Kingston Knight Consultancy Ltd - Case Study
Kingston Knight are a recruitment agency that wanted advice on the best option to upgrade there existing I.T. systems in their Southampton Office, whilst maintaning e-mail via their Blackberries. They also requested on-going I.T. support for the system and it’s users.
Their primary requirements were as follows;
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Centralise their Data, E-Mail and Printing.
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Allow a number of employees to work from home.
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Continue to allow mobile staff access to e-mail via Blackberries using PO3.
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Allow their existing VOIP solution to work with the new system.
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Use ACT! as a centralised CRM database for their clients.
We proposed the following solution:
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The Installation of a Windows 2003 Small Business Server
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Join the existing PC’s to the new Domain and Centralise the data and e-mail.
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The installation of Microsoft Office 2003 on all desktop and Laptop PC’s to create a uniform platform.
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The Installation of a new Router and Firewall to facilitate fixed and dial in VPN connections required for remote users.
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Retain the existing POP3 accounts for Blackberry access but forward the data to a drop account to allow collection by the Server.
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Install a common Anti-Virus package that is centrally updated via the Server
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A tape back-up solution using a DAT drive allowing a 10 day rotational back-up of e-mail, crucial data, system state and OS files.
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A support contract that met their support requirements
We agreed the above specification and the new system was built and delivered to site. The new Router was installed and tested with the existing VOIP solution to ensure this worked correctly as this was their primary means of phone communication. Remote VPN connections to the home users were then created and tested. User accounts were created, customer data was migrated to the Server including e-mail for each user.
Secure Outlook Web Access was then implemented through the external Firewall for travelling workers. The entire system was implemented during the working day one user at a time to allow other employees to continue to work. They now have a flexible centralised working solution in the Southampton office which is available to remote users and roaming sales staff, and continues to support e-mail via their Blackberry devices as well as Microsoft Outlook.
Foresolutions continue to provide support in the form of a fixed number of support days per annum. This provides them with remote and on-site assistance as and when required but at a cost they feel comfortable with.
