Speed, efficiency and performance - these are three elements that make a network standout. They also happen to be the main reasons behind chartered accountancy firm Charles Orbach`s decision to move over to Microsoft`s small business server 2000 (SBS) and service delivery from network integration specialists Integr8 IT.
Charles Orbach falls into the small-to-medium sized business market and have a substantial number of users. The company`s approach has been to gear its IT infrastructure towards the management of its SQL databases, a crucial part of its business administration.
Initially, these databases were run through Access 97, and this placed tremendous pressure on the network infrastructure and servers. The primary reason for the company`s acquisition of an SBS was to alleviate stability issues, power-up on service and information flow, as well as bring a reliable mail solution on board.
The implementation of the SBS enabled the company to convert their data into SQL, for no additional licensing costs. This is because each SBS client access license includes both Exchange and a SQL seat.
Integr8 IT network engineer Eirin Lankwarden says, "The increase in productivity and network performance has been substantial. Processes that once took five minutes, now take five seconds. This has allowed the company to process their data at a greatly increased rate."
The company now has a top end mail solution with conference planning, online conferencing, fax from desk, and high-speed internal communication. From a business point of view, Charles Orbach has full functionality of an exchange and Outlook management system. This system instantly generates a schedule for auditors complete with task details, deadlines and people involved - all at the click of a button.
"The Networks stability and speed of the network has improved ten-fold. And the general capability of the network is now incomparable to its predecessor," adds Lankwarden .
Integr8 IT has also seen to it that the company benefits from the Microsoft Internet Security Acceleration Server (ISA). This feature schedules and manages content downloads and can be programmed for off-peak periods.
"This means that the company benefits from a line that is continuously connected. Site content can be centrally downloaded, and hence the line is being used to add business value. The company now stands to gain through better performance from a strategic ISA connection," says Lankwarden.
Says Gary Kaplan, a partner at Charles Orbach, "We were having problems with the consistency of the up-time and performance of our network. Intergr8 IT came in and addressed our problems in a professional and efficient manner and are constantly striving to improve their performance to ensure that our technological challenges are all sorted out as soon as possible. We have found that no problem or issue is too big or too small for them. They get on with the job and continue until we are satisfied. I would strongly recommend them to any company requiring IT assistance and on-going support and maintenance."
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Integr8 IT (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned network technology services and solutions company in southern Africa. Based in SA, the company employs a wealth of highly skilled and certified system engineers who are directly involved in high level consulting, support and integration.
With offices located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and representation in Port Elizabeth, East London and Port Elizabeth, Integr8 IT spans nationally across Southern Africa and Africa continent. It has the people and expertise to plan, deploy, manage and maintain an information technology environment.
Whether a client seeks better control of its networked environment or is in need of practical solutions, complex or simple, Integr8 IT provides the answers with enhanced information technology services.
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