell and implement on-premise infrastructure.  In our minds, both the hosted and on-premise models have great value and LightEdge’s strength will be bridging both models together through the LightEdge Hybrid Cloud.”

As a Cisco Advanced Managed Services Certified Partner, LightEdge has made an investment in a network operations center and has demonstrated the ability to support at least two customers, validated via an independent audit by an objective third-party auditor.

“Cisco is committed to providing tools, training and programs to help drive partner growth, differentiation and profitability,” said Surinder Brar, senior director of worldwide channels at Cisco.  “With specializations in Express Foundation, LightEdge has made an investment in delivering the integrated and customized technology solutions today’s customers demand.”

As a Cisco Premier Certified Partner LightEdge demonstrates a range of technical expertise.  To achieve Cisco Premier Certification, LightEdge was required to achieve the Cisco Express Foundation Specialization. This specialization includes tests on technical competency in the integration of basic routing and switching, wireless LANs, and security technologies. In addition, LightEdge was required to integrate a base level of Cisco Lifecycle Services into their offerings and demonstrate measurably high levels of customer satisfaction based on independently audited customer satisfaction surveys.

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides partners with the training required to build sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills.  Cisco resale partner certifications—Gold, Silver, Premier and Select—represent an increasing breadth of skills across key technologies and a partner’s ability to deliver integrated networking solutions.  Cisco resale partner specializations—Master, Advanced, Express and Architecture—reflect an increasing depth of sales, technical and service expertise in particular technologies.

About LightEdge Solutions

LightEdge Solutions is a customer-centric cloud services and consulting company devoted to solving the IT issues of small and medium-sized businesses nationwide.  By utilizing our economies of scale, connections with world-class vendors and our own internal passion for engineering, LightEdge is able to offer our customers solutions that fit their budget and allow them to concentrate on their core business, without worrying about the technology that supports it.  For more information, visit www.lightedge.com.

LightEdge Solutions^®, the LightEdge Solutions logo and Scale-on-Demand™ are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of LightEdge Solutions, Inc.

Cisco, the Cisco logo and Cisco TelePresence are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems Inc. in the United States and certain other countries. ITIL is a registered trademark, and a registered community trademark, of the Office of Government Commerce, and is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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Virtualization Survey Results

LightEdge Solutions recently surveyed our customer and prospect bases on their understanding and use of Virtualization.

Brief Summary (See charts below)

1. We were surprised to see that a full 25% of respondents were unfamiliar with Virtualization and an additional 17% used Virtualization but wish they had a stronger background and understanding level of Virtualization.  33% reported that they currently used Virtualization and felt comfortable with their knowledge level.
2. The perception of Virtualization is that it will be a “game-changer” for IT.  54% of respondents said that it would fundamentally change IT, while another 30% said that it was a good alternative for internally-facing IT systems.  No one claimed that Virtualization would “provide no lasting benefits”, which basically implies that the push to Virtualization is not seen as a short-term fad or marketing hype.
3. With regard to the most compelling attributes of Virtualization, our respondents were deadlocked at 25% for Value and Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery, with Flexibility and Scalability at 20% and 16% respectively.
4. The biggest shortcoming noted in our survey was simply a lack of knowledge based on the fact that Virtualization is relatively new and has not been adopted significantly in offices with fewer than 100 employees (the survey’s target group).  While large enterprise companies have a higher adoption of Virtualization, the general feeling of this survey is that Virtualization is well thought of and that the main thing holding it back is additional knowledge about how Virtualization works, when it makes the most sense, how to implement and manage, as well as, what cost reductions can be achieved through Virtualization.  (Note: LightEdge, in conjunction with Cisco and vmware, will be holding several Virtualization and Cloud Computing events later this Spring to help our customers and prospects better understand the topics around Virtualization.)
5. Consistent with the previous question bullet item, when asked what topics were most of interest it seems that there is a great and varied need for additional information with 56% requesting information about Management and Maintenance, 44% needing information on both Business Continuity and Security.

Conclusion

It appears that there is a strong positive impression for Virtualization but a lack of complete understanding for the demographic surveyed.  We feel that by using our partnerships and internal resources to offer education sessions related to Virtualization that we can assist our customers and prospects in making strategic decisions for the appropriate use of Virtualization to improve Flexibility, Scalability and Business Continuity in their current and future IT platforms.