March 31, 2010
What a month! I’m feeling a bit wiped out from the move and I think my son Deeko has the right idea. It’s sounds good but not an option at this point. I have been working extended days in the hopes of taking advantage of some long weekends with the family this summer. Before I start fantasizing about the summer I’ll try and keep it in the now. March was a terrific month for AMRCON and the Rudko’s. As you know the move is well under way and going very well, you can read about that in the other posts. So I’ll keep it on the personal note side.
As we all gain momentum in our business year I sometimes find it difficult to break away and find some balance. My wife usually plans some weekend events with the kids but it’s sometimes still difficult to slow the mind down. So over the year I sought out some tools to help me find balance. I feel that I have the spiritual and emotional aspects under control, but after losing 30 pounds over the past year I felt I needed to get back into running. Some type of physical activity whether it be working out, running, or even walking was once a big part of my daily routine. In fact in high school I ran an average of 8-10 miles daily. I still hold a few records as well as under a 5 minute mile personal best. Thus I’ve been having issues with my knees. I guess you can’t have it all. I’m still pushing and running a few miles twice a week.
I started the process by going to the RoadRunner in Shrewsbury, NJ to get fitted for some sneakers and custom insoles, they were great. Being an engineer I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I was with the technology they had to properly fit my feet with the right running sneaker. I highly recommend them, check it out.
My balance seems to help me stop in the evening regardless of the amount of hours I put in, which right now is about 10-12 a day. I’m energized in the morning and rarely have slow 
afternoons. So I think there is something to be said about maintaining balance. The weekends are great when I’m with the kids and Sunny, it seems I can be there with more concentration. Not just physically being there and mentally elsewhere. These are my guys to the right as of March. Santino will be 4 in May and Deeko just turned 1 in December. Not sure where all the time goes. I wish everyone well in April, enjoy the nice weather finally. Again, everyone is welcome to come visit our new site anytime. Be sure to follow our grand opening event that we will be posting soon.
March 26, 2010
Those of you that have visited the old AMRCON office know that a part of the complexity that we’ve been battling through was the fact that our support and administrative floors were completely separated from floor to floor. The upstairs administrative office has been completely vacated from 92D Broad Street and as of today I am proud to say is up and running at the new location at 1070 State Route 34 in Matawan. The new floor plan will have everyone on the same floor. Although not everyone will fully enjoy having me walk the support floor more often, logistically our office will run that much more efficiently having everyone an arms reach to provide the support to our clients.
Although were not in our permanent seat locations, I am living it up a bit with 20 feet of windows working temporarily in the conference room. The new office has a total of 70 feet of solid windows. A different feel completely from the old office and will benefit my entire staff. Sounds funny right? How will we benefit? Studies show that employees (me included) are in better spirits with more sunlight, thus why some people get into a slump in the winter months because of the shorter days. Now don’t get me wrong traffic watching does no one any good, but I’m very excited to be able to provide such a nice office with many amenities to my hard working staff.
Brenda, Alexis and myself are the only staff that will be working out of the new site until the downstairs support office at 92 Broad street is moved next month. This way our administrative work load will not be disrupted with the remaining build-out tasks that keep us going back and forth to the new office. If you visit us you will find the three of us in the front of the office ready to greet our visitors, vendors and clients.
This was just a quick post to keep everyone up to date. More news to come during the week. I welcome all to stop by and say hello. I’d be more than happy to give a tour and answer any questions. It’s all coming along and working according to plan. A great site to visit for anyone to check out an office move, or new build-out for a new space. Dee Rudko – CEO
March 16, 2010
Wright Line has been a partner of AMRCON since it’s beginning. In fact I have been working with them in other businesses since 1998. Their furniture technology and lifetime guarantee were among 2 of the top reasons they were our first choice. So let me take you through a brief history. In 1999 the company that I was with purchased data center, office furniture and advanced network operation center furnishings, which were employed for several years. The solutions were second to none. It went through aggressive daily use and maintained perfect utilization and appearance. In 2008 the original company was absorbed by a company that decided to close that office. AMRCON purchased the furnishings and shipped them to Keyport, were they were redeployed into our NOC, back office and other areas. We needed very little refitting and Wright Line was happy to provide new CAD drawings on how they could be redistributed. If you’ve visited the office over the past 2 years you would have seen the solutions. Now that AMRCON is moving, Wright Line has agreed to assist us in new designs to refit the furniture once again and make certain that we are getting the maximum out of our assets.
This will now be the 3rd home for some of these pieces. The point is that even when items were damaged in shipping Wright Line was there. Even when we needed new pieces to fit new configurations, Wright Line still produced the parts. Even when we needed to purchase new solutions to add to our office and match to existing aspects, Wright Line was able to provide the solutions. We’ve always been able to get parts quickly, service to assist us in reassembly and getting new CAD drawings to get an idea of how things were going to look. The bottom line is AMRCON has a personal story to share here. We have a proven track record with an investment originally made over 10 years ago, still innovative, still providing a great solution for years to come. What do you look for in a furniture solutions provider? Are you working direct with a manufacturer or a broker/dealer? There is a difference I invite you to contact our representative with any questions at anytime Dennis Kilgariff dennis.kilgariff@wrightline.com or 215-778-5483.
So here is a peek at what AMRCON will be deploying in the new site, click on any of the drawings found on this page. Take a look around and let us know if you have any questions. These drawings and more will be available in the new office, where each CAD drawing will be posted on the corresponding walls. We will have before and after shots to give you an idea how you might be able to use Wright Line in the future.
March 9, 2010
Much of our build-out project is well underway. In fact the planning for our project started months ago, I wanted to mention that in case we make everything look too easy and very fast. Proper project management is a skill in its self. We are proud to have several members of our staff that have worked on countless projects far more detailed and larger than our humble move. The new space is a 2600 square foot operation from our current 1400 square feet.
All of the engineering changes have taken place and the walls are all set in place. Painting the office took place just this week. Some minor electrical changes took place, but a few other changes are required as well later on. A few walls were removed to make room for our Network Operations Center, where we will be able to comfortably double the amount of technical staff over the upcoming years. As you can see here to the left, our reception area received some extra attention. Just today our sign vendor met with us to properly plan our needs and moving of our current neon signs to the new location. Our carpet will be down in the next 10 days, where we can then begin some of our physical move and technical aspects.
Next week we expect to have our security design plans complete, including our locksmith needs. Our video surveillance and alarm needs to follow. Our primary Internet lines will be 
installed towards the end of the week which gives our new office life. Shortly thereafter our back up lines and remaining communications aspects will be completed. Our furniture requirements are pending approval this week. Our conference room plans for a combination conference room, training area and webinar stage will be ready to install. We really can’t wait for the use we’ll get out of that.
On the back end our administrative staff are really excited since it seems we will be ahead of schedule and they are the first to move. However they are very busy planning some of our events based around our big move. They include our next training day for our Agent Program and Level 2 Consultants Program. We’re excited that we will have such a perfect room outfitted for them. The next is our grand opening month of discounting to help promote our new walk-in area as well as new Managed Service client discounts. We will follow with an official ribbon cutting and evening grand opening event for our fellow partners, vendors, clients, friends and family.
More updates to come, stay tuned. Dee Rudko, CEO
March 8, 2010
With Windows Vista having never received more than a lukewarm reception (at best), many eyes have turned towards Microsoft’s next OS. The company says it has learned from its mistakes and promises to do better this time around with Windows 7. Since it will come pre-installed on most new desktop PCs and notebooks, Windows 7 will inevitably gain a certain installation base. The situation was different when Windows Vista was released, as many users chose to stick with Windows XP for the time being. That won’t be as much of an option this time, since most companies no longer offer XP. Of course, manually downgrading will still be possible if you have an installation disc and a valid license. On the other hand, Windows 7 is generally being seen in a much more favorable light than Vista anyway. It looks like a lot of users may give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt.
Windows Vista was harassed with many complaints and negative reviews but high hopes are set for Windows 7. Windows 7 has created hustle and bustle and has become the talk of the town. Windows 7 flags many new features that are smooth and highly finished. Many enhanced features have been introduced such as new graphical features, enhanced task bar and security that makes it safer and user friendly. Additionally, it does not demand hardware upgrades that were needed in Windows Vista. Microsoft released and made available beta and one release candidate for public testing process for Windows 7 which is the largest shareware trial period offered by any and it does not prove to be irritating as Vista was. Microsoft is providing the users with six versions of Windows 7: Starter, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, OEM, and Enterprise but basically three versions are being promoted by Microsoft; Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate.
The best improvements that Microsoft has made are in taskbar that features pinned program, jump lists, aero peek, aero snap, aero shake, etc. It is now quite easier to resize the windows, change theme packages. With windows media player you can stream media files, over the network, to another computer. Device stage allows you to combine printers. Native search features have also been improved in Windows 7, all the files that are added to hard drive can be easily indexed. use your fingers over mouse with new touch features. Many new features have been introduced in Windows 7 that surpasses the reputation created by earlier operating systems. Windows 7 is obviously not a Vista service pack. Windows 7 has a lot of new features and is clearly designed to fix all bad things people said about Vista. This means that Windows 7 is what Vista should have been in the people eyes. Windows 7 will totally feel like a revelation from the glassy future if you are coming from Windows XP. You’ll definitely say that Windows 7 is much better than Vista if you are upgrading your computer or laptop from Vista.
The bad effect of Windows Vista
Clearly, the public opinion of Windows Vista has left a deep impact on Microsoft. However, based on the biggest Windows 7 beta testing process in history, we can say that it sure won’t look like the upset Vista launch at all. There was a solid chance that your computer ran like crap or your programs didn’t work if you installed Vista on your PC within the first month of its release as the drivers compatible with Vista were not available. But that’s not the case with Windows 7. Windows 7 hardware requirements are basically the same as they are for Vista and it runs better than Vista on that hardware. Windows XP was a great OS of its time. Windows Vista failed to wind people hearts. But what people said about Windows 7 was that it is more fast, solid and the easiest Windows yet. Windows 7 is something people can grab without fear.
The Windows 7 Professional edition is designed for small business users.
It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to join in a Windows Server domain. Windows 7 Professional offers various features that you won’t find it in Windows 7 Home and Starter editions. Additional features include features like Remote Desktop server, XP Mode, Network Backup, Offline files, AppLocker, BitLocker to go and ability to join a domain.
1. XP Mode: Windows 7 supports virtualization, so you can run Windows-XP-compatible applications. XP mode will allow you to run your existing applications on Windows 7 system. Windows XP Mode is an add-on for Windows 7 Professional and higher that comes in two parts, each of which has its own setup. The first is Windows Virtual PC, a new version of Microsoft’s free desktop virtualization platform, and the second is Virtual Windows XP itself, which is a virtual hard drive pre-loaded and licensed with Windows XP Service Pack 3. XP Mode will be available to Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate users.
2. Backup to network: Doesn’t sound like a big convenience, but beats the pants off having to provide and/or manage plug-in external USB drives when big storage or backup servers are readily available.
3. Offline files: New enhancements to this capability which controls synchronization between local and network copies of files, especially those that support policies about which ones sync and which ones don’t, may be appealing or convenient for IT professionals but probably not to end users.
4. Join Windows Domain: Absolutely, positively essential for most corporate or organizational networks. If users want to get any work done on the business network, they must first log in. If they can’t interact with Active Directory.
5. Remote Desktop Host: A great tool for IT professionals who might need to poke around on, or manage end-user computers remotely. Unless your help desk/IT staff have some kind of analogous third-party tool set, go to My PC, Remote Control Pro, numerous versions of VNC, and so on.
6. AppLocker: It is a secure, easy to use utility that enables IT professionals to determine exactly what is allowed to run on user desktops. It restricts unauthorized software while allowing applications, installation programs, and scripts that users need.
7. BitLocker & BitLocker To Go: This tool protects data on systems and provides encryption for removable drives, with manageability to enforce encryption and backup of recovery keys. Windows 7 extends BitLocker protection to USB storage devices while making the original functionality even easier to use.
March 4, 2010
Recently, we spent countless hours developing the best representation of our company in a full-color printed brochure. We redeveloped our Mission Statement and executive staff biographies and learned what our clients think about our company. We wanted the brochure to tell the story. And when you read it, I think you will find we did just that.
Although AMRCON is not the only Managed Service Provider ”MSP” out there, we know we set ourselves apart. In fact through the process of speaking to our clients for this brochure, we found several instances where we earned the business because of our native abilities. I think the MSP business is about customization and adaptation. We’re very proud to have Proctor & Gamble from a competitive experience. When we asked what made the difference, we were very surprised to find that our experience and thorough process of treating each client’s individual needs as the template to provide our ODS services. Although we have guidelines, protocol and process, one of our biggest assets is the ability to make sure we fit the client and not the other way around. I see other MSP’s out there doing the opposite. Read the testimonials in the brochure or under Testimonials.
For those reading and learning about Managed Services for the first time, we discuss what it’s all about and where it spawned from. Although many MSP’s come from a combination of other service models, AMRCON is proud to say that it was formed back in 2005 as a native MSP. Our clients recognize this through our process always having the Managed Service practice in mind. This is quite evident through our SLA, agreements and other aspects where you will find AMRCON providing unprecedented guarantees and service offerings such as using the term “unlimited” quite often. I think this says a lot because we show that we stand behind our preventive and proactive methods by providing guarantees. This is yet another difference.
I don’t want to give it all away so I invite you to read the brochure or look through the top navigation of this site to learn more about AMRCON. If anything perks your interest as a company in need of our services, a consulting firm looking to get into Managed Services, or just curious to learn more, feel free to give us a call.
Upon completion we found that our website really needed to reflect the great job our creative vendors did with our brochure, so we closed the old website and converted everything over to the blog where the blog and website prefixes now resolve. It was a key step in taking advantage of the blog content which has done very well for us in SEO “Search Engine Optimization” and building traffic to our site. We do this by keeping the site living and breathing. AMRCON was lucky enough to have started a newsletter following back in 2007 which we eventually migrated from paper, to email, to web-based content which far outlives previous media. Now our posts are available forever online. This helps us build a presence. If there are any companies out there looking to learn more about the use of a blog and other social media objectives, know that AMRCON has not only developed these solutions for ourselves but countless other businesses. Contact us for more information.
March 1, 2010
AMRCON has been bursting at the seams for some time now in our current location at 92 Broad Street in Keyport, NJ. We’ve spent the past 18 months looking for a larger office space, but have just not been able to find a good fit. As you can imagine, it took quite a bit of careful thought to insure a move is right, not only for AMRCON, but also for our clients.
I am happy to tell you that we’ve finally found the perfect spot where AMRCON can continue to grow and serve our clients best. As of May 1, we’ll be moving to our new location at 1070 State Route 34, in Matawan, NJ.
Why are we moving?
When AMRCON opened for business in 2005, we chose the retail store front location on Broad Street in Keyport to provide easy access for our business clients and residential walk-in clients. As AMRCON’s managed services clients grew, we were able to leverage the space just above the retail storefront to expand the business. It allowed us just enough space to triple the amount of employees and double our space over the past two years. Today AMRCON has hundreds of clients all over the tri-state area, so location is a perk only if it serves our clients well. Although the Keyport area has been very good to us, it simply does not have the right location to allow us to grow. I personally love Keyport and proudly live only a few hundred feet away from our office. However, with the high profile clients on our roster, steady growth of our business and the need for more room, we decided to move to a more suitable office just in neighboring Matawan.
What does this mean to you and should you be concerned?
At AMRCON, we have helped dozens of businesses, large and small, move from one location to another. Given that experience, we are confident that we have the talent and project management skills to deploy our new location with minimal, if any, affect to our valued clients. The move will carefully be staged in the best interest of not only our business clients but also our residential following.
Phase 1 of our move, the construction of our new office suite and the vital communications configuration that is critical to our client support, is already underway and expected to be complete by March 30th. All infrastructure, such as supplemental cooling, our network operations room, security, alarms, communications and electrical aspects will be operational the moment we move.
On April 1, we will begin Phase 2, when we move non-critical aspects of our offices such as inventory, administrative services, and smaller items that can be moved. One weekend in April, still to be determined, all furnishings will be installed or moved from our current site. Our staff and equipment will still be operating at 92 Broad St., where we will continue to provide the same quality support services to our walk-in clients until April 30th. AMRCON will be 100% moved to our new location on May 1, and in place for business.
During this entire process we have made every effort to minimize the potential risk of outages. In fact, we only expect a small outage during the late evening on a weekend during our normal service window of maintenance. Parallel platforms will be set in place for fast turnover with virtually no downtime. Our walk-in clients can visit our new site as early as April 2nd.
If you have questions or concerns about our move, please feel free to call our offices. I’ll be more than happy to respond. – 732-705-5057
What are the benefits? (Larger, Parking, Conference Center, Tech Area)
Our new office is much larger and provides the ability to expand in ways that we could only hope for in our old location. For instance, our tech troubleshooting room will be completely isolated from the Network Operation Center “NOC.” Providing dedicated space to both entities provides more space for more business, and enables more AMRCON employees to handle walk-in clients or support calls coming into the NOC. Our new suite will have greater security, with card level access dependant on security clearance. Video surveillance, call recording and compliance will be key aspects of continued concern. We will also benefit from a 4-hour battery run time, and a backup generator, at a location that has rarely had more than 5 minutes of downtime over the past 4 years.
Clients will have better access to the highways for on-site meetings, as well as easy access to the rail system. The parking is more than sufficient, and our new office provides a very comfortable ambiance through our atrium and into our office suite. Our employees will have a more comfortable work environment to provide higher quality support.
Just as we were excited to open our doors five years ago in Keyport, we are equally thrilled to be moving to this new location. We hope you all come to visit.
In the end what will it accomplish?
We have found our new home at 1070 State Route 34, in Matawan. Our new, larger space will allow us to concentrate on continuing to grow and improve our products and services. Our business clients will notice a tremendous improvement in resources and capabilities, and we expect our walk-in business to triple in the next year. We plan to continue to earn the loyalty of our existing and future clients.
This is all possible because of you, our valued clients. Thank you!
Stay tuned, more news about our move to come.
Dee Rudko, CEO AMRCON
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