Want a Professional Network?

D&K Enterprise specializes in setting up and supporting business networks of all sizes. Here’s a simple breakdown of the things we do during a typical Domain Controller installation. For more details please write to info@dandkenterprise.com. This setup is meant to give the business owner an idea of just how complex an office network system is and how important it is to set it up the right the first time. Any IT company will boast that they can do this stuff, and probably even copy this to put it in their website but D&K’s proven it over 160 times in the last 5 years!

 

Network Setup for Small Business Network:

a.     Consultation on hardware such as servers, routers, printers, faxes.

b.     Create Domain Controller for Office

                                                             i.      Configure Domain controller as an Act. Dir. Server

1.     Setup Organizational Units, Users, and Group

                                                           ii.      Install Group Policy and create group policy objects

1.     Configure Group Policy Objects to automatically add printers and mapped drives, secure workstations and secure internet explorer, automatically install programs in workstations, update workstations, and run scripts on member workstations.

                                                        iii.      Install and configure DNS, DHCP, WNS, IIS, Admin Pack and Terminal Services

                                                        iv.      Create shared/secure folders for all users to share certain documents, if necessary for compliance we can install Access Based Enumeration

                                                           v.      Implement Automated Onsite Backup for Server

1.     If subscribed we will install our automated online offsite backups of dynamic data.

2.     Setup automated Daily backup.

3.     Create Image and set to X2 monthly backup

c.      Rename and Join All Workstations containing XP Professional to domain

                                                             i.      Install and or configure antivirus program on workstations

                                                           ii.      Install all available windows updates using the automated WSUS program which we install on the server.

                                                        iii.      Install printers (up to 10) and set to auto add for domain logins

                                                        iv.      Configure Microsoft Office for use with Word, Outlook and Excel

d.     Configure firewall to secure network

                                                             i.      Configure NAT and routes to allow remote connections to office if necessary for remote network support.

e.      Install and configure Switches, Router, Hubs, Modems and printers

f.       If requested and proper equipment is available we can setup the scanners to scan to shared folder/folders on the network, and also setup virtual faxing so that you can send faxes out from your computers.

g.     Content filtering will also be included and we can setup a whitelist/blacklist as well as filter over 30 categories of rated content.

 

Calyx Point Data Server

Calyx Point Data Server Planning

 

At D&K we get a lot of business owners that are interested in having a solution to make their business more efficient and productive. For mortgage offices we’ve come to like this one product in particular because of its simplicity and ease of maintenance. It’s our kind of product because it’s to the point, fast and professional, and not slow colorful and pretty. Calyx Point Data Server is unique in that it is a lightweight program which runs off and SQL database and has great support. Mortgage offices that we setup with teleworkers or branch offices thrive on Calyx PDS and have the potential to grow rapidly.

 

Here’s what is needed for this project:

1.       Server with SQL workgroup, and MSWS2003 Standard R2 SP2

2.       SSL Certificate

3.       Subdomain

4.       High Speed Internet at location of choosing with one Static IP address

1.       Optionally you can have it hosted in a data warehouse which has redundant everything

5.       Offsite/online automated and encrypted backup program

6.       Battery backup for Server if not at data warehouse

7.       Extra cables for server and place to put server in dry, static-free environment

8.       Calyx PDS server install

9.       Calyx compatible version for client installs

10.   Setup, Installation, and Configuration

 

Here’s the timeframe:

            Pending server arrival, internet upgrade for Static IP address complete, we can have the server fully functional in approximately 2 days.

 

Capacity Planning:

1.       The server we install will be a basic web server but capable of handling about 50 concurrent connections without notice of lag over the WAN. Most of the time if we create 100 user accounts on the server, only about 50% are used at the same time. Using a T1 of course if the best option for consistency but this system has proved very well if just run with a large DSL pipe. 

2.       You can have numerous shared template sets, data folders, and Cardex databases. Usually each branch has separate folder/s and template. Certain users will only have access to certain folders for compliance/reporting purposes. The reporting feature is really nice and we’ve created several custom reports too.

3.       You’ll be able to connect to this server over the WAN as long as you have a compatible version on your workstation, and have a good internet connection.

4.       If you have existing information that you need uploaded to the server we will have to do that during the installation.

5.       Increasing amount of users beyond 100, if necessary will warrant additional web servers and possibly an SQL database engine so as to allow multiple servers to connect with a single data source.

 

If you have any questions let us know.

 

Flat Panel arrangement for Exam Rooms in a Medical Office

Recommended Dell touch screens. The 15 inch flat panel is 10.6 pounds. Only one 9 inch extension can be added to the LX Wall Mount Arm due to recommended torque maximum. Therefore the total extension in the arm is 3 feet. Is that stretch enough for your exam rooms?

        If that isn’t then you could consider the FLEX which can reach 3.5 feet and has handles but it’s much more expensive.

        Here is a list of the prices:

 

1.       Dell 15inch Flat Panel Touch Screen:                        $529                      

2.       WYSE V10L 128MB FL Computer:                               $359

3.       Universal CPU Holder:                                                   $49

4.       LX Wall Mount Arm:                                                        $169

5.       9 inch extension:                                                              $50 

 

Total Hardware(Tax and Shipping Not included):               $1156

 

This does not include tax or shipping and installation costs.

Tips to Saving Energy

Consolidate the servers you’re using into one location and direct your cooling resources to that hotspot.  Use virtualization to pack more physical servers onto fewer virtual ones.  By some estimates, about 70% of servers in the data center are only supporting one application.  Utilization rates of less than 15% on single servers are not uncommon. These are ideal candidates for virtualization.

Air conditioning is responsible for the greatest energy waste.  The problem is that most data center managers don't know where all their hotspots are, so they take a brute force approach and cool the entire data center to a certain level. The reality is that the hottest servers probably consume a minority of floor space.

 

7 things to expect from your IT partner!

By Jeff Wuorio

Your information-technology partner business should be just that — a partner in every sense of the word.

On the surface, that may sound a little warm and fuzzy, and possibly a bit optimistic.

Some IT consultants may focus on fulfilling your basic needs. They provide you technology advice and supply whatever tangible products and service are necessary to facilitate your needs.

But what you should reasonably expect from an IT "partner" goes well beyond that. They should take a vested interest in your business, providing the benefits and guidance that are central to your company's growth and success.

Here are seven things to expect from your IT partner:

1. Technical expertise — and strong communication skills. Of course, an IT partner should be well-versed in the ins and outs of technology. But that sort of knowledge can be of little more than academic value if your partner doesn't have first-hand knowledge of how it applies to your business. "He should be first and foremost a businessperson who utilizes technology in a cost-effective manner to solve business problems," says David Cochrane, director of the technology consulting and solutions group at Fort Lauderdale-based D&K Enterprise. "He can bridge the technology and communications gap that often exists between IT and a CEO's office."

2. An awareness of your budget — and resources. IT partners are proving increasingly essential to a broad range of small to medium-sized businesses. But that sort of critical function shouldn't necessarily come at a crippling expense. When looking for an IT partner, ask dry. "For instance, they can provide access to high-level skills when needed, while paying a reduced rate for services such as a help-desk and repair services," says Dan Blumenthal, executive vice president of Miller Systems, a Boston-based technology concern. "Those are the costs that can consume the majority of an IT budget outside of project work."

3. An advocate who cuts through product hype. No IT partner stays afloat long if a business doesn't go along with his or her recommendations, be it a new software package or a plan to implement it. But truly effective partners go to bat for their client companies, identifying genuinely effective technical options. "An effective IT partner can bridge the gap between a vendor's product hype and what is truly an effective business solution," Crowe says. "He should also help determine if a company is using its current technology to its fullest capacity and show how to maximize the products it already owns."

4. A long-term planner, implementer, and strategist. Even the most carefully thought out technology plan is of little use if it grows old on the drawing board. An involved IT partnership also means a handle on implementation, whether it's suggesting a gradual introduction over time or a veritable technology lost weekend where everything is shut down and changed over. Be sure your IT partner knows the best way to put technology recommendations into place. "An IT partner should also help an organization implement an IT plan," Crowe says. "A partner can help prioritize needs and plan an effective implementation strategy."

5. An industry watcher who maps technology advances and developments to your needs. A proactive IT partner stands ready to pinpoint new technology needs and to suggest updates and changes accordingly. That means keeping close tabs on your business's growth and development — as well as on developments in the world of technology might apply to your needs. "They should continually develop an understanding of the business at hand," Blumenthal says. "Then, they can offer strategic insight into how new solutions and technologies can reduce cost and streamline the operation."

6. A keen ability to troubleshoot and solve problems. It's unrealistic to think that any element of technology, no matter how expensive or sophisticated, is totally immune to breakdowns. Rather than wallowing in that tech Never-Never Land, an effective IT partner should always be ready to address technical problems quickly. Even better, your IT partner should go a step further and be proactive about overseeing regular maintenance and other steps that can head off snafus. "They should provide fast, cost-effective emergency response when problems can't be avoided," Blumenthal says. "But they should also provide scheduled upkeep of networked systems, security policies, backup and virus protection systems so that problems can be prevented as well."

7. An interest in handling all of your technology needs. Nothing can prove more annoying — not to mention wasteful — than you having to hop from consultant to consultant or business to business to address individual elements of your technology needs. One final element when shopping for an IT partner is knowing that all your technology needs will be met under one roof, no matter if it's as involved as a completely new technology infrastructure or as elementary as a basic user's question. Says Blumenthal: "They should act as a single point of accountability and contact for all technology issues."

 

 

Adobe or a Hill of Beans?

This was emailed to our support technicians today and is so funny it made our Blog!

 

Hi David, Hope you don't mind if I ask your opinion as to which Flash Player to install. In order to view some data on Vanguard's website they say I need to install Macromedia Flash Player, but there are all sorts of caveats when looked at the 'install'

directions. Then today a message appeared on my email page that the computer wants to install Adobe Flash Player, if I trust the installer! Now I'm stumped--Is one better than the other? Will Adobe work on the Vanguard site or just Macromedia since they specified it?  Since I don't know a Flash Player from a hill of beans, your insight would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks, Lorie

 

Remote Desktop Requirements and Notes

For remote desktop routes here is what we need.

1.       Computer names of pcs that will be remotely accessed.

2.       Users who will be remoting in to each computer respectively.

 

Requirements:

1.       All computers in office must be left on at all times and have a high speed internet connection.

2.       All computers in office need to be Microsoft XP Professional

 

Notes:

1.       Only one person can be logged in to a computer at a time whether remotely or sitting at the console. This means that each person has to have a designated computer in the office.