if you are considering moving enterprise solutions to the cloud then this article offers some common sense considerations.
http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2013/12/26/cloud-security-interview-professional-white-hat/
Archive for December, 2013
Cloud security- what do you need to consider?
December 30th, 2013Infor SunSystems v6.2 – New release imminent
December 26th, 2013Infor SunSystems v6.2 is due for release in January 2014 with these expected functionality enhancements:
The web client updated with Improved Forms and Filter Definition Management delivered in a new console application that will streamline many aspects of business unit management.
This will include an option to take Business Units and Business Unit Groups online and offline, plus there will be enhanced Business Unit backup, copy and synchronizations functionality.
Release of Arabic and Hindi language translations including Right-to-Left, plus the Hijri Calendar.
An Extended Analysis Module to enable additional custom categories to be defined on analysis dimensions
Extended Analysis provides for a series of additional, user definable fields to be created against any given analysis code to further analyzing the data. All of these fields will be available using the standard reporting tools Q&A Vision and Microsoft SSRS.
Enterprise Data Management Module (EDM) to create a Standard Corporate Chart of Accounts and Analysis Coding Structure which can then be automatically replicated across subsidiary Business Units. Organizations can ensure that when a new chart of account record/analysis code is created in one business unit, it is immediately replicated across other business units.
The EDM module is designed to manage this whole process within SunSystems centrally from a single web-based portal.
The module runs on Infor ION technology and its purpose is to simplify the management and control of reference records across multiple business units.
SQL Server 2012 RTM Cumulative Update 11
December 22nd, 2013The 11th cumulative update release for SQL Server 2012 is available for download at the Microsoft Support site and contains all the SQL Server 2012 hotfixes since the initial release of SQL Server 2012.
•CU#11 KB Article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2908007
•SQL Server Support Information: http://support.microsoft.com/ph/2855
•Previous SQL Server 2012 Service Releases: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2692828
NOTE: This will be the final Cumulative Update for SQL Server 2012 RTM release
SQl 2008 Sp2 CU 10
December 22nd, 2013The 10th cumulative update release for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2 is now available for download at the Microsoft Support site and contains all the SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2 hotfixes since the initial release of SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2.
•CU#10 KB Article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2908087
•SQL Server Support Information: http://support.microsoft.com/ph/2855
Windows 8.1 preview license expiry imminent
December 22nd, 2013Microsoft is warning customers that are using the Windows 8.1 Preview and Windows RT 8.1 Preview s to upgrade to the real thing before those preview licenses expire on 15 January 2014.
Customers will not have the right to use the platform after that date, and will likely lose unsaved data
Note: As with any Preview update, only data and accounts will be migrated; all apps will need to be reinstalled
Customers who installed Windows 8.1 Preview on top of Windows 8 will be able to upgrade via the Windows Store. However, those who tried the “beta” by installing it on top of Windows 7 will either need to restore the operating system, or shell out up to $200 for the Windows 8.1 upgrade.
Customers using Windows XP and Windows Vista cannot upgrade directly to Windows 8.1. They will first need to upgrade to Windows 8, and then perform the upgrade to the latest version via the Windows Store
Prophix- Sp1 release with new Template Studio
December 18th, 2013The Prophix 11 SP1 update contains the all-new Template Studio function. Template Studio includes a host of enhancements based on your feedback compared to Template Designer. The planned general availability of Prophix 11, SP1 is January 30, 2014. Expect additional updates and materials on Template Studio as we approach the release date.
Best Regards,
Security threats still abound
December 17th, 2013Its rather depressing how many new issues come to light. Microsoft for example issued 22% more security bulletins this year than last year. Its estimated that there are almost 15 percent of enterprise users who still have Windows XP in their networks.
Trustwave’s SpiderLabs researchers found a piece of malware that collects data entered into Web-based forms, pretending to be a module for Microsoft’s Internet Information Services (IIS) Web-hosting software.
The malware, which is dubbed “ISN,” hasn’t been widely seen. It is a malicious DLL (dynamic link library), which is installed as a module for IIS. ISN’s installer contains four versions of the DLL, one of which is served up depending on whether a victim uses the 32- or 64-bit version of IIS6 or IIS7+. Its currently undetectable by most anti virus software.
ISN collects data from POST requests, stolen from within IIS itself, which circumvents encryption, and is then sent elsewhere. The malicious module can be configured to monitor information from specific URIs (uniform resource identifier). The malware has so far been seen targeting credit card data on e-commerce sites, however, it could also be used to steal logins, or any other sensitive information sent to a compromised IIS instance.
Trustwave’s SpiderLabs also infiltrated a control server for the massive Pony botnet that was dumping credentials that it had harvested from compromised computers around the world. massive hack has served up the user names and passwords of nearly 2 million Facebook, Twitter, Google and Yahoo accounts, among others. The breached database also let loose credentials for 1.58 million Web site log ins, 320,000 e-mail accounts, 41,000 FTP accounts, 3,000 remote Relevant Products / Services desktops, and 3,000 shell accounts.
We recommend regular passwords updates and before you make the changes always check for malware.
Dynamics CRM 2013 U1 is released
December 17th, 2013Aishwarya in our CRM team reminded me to mention that Update Rollup 1 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 is released. This is the first service release since CRM 2013 was launched. This update is available for both On-Premises and On Line instances.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2891271
KB Article: 2891271
Build Version: 6.0.0001.0061
This is the first service release since CRM 2013 was launched. This update is available for On-Premises instances.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2891271
KB Article: 2891271
Build Version: 6.0.0001.0061
It deals with some 32 ‘teething issues’. contains stability and memory-consumption improvements, as well as fixes for 32 issues. ( I am pleased to note that the issue “When data is entered into a form, the Save button can be clicked multiple times which results in multiple of the same record being created.”) is one of the fixes.
You can verify whether UR1 has been applied by looking at version number on Dynamics CRM’s “About” page.
With UR1 we get to see the new versioning scheme in action. Microsoft now uses new version numbering rules to bring more clarity to major updates (first number), minor updates (second number), and upgrade rollups and builds (third number). The on-premise release of CRM 2013 was version 6.0.0.809. The new online version number with Update Rollup 1 applied is 6.0.1.61. You can now look at the third number in the version string to know which update rollup you are on. The format of the version number is now major.minor.update.build.
There is a compatibility issue when you use the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Client for Outlook with Update Rollup 15 applied against a Dynamics CRM 2013 server. This issue does not affect Dynamics CRM 2011 servers. A new Update Rollup 15 client has been published that with a new feature that is scheduled to be delivered with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013. This feature moves the CRM client-specific workload into its own process so that it no longer shares memory with the Microsoft Office Outlook process. This feature is also known as Process Isolation.
We recommend upgrade to the new client in order to prevent version compatibility issues in the future. The new client is designated by “-v2” in the package name. This update can be applied on the original update rollup 15 or any earlier update rollup of CRM 2011 for Microsoft Outlook.
2013 top CRM buyer trends
December 17th, 2013Software Advice (http://www.softwareadvice.com/) were in touch to update me about their new CRM research findings which highlights that the cloud continues to extend its reach. Read More here: http://www.crmsoftwareblog.com/2013/11/crm-software-buyerview-2013-report-shows-what-crm-buyers-want/
Some other key conclusions:
– Companies want CRM software to deliver improved efficiency, better features, better integration and better upgrade cycles.
– Many are unhappy with their current systems.
– Microsoft Dynamics CRM’s single 360 degree view of a customer supports streamlined automates sales processes and shortens the sales cycle. which equals higher close rates and better customer retention.
– No CRM solution integrates better with your current business software than Microsoft Dynamics CRM, which connects with other Dynamics products as well as Microsoft Office.
Seasonal greetings from Synergy Software Systems, Dubai
December 17th, 2013As I head for U.K, with a seasonal cold I offer you this very cute seasonal greeting.
http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell_fps24.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3166187/graphic1
Give it a little time and follow the simple instructions and share it with a child.
