Broadview Networks is a Finalist in the Microsoft Canada IMPACT Awards

Annual Microsoft Awards recognize Canadian technology partners and their commitment and leadership in the channel community.

Broadview Networks Earns the Microsoft SOA and Business Process Competency

Broadview Networks Earns the Microsoft SOA and Business Process Competency. This accomplishment is the Company's 10th Microsoft Competency!

Network Access Protection in Windows Server 2008

One of the greatest challenges to computer systems in business environments these days is the increasing exposure of client devices to malicious threats such as malware, spyware, and computer viruses. NAP can help Administrators secure the core network environment.

Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards recognize top Canadian technology partners for customer support and service successes

Winnipeg, Manitoba - September 26, 2008 - Broadview Networks announced that it has been selected as a finalist in the Marketing Innovation Award - Small, Medium Business category for the 2008 Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards. The sixth annual IMPACT Awards recognize excellence within the Microsoft technology partner community in Canada as well as the innovative solutions and value they deliver to customers.

"Partners are at the core of Microsoft's business model and Microsoft has always relied upon a strong network of technology partner companies to bring technology to customers and provide the foundation for delivering solutions to the marketplace." said Lora Gernon, Director, Partner Group, Microsoft Canada Co. "We are proud to celebrate companies like Broadview Networks at the Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards as they help drive business growth and customer satisfaction through their stellar demonstration of industry leadership."

Broadview Networks was chosen as a finalist in Marketing Innovation - Small, Medium Business in recognition of a marketing campaign initiative. Building on the momentum of the Microsoft "Heroes Happen Here" launch events, Broadview Networks held information sessions for customers to deliver specific supplementary information about launch products and was successful in Turning Heroes into Superheroes!

"It is an honour to be nominated for an Impact award 2 years in a row" said Michael Orloff, President of Broadview Networks. "This is a testament to our highly qualified and dedicated team of technical and sales professionals."

Broadview Networks, along with other technology partner winners and finalists in each of the award categories, will be honored at a gala event in Toronto on November 13, 2008.

About the Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards

In 2003, Microsoft Canada replaced all of its previous technology partner awards with a unified program that also recognizes customer service, marketing, and contribution to the community. Microsoft Canada has outlined 30 categories to highlight the Partner Program competencies to honour the achievements of top technology partners.

The Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards were open to Systems Integrators, Large Account Resellers, Direct Market Resellers, Value Added Resellers, Distributors, Systems Builders, Authorized Education Resellers, Certified Partners for Learning Solutions, Microsoft Certified Partners, Independent Software Vendors, Channel Suppliers, Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) Partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers.

For a list of all 2008 finalists, and more information on the Microsoft Partner Program IMPACT Awards, please visit http://www.microsoft.ca/awards/.

About Broadview Networks

Broadview Networks is one of Canada's leading advanced IT infrastructure companies. The company is recognized as one of the fastest growing businesses in Manitoba and is also acknowledged as one of the top Gold Certified Microsoft Partners in Canada. Broadview Networks has a distinct focus on simplifying complex technologies for clients across Canada, ranging from SMB, Mid-Market and SME organizations. For additional information visit Broadview Networks online at http://www.broadviewnetworks.ca.

 Winnipeg, Manitoba - September 26, 2008 - Broadview Networks announces the accomplishment of another Microsoft Partner Program Competency - SOA and Business Process Competency!

This competency award recognizes qualified Microsoft Partners who have established expertise in build, deploy, and manage successful Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Business Process Management (BPM) projects, including Internet-based business solutions and infrastructures using Microsoft tools and software. Qualification for this solution competency requires depth in staffing and achievement of certification with Microsoft SOA and Business Process Management tools such as BizTalk Server, and SQL Server. Broadview Networks is pleased to provide multiple customer references that meet Microsoft's specified requirements to qualify for this designation.

Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a technology partner's capabilities with specific Microsoft-based technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that technology partners bring to the industry.

The Company's Tenth Microsoft Competency!

Broadview Networks is extremely proud of our achievement in the Microsoft Partner Program, and the SOA and Business Process competency brings the company's Competency Program achievements to a total of ten! Few other Canadian Partners are recognized with this number of Microsoft competencies.

Broadview Networks specializes in advanced IT infrastructure as well as Microsoft CRM solutions for a wide range of clients in North America and is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. Since June of 2007 Broadview Networks has been a member of the Microsoft Gold Partner Excellence Program.

Broadview Networks holds competencies in:

• Advanced Infrastructure Solutions
• Networking Infrastructure Solutions
• Security Solutions
• Data Management Solutions
• Information Worker Productivity Solutions
• Licensing Solutions
• Microsoft Business Solutions
• Mobility Solutions
• Unified Communications Solutions
• SOA and Business Process

About Broadview Networks

Broadview Networks is one of Canada's leading advanced IT infrastructure companies. The company is recognized as one of the fastest growing businesses in Manitoba and is also acknowledged as one of the top Gold Certified Microsoft Partners in Canada. Broadview Networks has a distinct focus on simplifying complex technologies for clients across Canada, ranging from SMB, Mid-Market and Enterprise organizations.

One of the greatest challenges to computer systems in business environments these days is the increasing exposure of client devices to malicious threats such as malware, spyware, and computer viruses. These programs can gain entry to unprotected or incorrectly configured host systems - and once a system is compromised, it can be used as a launching point to distribute, attack, and disrupt other systems on the business network. Network administrators can use the Network Access Protection (NAP) features to better protect their network by helping ensure that client systems maintain proper system configurations and software updates to help protect them from malicious software.

What is NAP?

Network Access Protection (NAP) is a new set of operating system components included with Windows Server® 2008 and Windows Vista that provides a platform to help ensure that client computers on a private network meet administrator-defined requirements for system health. NAP policies define the required configuration and update status for a client computer's operating system and critical software. For example, computers might be required to have anti-virus software with the latest signatures installed, current operating system updates installed, and a host-based firewall enabled. By enforcing compliance with health requirements, NAP can help network administrators mitigate some of the risk caused by improperly configured client computers that might be exposed to viruses and other malicious software.

How does NAP work?

When a client attempts to access the network or communicate on the network, it must present its system health state or proof of health compliance. If a client cannot prove it is compliant with system health requirements (for example, that it has the latest operating system and antivirus updates installed), its access to the network or communication on the network can be limited to a restricted network containing server resources so that health compliance issues can be remedied. After the updates are installed, the client requests access to the network or attempts the communication again. If compliant, the client is granted unlimited access to the network or the communication is allowed.

What is required in order to implement NAP?

NAP runs on Windows Server 2008 with the following services:

* Network Policy Server (NPS)
* Routing and Remote Access
* Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

The above components are required in order to implement NAP. Network Policy Server (NPS) is a key component in the assessment of client system health state, and is the Windows implementation of a RADIUS server and proxy, and is the 2008 replacement for the Internet Authentication Service found in Windows Server 2003. Routing and Remote Access is necessary to provide health requirements enforcement for remote clients such as with VPN client connections. DHCP is required to provide the health requirements enforcement for DHCP address allocation.

In addition to the server-side requirements for Server 2008, client computers must be running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, or Windows XP with SP2 and the Network Access Protection Client for Windows XP. Windows XP SP3 includes the NAP client.

Restricted Networks

NAP can be configured to deny client computers that do not meet security policies access to the local network or can allow them access to a restricted network only. A restricted network should contain key NAP services, such as Health Registration Authority and remediation servers, so that any non-compliant client system can be updated in order to qualify to connect to the internal protected network. In fact, it is possible to configure NPS policies to configure automatic remediation so that NAP clients automatically attempt to update the client computer when it is non-compliant. For example, a restricted network might contain an FTP server that provides current anti-virus definition signatures, and the policies might be defined to automatically update any NAP client in the restricted network automatically with the latest definitions.

Adding Value to Windows Server 2008

NAP is an included core component of Windows Server 2008, and adds security to a Windows network in the ability to isolate client systems that can introduce unwanted risk to the network. It also adds depth to the degree of reliance upon the use of a password as the only means of authentication to a network. By adding NAP to a network, administrators can have greater control over the authentication process involved in accessing network resources.

If your organization would like more information about this new feature in Windows Server 2008, please contact Broadview Networks who can assist you with the design and implementation of your Network Access Protection solution.