TBL Networks

TBL in Tech Elite 250 Again

Third Annual List recognizes TBL Networks’ deep technical expertise and premier certifications

TBL Networks announced today it has been named to CRN’s third annual list of the Tech Elite 250. Companies on the 2013 Tech Elite 250 list represent an elite group of IT Solution Providers that have invested in the training and education needed to earn the most technical certifications in the IT Channel.

In compiling the list, CRN editors worked with the UBM Tech Channel research group and a team of outside experts to define the most customer-beneficial technical certifications in the IT channel. These technical certifications have enabled solution providers to deliver the most premium products, service and support to their North American customers.

“TBL Networks is very honored to be named to CRN’s 2013 Tech Elite 250,” said Alan Sears, President and CEO of TBL Networks, Inc. “This recognition reflects our dedication to providing our clients with business-relavant technology solutions and unmatched customer service.”

TBL Networks’ dedication to training and certifications were instrumental in their selection. Founded by three Cisco Voice CCIEs, TBL’s staff also includes the only VMware VCDX in Central Virginia, in addition to two 2012 VMware vExperts. TBL Networks is a Cisco Certified Gold Partner, a VMware Enterprise Solutions Provider, an EMC Premier Velocity Partner, and a VCE Vblock Qualified Partner.

“The 2013 Tech Elite 250 list recognizes an exclusive group of solution providers that have invested in training and technical know-how to help their customers understand the benefits of some of the most sophisticated technology deployments in the market – and have shown a dedication to helping customers innovate while reducing costs,” said Kelley Damore, Senior Vice President, Editorial Director at UBM Tech Channel. “By identifying and adapting to the skills and training needed to best serve today’s customers, members of the Tech Elite 250 have proven their commitment to delivering the products and services that today’s customers value most.”

A sample of CRN’s 2013 “Tech Elite 250” list is featured in the February issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.crn.com.

About TBL Networks, Inc.
TBL Networks is about moving forward with innovative technology. With over 60 years of combined technical expertise, we empower clients’ collaboration, virtualization and data centers to do more with less. TBL delivers these advanced solutions directly where it counts the most – the desktop. Building secure and reliable solutions that introduce efficiencies in human interaction is how we see the future. Let us take you there at www.theblinkylight.com.

Cisco Recognizes TBL Networks with Customer Satisfaction Excellence

Cisco Systems is pleased to recognize and congratulate TBL Networks, Inc. for achieving Cisco Channel Customer Satisfaction Excellence.

Customer Satisfaction Excellence is the highest distinction a partner can achieve within the Cisco Channel Partner Program. TBL Networks, Inc. will be recognized for Customer Satisfaction Excellence in the Cisco Partner Locator with a special star indicator representing its achievement. Customers, Cisco personnel and partners will be able to identify TBL Networks, Inc. as having achieved outstanding customer satisfaction as part of Cisco’s worldwide assessment process.

Channel Customer Satisfaction Excellence assessment is based upon the customer satisfaction results captured in the Cisco Partner Access Online tool. Each quarter, Cisco will acknowledge Certified Partners that have the highest customer satisfaction distinction within each geographic region.

Customer Satisfaction Excellence is a core value Cisco and TBL Networks, Inc. share and a key driver of current and future success. Cisco thanks TBL Networks, Inc. for their commitment to the success of their customers.

TBL Lunch & Learn - Review of Cisco Collaboration 9.1

Wednesday, January 30th at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Join us for lunch to learn more about the recently released version 9.1 of Cisco Collaboration technologies.

Topics:

New Features of CUCM 9.1
Licensing Implications - “The Death of the DLU”
Upgrade Path to Version 9.1
Appliance to Virtual Machine Updates
Mobile Collaboration/Jabber Overview

Who should attend:
Anyone interested in how to transform your organization with the latest in communication, collaboration, and video solutions.
Maximum of two attendees per organization.

Agenda
11:30 AM - Registration
11:35 AM - Order Lunch
12:00 PM - Discussion with Patrick
1:30 PM - Event Close

Register Today at

http://tbl-cisco-collab91-richmond-eorg.eventbrite.com/

4th Annual Virtual Open Golf Tournament

Who plays golf in February? We do! TBL Networks has cracked the code on successful golf in February, just like we design and implement successful virtualization strategies for our clients. Wear your best golf attire to complete the experience. No coats, sweaters, or rain gear will be necessary. Food and drink will be provided throughout your round of golf. Finally, it’s completely free!

In addition, TBL will be making a donation for the event to benefit CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation, a local non-profit that raises funds to assist families of children with chronic and life threatening illnesses.

To register for the event, please click HERE.

When:
Friday, February 8th: 1PM – 5 PM

Where:
TBL Networks Office: 1801 Bayberry Court, Suite 202, Richmond, VA 23226

How:
Wii Golf Foursomes
Shotgun Start, Two Heats

Entry: $0 – Just come have fun!

Prizes:
Top 3 Finishers
Longest Drive
Closest to the Pin
Longest Put

Going Mobile

Posted by Steve Glissman

Steve Glissman

As the year comes to a close, I realized that I had not accomplished one of my personal goals – working more references to legendary rock band The Who into my blog. I had pondered blending references to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) with Who song titles (potential candidates included “My BYOD Generation,” “BYOD O’Reily,” and my personal favorite – “You
BYOD, You Bet.”), but I could never pull the trigger.

Fortunately, Mary Meeker’s December 2012 Internet Trends Update rescued me from pushing the limits of taste and puns. This year’s report highlighted the tremendous progress of mobile and potential for further growth in the near future.

TBL Client Golf Invitational: The Club at Viniterra on 10/24

The TBL team would like to formally invite you to participate in our 1^st Client Golf Invitational. It will be held at the best new course in Central Virginia, The Club at Viniterra. Hosted by your TBL sales team, the event will be kicked off with a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy session led by Cisco Collaboration experts, followed by warm-ups, and then a great round of golf. Breakfast and a boxed lunch with be provided, and beverages will be available throughout your round of golf.

Register Today

So come out and participate in TBL’s 1^st Client Golf Invitational Tournament.

We hope to see you there!

When:
Wednesday October 24^th, 2012

7:30 AM Registration

8:00 AM BYOD Presentation

9:00 AM Warm-up

9:30 AM Shot Gun Start

2:00 PM Awards and Refreshments

Where:
The Club at Viniterra: 8400 Old Church Road, New Kent, VA 23124

How:
Golf Foursomes
Shotgun Start

Entry: $0 – Just come have fun!

Prizes:
Top 3 Finishers
Longest Drive
Closest to the Pin
Longest Put

TBL Networks Ranked 1100 on the 2012 Inc. 5000

Richmond, VA, August 23, 2012 – Inc. magazine has ranked TBL Networks, Inc. number 1100 on its Inc. 5000 list, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy — America’s independent entrepreneurs. This is TBL’s second straight year of being recognized on the prestigious list.

TBL Networks is a major source of expertise for the technology sector in Central Virginia. Earlier this year, TBL Networks was named to the 12^th spot of Virginia’s Fantastic 50 and included on CRN’s Tech Elite 250 channel partner list. TBL’s CEO was recognized as one of Richmond’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2011. TBL Networks is the only technology integrator in Virginia with four Cisco Voice CCIEs, employs Central Virginia’s only VMware VCDX, and had two engineers recognized as 2012 VMware vExperts.

TBL Networks has experienced remarkable expansion in the marketplace, with a three-year sales growth of 289% that earned them their ranking. “It is an honor for TBL Networks to be recognized by Inc. two years in a row,” said TBL President and CEO Alan Sears. “This award is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our team of employees. Their dedication to providing exceptional customer service to our clients is a major component of our success.”

In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2012 Inc. 5000 companies remains an impressive 97 percent. The companies on this year’s list report having created over 400,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $299 billion.

The 2012 Inc. 5000 was unveiled on the company’s website at http://www.inc.com/inc5000/list/2012.

About Inc.
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 6,000,000 today.

About TBL Networks, Inc.
TBL Networks is about moving forward with innovative technology. With over 60 years of combined technical expertise, we empower clients’ collaboration, virtualization and data centers to do more with less. TBL delivers these advanced solutions directly where it counts the most – the desktop. Building secure and reliable solutions that introduce efficiencies in human interaction is how we see the future. Let us take you there at http://www.theblinkylight.com.

Two Years of Cancer Research

On July 1, 2010 TBL Networks began a partnership with the World Community Grid. The World Community Grid allows organizations with idle compute capacity to donate it for use in research projects ranging from cancer research to clean energy. When idle, a member computer will request data on a specific project from World Community Grid’s server, and perform computations on this data, sending the results back to the server, and then ask the server for new work. Each computation that a computer performs provides scientists with critical information that accelerates the pace of human discovery. In 2010, TBL Networks fired up a 40 machine Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environment using VMware View on our Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) dual B-series blade farm and dedicated all of those machines’ computing power to find a cure for cancer.

On our first anniversary, we reported that the 365 days of donated capacity had resulted in 18 years, 352 days and 6 hours of computing power.

Building the Case for Corporate Video Collaboration

Posted by Alan Sears

Video technology has evolved over the past ten years to allow people to communicate and collaborate better in both their personal and professional lives. Applications like Skype or Facetime are useful for adding a video element to remote conversations with your friends and family. But the requirements by businesses for lifelike and interactive systems are driving the development and adoption of more robust solutions for connecting with internal and external stakeholders.

The latest high-definition video systems enable real-time communication while also bringing a personal level of interaction through face-to-face conversation. Video collaboration or telepresence technologies provide an efficient solution for training sessions, meetings and collaboration across geographical boundaries. Organizations of all sizes have realized that they can deploy these technologies within their existing network infrastructure to help quickly influence growth and success.

Is It Time for a Private Cloud?

Alan Sears TBL Networks

Posted by Alan Sears

You probably remember from my recent post on What “The Cloud” Means to Your Company that there are both public clouds and private clouds. We defined private clouds are resources shared by one organization. More specifically, private clouds offer dedicated server space that is hosted either internally or externally. The platform can be managed in-house or a third party can support and maintain the hardware and applications.

A private cloud provides your company with a pool of IT resources that can be allocated across departments. This allows you to quickly and easily deploy services based on the needs of your employees. The old process of buying a new server to support the requirements of a specific business unit has been replaced with a system that allows you to create virtual servers and carve out the necessary resources to support your team.