TiGra Networks has been working with Chequers Youth Facility (a charitable youth organisation based in Aberdare) to deliver a new IT suite for the young people of the town. The project consisted of a network server and new PCs, plus a web content management system enabling the young people to create and publish their own web content in a supervised environment.
The server is equipped with Small Business Server 2008 released this month, making this probably one of the first installations of SBS 2008 in Wales. TiGra Networks specialises in providing solutions based on Windows Small Business Server for organisations with 5 to 50 computers. TiGra’s founder Tim Long is designated by Microsoft as a “Most Valuable Professional” (MVP) for his expertise with Windows Small Business Server, only two such awards currently exist in the entire UK. Our strong product focus, demonstrated expertise and relationship with Microsoft makes TiGra Networks the sensible one-stop-shop for small and medium business IT solutions in Wales.
The PCs were custom built by TiGra and loaded with Windows Vista Business and Office 2007 Professional, giving the young people access to the very latest multimedia and office productivity software while enabling the centre staff to keep a tight control over network security and monitor usage of the systems. The project includes a sophisticated web content management system so the young people can produce and publish their own web content – but only after it has been approved by a staff member.
TiGra’s industry knowledge and smart thinking saved Chequers over £2,000 off the normal retail prices of the server and the software, enabling them to have much better facilities than their budget would otherwise have allowed. The staff are delighted with their state-of-the-art new IT suite.
Our customer St. David Recruitment Services, based in Cardiff, were interviewed recently by Windows Vista Magazine to get their views on how Windows Vista helps their business every day. The case study appeared in Windows Vista SMB Supplement, which went out to over 200,000 readers as an insert in publications such as Vista Magazine, What Laptop, PC Plus, Computer Arts, 3D World and .NET magazine.
We’ve been deploying Windows Vista since April 2007 and were one of the first IT companies in Wales to do so. We find that many IT companies shy away from new technology, but at TiGra Networks our policy is simple: new technology brings business benefits to our customers. We think it’s our job to be ahead of the curve, so we actively adopt new technology ourselves, in many cases long before it is available for purchase. That way, we get to know the new products and learn how to avoid the common mistakes, so that we’re ready on day one to start getting the business benefits into he hands of our customers. In the case of St. David Recruitment, we were able to leverage the new search technology of Windows Vista in combination with Windows Small Business Server to enhance the way the company matches candidates with job requirements. Vista’s User Account Control means that no-one needs to run with administrator rights any more. That allows us to carefully manage the software installed on each computer, resulting in stable, reliable and responsive systems. Of course, problems still arise from time to time, but our cost effective managed support plan covers all the eventualities. Our proactive server monitoring means that we can usually fix any issues before they become disasters, often before the customer even knows there is a problem.
Our core specialisation is Microsoft’s Windows Small Business Server (SBS), which has been called the “Swiss army knife of business IT”. This world beating network-in-a-box solution provides a solid foundation upon which any business with up to 75 computers can build their systems, at a fraction of the normal cost. SBS includes networking, security, file & print sharing, shared fax, email, intranet web site and features to allow flexible working (e.g. working from home or while travelling). This month (November 2008) marks the release of Windows Small Business Server 2008 and TiGra Networks is already deploying its first installations of that product.
TiGra Networks is a qualified Microsoft Small Business Specialist, meaning that we have passed exams to prove we understand and can deal with the specific needs of the small business. Microsoft recommends using a Small Business Specialist to install and support your Small Business Server network. We also have one of the UK’s two ‘Most Valuable Professionals’ (MVP) awarded for their knowledge of Small Business Server, making us the number one choice for small business computer and communications technology in South Wales.
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Virus warnings are almost always hoaxes. Even if they’re not, forwarding the warning to your friends and colleagues can do more harm than good. My simple advice is this: press delete.
Virus warnings and hoaxes are one particular flavour of chain email. For in-depth information on why you should never forward chain email, see my article from January 2008.