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NOTE: Please click here for some current customer testimonials (PDF)
These case studies reflect organizations who benefit
from our managed service plans:
INDUSTRY: Legal (2007)
LOCATION: Seattle, WA
PLATFORM: Windows 2003 Server
USERS: 50
SPECIAL APPS: PracticeMaster
When we started work on this network it was insecure, unstable, and had been "manhandled" by a revolving door of consultants over several years. An outdated version of Novell GroupWise combined with PracticeMaster on Novell Netware 6 was causing a lot of integration headaches. The version of GroupWise in use was unsupported by Novell and it was simply too old to handle today's e-mail volumes. Two additional locations in the Puget Sound area connected in via VPN and used Terminal Server to connect to PracticeMaster--and this wasn't working reliably, either, causing hundreds of lost billable hours & creating a very stressful situation for everyone involved.
In a fast-paced four-month period, we replaced the Novell server with a new Microsoft Windows 2003 file server and a separate Microsoft Exchange 2007 e-mail server. We migrated all data from several "piles" to one unified area on the new file server and re-engineered the backups using existing software and hardware. Then, we migrated every single item stored in the ancient GroupWise database to the Exchange 2007 database with no errors.
In parallel with this process, we replaced every single workstation on the network with a new good-quality Dell OptiPlex business PC running Windows XP Pro and Microsoft Office 2003. We proceeded to then completely secure the network and educate the end-users on choosing strong passwords.
Finally, we replaced the VPN devices with modern, state-of-the-art units by SonicWALL: great firewalls with plenty of capabilities that are nearly foolproof to set up and manage.
After all was said and done we fully implemented a full-blown proactive management plan (Network Care Legal) that includes management, monitoring, helpdesk, reporting, and monthly face-to-face "Network Wellness" visits (by your Virtual CIO) in order to keep things strategically aligned with the overriding business goals.
The result? Everything just works. People get their work done; billable hours are up; even stress-related "sick days" are down because the overall mood has improved. After years of working with broken systems they found us, and we fixed literally everything. We can do this for any company.
INDUSTRY: Non-profit technology-based education center
LOCATION: Bothell, WA
PLATFORM: Windows 2003 Server, Windows 2000 Server,
Cisco
USERS: 20
SPECIAL APPS: Project Server, Sharepoint Services,
ListServ, Exchange
BDPNetworks maintains & implements cutting-edge technology on
a network for a small non-profit organization that really pushes the
state-of-the-art.
They have a large number of users who work remotely - from all over the
country, or all over the world - so need dependable, flexible access
to their data from wherever they go. We are their helpdesk for server,
workstation & e-mail related issues. Our services are accessible
online & via priority phone tree from anywhere they may travel. BDPNetworks
also specifies hardware configurations for their users & handles
server & network provisioning needs as well.
Non-profit organizations often have limited resources for outside support.
This organization keeps their costs controlled by employing a BDPNetworks
Maintenance & Support Plan which includes expert, on-call support
with scheduled maintenance for a fixed monthly rate.
INDUSTRY: Water treatment systems
LOCATION: Bellevue, WA
USERS: 40
PLATFORM: Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP,
MDaemon E-mail
BDPNetworks was called in to replace the part-time network administrator at
this organization. The network was outdated, composed of numerous
brittle, undocumented pieces including high-end engineering applications, accounting
applications, and custom-built timesheet & document management programs.
We prescribed a plan of action to tackle many different aspects of this network
at once, from replacing back-end equipment & server operating systems to
replacing workstations to updating third-party applications in use to modifying
the custom software so it's still viable. We are still in the
process of following this plan but end-users have already benefited from drastically
reduced support response times and a network that is more stable. This will
continue to improve the company's bottom line over time as users become more
efficient with their work.
INDUSTRY: Non-profit sports organization
LOCATION: Kirkland, WA
USERS: 30
PLATFORM: Microsoft Small Business Server 2000
BDPNetworks engineers turned around a small network that
was previously run by volunteers. This association has tight spending
controls which can be a challenge to other network vendors, but not to
our engineers who are experienced in maximizing the potential of existing
network hardware & software. They reinstalled the server, enhanced
the backup routines, nailed down security & virus protection, and
increased storage space without needing to purchase expensive new hardware.
We also recommended specific reasonably priced business-grade desktop
PCs to replace the older consumer-grade PCs that were failing on a regular
basis. BDPNetworks gave the organization a blueprint for updating & extending
their network over the course of several years which has now been fully
realized. The network runs extremely smoothly and administrative
changes & support requests are handled via BDPNetworks's own web-based
tracking system.
BDPNetworks keeps this organization's costs under control through a
comprehensive flat-rate Maintenance & Support Plan with regular scheduled
checkups. Other projects were handled via flat-rate bids as well, preventing
unexpected cost overruns.
INDUSTRY: Attorneys-at-law
LOCATION: Seattle, WA
USERS: 5
PLATFORM: Netware for Small Business (with GroupWise E-mail)
This organization came to us in 2001, frustrated with
their existing network support professional. The nature of their business
requires storage of mass amounts of documents, yet their network server
was completely unreliable, crashing unexpectedly during the day for days
at a time. BDPNetworks moved their data from the unreliable server to
a workstation for temporary safekeeping so they could continue working.
Then, we installed Netware for Small Business 6.0 using the good parts
from a number of other machines eliminating the need for new hardware.
We then configured Novell GroupWise, added corporate backup & virus protection
services, and rebuilt the workstations so they'd perform better. The
result was a system that continues to serve them well. They changed their
focus from coping with a network that was constantly slowing them down
to using IT as a competitive advantage--layering systems on top of a
solid foundation that gives them an edge.
INDUSTRY: Construction
LOCATION: Washington State
USERS: 25 (including several remote locations)
PLATFORM: Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Terminal
Server
BDPNetworks helped implement and continues to maintain a site-to-site
VPN from the central office to several remote construction sites that
are constantly moving. We implemented & continue to maintain a critical
Windows Terminal Server that is used to access the company-wide accounting
software. We perform regular maintenance, and are also on-call
during business hours under our contract for all locations and all end-users
can contact
us
directly
at any time
with
questions or problems.
INDUSTRY: Heavy Construction Engineering
LOCATION: Seattle, WA
PLATFORM: Netware 4.11, 5.0, 5.1 and Windows NT 4.0
USERS: 5
BDPNetworks provides IT support for the Seattle
branch of a much larger company. We work with the IT Manager in the
midwest to help keep several laptops & one server maintained regularly,
and help
provision new services as well. We also act as a local helpdesk when
things fail, and escalate problems to the central office when necessary.
We work with the company as a full-fledged network administrator
for five engineers who really use their computers heavily--for a fraction
of the cost of hiring an independent network administrator to oversee
that small office.
These case studies reflect past engagements of Brian
Place, Sr. Engineer & Principal
PROJECT: WAN administrator (full-time)
INDUSTRY: Environmental engineering
LOCATION: Kirkland, WA
PLATFORM: Netware 4.11, 5.0, 5.1 and Windows NT 4.0
USERS: 650
Brian's most recent job (before starting BDPNetworks
in 2001) was that of a WAN administrator Kirkland, WA. He was responsible
for day-to-day
operations
of 15 servers
in Kirkland in addition to 10 servers in remote offices (spread around
the western U.S.) in a highly heterogeneous network. He managed a large
BorderManager system that cached and controlled access for 350+ WAN users
and a 3-server Citrix MetaFrame farm used for a legacy accounting system
(with an average load of 45 users--the Citrix user domain was integrated
into NDS with NDS for NT to simplify administration). In addition, he
was the sole e-mail administrator for their 600-person GroupWise 5.5
system. He was acting IT manager for the company as well, supervising
six other
IT personnel spread across the U.S.
PROJECT: LAN installation
INDUSTRY: Automotive manufacturing
LOCATION: Saline, MI
PLATFORM: Netware 4.11 + 5
USERS: 70+
This LAN included Compaq server hardware, Novell Netware
4.11, Novell GroupWise 5.1, Netware Connect (for network-based dial-in
and dial-out facilities), ARCserve, FAXserve (for network based faxing,
integrated with GroupWise), InocuLAN & ZENworks 1.0. He later added
an additional server (Netware 5.0), added a company Intranet (Netware
Enterprise WebServer), added a publically-accessible web page (Linux),
upgraded GroupWise to version 5.5 and configured it for Internet E-mail
. He also helped the client utilize ZENworks to push out applications
& workstation settings, saving lots of time and money on administration
costs.
PROJECT: Server installation
INDUSTRY: Heating & Cooling
LOCATION: Ann Arbor, MI
PLATFORM: Netware 5
USERS: 25
This project included adding a new Netware 5.0 server
into their existing network and "getting their accounting software
to run faster and better than it was ever designed to run." This
included "creative scripting" which mapped printers based on
user login and "extensive tweaking" which allowed the software
to run fast enough for many more users than it was designed for without
a huge amount of outlay for a new system. This project also included formal
GroupWise training for the entire staff.
PROJECT: Replace 40 workstations
INDUSTRY: Medical Filter Manufacturing
LOCATION: Ann Arbor, MI
PLATFORM: Netware 4.11, Windows NT 4.0
USERS: 40
Based on his earlier experience building computers from
parts, Brian designed an extensive customized checklist (before the days
of workstation imaging) to ensure that the new computers were consistently
configured, saving money in support costs down the road.
PROJECT: Outsourced LAN administrator
INDUSTRY: Auto part manufacturing
LOCATION: Saline, MI
PLATFORM: Windows NT 4.0, Netware 3.12, OS/400 (IBM AS/400)
USERS: 55
Twice a week for
almost two years, Brian acted as the onsite administrator for a company
in Saline that manufactures valve springs for engineers. He assisted the
corporate staff in converting their E-mail package from Lotus cc:Mail
to Microsoft Exchange 5.5. He also assisted in the migration from Netware
3.12 to Windows NT 4.0, and migrated applications & data from 50
486-based PCs running Windows 3.1 to new Pentium-based Compaqs running
Windows NT.
In addition, he designed custom solutions for application deployment &
access control without the aid of Microsoft SMS. The company saved money
by not hiring a full-time network administrator, and received expert care,
experience and hands-on knowledge that many entry-level network administrators
lack.
PROJECT: Platform migration
INDUSTRY: Accounting firm
LOCATION: Ann Arbor, MI
PLATFORM: Netware 3.12 to Netware 5
USERS: 7
Installed network-based
FAXing, and Netware Connect; set up pcAnywhere on workstations to advertise
themselves through the Netware Connect NASI gateway, allowing the firm
to use one modem to dial-in to and control the machines in the office
from the outside.
PROJECT: Server installation
INDUSTRY: Property Management
LOCATION: Ann Arbor, MI
PLATFORM: Windows NT 4.0
USERS: 5
The server included
the usual backup, virus protection, internet connection and printing,
but also included a small modem pool configured with RAS. Brian also
tested
and demonstrated the feasibility of running the firm's FoxPro-based database
across RAS & Citrix connections.
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