Fully managed business consumables

Project Requirements: To provide a full systems analysis using appropriate and recognised reporting methodology to determine the failings in the current IT infrastructure and what elements of the current system were not supporting the business process efficiently and delivering the dependability that was critical to the business delivering its professional services.

The reporting process needed close working relationship to assess what the company management needs and expectations were to include satisfying the financial, marketing and human resources requirements and the needs of the professional consultants and beyond.

The findings were to be delivered up as an executive summary report and presented to the company Managing Director and Office Manager detailing the findings, a proposal to take the systems forward backed with a comprehensive systems support package to be approved and accepted through the board of Directors.

Issues Faced: The core of the system was suffering extensive under resourcing on processing power exacerbated by the physical communications cabling infrastructure being poorly structured and badly delivered through to the desktop users and under specified Internet communications.

The transition needed to be seamless with as little downtime as possible to incorporate not only local systems users but remote professional consultants needing uninterrupted access to the network and its data.

The findings were accepted and recommendations for change agreed by the senior management through the board of Directors.

The change encompassed a complete change in server infrastructure adding 2 new high grade server systems using rack optimisation and providing 64bit processing, doubling the Internet bandwidth with quality of service, CAT5 structured cabling improvements, reliable remote access through thin client delivery, and overall higher level of fault tolerance across the systems with inherent systems scalability to support business growth.

Project Requirements: The client requested the services of an independent and senior IT systems consultant brought in to assist in upgrading their IT infrastructure and delivering on the key company requirements. The findings highlighted the key issues and the need of the company to create a flexible system, centralised at their quarries and linking to their head office.

To retire current accounting and manufacturing systems which appeared appropriate at last review but which could be vastly simplified through off the shelf packages and the use of simple spread sheet system.

The process involved the short listing of several companies through tendering eventually won by Interfuture Systems Ltd.

Issues Faced: As the core systems were to be based in the Portland quarries, consideration was needed around the remote location and the quality of communications to the site and the mining process that created very fine and invasive dust material which would impact on any mechanical IT devices.

Dependability, fault tolerance and scalability were all key areas of consideration and ensuring the distributed sites received solid access to the core systems.

Current Systems: The core systems now incorporate rack optimised servers delivering centralised data, Exchange and SharePoint services, centralised accounting and thin client access from any location and isolation of the server base to prevent as little effect as possible from the mining dust. Remote disaster recovery through offsite backups using a premium service to enable fast systems recovery should the systems experience major failure and high level communications using Leased Line services through business only carriers.

Project Requirements: To provide a new totally integrated system capable of incorporating UNIX, Microsoft Servers and a cost effective VOIP telephone system all capable of handling remote offices around the country.

Site Survey: Interfuture carried out an in-depth site survey on all the 7 remote sites and main office, to determine where and how the new system would expand their business potential and pin point efficiencies.

Hardware Required:

• HP Proliant Data Server
• HP Proliant Exchange Server
• HP Proliant Terminal Server
• Sun Ultra UNIX Accounts Server
• HP Proliant VoIP Server

Pre-Installation Servers: This new totally integrated system was installed by Interfuture qualified engineers and was pre tested and configured while Cobsen-Davies Roofing Ltd continued working seamlessly on their old hardware without any interruption or downtime to the business. Parallel testing of 50 remote users and 30 in-house users for speed checks, access times, printing (local & remote) and also full mobile connectivity.

Pre-Installation VoIP Telephone System: Interfuture handled all liaisons with BT on change over and porting of all telephone numbers with full pre testing of the new Phone system with remote site extensions for free calls, automatic Voice mail, email forwarding and mobile phone transparency ready for switch over.

Pre-Installation ADSL: The in-depth site survey reported that the ADSL the client was on the incorrect tariff (paying too much) so Interfuture restructured the ADSL to ADSL business with monetary savings and faster access speeds and bandwidth. This was pre tested ready for change over.

Change Over: The whole change over including data transfer was instigated and monitored by Interfuture Systems over a pre arranged weekend, with our technical team on site first thing Monday morning to handle any issues.

Benefits: Overall efficiency and productivity went up 45% with cost savings of 17% and Telephone cost came down by 80%