Customer Scenario

See how one company approached us with their problems and how our solutions helped them to make their business more effective.

Black represents the company's requests and desires, our responses are written in blue.

 Company Info

We currently have three (3) offices in geographically separate locations (FL, GA, and CT with more to come.)  Each office has a desktop and a laptop.  All but one computer is running Microsoft Windows (98, 2000 or XP) and all have Microsoft Office (2000 or newer). All computers meet iareanet requirements.

Basic capabilities desired:

1. Central storage place to allow file sharing. iareaDesktop allows all users to view, edit and create new files.
2. Share contact information currently in Outlook between offices. iareaMessenger includes public folders.
3. Email. iareaMessenger includes voicemail, email and fax.
4. Website hosting. Included free of charge, depending on size.

Functionality desired:

• Ability to synchronize files and contacts from “server” to all the company’s computers.  We have experimented with LapLink for files, but routers have posed a problem. Available with iareaMessenger, there should not be a problem with routers.
• Our files and contacts are backed up by virtue of being saved in more than one geographic area. We maintain two separate data centers.
• Outlook may need to work with Customer Management tool like ACT! or Goldmine. If you have the licenses, this can be installed on your iareaDesktop.
• Each office, and each laptop, can access any file or contact placed in the “public” folders.  Internet access to files from any internet capable machine, including internet-ready phone, PDA, etc., would be a nice feature. Included.
• Files can be searched using keywords, including searching a search, looking for words spelled similarly, etc.  ISYS is a product which does this, included with iareaDesktop. A more advanced search may be necessary, charge for software only.
• Our database of consultants is an Access file.  There may be better solutions out there which could make it easier to use, do our coding for us, improve search capabilities, etc. We have a full development team that can help. Your iareaDesktop and Shared company folders can handle your desktop.
• Security and anti-virus. We offer encrypted file store, with Patent Pending ISN Security as well as Norton antivirus real time protection, and email spam and virus protection.

Support:

We have no in-house IT staff.  We need professional assistance for setup, maintenance, technical support, website changes, and upgrades/ patches/ service packs.  iareanet is a fully managed service, meaning we manage setup, customer support and backup.

Notes:

Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 appears to do what we want, in conjunction with a server.  We need the server located where accessible to tech support 24/7, so purchasing one ourselves seems to be less attractive than hosting these capabilities somewhere else.  iareanet includes all hardware (note: for this instance only.)  Optional Monthly Backup CD mailer of company information.

What services did this company sign up for?

• iareaOffice - They wanted the full combo including email, voicemail, fax, conferencing, desktop, public file sharing and storing.

• iareaPhone - VoIP phones to connect interoffice calls.

• iareaBackup CD Mailer - Monthly backup mailed to company.

• Public Folders - To share contacts, calendars and more on Outlook.

If you wish to submit a checklist such as this, please contact us at 877.426.8844 and we would be more than happy to assist you in this manner.