Solutions Case Studies
Here are a selection of case studies from various solutions that we have consulted on and supplied equipment for. We have included a brief description of the customer requirements and the agreed solution explaining our reasoning for selecting the various components of the solution.
Server, storage and backup.
Archiving.
Networking & Communication.
Digital Video & Multimedia.
Video Conferencing.
Workstation.
For further information please contact our sales team.
Server, storage and backup solutions:
Customer requirements:
One of our customers is a publisher of books and partworks, they have roughly 65 users and required a new file server solution to cope with there increased work load. They required a fast and reliable solution with expansion possibilities to coexist with their existing Appleshare IP server.
Agreed solution:
We supplied an Apple OS X G4 Server because the customer wanted to stay with the same platform and only have minimal training on the new system. This server provides ample speed for the work requirements of the users.
For the back up solution we specified an AIT tape autoloader and suggested a backup regime comprising of a full copy of the data every night with 5 days worth of rolling tapes to allow for 4 previous versions of the data to be stored off site.
For the data storage we specified a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) level 5 system with an additional hot spare drive, allowing up to two hard disks to fail in the RAID array without any data loss. This RAID solution provides an additional level of data protection over the daily tape back up solution. It also has a additional benefit of speed over a single large capacity hard drive.
Customer requirements:
One of our design customers required a large capacity tape backup solution for their Windows 2000 server. They had been using an AIT tape autoloader but the backup had exceeded the tapes capacity, they liked the AIT system and wanted to use the same technology.
Agreed solution:
We supplied an Lacie Treefrog 750Gb(uncompressed) dual AIT II drive 15 slot backup system. This was connected to a Windows 2000 server using Arcserve backup software. This system provided the large data backup that they required.
Archiving solutions:
Customer requirements:
One of our customers are an international product design house, they required an archiving solution to remove large amounts of data from the file server, but still have it available for the users on the network all be it with a slight delay.
Agreed solution:
We supplied a DVD RAM jukebox with a capacity of 493Gb, this provided the capacity they needed and allowed reasonable access time, just the delay for the disk to be loaded in to the DVD drive by the robotic arm, to retrieve the data for the users. The jukebox was integrated in to their existing Windows 2000 server.
Networking & Communication solutions:
Customer requirements:
We have a customer who is a reprographics house that relocated and required a network to handle the large picture files that are used on a day to day basis. The system had to integrate in to a Scitex Unix file server and also a web based file retrieval system that their customers use to pass work back and forth.
Agreed solution:
We installed a CAT5e cabling system with a large cabinet and 19" rack system to accommodate all of the patch panels and the high speed data switches. This system is also used for the telephone system allowing the customer the flexibility to relocate users around the building.
Digital Video & Multimedia solutions:
Customer requirements:
We have a customer that is a large record label that required a video editing suite for their promotional video and other projects. They already had available some Sony high end digital beta video decks and a high specification Macintosh G4.
Agreed solution:
We supplied a digital Voodoo D1 desktop AV card. This card allowed the client to process in real-time the 10-bit uncompressed SDI video streams from the digital video recorders. For the on-line video data storage we specified a video RAID solution that met the requirements of high speed and large capacity, this included a high speed SCSI Ultra 160 card for the Macintosh. We supplied a Sony professional 20" Video monitor to allow an accurate preview of the promotional material. The client is using Apple's Final cut pro with various third party plugins.
Video conferencing solutions:
Customer requirements:
We have a client that is part of an international media packaging group that required a video conferencing solution to connect up to the states.
Agreed solution:
We supplied a Polyspan viewstation 512 MP with a 50" NEC plasma display, this system utilised the existing ISDN2e lines for the connection to the states. The solution was installed in to a new board room concealing the cabling and also providing extra benefits of allowing portable computers on the board room table to be patched through to the plasma display.
Workstation solutions:
Customer requirements:
We have a client who is a leading illustrator of children's books who works in the digital domain with some very large graphics files in the order of 500Mb and they wanted a new workstation to handle these files and coexist with the Macintosh that they already had.
Agreed solution:
Due to the nature of the data files we needed to provide a very fast and powerful workstaion. we specified the top of the range dual processor power Macintosh G4 with 1Gb of RAM and a 120Gb Hard drive to cope with the large files. As an artist he required a large graphics tablet to enable him to draw in a freehand manner and not have to learn a new drawing process by changing over to a mouse.
Customer requirements:
We have a customer who is a freelance author that required a word processing system but wanted to upgrade from his existing Apple computer.
Agreed solution:
We supplied an Apple iMac TFT with a HP Laserjet 1200 printer, this would exceed all of the customers requirements and enabled him to branch out in to other areas that he had not previously tried.
Customer requirements:
We have a customer who wanted a PC workstation for home that could also be taken into the office. They already had a printer and digital camera that needed to be integrated with the new system.
Agreed solution:
We supplied a Compaq Evo Laptop with docking station, external keyboard, mouse and monitor which all matched aesthetically. This allowed the customer to just take the laptop off of the docking station without the need to unplug any cables allowing the capabilities of a normal desktop PC at home but with the advantage of taking the PC with all of the existing data and applications to other locations.
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