During this busy Holiday season, as we reflect upon the events of this year and plan for the demands of the upcoming year, we would like to thank all of our clients for their support throughout 2008. In a time when it is imperative that everyone must get the most out of their resources, we are proud and encouraged that as IT stewards we have been able to provide products and services that deliver real value.

Fortunately for PlanIT Solutions, 2008 brought tremendous demand for our AdvantageCare Network Managed Services. Our strong growth has allowed us to reinvest in our company now, so that in 2009 we will be able to offer our clients new business continuity and productivity enhancing services such as AdvantageCare Disaster Recovery and Microsoft Sharepoint Server. Simultaneously, we have been able to accelerate the development and growth of our exceptionally talented technical staff, insuring that we will continue to provide the highest level of customer support to all of our valued clients.

So a tremendous Thank You to all of our partners.

Additionally, in light of the success of the LongITude News Letter, we have expanded the news letter and added new features. Beginning with the December 2008 addition, we will provide a running calendar of upcoming events including Lunch and Learns, webinars, seminars and local events. We have also added a Community Corner column where we will discuss ways to give back to the community that has supported all of us so well.

Happy Holidays,

    Steven Kellam
Executive Vice President

Jennifer King, PlanIT Solutions Director of Operations, passionately believes no one should be cold this winter. “With the downturn in the economy, we as a community need to step up and help where we can” says the committed social advocate. Working with the folks at (COTS ) Committee on the Shelterless, http://cots-homeless.org/ , Jennifer has organized a PlanIT Solution’s Winter Coat Drive. There are three ways to help:

• Drop off your unwanted coats at PlanIT Solutions any time during business hours throughout December.
• PlanIT Solutions can arrange to pick up coats from your office if you are within 25 miles of our Petaluma Office.
• PlanIT Solutions employees will be bringing in their unwanted coats throughout the month of December.

Jackets of all sizes are needed. Happy Holidays all and stay warm!

With the current news that is all around us it is sometimes hard to justify opening our pocketbooks and investing in our companies. We all know that the best way to improve ourselves and our businesses is to invest time, energy and money in accomplishing our goals. As the year draws to a close take a look and see what can be done to improve your business. The decision to improve may save you money.

With the changes to the Section 179 Deduction made by the Economic Stimulus Act signed in February 2008 there are some exciting benefits for business.

At a basic level, Section 179 is a tax incentive for businesses to deduct the full amount of the purchase price of qualifying equipment purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income, up to a limit. It's an incentive created by the US Government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves.

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Making Sure Disaster Plans Aren't Disasters

It's like practicing a fire drill and discovering that the fire alarm doesn't work.

Since the early 1990s, Countrywide Financial (NYSE:CFC - News) kept a well-honed and updated business continuity plan on how to keep running in the face of a disaster.

The $10.5 billion company based in Calabasas, Calif., issues, buys and services mortgages for clients nationally. It was ahead of the curve in prepping for such events.

But it didn't take long for soft spots to develop. During a disaster drill this year, the company found it lacked the redundant networking needed at one location to keep data safe.

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