The last year brought its share of triumphs and challenges for Providence, and we wanted to take a moment to remember some of the important changes that occurred.

The company added several outstanding employees to our staff of IT professionals. Markief Eddins joined us at the tail end of 2011 as a Level 3 Tech. His breadth of experience and deep knowledge of IT infrastructure and server and network systems filled a much needed role, and enabled greater overall efficiency by allowing other members of the senior staff to shift their focus and concentrate on other critical tasks.

Anthony Latunski joined the team in January as our new Business Development Manager, and has very quickly made himself an indispensable part of the team, as well as become a familiar face to most of our clients. His successful efforts have boosted nearly every facet of our business, and provided a greater level of communication with our clients.

Tim Johnson is at once one of our oldest and newest employees. Tim worked with Providence from 2007 until late in 2011, when he left to pursue another opportunity. We gladly welcomed him back to the team in November, where his skills and experience as a Level 3 Tech are helping to guide the company into next year.

Providence moved our headquarters in April, after a long search for the right location. While we loved being located in downtown Lansing, the move to Lansing’s west side has provided many benefits. We’re still working out the final details for the remodeling of the space that will be our future offices, but we’re happy in the cozy temporary space that we now call home. Best of all, being able to park right outside the front door means no long walks to the office in the rain, snow, or stifling heat, and no more feeding parking meters when our colleagues or clients come to visit. And since we’re located right off the freeway, our techs can be on location in many of our clients’ offices in mere minutes.

2012 will forever live in our memories as the year we lost Scott Zingery. Scott had been with Providence since nearly the beginning, and he shared work and life with Jeff, Tim, and Rick going back even before Providence was founded by Jeff in 2004. We’re still struggling to fill the gap that his absence has left in the company, and in our hearts. Please remember Scott and his family in your thoughts and prayers as you celebrate the holidays with your loved ones.

We can’t forget the most important part of our business – You! Our clients are the reason we are here, and we appreciate each and every one of you and look forward to continuing our relationship with you in years to come. Things are looking bright for 2013, and we expect to have great news to share with you in the coming months.

Thank you once again for the relationship we have with you and for allowing us to be your trusted IT professionals. We hope you enjoy the holidays and wish you a happy and prosperous new year.

Sincerely,

Jeff Dettloff

Jeff Dettloff is the President and Chief Problem Solver for Providence Consulting, Lansing’s leading provider of advanced computer services and innovative technology solutions.

While Jason Hill has only just reached his one year anniversary at Providence, he has already made himself an indispensable part of our team.

A glowing example of success in these tough times, Jason made the decision to earn a college degree and find a new field of work after being laid off in 2008. Looking to maximize his employment opportunities, Jason sought out the assistance of the Central Area Michigan Works! Consortium and took advantage of Michigan’s “No Worker Left Behind” program. Beginning classes at Lansing Community College in the summer of 2009, he graduated in May of 2011 with an Associate Degree in Business as a Computer Support Specialist.

Jason searched for employment and found that although he had a degree, he now needed on-the-job training. Michigan Works! was able to assist again, collaborating with his new employer (that’s us!) to make On the Job Training/National Emergency Grant funds available.

The interest and enthusiasm Jason demonstrated while in school and during the On the Job training period proved his commitment to bettering himself. He provides a great example of why these programs are essential to our state’s employers and workforce.

“Jason has been a wonderful addition to the Providence team,” says Jeff Dettloff, Providence president and Chief Problem Solver. “His passion for technology and for helping people shows in the positive feedback we get from both customers and from other team members. Jason’s service attitude is excellent, and his fun personality blends well with the rest of our staff.”

“I can’t overstate how grateful I am to be a part of the Providence Team,” he says. “The atmosphere is happy and helpful. Everyone is willing to go the extra mile for their clients and co-workers alike. I am very happy and proud to call myself an employee of Providence Consulting, where we Make Technology Easier.”

Jeff Dettloff is the President and Chief Problem Solver for Providence Consulting, Lansing’s leading provider of advanced computer services and innovative technology solutions.

After 8 years in downtown Lansing, Providence Consulting is excited to share the news that we are moving our operations center into a new, 3,000 square foot facility located in west Lansing’s Delta Township!

Jeff Dettloff, Providence President and Chief Problem Solver, says, “We work hard to provide excellent service and earn the trust of our clients. Taking such great care of our customers has given us the opportunity to grow and expand. With that growth, the time has come to move into a new space that will bring even more opportunity.”

• Effective April 20, 2012, our new address is 530 S Creyts Rd, Lansing, MI 48917
• Our phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information will remain unchanged.
• Please remember to update your contact information.
• Stop in to say hello!

Even though we will be working out of a different location, our customers should experience a seamless transition. In the event that something does require our attention, please call or email! Our phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information will remain unchanged.

Please remember to update your contact information to reflect our new address!

We’ve spent quite a bit of time on our blog crowing about the benefits of Microsoft Office 365, but we just had to share this news.

Effective as of March 2012, Microsoft is now offering Office 365 for FREE to students, school faculty, and staff members! Offered as the Microsoft “A2″ plan, the free service includes the standard Office features you know and love like Word, Outlook, and Excel. But Microsoft ups the ante by the including power-packed applications Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync.

Microsoft is cutting prices for Office 365 across the board to make it more easily affordable for organizations of all types, and will be releasing a full Office 365 for education service this summer. But you can get the jump on it and get your faculty, staff members, and students using this great service today, free of charge.

For more details check out the full announcement from Microsoft.

Have questions about MS 365 and cloud-based computing? Just give us a call. We would love to hear from you.

Jeff Dettloff is the President and Chief Problem Solver for Providence Consulting, Lansing’s leading provider of advanced computer services and innovative technology solutions.

Providence Consulting took another step forward this month by becoming part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).

The ACN features independent professional service providers and technology consulting firms that specialize in Apple and third-party solutions. To join the ACN, Providence gained certifications on Apple technologies that now enable us to deliver on-site technology services and support to all sizes of business and home users.

Providence is now your best local source for Apple-certified, independent technical professionals delivering services and support on all Apple platforms.

• Get professional advice on Apple and multi-platform solutions
• Find the right hardware for your needs and ensure a good start with proper configuration
• Install and set up networks, servers and databases
• Integrate your Macs and PC’s and run Windows and UNIX applications on your Mac!
• Choose the right Apps and learn how to integrate mobile devices like iPads and iPhones across your organization
• Excel at media creation and delivery
• Grow your business with productivity and workflow optimization, file and print services, and tools that enable collaboration and communication
• Sleep soundly at night knowing that your data and systems are secure

Contact us today and learn how you can get the most from your technology investments!

Jeff Dettloff is President and Chief Problem Solver at Providence, a Lansing IT Consulting firm.

Providence Consulting announced today it has achieved the Small Business Specialization from Cisco. The Small Business Specialization recognizes Cisco resale channel partners that focus on meeting the technology and services needs of small businesses.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to partner with Cisco,” said Jeff Dettloff, President and Chief Problem Solver at Providence. “As IT consultants, we are always looking for ways to better serve our clients. Cisco products present an ideal complement to and will tightly integrate with the IT technology and services that we offer.

“The Cisco Small Business Specialization was created in response to customer demand for channel partners capable of designing and implementing Cisco solutions purpose-built for the small business,” said Andrew Sage, vice president of Worldwide Small Business Sales, Cisco. “With the Small Business Specialization, Providence has made an investment in obtaining the training, skills and knowledge necessary to play a pivotal role in meeting this growing demand.”

To earn the Small Business Specialization, Providence fulfilled Cisco training and exam requirements. Providence also met the personnel, training, and post-sales support requirements set forth by Cisco.

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides a framework for channel partners to build the sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills required to deliver Cisco solutions to end customers. Through the program’s specializations and certifications, Cisco recognizes a channel partner’s expertise in deploying solutions based on Cisco advanced technologies and services. Using a third-party audit process, the program validates channel partner qualifications such as technology skills, business best practices, customer satisfaction, and pre-sales and post-sales support capabilities — critical factors for customers choosing a trusted channel partner.

Call us today to learn more about Cisco products and services from Providence.

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

Jeff Dettloff is the President and Chief Problem Solver for Providence Consulting, Lansing’s leading provider of advanced computer services and innovative technology solutions.

If you’re a Providence client, you already know all about our responsive and professional IT support services. Did you know that we are also an Authorized Xerox Channel Partner?

We offer a range of cutting-edge Xerox products and services, including multifunction printers that can condense all of your printing, copying, scanning, and fax needs into one convenient machine. Our staff can analyze how your office currently uses its printer resources by looking at your number of users, speed requirements, and paper usage, and recommend the products that best meet your needs. With Xerox printers, we can help your business become more efficient while maximizing floor space and trimming costs.

As a further cost-saving measure, we highly recommend that you check out the new eConcierge program from Xerox. eConcierge is a desktop application that monitors your networked printers and multi-function machines and helps you keep on top of ordering the supplies that keep your business running. eConcierge is effective with machines manufactured by Xerox, plus many common machines made by Samsung, Lexmark, and HP. Plus, you can earn great benefits like free printer service!

You can find out more about the range of excellent Xerox printers and multifunction machines right here on our website. Or click here to learn all about the new eConcierge powered by Xerox.

Talk to your Providence IT professional today to find out how we can integrate Xerox print resources into your IT plan.

Just one more way we help by Making Technology Easier!

Jeff Dettloff is the President and Chief Problem Solver for Providence Consulting, Lansing’s leading provider of advanced computer services and innovative technology solutions.

Providence Partners with Central Area Michigan Works! to Provide New Employment Opportunities

Jason Hill, the “new guy” at Providence, is a glowing example of success in these tough times. After being laid off in 2008, Jason made the decision that he needed to earn a college degree and find a new field of work to enhance his employment opportunities.

With the assistance of the Central Area Michigan Works! Consortium, Jason took advantage of Michigan’s “No Worker Left Behind” program. He began classes at Lansing Community College in the summer of 2009, following the Computer Support Specialist curriculum. In May of 2011 he completed the requirements and graduated with an Associate Degree in Business.

Jason searched for employment and found that although he had a degree, he now needed on-the-job training. Michigan Works! was able to assist again, collaborating with his new employer (that’s us!) to make On the Job Training/National Emergency Grant funds available. The interest and enthusiasm Jason demonstrated while in school and during the On the Job training period proved his commitment to bettering himself. He provides a great example of why these programs are essential to our state’s employers and workforce.

“Jason has been a wonderful addition to the Providence team,” says Jeff Dettloff, Providence president and Chief Problem Solver. “His service attitude is excellent and his fun personality blends well with the other staff members. We are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

Jason also thinks it’s a good fit. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join the Providence Team,” he says. “The atmosphere is happy and helpful. Everyone is willing to go the extra mile for their clients and co-workers alike. I am learning more and more each day about how best to serve our clients in an efficient and non-intrusive way. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of people to work with and for. I am very happy and proud to call myself an employee of Providence Consulting, where we Make Technology Easier.”

Providence Consulting is Lansing’s leading provider of advanced computer services and innovative technology solutions.

It is inevitable to have to upgrade any kind of software sooner or later. This is now true for Windows XP, as Microsoft has announced a discontinuation of support for the operating system in 2014. Microsoft recommends upgrading to the newer Windows 7 OS, which is something worth considering as early as now.

Part of using any sort of software is the inevitable need to upgrade. Most if not all software needs to either be replaced and upgraded as the demands of the market entail more efficient processing of the various data and information a business handles.

Such is the case with Windows XP. While many continue to use this proven straightforward operating system, Microsoft has decided to stop support by the year 2014. Microsoft further recommends upgrading to its latest OS, Windows 7, in order for users to continue to receive OS support.

While there are some lines of business applications that have not been upgraded to work with Windows 7, most have — and there are alternative approaches. Also, your business needs the security and protection that only a current, up-to-date operating system can provide.

We understand that changing your OS will entail some expense, including new licenses, hardware, and some training. Fortunately, these things are designed to help you operate more efficiently and increase your productivity in the long run. But such change will take time, and if you are interested in starting to plan for an upgrade now, we’ll be happy to sit down with you and develop an upgrade process that meets your specific needs.

The State of Michigan’s Chief Information Officer, David Behen, outlined a plan this week for moving the State forward with the help of Michigan IT firms.

Behen spoke Thursday at a Capital Area IT Council (CAITC) membership meeting held at the west campus of Lansing Community College. The CAITC is an organization including industry, education, economic development, and government leaders with the mission of overcoming the workforce development challenges facing regional employers.

David Behen became Michigan’s CIO in January of 2011, bringing to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) his experience in local government and the private sector, along with a passion for IT and a tremendous sense of urgency. His presentation, titled “Moving IT Forward: Reinventing Michigan through IT” found a welcoming audience.

Centering on Michigan’s recognition as having one of the most advanced “digital governments” in the Country, Behen discussed how IT fits into the plan that new governor Rick Snyder’s administration has put in place to balance the State’s historically high expenditures and low revenues.

“We are putting strategy in the driver’s seat,” says Behen, explaining that the new focus is “not just on the budget.” Referring to Mr. Snyder as a “technology governor,” he elaborated several cornerstones of the Government 2.0 approach to technology.

Updating government offices and facilities to make them more customer-centered is a primary goal. Behen explained that such entities will be re-organized around customers and their areas of interest, rather than government bureaucracy. The end result will be “one stop portals” that offer “instant, accurate, and easy” services.

Recognizing the growing commercial and industry trend of communicating with and serving the public via social media, Behen pledged an increase in the State’s use of social media for service delivery and collaboration, stating that “Online tools and social media are now the norm.”

Governor Snyder has made a promise of running the State like a business, and the DTMB has responded by implementing an “open door” policy. Enabled by the new pro-technology approach, citizens will have the data they need at their fingertips, allowing them to find out how the State is spending taxpayer dollars and what the money is being spent on.

“We want the citizens of the State of Michigan to hold us accountable,” says Behen, following up with a description of a “data and outcomes based” performance management system that will give State planners the ability to make better decisions about how public money is used. “We will measure everything we do, and use the results,” he says.

Performance measurement and analysis techniques are in common use in the business world, and are creeping in to government and public organizations. As an example, Behen outlined how the use of predictive analytics has helped areas such as police work, enabling police chiefs to predict roughly where and when crime would occur and then use that information to decide how many active officers are needed at what times, and where to put them. Similarly, the State will use the data it collects to predict future outcomes and make proactive adjustments to programs and activities.

Mobile computing, the use of smartphones and tablet computers, is a growing consumer trend and the State is poised to capitalize on this trend. Plans are in place to build a world-class network to offer anywhere, anytime access to both State employees and Michigan residents. The State will see new efficiencies with the use of regional service centers and video conferencing that will consolidate operations and save travel time. Behen indicated that portions of the plan are already a reality, with the launch of a fleet of 773 police cruisers equipped with new mobile tech.

The most exciting prospect for Michigan IT providers is a new revolving IT investment fund designed to drive innovation and result in better service to taxpayers at a lower cost. Behen expects this innovation will include business process re-engineering, and will advance cloud computing popularity by reducing costs and barriers to absorption, saying “Good technology on a bad process equals bad technology.”

The 2.5 million dollar fund represents the State’s effort to identify opportunities for public-private partnerships. Capital Area IT Council members were urged to help by proactively bringing creative solutions to the table.

“We don’t want vendors,” Behen says, “We want partnerships. What happens in the Lansing area is important to the rest of the State.”

Jeff Dettloff, IT Council President, responded to the presentation, saying “We are very excited about the opportunity to partner with the State. We work hard to actively build and promote a vibrant and thriving IT community in the Greater Lansing area and having such great support on a State level is very meaningful.”

“Nearly every company today employs IT workers, or hires outside IT consultants,” Dettloff continues. “The issues we face reach much further than just IT firms, so this is excellent news that should be on everyone’s radar. The new initiatives are going to provide great benefits to the local economy and to all of Michigan.”

Behen ended his presentation with a request for help, and for Michigan IT leaders to build relationships with him and his IT team.

“Help us innovate!” he says. “Help us reinvent Michigan! We can’t do it alone!”

Learn more about the Capital Area IT Council at http://capitalareaitcouncil.org/. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget can be found on the web at http://www.michigan.gov/dmb/.