My TechDecisions Podcast – Episode 21, Steve Hall of District Computers

In this episode of MyTechDecisions Podcast, host Jonathan Blackwood speaks with Steve Hall, CEO of District Computers.

Steve Hall and District Computers focus on helping small businesses use technology to gain a competitive advantage over their peers. In 2012, the company won the Windows Intune Blackbelt partner of the Month award in October and were Microsoft Victory Lap Partner of the Month in March. The company was also 1st place winners of Microsoft’s 2009 Small Business Specialist Community “Driving Small Business Success” contest.

Steve isn’t as concerned about the platform that a business chooses for their cloud email, but rather the capabilities that the business wants. Heavily involved in the security side of things, Steve emphasizes the need to understand your business needs and plan accordingly – for example understanding your need for encryption in transit or otherwise before leaping into a new cloud email platform. He discusses the different capabilities of most major cloud email providers and explains why and when you might want to pay for each.

That planning will be written into your RFP, and Steve is no stranger to these documents for cloud email services and much more technology. Steve stresses the need for multiple consultations before embarking on the road to a new cloud email platform, and he goes into detail about why these consultations are so important. He explains the considerations you should include in your RFP so that you can then have conversations with prospective IT providers about your needs. He speaks about what you need to include about your network and business practices so that these conversations move along at the best pace possible.

Finally, Steve expands on the cutover process – that is, the process of moving an organization from its legacy email to a new cloud email platform. There are three possible strategies an organization can employ when cutting over, and there are shades of grey between all of them. Steve will explain each and how it affects the organization so that you have a better idea of how the cutover process would work for you.

Anyone that wants to understand more about cloud email platforms, what they can do for a company, what they are capable of in general, and the implementation process for them should give this interview a listen. Anyone that even uses cloud email should pay attention as Steve is a knowledgeable industry expert that will open your eyes to capabilities you didn’t know existed.

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