Windows Server & Active Directory

Client: National Distributor of Industrial Fasteners

Project

A leading distributor of aerospace and electronic fasteners had a computer network covering four states: California, Missouri, Arizona, and Massachusetts. Due to neglect this network had numerous problems including: No functioning virus protection; none of their users had their own email account; most did not have internet access; and many users were missing important desktop applications.

Solution

First and foremost, their network needed virus protection. Secondly, users needed internet access and email accounts. Our client selected Watchdog as their virus protection. When a user attempts to access the internet, their SonicWALL firewall instantly checks if the desktop has Watchdog installed.  If Watchdog is installed on the end user’s computer, internet access is granted. If not, the SonicWALL denies access until Watchdog is installed. Below is a list of some of projects we completed in order to give each user internet access and email accounts.

Adding a minimum of 512 megabytes and in some cases 1gigabytes of RAM to every PC. Removal of out-of-date, non-functioning, Trend Micro anti-virus software that had been abandoned for almost a year. Installation of Windows Service Pack 3 and numerous automatic updates on all desktops. Removal of all desktops from the Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) server which was doing nothing but slowing their network down. Grant access to the internet for all computers. Installation of over 100 Windows Server automatic updates. Add all computers to the domain by adding them to Active Directory and giving each user their own unique login id and email account. Installation of desktop applications on numerous workstations. Installation of Watchdog on each desktop computer.

Results

Today it is a requirement that all employees have internet access and email.  We work and communicate differently that we did 10 years ago. Once their network was protected their employees could safely go about using today’s technology without fear of being infected with viruses. By giving their employees better, more modern tools to perform their jobs, our client is better able to communicate more effectively with their customers. This has brought about higher customer satisfaction and higher sales.