Looking for an IT Services providor

[Viscount]

Hi ,

I asked this question on this forum about 2 years ago and we didn't make the move. So i'll repost it as we are seriously looking at this now.
We are essentially looking for a new IT Services providor as the one we previously used has retired and the others we have occasional contact with have been lost in the recession.

My company is considering moving from a peer-to-peer network to a server.

We are located in three separate offices (Based in Brockley, London) around a business centre (within walking distance) with a further office based 200 miles away and a few outstations, where some staff work from home. We've expanded in an unusual way!

In each office there are separate LAN's with their own Internet connection. The largest LAN has 25 computers to the smallest with 2. Overall there are about 60-70 computers. Email and our website is hosted elsewhere and email is sent through POP3 to individual computers. Data is kept on NAS servers and there is a basic backup system.

So we are thinking about moving to a server based network, Likely Microsoft server, and we would want use exchange. We don’t have any server-based databases but we are looking at the possibitlies of Oracle or SQL. In short we really need a complete IT review.

I’m the IT guy, but I've grown up only with this network so I’ve only experienced peer-to-peer and I don't know too much about managing servers. So theres some serious support and training needed there.

Can anyone recommend any particular company we could use?

[KM-Tiger]

Though you mention Microsoft, if a proposal for a server using Open Source software would be of interest, I'd be happy to oblige.

Apart from the saving on basic Licence Fees, we can include many extras also FOC, and monitor and maintain at reasonable rates.

More information here (http://www.tiger-computing.co.uk/services/tiger-business-servers.html).

[ADS-MARKETING]

If the server can be looked after remotely then I can recommend this company for you - www.pcconsultants.co.uk

I am not an IT man, but I know that they look after servers for many local companies in my area and some servers on a remote basis. I hope this helps.:)

[soft-industry]

Hello. I think our company can help you with this question.
We have extensive experience in administration (remote administartion). Please, visit our site, link on it you can find in my signature.

[Pentangle]

Viscount, you have a PM, as this is our bread & butter work.

Cheers,
Mike.

[leemason]

Viscount,

We are based in SW London and it would be no trouble to have a chat and maybe even come over to see you and look at your current set-up. I would also favour the Open Source router as already posted as it will provide you with a host of additional options at little or no cost.

Lee

[Viscount]

I got the impression that professional support for open source is limited, compared to Windows based and difficult someone like me to learn. Also how transferable are your skills at the end of the day?

[leemason]

I got the impression that professional support for open source is limited, compared to Windows based and difficult someone like me to learn. Also how transferable are your skills at the end of the day?

There are a lot of company offering support for Linux. It's undoubtedly true that MS-Windows has more companies supporting it but what is really relevant is the quality of such support and finding a good company to do it for you.

Linux has been portrayed as difficult to setup but there are many graphical configuration tools now available that can ease most tasks. In terms of transferable skills I would say that Linux skills tend to be more grounded in the technology rather than the tools which means that you will get to understand more about how the whole thing works rather than just which buttons to press. This is valuable where fault finding and fixing is concerned.

I my view MS-Windows skills tend to be only transferable to MS-Windows because administration tends toward de-skilling. This is all very well for getting up and running quickly but has many downsides in understanding what is going on and fault finding.

[Seal-tech]

The key point really is do you have the funds to pay MS for the use of their software ? Im an MS guy and prefer it to open source but there are some very good options available using open source.
My preference has always been with what I know hence MS & Windows. Dont let anyone choose for you - its your decision as you will need to support this on the front line and you need to be comfortable with it.
Im happy to answer any questions but wont be able to help more than that as I am based too far from you.

Allan.

[leemason]

The key point really is do you have the funds to pay MS for the use of their software ? Im an MS guy and prefer it to open source but there are some very good options available using open source.
My preference has always been with what I know hence MS & Windows. Dont let anyone choose for you - its your decision as you will need to support this on the front line and you need to be comfortable with it.
Im happy to answer any questions but wont be able to help more than that as I am based too far from you.

Allan.

Allan,

Good point. It's always best to look at the technology available and to use that which best suites the job.

Lee

[i4visualmedia]

may i suggest a gentlemen from resinfo-tech. his name is Ray snow and i have been using him for as long as i can remember. his number is 01268 759518

He is very affordable and uses state of the art reporting software.

Ray knows if a machine in my office has a problem before i do!

[crumble]

Have sent you a PM.

[wdltd]

Someone I can highly recommend is Eric Hughes at www.emhtechnology.com (http://www.emhtechnology.com) - he really knows his stuff, but just as important, he's a great guy too :)

[Aron]

Hello. I think our company can help you with this question.
We have extensive experience in administration (remote administartion). Please, visit our site, link on it you can find in my signature.


I came into contact with the company GlobalNetsource a while ago and bought a number of domains, but also help with search engine optimization service. I can only recommend to entrepreneurs with e-commerce or similar to use their services. I know there are other companies that also deal with this, but I used the Global Netsource and are very happy with their service. The traffic to my website has grown considerably.

[tushar]

IT company has gone to a different level.

[heathcote123]

Hi Viscount

I'd humbly like to recommend my own company RSCC.

We are based in Hitchin, Herts and cover your area. We are a Microsoft certified small business specialist and have experienced engineers that help companies like yours on a regular contract or ad-hoc basis.

My names Richard, and you can reach me on 0845 3889308. I'm unable to post a link to the website until I've managed 15 posts, but if you google RSCC you'll soon find us. You'll also find us on Microsoft pinpoint.

In my opinion, the best fit for your company would be Microsoft Essential Business server - you're a little too large to fit into small business server because licensing limitations would be a problem with future growth. I personally agree that open-source is not the best way to go for a company of your size - Microsoft make administration much easier, and you'll learn skills much more transferable in the SME market. But we're an MS shop so I'll admit my bias! - so by all means check out the competition.

No doubt you'll want it all linked up with site-to-site VPN's, for which we use Cisco equipment -it does cost a little more, but when your talking about company of this size, in my opinion it's well worth paying a bit more for rock-solid reliability than trying to save a few pounds on a home-brew solution.

I'd be happy to drop in for a no obligation chat.

thanks

Richard
RSCC ltd
0845 3889308

[Pentangle]

Ahem:

http://www.microsoft.com/ebs/en/us/default.aspx

:)

[leemason]

Ahem:

http://www.microsoft.com/ebs/en/us/default.aspx

:)

It's good to see that Microsoft remain committed!

[heathcote123]

Oh bugger, I missed that one :p - that didn't last long.

Vanilla server it would be then.

[leemason]

Id' personally look at Open Source. Mandriva Enterprise Server 5.1 http://store.mandriva.com/product_info.php?products_id=433&cPath=149 provides ease of management through wizard based configuration for all major elements of system configuration. It costs about £250.00 inc 1 years updates or about £450.00 with 3 years updates. It also include 1 months web based installation support to get you going.

[lai]

Dear Viscount,

Hello again, please feel free to get in touch with your questions.

I am still an IT freelancer based in SE London.

Regards,

LC.

[NetwiseHosting]

If you are still looking for a solution, do not hesitate to contact us with more information. Would be a pleasure to help in tailoring a solution for you.

[computer storm]

Hi Viscount,

As you are classed as a small business I would recommend going to the Microsoft Site and finding a company that is registered as Small business specialists. This would be your best bet to get your network analysed and a good cost effective solution drawn up for your company. You can find the nearest and best company for your needs by going to the following link.

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/smallbusiness/how-to-buy/small-business-specialist.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/uk/smallbusiness/how-to-buy/small-business-specialist.mspx)

Hope this helps if you want any further information then please drop me a line anytime

[Viscount]

Thank you for your responses. I now have enough contacts to go with. I will keep the forum updated on the results.