|
|
Business Needs
The Anslow Partnership is a firm of building services engineers. If you have 20,000 - 100,000+ square feet of office space, they will tell you exactly how to cable, heat, light, plumb and cool it.
When the company started out in 2004 they shared the offices of a larger firm of architects and interior designers. Initially, they were able to draw on their hosts’ IT infrastructure. However, thanks to rapid growth, they moved into new offices in London and opened a second office in Dublin.
The company started with the most basic IT platform imaginable – a couple of laptops. However, as it grew, David Anslow realised that IT was fundamental to the business and they turned to EJC IT, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, to help them set up a secure and efficient IT infrastructure of their own.
Besides the usual need for email, internet access and shared files and printers, The Anslow Partnership uses a range of business applications specific to their industry, such as AutoCad, drawing production software, environmental modelling and calculation software and specification writing programs to meet the needs of their extensive client base.
“We wanted to make sure all the servers ran properly and new users were set up properly,” says Mark Dallman, the company’s financial partner.
In addition, the company wanted remote email access for staff working offsite and for their branch office in Ireland.
|
Solution
Due to its size, the company was able to use Windows Small Business Server 2003. This includes Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server but is limited to a maximum of 75 users – no problem for The Anslow Partnership.
However, for extra security – and in line with recommended best practice for security-conscious installations – EJC IT installed a separate ISA 2004 Server. A third server is dedicated to running the company’s specialist business applications and accounts software.
Remote users can access line of business applications using Remote Desktop and connect to the email server using Outlook Web Access (for web browsers) or Outlook Mobile Access (for Smartphones).
EJC IT uses the remote access features in Small Business Server 2003 to carry out remote management and meaning that they can offer a comprehensive and reliable support service without making frequent visits to their customers’ premises.
Benefits
The new infrastructure has supported the company even as it has doubled in size in the last year.
“We’ve demonstrated that it is reliable and secure,” says Gavin Barkey, EJC IT’s technical director. Thanks to Microsoft technology and EJC IT’s architecture and support, The Anslow Partnership has the better level of infrastructure and support than they enjoyed when working in a shared office without having to employ a dedicated IT person.
“It’s cost-efficient to outsource this,” says Dallman. “You’re buying in professionals who have far more knowledge than yourselves. It’s peace of mind,” he concludes.
The company now plans to introduce Smartphones to let its staff pick up their emails remotely and – thanks to ISA Server 2004 – securely. But for Dallman, the most valuable benefit is the reassurance that it’s all being taken care of securely and efficiently.
Read More
Find out more about how Microsoft ISA Server can secure and protect your network with EJC IT and Celestix MSA and WSA Appliances. Click here
Find out about the EJC IT Outsourced Support and Management Service. Click
Find out more about The Anslow Partnership, their services, clients and work. Click here
|
