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616: Backblaze Blues, Alectrona Patch Updates & the MacBook Air That Took Flight

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Cirrus Partners

The hosts of Command Control Power discuss recent issues with Backblaze, including failed updates and poor communication, which have eroded trust among users. They delve into the technical struggles with Apple's update processes and highlight improvements to the Electronic Patch software. Jerry shares a personal story about accidentally leaving his MacBook Air on top of his car and the ensuing repair saga, illustrating the importance of awareness and preparedness in the IT field. The episode wraps up with a reflection on the frustrations and foibles that come with managing tech in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:12 Backblaze Recap: Communication and QA Issues

01:32 Backblaze Update Problems and User Confusion

03:03 Backblaze's Compromised Credentials and Communication Breakdown

05:41 Inconsistent Communication and Crowdsourcing Solutions

18:18 Apple's QA Issues and Update Problems

33:01 General Frustrations with Technology and Education

35:45 AI Tools for Coders

36:14 Introducing Trona Patch 3.0

36:50 Customizing Patch Notifications

37:23 Client Reactions to Patch

39:39 New Features in Patch 3.0

46:51 Balancing Notifications and Updates

50:39 A Funny Anecdote

51:02 The MacBook Air Incident

55:04 Restoring from Backup

01:00:49 Final Thoughts and Thanks

615: Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth

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Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth

In this episode, the discussion revolves around the concept of boutique consultancy, highlighting the benefits of providing a personalized, high-touch service over rapid, automated responses. The conversation delves into the comparison between boutique firms and large-scale competitors, focusing on client satisfaction versus cost-saving strategies. Drawing parallels to Apple's business approach, the discussion extends to the evolution of consulting within the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of intelligent strategy over mere ticket resolutions. The conversation wraps up with practical insights into asset management, device lifecycle strategies, and the challenges and experiences of running a consultancy.

00:00 Introduction to Boutique Consultancy

01:31 The Apple Business Model as a Muse

03:14 The Role of Consulting in Managed Services

08:00 Challenges and Strategies in Client Management

09:22 Team Size and Economic Factors

12:03 Contract Structures and Pricing Strategies

21:25 Analytical Skills and Personal Background

25:51 Personal Time and Future Plans

28:36 Balancing Work and Family Life

29:13 Holiday Plans and Skiing Adventures

30:56 Generational Differences in Technology

33:25 Sustainable Business Practices

36:43 Lifecycle Management of Devices

42:01 Challenges and Strategies in Hardware Sales

47:16 The Importance of Client Relationships

49:31 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements

610: Travel Tales and Techie Triumphs: Sam's Hawaii Adventure & Exploring Alectrona Patch

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In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts dive into a vibrant conversation starting with Sam's recent trip to Maui, Hawaii. Sam shares his experience, the unexpected challenges, and how he managed to take a much-needed mental break from work. His trip also marks his personal milestone of visiting all 50 U.S. states. The discussion then shifts to various tech topics, including challenges in managing family travel expenses and the cost-saving tips on accommodations and food during vacations. The hosts also humorously explore unusual solutions for managing snoring, such as using paper tape to tape the mouth shut while sleeping, based on a recent popular trend.

The tech talk intensifies as Joe delves into his experience deploying Alectrona Patch, a tool for managing software updates across client machines, using Addigy. He shares the ease of use, the features that impressed him, and the quick support he received from Alectrona. Sam and Jerry also weigh in with their experiences and tips, making a strong case for using Patch for efficient software management. Additional discussions include dental technology for making impressions and the benefits of modern night guards, as well as the intriguing Larq smart water bottle that purifies water and tracks your hydration through an app.

00:00 Introduction and Maui Brewing Company Hat

00:38 Travel Stories and Hawaii Adventures

01:33 Challenges of Traveling with Family

02:13 Unexpected Shortages and Vacation Costs

03:13 The Importance of Disconnecting on Vacation

06:09 Travel Tips and Personal Experiences

16:38 Dental Implants and Modern Technology

20:27 Water Purification and Health Gadgets

23:22 The Water Bottle Trend

23:49 Collapsible Water Bottles for Travel

25:14 Technological Advancements in Hydration

27:33 Implementing Patch Software

35:14 Customizing Patch for Client Needs

41:15 Practical Tips and Experiences with Patch

50:42 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

607: DDM Deja Vu & Other Mysteries: A Kale Salad for Your Mac

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In this episode, the hosts delve into maximizing earnings from the Amazon Affiliate Program, including the requirement to link clients to a webpage first for tracking and credit. They discuss the importance of managing Mac software updates through MDM and the emerging DDM approach, addressing their methods and challenges with client systems. Additionally, they touch on using Ubiquiti equipment effectively and maintaining client hardware. The episode covers practical insights, from affiliate program strategies to technical management of software updates in Apple devices.

00:00 Introduction and Recent Conversations

00:56 Amazon Affiliate Program Insights

02:44 Challenges with Amazon Affiliate Program

03:54 Creating and Managing Affiliate Links

15:59 Exploring Other Affiliate Programs

21:58 Ubiquity Product Confusion

27:23 Persistent Network Issues

28:01 Unify Setup Challenges

29:57 WiFi Optimization Strategies

31:08 Wake from Sleep Troubles

36:43 Software Update Management

39:31 MDM vs DDM: A Deep Dive

48:37 Custom Solutions for Updates

51:01 Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics