Yes, Omrinet drinks of the Apple kool-aid, but we aren't ignorant of the value of PC's. I personally have installed many Windows Server networks and was actually a system manager at a Wal-Mart distribution center, running at the time of Windows NT and then upgrading to Windows XP. I still use a WIndows machine daily because of one specific application, CorelDraw. I was even one of those Windows users you ranted about Mac lovers who went on and on about the value of Apple computers. That was until I used one myself. Now I make it my business to get not only individuals but organizations, churches, and businesses to make the switch. Once I explain the value, and the why it makes sense to buy a computer than cost twice as much as a similarly (seemingly) featured PC, they are anxious to make the switch.

Sometimes they are primed for the switch. Unfortunately, this is fairly rare and we usually end up dealing with a few applications that are Windows only. Time clock applications, Quickbooks, and Microsoft Publisher are the major hurdles. But they can be worked through by either switching to a new program or using a virtual windows machine. Work arounds work, but they have there issues. If you are looking to make the switch, start now by working towards eliminating these hurdles. Here are a few things you can do to make life easier during the BIG SWITCH:

• Use web based applications when possible. Google Apps are a big hit for my clients.
• Web based email. Again, Google Apps and Google Premier Accounts work great for using your own domain with the incredible confidence that comes in depending the giant that is Google for your email. It just make sense.
• Quickbooks comes in web app form as well as for the Mac, but there are disadvantages. We deal with this often and we usually install VM Ware to run Windows on the Mac virtually for the sake of making it easier and less of a pain for the client.
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• Look for similar applications that are Windows only in the Mac environment. I could use Adobe Illustrator instead of CoreDraw for instance. Also, many school use an online grade book application. There are many great version that are web based, which means it doesn't matter if your using a Mac or not.
• Microsoft Office for Mac works great and is almost identical. It even has support for VBA which means your macros still work. You wont have Access, and frankly there is no match for that in the Mac world, although many liken Bento to Access. Frankly, thats like comparing a VW bug to a Ferrari. If you need Access, run a virtual machine or keep a PC around.
• Stop using Publisher. Apple Pages and Microsoft Office for Mac Word has all the functionality. Using Word only will make it easier to send documents without fear of the end user not being able to open it.
• Start using DropBox. Your files will be in one place. Once you switch it will be a matter of syncing your folder and you will have your files just like you left them. Everyone should use DropBox…period.

As always, if you are looking to make your transition easier, we can help you deal with the issues that inevitably come up. We have the experience and we love helping other realize the value of a Mac. Please contact Omrinet when you are ready to upgrade to the machines that "just work".

Tags: switch to mac, small business, apple

This one blog post will in no way be the end all answer for this question but I want to put my experience out there for those asking the same question. Does my business or organization, whether currently using Apple computers or looking to switch, need to go with a central Apple OS X server machine or use Apple Remote Desktop as a central management tool for the clients on your network. I have used both solutions. Each has strong and weak points, hopefully I can point some of those out and you can make an educated decision on what will work best for you.

First of all, the size of your network and the number of clients, or individual computers on the network, will largely dictate if you need a central server or not. It would be difficult, although not impossible, to properly manage 50 machines on a network without a server. That said there are a few specific reasons you would want to go with the less costly solution: Apple Remote Desktop as a central management tool.

Apple Remote Desktop essentially allows a user to add Apple machines, and even PC's using VNC, to a central list, or broken down by location for instance, and update, control, view, run various reports on, and a host of other functions, from your machine at work or home. At Omrinet, we manage not only our own machines, but also our clients machines using ARD. You add machines by IP address, or if your on the local network bonjour will make it easy to add Apple machines. Adding remote machines is simply a matter of entering the IP address of the remote router and setting up the proper port forwarding for ARD. Need to run software update on 20 office iMacs? Simply highlight the machines and run the "Install software update" terminal command from the drop down list in ARD. You can watch as each machines is updated. If it requires a reboot, highlight the necessary machines and Restart using ARD.

ARD can be purchased on the Mac App Store for about $50. The app currently has 5 stars and you will find the reviews tout the app just as I do. For central management, it cant be beat. But it doesn't replace a server.

Using ARD will work for you if these specifics apply to you:

• You have users using the the same machines day in and day out
• An admin password on each machine is ample security as far as installing apps, changing system preferences, etc.
• You can set up a local back up device for each machine or a network share will work as a back up device.
• You simply need to provide assistance or support to local or remote users.

There are specific things that you cannot do, at least not easily, without a server. The following are the deal breakers when it comes to deciding whether or not you can use ARD rather than installing a server machines:

• Central management of multiple users using multiple machines rather than one person using the same machine everyday.
• Locking down and blocking various features, applications, and system preferences
• Internal centralized DNS server
• Re-imaging machines using network boot images (Great for school computer labs)
• Centralized user document storage and backup (At least using non third-party devices of applications)
• Home folder synchronization for mobile users

If these do not make sense to you, your likely a prime candidate for Apple Remote Desktop. But if you are a school district network admin, you realize that a server is definitely a necessity. There are also smaller business that need these options, and that doesn't necessarily mean you need to spend lots of money. OS X Server can be installed and even comes pre-installed on the Mac Mini server. We have deployed these devices, and for small networks they are great. For larger organizations a Mac Pro will be necessary (Xserves worked great, but are no longer part of the Apple line up).

Even if you use a central server you will find ARD a valuable tool on working with users remotely, keeping machines running and updated, providing support, or simply keeping an eye on various system properties using remote reporting in ARD. It is worth far more than what it costs, and you will wonder what you did without it before. As stated earlier, any PC running a VNC viewer application can be added in ARD but will only be able to be controlled remotely. No reporting or management features of ARD apply to these VNC only machines but it does make it a nice central location to control all your machines remotely.

If your need better control over the machines on your network, a server may be the solution for you. But before you spend the money, check out what ARD can do for you, you may save yourself a few hundred dollars.

Tags: apple, small business, server, apple remote desktop, network, management, remote management, switch to mac, mac mini server

Regardless of the business type, more and more business owners and contractors are wanting to install security cameras as part of a larger security system. Employees feel much safer, owners keep an eye on not only their assets but also relay heavily on camera footage for possibly employee infractions and any legal action that may come of such action, and residents of buildings that have security cameras installed feel much safer and consider it a big plus.

For Omrinet, we choose to move forward with new technologies in all avenues. Once we know the benefits are substantial and that we can demonstrate the ROI and value to the customer, we basically move away from older technologies or methods and build on the proven, newer tech. This is extremely true for IP cameras and DVR installations.

IP camera and DVR solutions provide several benefits:

• Fewer parts associated with the entire system
• Easier to implement over existing structured cabling
• Lower cost of installation in new and existing structures
• Easier to set up for viewing your system over the internet
• HIgher quality video for less money'
• Fewer cables and a better looking installation
• Can use standard computer hardware without expensive video converters

Omrinet has installed several security camera installations and we have chosen to use a highly reliable, very cost effective and easy to use software. As usual, we go with an Apple computer device (mac mini, iMac, or Mac Pro) that has the necessary processing power for the given number of cameras. That all depends not only on the camera but also the type of compression that you choose to use for video recording. For instance, you can use motion JPEG and use very little CPU but you will not be able to record as much to your hard drive because of the file size. Run a Mac Pro and you can record using H.264 with a high load not the CPU but with excellent data compression. These aren't the only compression options available, but they are extremes to show the difference.

Back to the software. Bensoftware, software written by a person named Ben, no surprise, has developed an excellent IP DVR software called Security Spy. Omrinet is a reseller and sell not only the software to users doing it themselves but also in our security camera packages at a reduced cost. Security Spy runs natively on Intel Macs and works with most of the industry standard IP cameras such as Vivotek and Panasonic. You can theoretically connect as many cameras as you want as long as the available processing power matches the need. Rather than masses of coax and power cable ran from cameras to a central closet, which usually looks like a massive pile of black wires, IP cameras all run off of Cat5 ethernet cable. Best of all, most can also be power of ethernet (PoE) if plugged into a switch that provides the power. This greatly reduces the mess, but also reduces the cost associated with multi-camera power supplies, the time to install it, as well as the management of so many devices.

Our most recent install was an excellent example of an Apple based DVR using IP Cameras and Bensoftware's Security Spy. We installed 17 Vivotek bullet and dome IP cameras. All were connected to ethernet cable which ran to various PoE network switches in the various parts of the building. Each switch was connected back to the main switch where the Mac XServe, in this case, was mounted in a rack. Security Spy was set up to pull the feed from each camera, motioned detection was set up using the software, and the cameras' footage are recorded to the internal drives of the Xserve. Using MPEG4 compression, we see about 4 months of footage on 3 TB of HDD space. That's pretty good, and means the client has quite a log to look back on.

Another great thing about Security Spy is it's built web page which provides a web interface for your DVR. Once your router is setup, which is very minimal, you will be able to login and choose which camera or cameras you want to view live, at what resolution, or choose from previous recording based on various filters. Its incredibly simply for users to watch video live or on-demand from the security footage available.

If you would like to see an example of an Omrinet Security Spy installation, please contact us. We are commercially licensed in Arkansas but can also provide consulting for the do-it-yourselfers. And with the advancement of IP Cameras and DVRs, DIY is definitely doable.

Tags: apple, small business, security camera, security spy, bensoftware, vivotek, xserve, install, commercial, ip

The app is much more expensive than the Alcorn-McBride app. But if you consider the cost of a light board that is equally capable, you will see the value. At a recent Christmas program at our church, we used the device for the entire program. We were able to use one person to activate each preset and control a spotlight from a remote position. Because it is designed for iPad, you can use several options to activate queues. You can even snap a photo of your lighting preset and then use it as an icon in the app itself, making it very easy to know just what you are about to activate.

Luminaire uses the same hardware as the Alcorn-McBride app, in this case the Entec ethernet device. Once you have the device on the same network as your wireless router, Luminaire connects to it automatically each time the app is started and you are ready to go.

Setup of intelligent lights is a little complicated, but no more than for any other lighting board or software program. If you are familiar with DMX controllers you wont have much problem figuring this app out. The freedom to make changes to your queues on the fly and do it all wirelessly comes at a fairly low price. This is definitely worth a look if you need or are looking into DMX control with iPad.

Tags: apple, ipad, iphone, dmx, lighting, church, theatrical, control, software

Lighting control has always been a little bit of a thorn in my side. When it comes to DMX hardware and software controllers, the range of products and prices is almost too much. When it comes to working with no or few intelligent lights (such as moving head spots and scanners) you can save a lot of money by staying away from the high end lighting consoles, but you still have to choose from desks that cost from $100 to $10,000. Personally I have always preferred the software approach, which consists of software with a USB controller that connects to your DMX port. Most are fairly similar, but require a little knowledge of how your lighting is set up and how to patch fixtures and on and on. Once you have everything set up then you can start creating scenes. Unfortunately this is often overkill. Many commercial buildings, not just churches, use DMX controlled architectural lighting. YOu simply need a few set scenes most of the time, but you want the ability to occasionally make some new scenes and add time based transitions. This week I installed a solution that is working great, is incredibly easy to use, and is very cost efficient. Enter the ENNTEC DMX to Ethernet controller and Alcorn McBride LightingPad software for you iPad or other iOS device.

Setup is as straight forward as it gets. Once the controller is plugged into you DMX port and you set up the IP address to work with your local network (make sure your wireless DHCP addresses are on the same subnet) then it works without fail. You can pretty much get a complete set up for less than $300. As long as you have wireless signal with your device, you can adjust the lights by channel, set up new scenes (including fade times) and change your current scene or go to blackout. Its incredibly handy, works great, and doesnt cost much. Plus it works great for setting up stage lighting for cameras!

Tags: apple, ipad, iphone, dmx, lighting, church, theatrical, control, software