Bonny’s Internet Cafe, Camberley, Surrey
September
2002
We were invited to provide the consultancy for the development
of the first Internet Café in Camberley town
centre, Surrey.
This was to include:
-
All related PC hardware
- Physical
network encompassing two floors within the new premises
- A
1Mb ADSL link for Internet connectivity
- Print
/ fax / scan / copy facilities
- Software
to facilitate time management and customer billing
on the Café computers
We
were also asked to make provision for linking the in-store
security cameras to the Café’s management
PC, and also to provide email and hosting facilities
for the company’s website
Bonny’s
– before
October
2002
We began by managing the installation of the telephone
lines and ADSL connection
At the same time we undertook a review of popular Internet
Cafe management software packages, to determine whether
any of these would fulfil the task or whether we would
need to write our own.
As ease of management was the top priority, we also
decided to implement a hardware smartcard system for
the computers. This would allow the shop staff to easily
restore them on a daily basis to a “clean”
system (with the added advantage of eliminating any
possible virus infection).
Working in conjunction with the client’s shopfitters,
the next step was to implement the switched backbone
network.
November
2002
With the Café opening on November 14th 2002,
and the shopfitters working up until 13th, we faced
a challenge during the first two weeks of November to
physically install the computer hardware! However, with
the network complete, the shop computers were duly delivered
and connected, having already been configured on a separate
test network in our offices.
The central management PC followed, with the in-store
security cameras connected to it, allowing staff to
view the video and audio from the store’s first
floor cameras on their computer.
We are currently providing hands-on training for the
staff to familiarise them with the new system, and also
with full, contract technical support to ensure that
any problems that may arise in the future are dealt
with quickly and effectively, to minimise any loss of
revenue to the business
Bonny’s
opening night
Some of the internet access
computers
Management
computer
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Weyford Junior School, Bordon, Hampshire
May
2002
We were asked by the school to tender for
the installation of a whole school network and central
server, to connect the school’s three wings,
library and ICT lab (around 20 PCs in total).
This was then to be connected to the school’s
broadband supply via a fibre link to the neighbouring
infant school, to allow high speed Internet access.
Following a site visit, and a full survey, we were
able to recommend a switched cat5e Ethernet network,
Windows NT server for file and print sharing, with
UPS (uninterruptable power supply) and tape backup
systems for data redundancy.
Summer
2002
We commenced work during the school Summer holiday,
to minimise disruption to the teaching staff and pupils.
The network was fully installed within the first few
days. The server had already been built and preconfigured
offsite, ready to deliver to the school
We also installed print servers, to allow the school’s
laser and inkjet printers to be shared across the
network, and at the same time upgraded those computers
that required additional memory or network cards.
Late
Summer 2002
We were further commissioned to implement a central
antivirus and web proxy strategy for the school.
We chose Symantec’s Corporate Antivirus software
for the former, and the Mailtraq web proxy/email server
for the latter, both with educational software licencing.
Both applications were installed and fully configured,
with the intention of reducing to a minimum the amount
of management required by the school’s ICT staff.
The school then decided to implement the email server,
and we were able to configure this to provide the
central collection of email from 20 mailboxes and
the onward distribution to PCs throughout the school.
Lastly, a software program was installed to prevent
pupils from making unwanted changes to the Windows
configuration on the school PCs, and to provide a
uniform Windows desktop across all computers
Autumn
Term 2002
After completing the above, we provided hands-on training
for the school’s ICT coordinator along with
a full audit of the school’s network layout
and network addressing details. We continue to provide
technical support to the school as required.
The
following benefits have been realised by the school:
*
Centralised management and central file storage
* A self-updating and automatic antivirus system on
the server and all connected PCs
* Server protection against minor power outages
* Data protection via tape backup
* Fully monitored and auditable email and Internet
access with ability to independently block access
to undesirable web material
* Shared printers without the need for PC-based print
servers
* Prevention of unauthorised PC configuration changes
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