DhCCC Dominic Hughes & Co Computer Consultants.

Our primary activity has always been assisting businesses with their information technology requirements. At the heart of every IT system is a file server that may be complimented with other servers performing numerous roles ie: email, database, remote access etc. Most business owners & their management do not have the time or inclination to fully research what is required to build an IT system – they know what they want but do not have the expertise to implement. Besides, they are best concentrating on what they do best – their business!

Recent advances in technology mean that for some businesses their data and applications can be hosted offsite in the "cloud" removing the need for a local file server on premises. This is not for everyone, but DHCCC can advise management if this is appropriate for their business outlining the pros and cons of each solution and as such assisting management in making the correct decision.

These days, every branch of every business should have access to head office email and data. DHCCC can design, implement and support your WAN (wide area network) with cost effective internet based virtual private networks (VPN). At each location a corporate strength router / firewall appliance is deployed that ensures your data safely transverses the internet in a highly encrypted state. We recognise that maintainng these links is very important for business continuity and as such ensure only reliable appliances coupled with business grade internet connections are utilised.

Being able to access email and data when away from the office means we can make the most of our time. The internet's availability at work, home & whilst travelling allows busy professionals to check email and update information in a simple & secure manner. DHCCC can offer a number of solutions that are scalable….simple remote email access or VPN software that is installed on the remote computer to create an encrypted & trusted connection. For businesses requiring very high security we offer the RSA SecureID® appliance that requires two factor authentication….something you have (randomly generated PIN every 60 seconds via hardware token) and something you know…your password.

Where a number of remote or branch staff need access to your corporate data concurrently, we recommend Microsoft's ® Terminal server solution. Fully scalable, your terminal server ensures data resides at head office rather than distributed across laptops and PCs in an uncontrolled environment.

Your data is your business's biggest asset. Losing data is always costly and statistics prove those businesses which suffer serious loss typically fail shortly thereafter….within months. In recent years solutions that used only be available to corporates with big budgets are now available to small to medium sized enterprises. DHCCC can provide a comprehensive backup strategy that includes tape, server imaging and offsite technology.

Server imaging comprises taking a "snapshot" of your server's state at a moment in time on an automated scheduled basis. Should your server suffer a catastrophic failure caused by either hardware or software, it can be restored in hours rather than days.

Offsite backup for your critical data utilises your existing internet connection whereby each evening only changes to your data are replicated (encrypted) to a secure Government endorsed data centre. This technology is designed to complement your tape backup program and can be used to recover data that has been overwritten in your tape cycle or for disaster recovery through loss of premises. It also reduces your business' exposure to risk when the tape cartridge has not been changed due to forgetfulness or absenteeism – you can rest easy knowing your data is protected.

Demand for wireless connectivity in businesses is now very popular & DHCCC have a number of solutions beginning with wireless access points discreetly positioned in board and meeting rooms all the way through to designing wireless networks that connect physical buildings via line of site. DHCCC recommends state-of-the-art unified threat management (UTM) technology that provides the best available protection for your business network ie: wireless access points are controlled by the main firewall whereby data undergoes deep packet inspection blocking unauthorised intrusion, viruses and spyware etc. Through "rule sets" we are able to securely segment your wireless and wired networks when required.

The workplace is not always the office. For those who spend a lot of time in the field or need to "keep their finger on the pulse" DHCCC can recommend, install and configure the two most popular smart phone technologies. Both the BlackBerry Enterprise® and the Apple iPhone® are wireless solutions that extend the benefits of your Microsoft® Exchange messaging and collaboration environment and other tools to your team. By mobilizing Microsoft® Exchange, your organization can boost business performance by increasing productivity and enabling workers to make timely decisions based on the most accurate information available. It provides push-based wireless replication for email, calendar, contacts and scheduling virtually any place, anytime without being in the office!

Most organisations rely on email for their communication needs. Email systems are very good transaction engines, however in recent times the nature of email has changed. The increasing volume & size of emails along with their importance makes managing email systems very difficult. We need to consider:

• The legal implications of email usage means that emails need to be exhaustively searched, analysed and retrieved quickly and effectively.
• Requirement to comply with legislation such as the Public Records and Archive Legislation for the retention of information contained in emails.
• Managing and leveraging the valuable corporate knowledge contained in email systems.
• The rising storage and management costs of email along with product limitations ie: how much can be stored.
• Improving the disaster recovery and business continuity for email systems

DHCCC can tailor an archiving and management solution that enables email and file data to become a true asset for the organisation by capturing, indexing and storing it for mailbox management, compliance and knowledge sharing.

Why pay for inter-office phone calls? Voice over IP (VOIP) allows any business to utilise their network connections between their branch offices to carry both voice and data. Each branch is allocated an extension range and combined with your VOIP enabled PABX, inter-office calls incur no charge. Depending on usage and activity, additional ISP charges may apply but a feasibility study beforehand determines the viability for your business. DHCCC partners with a range of accredited telephony companies to bring this solution to your business.