Axon IT

Keeping Technology Simple

Reliable, Effective Network With Microsoft Small Business Server

Call Axon IT Now for an informal discussion about your IT requirments: 0870 755 2290Overview

Bolton Arena runs a state of the art leisure complex in the North West, with some 25 admin staff and substantial number of shift based sports staff who help run the facilities. All their key admin systems are IT based www.boltonarena.com.

Detail

Axon were presented with a network that consisted of an OEM NT4 server and a suite of unbranded OEM desktop PCs and laptops running Windows 2000 Professional, this network was at a point of collapse - the server would rarely run for 24 hours without some form of IT intervention (all the financial, admin & marketing systems relied on this unstable server system), the backup system had never run correctly, the was no system fault tolerance and the desktops and laptops were of such low build quality that system failure was common place. All of this resulted in hugely frustrated and largely ineffectual staff.

Solutions (theirs & ours)

The immediate replacement and implementation of a reliable, effective network to support the business. The solution was built around Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 Premium edition and Windows XP Professional. All the hardware was purchased from Dell with next day business support for the PowerEdge server and all the Optiplex desktop PCs. An Active Directory Domain was created to lever all of the features available to a Microsoft network. All of the SBS features were implemented to provide security, messaging, collaboration etc, this includes:

  • ISA Firewall for industry strength security
  • SQL Database to store and reference relational data
  • Exchange email to provide messaging and collaboration
  • Electronic faxing from the desktop to reduce on printed paper costs
  • Intranet to facilitate information sharing across the business
  • File sharing
  • Internet filtering & monitoring (using Surf Control add in to ISA)

Also done during this phase was the purchase of another Dell PowerEdge server to run a state of art gymnasium that allowed users to interact with the equipment and for staff to monitor and amend customers gym routines, all of this information is fed back to touch screen stations around the gym. This system was integrated into the SBS network.

Metric of success

This was easy in this case as their existing system was largely ineffective and non functioning. Now they have stable and secure technology that allows them to do what they do best as a business which is provide the latest leisure facilities to the general public without the fear of failing IT systems.