Case Studies & testimonials

Problem:

Global Action for Children, a nonpartisan, coalition dedicated to advocating for orphans and other vulnerable children in the developing world turned to GURU for help in setting up their new network infrastructure in downtown Washington DC.

GURU’s task was to design and implement a Windows 2003 Small Business Server Active Directory environment that would include:

- Designing an Active Directory structure capable of providing messaging and shared document and printing functionality.

- Designing and implementing a secure network perimeter firewall allowing only secure network traffic flow.

- Implementing a new Dell PowerEdge server and ten new Dell Optiplex workstations.

- Implementing a Microsoft Exchange messaging environment.

- Implementing a Barracuda spam firewall to reduce unwanted and unsolicited email traffic.

- Designing and implementing a robust file and print sharing structure that minimizes administrative overhead.

- Implementing a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solution.

Solution:

GURU designed and deployed a Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition Active Directory networking environment that provided secured file and print sharing, a Microsoft Exchange messaging system capable of shared contact and calendaring, secured Internet access, spam and anti-virus protection and a backup system capable of providing comprehensive backups and disaster recovery for Global Action for Children.

Specific to Microsoft Exchange, the new messaging environment was protected from spam and virus attacks by using a Barracuda spam filter and Symantec’s Mail Security. Additionally, Symantec’s Antivirus was used to ensure the integrity of individual workstations and the environment as a whole, and was configured to automatically update virus definitions and scan workstations in real time.

File and print sharing services were designed to provide users access to shared documents and printers, including access to secured network shares for users to store confidential information. The data residing on the network was protected by a robust backup and disaster recovery solution that is designed to be both secure and easily restorable.

Results:

“Small Business Server 2003 was a perfect fit for Global Action for Children because of simple installation and operation, especially for a company that didn’t have resident IT support and was on a limited budget,” says Jorge Diaz, Senior Project Manager of GURU’s Project Implementation Team

With Small Business Server 2003, installation and management of remote users was painless. And the Health Monitor feature allows GURU to remotely solve network issues without making a service call.

“New capabilities in Small Business Server 2003 and Microsoft Office Outlook® 2003 created Outlook Web Access that looks just like the familiar Outlook interface, but with the added benefit of access anywhere,” notes Diaz. In addition, Global Action for Children can easily back up its data.

Global Action for Children estimates it will save more than $500 per month in reduced IT operational costs because of Small Business Server 2003.

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Problem:

The HR Team, a fast growing business that provides a one source alternative to having a costly in-house human resources department, came to GURU for help in upgrading their current network infrastructure to a more robust and scalable environment.

GURU’s task was to implement a new, larger, redundant file server configured with Microsoft’s Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition as well as the standard version of Microsoft’s Exchange 2003 and to migrate critical business data from their existing Microsoft Small Business Server file server in order to:

- Improve performance and stability issues with their email.

- Re-establish a sound hardware platform that they can leverage for growth.

- Create a dependable solution for remote access by their mobile users.

Solution:

GURU designed and deployed a robust Dell file server configured with Microsoft’s Windows 2003 Server and Microsoft’s Exchange Server 2003. The project also include migrating data from an existing Small Business server and creating an environment that allows a secure and efficient means of remote access using both Virtual Private Networking (VPN) and Remote Desktop (RDC).

In order to minimize costs the existing tape backup system was relocated to the new file server and configured with Symantec’s most current backup software.

This project also addressed the following concerns:

- Upgrading Symantec’s Anti-Virus Corporate Edition across the network.

- Investigating Act! data-exchange ability with Microsoft Outlook and implemented the necessary configurations to allow data to be exchanged between the two applications.

- Configuring Act! to be able to share contacts and calendars with all employees using the network.

- Establishing an account with a third party offsite data storage company data-tape archiving.

- Creating a shared Company “Rolodex” in the public folders.

Results:

“Upgrading to Microsoft’s Windows 2003 Server and Exchange 2003 Server from Small Business Server was a critical move for The HR Team plans for future growth. Now they have an email solution they can rely on and the ability to go after bigger and more profitable accounts,” says Jorge Diaz, Senior Project Manager of GURU’s Project Implementation Team

With Microsoft’s Windows 2003 Server, management of company wide group policies, antivirus software and remote access for mobile users is relatively simple.

“Being well-positioned for explosive growth gives the staff at The HR Team a feeling of empowerment,” notes Diaz. In addition, The HR Team’s Total Cost of Ownership for their network upgrade will be easily justified with both new client acquisitions and long-term client retention for years to come.

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Problem:

Royal Glass, a company that provides commercial and automobile glass throughout the Washington, DC metro area, came to GURU for help in upgrading their aging network infrastructure to eliminate their company’s issues with poor network performance and obvious loss of productivity.

GURU’s task was to design a solution that would replace their aging network with a more state-of-the-art infrastructure that would allow the Royal Glass to run more efficiently and provide a stable environment for their users.

Solution:

- GURU eliminated Royal Glass’s outdated and out of warranty server in order to minimize downtime, system failures, and lost productivity.

- GURU implemented a backup solution to provide disaster recovery capabilities.

- GURU performed Active Directory maintenance that will improve network manageability and optimize Active Directory performance.

Results:

By updating their older network infrastructure and implementing a new, reliable data back-up solution, Royal Glass has positioned itself to grow with speed and efficiency. No longer hampered by a sluggish, poor performing network, they are seeing improved productivity and enhanced customer satisfaction.

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Problem:

Hue Communications, a small but dynamic public relations firm that provides custom campaigns, came to GURU for help in upgrading their current network infrastructure to aid in their company’s growth.

GURU’s task was to design a solution that was more cost effective than implementing a standard server solution, but able to provide Hue Communications with a way to share files, secure their data and allow for redundancy.

Solution:

GURU designed and built a Dell PowerVault NF100 Windows 2003 Storage Server. GURU created user shares and assist users with data migration which allowed users to centralize their company data on a single server which provided the stable, high speed and redundant platform. GURU also configured statically mapped drives for all users in order to standardize access for all users.

Results:

Hue Communications was able to acquire a cost-effective yet highly efficient storage solution. This solution allows their users greater collaboration possibilities, remote access to in production documents and images, and the ability to work from virtually anywhere, resulting in increased productivity across their company.

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“GURU provides high quality, personal support to our staff when problems arise. GURU is fast, efficient, and informed. Our GURU staff is part of our team. They are unfailingly professional, prompt, and in sync with our needs. GURU has IT solutions that are tailored to our growing business needs, and maintained with a personal, high – quality support team.

The more efficient our staff is, the more profitable our business. The IT infrastructure developed by GURU for our business provides a competitive edge. Our systems are now secure, state of the art, and functioning 24/7.”

- Dr. Karen Becker, PhD.
President, Becker and Associates Consulting, Inc
Washington, DC

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“GURU’s done a great job of mapping out how to figure for growth and what to look for… they knew what needed to happen and were ready to move forward when we were. The implementation has gone smoothly with good communication between us and GURU. It’s comforting to have an organization that will stand behind the network they’ve installed. They’re GREAT!”

- Mr. Alex Brown
CFO, International Partnership for Microbicides
Silver Spring, MD

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“We’re growing fast and GURU helped us define our technology needs, and then helped us install our new gear with all the latest virus protection, backup systems, connectivity, user training and everything else we needed. We wouldn’t dream of making a significant technology decision without them. With GURU, IT is no longer an issue, the technology just works.

GURU frees us up to do what we do best. Thanks to GURU we can run at full throttle productivity – in fact I beg my project managers not to waste any time with any IT issues. We just call GURU – it’s cheaper than trying to do it ourselves. I have recommended GURU to several friends and colleagues. All have had positive experiences.

My favorite part of the GURU experience is their ability to translate my business needs into technical solutions. I don’t have to learn their vocabulary; they learn mine and I just get pure results with no learning curve or downtime.”

- Mr. Bob Corlett
President, Staffing Advisors
Silver Spring, MD

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“Having a company like GURU that comes in proactively on schedule as well as being available for service calls on an as needed basis has taken all of the pressure off of me, and my staff in regards to supporting and maintaining our network. Assigning a dedicated engineer to our account who knows our system is a real plus! They know our network and can take care of issues with absolutely no need for my oversight. The minute GURU took over our account their techs got involved with our computer network, made the necessary documentation and from that point on the weight was lifted off of my shoulders.

If your looking for a company to support your network I’d say: Use them, they’re wonderful!”

- Ms. Deb Horrworth
President, Office Images
Gaithersburg, MD

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“GURU has been very reliable for the Society of American Foresters. It’s very reassuring to know that they are always there when I need them, either on site or remotely. Since I’ve been working with GURU, I’ve had no issues with they way they support us and their turnaround time has been great. I highly recommend GURU!”

- Ms. Amy Ziadi
IT Director, Society of American Foresters
Bethesda, MD

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