Bravo FlexiLAB
for IT Consultants & Resellers

June 23, 2008

This is a formal debut with administrative moniker, of an on-going service offering.

What is it?

• via a remote session, you can watch and participate in a custom live lab session
• will have at your disposal
  • multiple servers and workstations pre-setup, and
  • software packages and licenses, plus
  • all the required network apparatus
  • optional: live internet connection to test network is available, and
  • limited connection to live production network of Bravotech
• experiment w/ the scenario you're about to embark on, contemplate variations on sequence, strategies, etc.
• it's like doing the project (supervised practice run) before actually doing the project (at client site)

Typical Examples:

• TCP/IP: subnet, DNS, NAT, routing
• Workgroup-to-Domain Orderly Migration
• SAV Server Deployment
• various advanced and complex QuickBooks scenarios
• Advanced System Imaging (Ghost, LiveState, Solution Suite, SID, WIM)
• Exchange Server topics
• VPN Deployment & Evaluation
• ACL Management Strategies & Techniques

Why & When you need it?

• you committed to an impending advanced project, but
• don't have the various servers, software and network apparatus to play with
• there isn't sufficient time to research, study and practice on your own
• seat-of-the-pants discovery w/ client's production system = zero chance of success
  • avoid embarrassment of being stuck, and wasting time needlessly, and
  • risk of irreversible catastrophic harms to client site, due to missing prep steps
• you wish to independently carry out the project at client site
  • instead of a joint (guided) session (in-person, or live remote support)
  • essentially splitting the guided session with you actual live session

Specific Values and Benefits (vs. unstructured consultation, or training presentation)

• flexibility to seamlessly switch between demo mode and live lab mode:
  • I can breeze thru and take over all steps, or
  • you can jump in at various points, or
  • I can be a supervisory observer, issuing guidance/warnings as warranted, even
  • extend lab period for unsupervised practice/exploration
• the lab is live, not static presentation:
  • actual result of decisions and actions can be reviewed
  • sight and sound of actual process boost comprehension and retention
  • can deviate however you want, to explore what-if scenarios, or
  • drill down for in-depth coverage on sub-topics of particular interest
• canned labs/demos represent better value than unstructured live consultation:
  • streamlined and concentrated content
  • previous dressed rehearsal (by me) eliminated potential wrinkles
• no traveling, no hauling of equipment, no setup time
• flexible scheduling, including pajama hours
• can suspend & resume session as we see fit:
  • for attention span considerations
  • to skip-over boring wait periods, or
  • accommodate interruptions from your other urgent client calls
  • for nourishment, bathroom & exercise breaks
  • for me to conduct additional research or prepare equipment
    • if we run into unanticipated situations (equipment malfunction, etc), or
    • you pose unanticipated questions/requests or variation scenarios
    • you decide to expand the scope of project after what's learnt thus far
• you can focus on subject at hand, not logistical details of practice equipment
• minimal lead time: setup time as little as 1-hour (depending on complexity of the particular lab, and availability of resources)