PlanetMagpie Minimizes Customer Spending, Wins Against Open-Source Technology
Implementing virtualization and unified communications to demonstrate high value to customers
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Fast Facts Partner
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner PlanetMagpie offers technology consulting, network support, hosting, and development services. The company's offices are in Campbell, California.
Web site www.planetmagpie.com Software and Services - Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager
- Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2
- Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
- Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager
- Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
Three business groups at PlanetMagpie offer high-end consulting, deliver essential technology support services that augment companies' IT capabilities, and provide Web hosting and application development. PlanetMagpie works across the full spectrum of Microsoft® products and technologies, and usually implements new solutions in-house first before letting customers experience them.
PlanetMagpie offers itself as a case study for demonstrating the return on investment, savings, and other benefits of the solutions it implements. Consider, for example, virtualization. Robert Douglas, President of PlanetMagpie, explains, "We recently replaced our 45 servers, which were working at lower efficiencies, with five fully utilized servers for all operations and one stand-alone server to run Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager. To accomplish this, we rebuilt our infrastructure with Windows Server® 2008 Hyper-V™ and Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager. Now, we save close to U.S.$1,000 a month on cooling and power. We enjoy substantial savings in hardware and hardware support costs. And, affordable licensing from Microsoft reduces our expenses even more."
The company also implemented Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2, which Douglas describes as a "Cisco killer." It is not uncommon that customers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on stalled communications projects, which require more time and investment to complete. "Microsoft unified messaging and communications solutions are fantastic," says Douglas. "Customers are amazed at how flexible and reliable the technology is, making competitors appear makeshift. The cost savings and productivity enhancements are significant, and completing an implementation within two months is easily doable." Many customers see a large benefit in the solution’s presence enablement, which lets people see each other’s status, get in touch, and collaborate, as they need to. Implementations often include Microsoft Office SharePoint® Server 2007 for enhanced collaboration and document management. "Office SharePoint Server 2007 as an essential business productivity resource should be much better known. We're always educating our customers, who are often completely unfamiliar with it," says Douglas. PlanetMagpie maintains a partnership with Sprint to provide customers with cost-efficient telephony that can integrate with the communications software technology.
Customers who rely on PlanetMagpie for hosting and software development often ask about open-source technology. "Open-source products are free, but the work needed to modify and test them in a specific customer environment can get very expensive," says Douglas. He points out that modifications and updates to open-source code when a customer requires additional functionality require diligent fine-tuning and validating the entire system. The chain of dependencies involved can become complex and lengthy. Security is another concern: Typically, open-source servers are firmly set at a certain level of the operating system. With a server stabilized in this way, most systems managers generally don’t perform further updates, even for purposes of security, to avoid issues with the applications hosted on the server. "With Microsoft technology, we already know it will work with the customer's hardware and how well it can integrate with software already present. In the open-source arena, any addition or modification of an environment calls for renewed testing," adds Douglas. When customers make an informed decision, they most often choose the Microsoft technology based on cost, reliability, security, and support.
PlanetMagpie participated in creating the
Microsoft PinPoint™ site, where customers can locate technology providers based on community reviews, and expects to garner new customer contacts through this resource. In addition, Douglas works closely with the company’s partner account manager (PAM), who often shares opportunities, including possible partner co-engagements.
Partner Experience Highlights
Seize today's virtualization opportunities
"Virtualization enabled by Microsoft technologies is perfect for our customers in this challenging economic climate. Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager are highly affordable, reliable, and manageable. And, the savings in hardware, hardware support, software licenses, power, cooling, and rack and data center space can be enormous."
Robert Douglas, President, PlanetMagpie
Provide a comprehensive competitive comparison to win against open source technology
"Once customers understand the true costs and drawbacks of implementing, modifying, and maintaining open-source software, they are usually motivated to transition to Microsoft technology. To accomplish that, you need to present the true costs and complexities associated with open-source projects compared to the ease of customizing Microsoft applications, proven to be interoperable, with Microsoft Visual Studio® 2008."
Robert Douglas, President, PlanetMagpie
Demonstrate solution benefits in your own operation
"At PlanetMagpie, we implement first what we then offer our customers. We serve as a credible proof-of-concept for virtualization and unified communications by using Microsoft tools and technologies. We document our savings, newly gained efficiencies, and productivity enhancements to help translate the promise of innovative technology solutions into reality."
Robert Douglas, President, PlanetMagpie
Capitalize on Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status
"Many customers understand that it takes a high level of accomplishment and commitment to be a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. Our partner status clearly boosts our credibility with customers. In terms of return on our efforts, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner level strongly pays off for us."
Robert Douglas, President, PlanetMagpie
Also featured on the Microsoft Partner Network here: PlanetMagpie Saves $1,000/month on power & cooling costs by implementing virtualization.
This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft does not imply endorsement of any partner product or services included in this document.
Document published April 2009
