Case Studies

Introduction:

Certainly, no two companies possess the same IT infrastructure or ask for the same services. Each customer is an individual and therefore GCTL’s range of services is always changing, reflecting the needs of our clients, innovations in data telecommunication technologies and current trends. The few examples below are only to illustrate how GCTL operates and represent a typical customer profile.

EAST SUSSEX, Accountancy:

An accountant contacted GCTL regarding remote backup services. After initial assessment on the phone, on-site visit was arranged to install free software on the PC and organize the files which need to be sent over using the client’s existing broadband connection. Only travel costs were charged to the client.

The files are backed up automatically overnight and kept on our servers for a week, whereas every last day of month backup is kept for three months. Both GCTL and customer are sent automatic email with confirmation of successful backup and information on its size.

To recover any data, the customer needs to phone GCTL and identify the file by its name and date. The file is sent over via email and opens after entering a correct password by customer. On average, the process takes from 10 to 20 minutes from the time of call.

MIDDLESEX – import/export company:

A recently formed company is a U.K. based distributor for an Asian manufacturer, and consists of headquarters and over 20 countrywide spread branches. GCTL was contacted to design and implement communication channels between HQ and branches plus UK and Asian HQ.

The main office needed alternative Internet connection to operate most effectively. Download of 2Mbps with contention ratio 25:1 may have been acceptable, yet when upload speed was measured as being as low as 64kbps, GCTL implemented SDSL connection which, contrary to typical ADSL connections, enables client to send (or upload) large amounts of data at the same speed as receive (or download) any data. Additionally, the shared line’s contention ratio dropped from 25:1 to 5:1, which means the broadband connection is now much more efficient and allows installation of a number of IP services:

The proposed IT infrastructure consists of a range of solutions including:
• IPSec secure data channel – all staff have access to selected company files, which are constantly updated and can be accessed by staff from any place in the world
• VoIP telephony – free calls between all UK and Asia offices
• server backup every 24 hours
• Cisco networking devices implementation, such as routers, switches or servers
• cat. 6 and fibre optic cabling
• wireless network
 

ABU DHABI, U.A.E. – Gas & Oil Company:

GCTL was contacted by a Scottish company to arrange communication link between remote oil fields in desert of Middle East and their headquarters. The oil exploitation was to be carried at several different locations where no traditional infrastructure exists.
It was later agreed that the company was to be supplied with a mobile-arm satellite communication system installed on the roof of a mobile office, and network was implemented featuring wireless internet access router and IP telephone in the office.

The mobile arm dish is able to locate satellite itself at different locations within 3-5 minutes by pressing a button, and supports broadband with download up to 8Mbps. Internet telephone provides traditional way of communication between the two offices and porting a regional UK number means the calls between the two countries are free. System support is mostly provided over the IP line as well, again at no costs of either phone call to the client or out-of-hours support (different time zones), further cutting down the costs of such data communication solution.

HAMPSHIRE - wholesales company:

Hampshire based wholesales company needed virtual IT department. GCTL was chosen for the range of services we are capable of providing – one company dealing with all IT-connected problems at a cost of a fixed monthly fee.

We have created and taken over all IT infrastructure:

• computers hardware and software were updated,
• server was installed creating now a network of computers instead of three separate workstations – all staff have access to selected files, are allowed to update them, save new documents, etc.
• website and email hosting are implemented into monthly IT support with no additional cost to the client, who may create as many email addresses as necessary,
• once a month, as part of contract, the engineer visits the site to deal with any minor, non-urgent issues,
• telephone and remote desktop access provide 24/7 remote support available immediately, without waiting for an engineer to arrive or necessity to pay call out charges.

Did you know?

The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center presented many organizations with unprecedented disaster recovery scenarios, due to its scope. A few years earlier, during a fire at the headquarters of Credit Lyonnais, a major bank in Paris, system administrators ran into the burning building to rescue backup tapes because they didn't have offsite copies.

Storing the copy near the original is unwise, since many disasters such as fire, flood and electrical surges are likely to cause damage to the backup at the same time.
 

The first commercial VSATs were C band (6 GHz) receive-only systems by Equatorial Communications using spread spectrum technology. More than 30,000 60 cm antenna systems were sold in the early 1980s. Equatorial later developed a C band (4/6 GHz) 2 way system using 1m x 0.5 m antennas and sold about 10,000 units in 1984-85.

Two-way satellite Internet uses multicasting technology, which means up to 5000 channels of communication can simultaneously be served by a single satellite.

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