3D expands client-focused marketing with 3D Referral Rewards Program

3D is pleased to announce the launch of its new business referral program, 3D Referral Rewards. With the program, 3D is offering its 3DProActive™ clients the opportunity to earn cash rewards in exchange for referrals to businesses with server-based networks. 3D Referral Rewards is a new addition to 3D’s current marketing campaign focused on featuring clients in advertising. With similar advertising that highlights client testimonials on 3D’s newly-redesigned website, www.3dcorp.us, as well as features clients in local trade publications, 3D hopes to support the growth of its clients as well.

“In our challenging economy, as we look to increase efficiencies, the idea of focusing our marketing efforts to support our clients makes a lot of sense,” remarks 3D Corporation’s CEO Dave Koshinz. “If we can help our clients with programs like 3D Referral Rewards, that’s helping us.”

3DProActive™ clients can find a link to instructions as to how to submit a referral in the "Additional 3DProActive™ Benefits and Service Offerings" section on the right side of this blog.

For more information on how your company can benefit from our 3DProActive™ network management services, visit our website at www.3dcorp.us.

Beware of SSL Renewal Emails!

A 3D client recently received an email claiming they needed to click a link to get instructions on how to renew their company’s SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which was allegedly expiring. SSL is a protocol designed to provide secure communications over the Internet using encryption; thus, the SSL certificate is important to keep the private data (such as credit card numbers) of Internet users safe. We believe that attackers are using the SSL certificate’s importance as a means to coerce users into clicking the link, thinking they’re keeping their company’s data safe when in reality they’re doing the exact opposite.

Luckily, our client wisely asked a 3D network engineer about the email before proceeding. After looking up the client’s actual SSL subscription, we discovered it had nothing to do with this email, domain, or expiration. Because of this, we have little doubt that malware of some sort is awaiting our client on the other end of that link, which could have made the company’s network vulnerable to a wide variety of threats.

3D is currently taking steps to educate our clients and the public about these misleading and potentially dangerous emails as well as putting tools in place to further protect clients from threats of this sort. We’re advising network administrators to be particularly cautious as the email was targeted at the network administrator of our client. We believe that emails like these are still being sent to users.

To learn more about how 3D can enhance the security of your company’s network, visit our website at www.3dcorp.us.

Meet Team 3D: Brendan Kremian, 3D Business Analyst

Brendan Kremian, Mill Creek, Washington native and Western Washington University alumnus, is the newest member of 3D’s team of Business Analysts. Brendan not only adds a strong background in customer service and network administration to 3D’s network management expertise, but also a “relationship-focused” attitude that greatly supports the company’s vision to always provide clients with personalized network management service.

When talking to 3D CEO Dave Koshinz and CFO John Jaworski during his interview earlier this year, Brendan quickly sensed 3D’s relationship-oriented attitude is not only extended to clients, but to employees as well.

“I had interviewed with multiple companies in addition to 3D,” Brendan reports, “but 3D was the only company in the bunch that possessed the welcoming work atmosphere I was looking for, supported by a team that truly cares about the success of its employees in addition to the success of its clients.”

Although Brendan has only been part of the 3D team for a short amount of time, he has already proven himself to be a great contributor to 3D’s relationship-oriented atmosphere with his extraordinarily friendly demeanor, “team player” attitude and client-focused sales and service approach.

“I really enjoy Brendan’s ability to clearly understand his clients’ needs and make sure they are taken care of,” comments Dave Koshinz, 3D’s CEO and Brendan’s supervisor.

Additionally, with his A+ certification, Microsoft Certified Professional status, four years of customer service experience in the computer technology industry as well as degrees in network administration and general studies, Brendan is well-equipped to clearly convey concepts and meanings behind service and technology that 3D offers its clients, an essential skill for 3D’s Business Analysts in providing excellent service.

Brendan’s main goals as a 3D Business Analyst are simple but valuable: to continuously increase his technical knowledge and develop his ability to satisfy clients.

“I take pride in making sure customers are satisfied,” reflects Brendan, “so I’m always looking for opportunities to grow. 3D supports me in that learning process.”

When he’s not serving 3D’s clients, Brendan’s energetic 17-month-old son keeps him and his wife pleasantly busy. An avid movie watcher, Brendan also plays a mean game of movie trivia.

3D is happy to have Brendan as a member of our team and is always looking for talented individuals like him to join. To find out more about how to become part of the 3D team, visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/.

Vulnerable Active X Controls Pose a Great Threat to Microsoft Visio and Office

Our Internet security solution provider WatchGuard has just issued a high severity alert regarding three vulnerable Active X controls that ship with most versions of Microsoft Office and also come with Visio. Attackers exploit the vulnerable controls by luring users to malicious web pages, enabling them to execute code on your user’s computer and potentially gain control over it. To prevent this, WatchGuard recommends that network managers download, test, and deploy the appropriate patches immediately according to the instructions provided in the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-060.

These patches as well as many other security updates are automatically deployed on the networks of our Managed (formerly called Complete) and Partner 3DProActive clients as part of their 3DProActive package of services. To find out more about how 3DProActive can save you from worrying about security threats to your network, visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us.

Winterize Your Network

Extreme weather during the fall and winter months can cause a wide variety of business-stopping events at your facility, but you can proactively protect your company’s network from the elements by following 3D’s Network Winterization Checklist:

1. Ensure your important machines are protected with battery backup units (UPS).
   
   
2. Check the batteries in each UPS.
   
   
3. Test each UPS to prove it will power your systems in case of a power outage. The only way to know if they will function when it matters most is by testing them beforehand.
   
   
4. Check that all your equipment is plugged into surge suppressors. A power strip is not a surge suppressor unless it is labeled as such (they look the same).
   
   
5. Verify that all your network equipment, switches, router, and firewall are protected by a UPS.
   
   
6. Make sure your servers are configured for and will actually do a clean shutdown during a power outage.
   
   
7. If you have a backup generator, make sure it is rated for electronic equipment.
   
   
8. Raise servers and other equipment off the floor if there is any chance of flooding from either outside or inside sources, such as a water heater.
   
   
9. If employees use portable heaters, make sure they are not on the same circuit as any computer equipment.
   
   
10. Check if any equipment has been placed near heater vents and move if needed.
    
    
11. If server rooms are on the same HVAC unit as the rest of the office, their temperatures should be monitored as they could actually become hotter in the winter.

In addition to checking the areas above, our 3DProActive clients can further winterize their networks by participating in our Fall 2009 Seasons of Service program. With the program, our engineers do a thorough inspection of backup media as well as a series of other updates to ensure continuous network reliability and security. To learn more about the benefits of becoming a 3DProActive client, visit our website at www.3dcorp.us.

3D on KOMO 4 News

The following KOMO 4 news report gives 3D's perspective on the adverse effects caused by Saturday's power surge in Bellingham:

To learn more about 3D Corporation’s network management solutions, visit our website at www.3dcorp.us.