Solutions:
1: Remove the existing hubs and install new Netgear smart switches with a 1Gb backbone between switches. Improving the fibre connectivity between stores led to a greatly increased network speed.
2: A replacement file/mail server was installed. We used the old Dell server which was used to run the FRSnet system, this was done to reduce costs of the entire project. This is capable of handling all the requirements of file storage and the messaging system. This should give future proof expansion for many years.
3: Their existing Microsoft Exchange software was removed and replaced with David by Tobit Software AG. This is a unified messaging system, which incorporates email facilities, fax, SMS and voicemail systems (when linked to the telephone system). This has led to increased functionality and efficiency of both internal and external communications.
4: For a few years a VPN link had existed between the warehouse at West Horndon and the store at Upminster using standard ADSL technology. The problem with using ADSL technology is the maximum upload speed of 256Kb. As there was a steady growth of data traffic over this link, caused by increased users and IP cameras being fitted, the link became overwhelmed thus a Mega stream 2 link was installed between the warehouse and Upminster. This gave a 2Mb link uncontested, which is ample for the VPN traffic.
An Ethernet connection was discounted due to very high installation costs. Although this would have given us a minimum of a 10Mb link, the Megastream link was considered to be ample. As a comment from one of the staff at the warehouse, she was asked 'how well was it going now', she replied 'wonderful'!?
5: The stock/sales management system (which utilised .Net & MSSQL) was hosted on the DELL server. This has now become the main file server as it was becoming underpowered for the job. When the customer saw the speed of the new TS server, he decided to replace the DELL (see note 5) with an Econel 200s with 2 dual Xeon processors. This was installed to supply the engine for the FRSnet system with mirrored SATA drives; this configuration gave a large improvement in response times for the FRSnet over the old DELL server
6: The existing CITRIX terminal services server had been running for 6 years without fault but was becoming long in the tooth and a replacement was required to facilitate the requirements of the new software and the increased users' demand on the server. It was decided to install a new Fujitsu Econell Server at Upminster. This ran Windows 2003 with terminal services and gave a massive improvement of overall performance.
Ongoing Email reconfiguration with the updating of the MX records to allow direct connection of SMTP mail to the David system; this removes the need of POP boxes which means greater control over the management of incoming mail and users.
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