| Small Business Productivity |
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Small business productivity solutions (some featuring Microsoft®
Small Business Server®) provide a solid base for business operations.
Combining File & Print sharing, Security, Internet & Email
Connectivity, Databases, Remote Administration, Remote Access (VPN),
Resource Centralisation, and many other benefits.
Once implemented, our small business productivity solutions provide
the basis for successful I.T. operations.
Furthermore, all our solutions are backed by our network support
services for ongoing management, monitoring & maintenance. |
| Audit & Assessment |
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Our comprehensive Audit & Assessment allows existing networks
to be thoroughly investigated and analyzed. This process very often
finds shortfalls in existing networks, as well as preparing for
a more structured approach to small business networking.
This procedure is mainly about discovery, and in most cases finds
company critical data that would be lost with unexpected system
outage, or threats to existing systems.
The Audit & Assessment also includes recommended actions to
prepare for unexpected situations, as well as a recommended plan
of action for the future of a network. |
| Local Area Networks |
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Local Area Network (LAN) services cater for the I.T. requirements
of computers located in 1 location.
Essentially this is similar to Small Business Productivity. |
| Wide Area Networking |
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Wide Area Networking services connects multiple locations (such
as 2 offices) so that information and resources can be shared.
Powerful functions within Windows® 2000 Server (& higher) allow
data to be automatically replicated, emails to be efficiently delivered
between internal staff, and for 2 locations to be managed through
1 set-up instead of 2, increasing efficiency, and reducing overall
cost of ownership and management. |
| Hardware & Software Sales |
- Complete range of hardware & software products
|
Key4 Hardware & Software Sales provide cost-effective provision
of I.T. equipment with technical expertise available to set-up and
configure everything we provide.
For example, if you wish to purchase a new printer, we can deliver
the printer, and provide an engineer to set the printer up on your
network, and cofigure your users to be able to print.
In essence, we are not simlpy shifting boxes, but providing a thorough
service from beginning to end. |
| Support |
|
Managing, monitoring, maintaining and supporting a network is
imperative in establishing a reliable and stable system in the long-term.
Completely update a server until it is secure and tested and then
leave it for a month without performing at least basic maintenance
operations and the server will be suceptible to attack from the
latest viruses, and any security exploits that have been discovered
in software the server is running (new viruses and security threats
are found on a daily basis!).
Regular maintenance of a network, and monitoring the services
and health of a server on an ongoing basis will prevent a great
deal of future work and prevent potential downtime.
A simple update of virus definitions will stop a virus entering
and infecting a system. Once a machine or network is infected with
a virus it is considerably more work to remove the virus from the
system - in some cases it can take days, and require the restoration
of files from backup. It is possible for a virus to destroy vast
amounts of data, that without a sufficient backup can destroy a
company.
When addressing the ongoing health of a network, only a proactive
approach is sufficient.
Our network support
services are designed to support a small business on an ongoing
basis at the most cost-effective prices. |
3 Business Critical Service Areas: |
| Backup |
|
Backup solutions are critical to business stablility. Natural
disasters, viruses, mechanical failure, but usually employee error
are all situations where proven backup strategies are imperitive
to business operation.
Key4 has an active approach to backup, our network installation
services implement proven and reliable backup solutions, Key4
Support Backup maintains the solution on an ongoing basis. |
| Anti-Virus |
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As far as businesses are concerned, viruses are capable of crippling
a user, an office, a company, or in severe cases the Internet as
a whole. Recently, high profile viruses have brought the entire
Internet to a stand still.
It is imperative that systems are kept secure and protected from
the threat of viruses, through all possible methods of infection
(for example by browsing the Internet, Emails, even simlpy connecting
to the Internet!
It is also imperative that virus definitions are kept up-to-date
throughout the entire network.
As well as implementing thorough virus protection throughout, Key4
Support Anti-Virus instantly notifies Key4 of new virus threats
to your system, as well as reporting directly to us the status of
definition updates and any warnings. |
| Security |
|
Business I.T. Systems face a number of different security threats.
There are internal security risks (employee's being able to see
information they should not), and many external threats.
The single biggest security threat is the Internet, as it potentially
opens a door for any other Internet connected user in the world.
A good example is Key4's web hosting servers which receive a threatening
attack of some kind every 30 seconds (this is normal!)
A Firewall is the single most important defense against potential
attacks - although as there are so many threats an effective security
approach will not rely on any single measure, but a combination
of measures that 'back each other up'. In other words, if an attacker
passes one measure of defense - there will be another blocking the
path.
In todays Internet climate, a single computer connected to the
Internet with ADSL (Broadband) with no security measures or security
patches (such as www.windowsupdate.com)
will be rendered useless in about 5 minutes! |
Ke4 Support
Bronze provides ongoing security, backup & anti-virus management |
| File & Print Sharing |
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File & Print Sharing allows the centralisation of files on
a network, that can be accessed by multiple users. File & Folder
permissions restrict access to authorised users.
For example, seperate locations can be created for employee details
that can only be accessed by Human Resources Personnel, and in the
same manner a secure area for Directors documents can be created.
It is essential that company files are kept in a central location
for backup, security and virus scanning purposes.
Similarly printers that are managed centrally can be easily configured
and controlled. Resource sharing also reduces cost and increases
efficiency |
| Internet Connectivity |
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The benefits of the Internet to business are well established.
Key4 provides a range if Internet connectivity options that allow
businesses to fully exploit the potential of the Internet in a secure
and protected manner.
Where required, we can also advise and implement access control
for companies who wish to restrict the access their employees have
to the Internet. |
| Email & Messaging |
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Again, the use of Email as a business tool is well established.
There are many different types of email configuration and accounts,
from free accounts (not recommended) to domain-based email.
In most cases, Key4 recommends an email server such as Microsoft® Exchange®
Server 2000, although this may not be suitable for very small
requirements.
Apart from simply being able to send adn receive email from an
Email application - such as Microsoft® Outlook® - many companies heavily
rely on the ability to share messaging information, as well as calendars,
contacts and tasks.
Other common requirements are the ability to monitor other users
email accounts, to simply be able to create new email addresses,
as well as access email on the move. |
| Remote Access |
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In some areas (such as remote sales people) remote access is
an essential part of the network. Allowing users to quickly and
efficiently obtain information on the road, from customer sites,
at home, whilst on holiday (for the workaholics amongst us!), and
in general - everywhere! |
| Firewall |
|
A firewall provides a protective layer around an organisation
defining what is allowed to enter and leave a network.
A firewall can be singled out as the single most important security
feature of any network. |
| Printing |
- Standalone Printing
- Networked Printing
- Plotting
|
Printing, in some form, is normally an essential part of any
business. Whether it be for general requirements such as letters,
quotations and invoices, to more complex requirements such as high-quality
printing, bulk printing, or plotting up to A0 size paper.
Key4 implements efficient printing solutions that your business
can depend on. We do this by talking to you about your requirements,
discussing your needs, and implementing the right solution for you.
|
| Structured Cabling |
|
The network cabling is what allows computers to talk to one another
in a Local Area Network. The industry standard Cat 5e cabling is
slowly being replaced by Cat 6.
Reliable managed cabling will allow a network to operate smoothly
with data transfer between computers smooth and efficient. Bad cabling
will can cause unexpected downtime, loss of communication and will
reduce the overall stabilitiy of a network. |
| Digital Phone Systems |
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Phones have progressed rapidly progressed from the simple dial-tone,
consistent with the 'digital age' we are now firmly in.
Integrated phone systems that interact with computers, and offer
a whole range of services enable much more effective manipulation
of voice calls.
Small Businesses now have the opportunity to use a wide range of
features previously reserved for the large multinational's. Least
cost routing, voicemail, Direct Dial, Call forwarding, and many
more features allow a much greater control of voice based communications. |
| Power \ UPS |
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One of the most common causes of hard-drive failure is a fluctuating
power supply. A power spike (which unfortunately can be reasonably
common) can immediately render a hard drive and subsequently all
data on it useless.
The cost of the physical damage caused, but more importantly the
loss of data makes power surge protection an essential part of a
network.
It is highly recommended that servers (and critical workstations)
be protected with a UPS, that allows automated and safe shutdown
of a system after a short period of power outage.
More extreme power management (such as diesel generators) are available,
but in general would only be used in data centres with critical
system operations (such as air traffic control!) |
| Machine Rebuilds |
- Complete Software Rebuilds
- Data Transfer, etc.
|
Unfortunately computers are not trouble free (more often than
not the problem will be related to the user somewhere down the line),
although there are many problems that can be caused by hardware
or software incompatibilities.
In a lot of cases, a rebuild is a good solution to return the machine
to a stable operating state within a known time frame. |
| Upgrades & Migrations |
- Planning
- Implementation
- Support
|
As technology develops, hardware and software is outgrown - a
computer has one of the shortest life expectancies out of all technological
goods.
Upgrades and migrations allow older products to be updated to newer
versions increasing the life expectancy without the cost of completing
replcaing the item. |
| Relocations |
- Technical Planning
- Service Provider Liason
- Physical Move Specialists Provided
- Support
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Relocating from one premises to another is a large scale operation
for any company - regardless of the size.
From a technical perspective there are a lot of things that need
to be catered for, such as Internet Connections, Phone Lines, Cabling,
Power Requirements, Logistical planning, Safe moving of sensitive
equipment, and all the way down to supporting any problems that
might arise in the new location.
Key4 can provide a complete I.T. relocation service, from planning,
to liasing with service providers, physically relocating the equipment,
and supporting the move once complete. |