🔒 Patreon Special

IT Pros: exclusive shows await you on Patreon, focusing on the more challenging aspects of running your practice and working with clients and employees.

595: Unraveling Unifi: From Overseas Travels to Technical Troubles

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In this episode of Command Control Power, the team delves into recent UniFi updates, touches on managing Sonos integrations, and shares on-the-ground troubleshooting experiences. Sam talks about his recent trip to China and Japan, where he experienced both work-related and leisure activities, stunning cityscapes, and unique cultural experiences. Dive into practical solutions for UniFi network setup, Wi-Fi optimization tips, and an intriguing look into Sam's efforts to manage a large-scale UniFi and Sonos deployment. They also explore unusual issues with mounting plates, power problems, and tips for effectively handling network gear. Join the conversation for an informative blend of tech insights and travel stories.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:43 Sam's Overseas Adventure

01:31 Exploring Tokyo's Unique Culture

06:45 Shanghai's People's Park and Atlas Obscura

08:57 UniFi and Sonos Updates

10:47 UniFi Home Office Upgrade

27:51 Wi-Fi Mysteries and Adjustments

29:19 Site Survey and Installation Challenges

30:16 Access Points Going Offline

32:38 Mounting Plate Issues

39:33 Power Cycling Solutions

48:42 Sonos and UniFi Best Practices

52:22 Conclusion and Patreon Promotion

594: Navigating Apple's Changing Ecosystem and the Future of Tech Support

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In this episode of Command Control Power, Joe and Jerry discuss a range of topics related to recent changes in iOS, macOS, and Apple's overall ecosystem. They delve into the complexities introduced by incremental and major updates, particularly iOS 18 and Ventura, and how these updates impact their work with clients. They also explore the practicality of using features like cognitive accessibility, magic links for password replacement, and passkeys. Both share experiences with frustrating tech issues, such as incorrect autocorrections and overly complicated return policies for electronics. They reflect on how rising expectations from both users and shareholders drive the incessant introduction of new features and how this affects daily usage and tech support.

Introduction and Catching Up

Navigating iOS Changes

Frustrations with Technology Updates

Tech Tips and Tricks

Accessibility Features for Elderly Users

Amazon Return Policy Changes

Addigy and Migration Assistant Tips

MagSafe Charging Challenges

iCloud Backup vs Direct Transfer

Cable Transfer Realities

App Reinstallation Annoyances

Authenticator Apps and Two-Factor Authentication

Password Management Woes

Magic Links vs Passwords

Passkeys and Password Managers

Apple's AI and Typing Frustrations

Closing Thoughts and Client Engagement

591: Optimizing MSP Operations with Tim Pearson of Creative Techs

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Command Control Power: Mastering IT Workflows, Automation, and Vinyl Rituals

In this engaging episode of Command Control Power, hosts Joe, Sam, and Jerry, alongside guest Tim Pearson from Creative Techs, explore a wide range of topics spanning advanced IT management and nostalgic music traditions. They reminisce about the ACEs conference and introduce ACEs After Dark, a community event for sharing mobile device management (MDM) and remote monitoring and management (RMM) tips. The conversation dives into optimizing IT workflows through automation, discussing tools like Halo dashboards and Backup Radar for efficient backup management. The group highlights the importance of community support in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Apple Certified Network (ACN) landscapes, emphasizing the benefits of integrated tools like PSA and Pax8 for business process streamlining. Additionally, they address the challenges posed by the fragmented MSP vendor landscape and share insights into the economic and time commitments required for creating community-driven tools. Tim Pearson wraps up the episode with a nostalgic discussion about vinyl records, reflecting on the charm of analog music rituals and the sentimental value of physical collections, enriched by personal anecdotes and the significance of classic albums.

564: Interview with Jason Dettbarn, Founder & CEO at Addigy

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Anyone going to ACES Conference in Salt Lake City? I decided I couldn't miss it, so now I'm going! And had this idea...

👕 Get a free Cmd Ctrl Pwr sticker with this one weird trick!
👉 Come to ACEs Conference wearing your CCP t-shirt, and look for Sam or Joe, and we’ll give you a free sticker!
🛒 Need a new CCP shirt? Order now for delivery in time for ACEs!

Jason Dettbarn joins us on the show once again! Jason is the founder and CEO at Addigy.

Jason has been on our show many times over the years.

Jason talks about how he didn’t pay himself for two years as he built up Addigy’s business.

MDM (Mobile Device Management) has been around for 14 years and is a traditional method for managing mobile devices.

DDM (Declarative Device Management) is a newer approach by Apple that takes more initiative in managing devices.

MDM tells devices what to do, while DDM provides a recipe for the devices to follow and manage their own state.

  • Advantages of DDM:

    • Less burden on MDM servers

    • Devices are more proactive in managing their state

    • Requires less communication between servers and devices

  • Challenges of DDM:

    • MDM tools are still needed for some tasks (e.g., software deployment, agent-based features)

    • Requires trust in Apple to manage devices effectively

Key takeaways:

  • DDM is a significant shift in Apple's device management philosophy.

  • MDM and DDM will likely coexist for several years.

  • Agents will still play an important role in device management alongside DDM.

  • There's a need to balance user experience with enforcing compliance policies. Ideally, compliance checks should happen seamlessly without interrupting the user workflow.

  • Conditional Access features in Microsoft Endpoint Manager allow enforcing compliance rules and remediating issues automatically.

  • Managed Apple IDs with built-in compliance features can improve data compartmentalization on Apple devices.

  • Users should be able to see their compliance status and take corrective actions if needed.

  • AI-powered smart filters can help identify devices with potential issues based on user-defined criteria.

  • Addigy is developing a new solution to simplify and automate updates for public software and third-party applications.

  • Jason talks about how collaboration between vendors is crucial for creating a more secure and efficient mobile device management ecosystem.

555: A Desperate Cry For Help

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▶️ New: watch on YouTube!

Topics:

-Has Sam really not backed up in an extraordinary amount of time?

-This sparks a discussion about backup policies in general.

-We talk about the 3-2-1 backup strategy and how relevant it still is.

-Joe shares a client story about how a calendar syncing app removed calendar history.

-If you’re a consultant, finding a backup service with affiliate options can be beneficial financially.

-We are constantly fighting the good fight about keeping macOS and hardware up to date.

-Joe charges a fee for working with unsupported Mac computers.

-There is a difference of what we will support, depending on residential vs business clients.

-How reliable is Time Machine?

-We share some details from our rates and plans survey. Join us on Patreon to hear more.