Services

Periodic Maintenance

All computers’ operating systems can deteriorate over time. Programs exit without cleaning up temporary files and registry keys. Disks become fragmented. File systems get corrupted. Bad guys learn new ways to get around defensive software and attack computers. Etc. We clean up useless files and registry keys, keep disks and files in good shape, and make sure virus and spyware signatures are up to date.

Microsoft and other vendors routinely issue updates to their software, some that you need and some that can hurt you. If you enable automatic updates, you could get software you don’t want, and if you do not enable automatic updates, you could be vulnerable to attack. We manage software updates according to your needs.

Can you restore from your backups? We make sure you can.

Specification, Installation, and Configuration

Product selection can be difficult. We help assess needs and narrow down candidate products and services that meet business needs at minimum cost. We install hardware and software, from stringing voice and data wire, unpacking boxes, and plugging components in to setting it all up correctly. Once installed, many products need proper configuration to operate effectively in a specific customer’s business. We approach that from a business needs point of view, rather than a product features point of view.

Security

Gone are the days when one could install a major vendor's anti-virus software and be safe. Attacking computers makes huge profits for the criminals who do it, and some of the traditionally leading defensive software companies’ current products are slow, fat, and ineffective, are easily defeated by the bad guys, and impair system performance. We analyze the entire local network and how it's used, and then recommend security strategy, along with quality hardware and software products.

Updates and Upgrades

Most software needs updating during its lifetime, and even hardware can need updating, such as adding more memory or bigger disks. Eventually, old systems can outlive their usefulness and need to be upgraded or replaced. We manage updates and upgrades to keep systems useful while minimizing disruption and cost.

Repairs

Hardware and software both break. Proper maintenance can minimize the consequences of breakage, but when it happens, it must be addressed quickly and effectively. We have experience with most types of hardware and software repairs, from replacing failed hardware components to removing spyware to recovering data from failed disks.

Web and E-mail Hosting

There are countless web and E-mail hosts available, some better than others, and many create bogus user review web sites where they rank themselves at the top. For those who do not care to manage their own web sites and E-mail, we take care of it, and for those who prefer to handle it themselves, we can recommend reliable, low cost hosting services or set up web and E-mail hosting on in-house equipment, all with appropriate spam filtering.

Web Sites

Almost every business needs a web site. Not all need online ordering, but the web equivalent of a brochure is almost mandatory. All need to get found by Google and Yahoo! searches, all that have a location where customers can walk in need a pin on Google maps, and some need to pay for preferential positioning on searches. We can help assess needs and budget, and get an optimal web site online.

Telephone and Internet Service

Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), Dedicated phone T1, Shared phone and Internet T1, Voice over IP (VoIP), DSL, Cable, or ...? From AT&T (SBC), Comcast, or their competitors? What PBX and networking equipment is required? We can help sort out the many options and help clients choose from a reduced list of viable options meeting budget requirements.

Data Conversion

You have many years’ worth of valuable data entered into Product A’s database, but its vendor has gone out of business or no longer cares to support the product. You like Product B, but there is no apparent way to get your data from Product A to Product B. We can make an assessment and develop a conversion utility or a plan to continue operating the old system in the current environment.

Custom Software

We can develop custom software, and modify vendor-supplied software to meet specific needs.