ATON has positioned itself as an expert in multi-user computer systems. We have the technical expertise and the industry experience to help you get your computers talking to each other and your people sharing information. We have implemented and supported networks using the more common network operating systems including, Novell Netware, Windows 2000/3 and SCO Unix. A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and peripherals (printers, modems, etc.) that are connected together and typically share the resources of a single server within a small geographic area (ie, an office building or department). Usually, the server hosts applications and data that are used by many people. A local area network may serve as few as two/three users or as many as several hundred. Typically, an organization’s main programs and data are kept on the LAN server. Users can access this information as needed. Printing and shared FAXing can be done through the server. A user can share files with others, using the LAN server as the central holding area. The LAN administrator can assign or deny people permission to utilize the server. A wide area network (WAN) is a connected group of computers which are located in different geographic areas. A WAN can consist of a LAN with a single server that has outside computers connected to it. Or, it can consist of a number of inter-connected separate LANs. Within a WAN, there may be some components directly wired to one another. Others may be connected to the WAN through the Internet (this is often called a VPN or Virtual Private Network). WANs require the use of routers, gateways and switches to enable different types of computers to work together. Within a WAN there may be a Gateway server running Windows NT, a HP/Compaq server running Unix and a Dell server running Windows Server 2003 all talking to workstations that are running various operating systems. The recent surge in Internet/Email usage has forced many organizations to "get on the Web" without proper planning. Questions like "What connection technology should I use?" or "What type of Internet/Email policy should I have in place?" are often left unanswered. The type of connection often determines the speed with which you can view web pages or send large emails resulting in higher productivity but maybe higher cost. An Internet use policy should be established; it could save your company if one of your employees brings a lawsuit against you for something another employee did via the Internet. These are complex issues and ATON can help you resolve them in a way that best suits your organization’s culture and goals. It is often necessary to add new system components or upgrade existing ones. ATON has assisted its clients in both of these efforts. We can document your existing LAN/WAN and then determine whether it will meet your forecasted computer needs. Or, you can tell us what you want to accomplish and we will help design the appropriate system. During this process, ATON can research the hardware and software options available to you. Since ATON Computing does not sell either hardware or software, we can provide a totally unbiased recommendation. The resulting information can be used as the basis for issuing a request for proposal. ATON recognizes that a network engineering company’s value to its clients does not end after the LAN or WAN is installed. Continuous monitoring of the network is necessary to ensure that it runs properly. Some of the items ATON includes in its preventative maintenance plan are: Update virus definitions on all workstations Update all operating system/network files where appropriate Review server logs and note any problems Review backup logs and randomly sample backup tapes Update hardware/software inventory Provide the client with written documentation of the work done ATON Computing has assisted a number of its clients with their Computer Disaster Avoidance Program (CDAP). The CDAP is a consultative process applicable to all organizations that depend on their computers, regardless of size. CDAP utilizes a step-by-step, analytical approach to data gathering and analysis. There are four phases of a Computer Disaster Avoidance Program. During the first phase, a company’s business functions will be reviewed, computer systems required to support those functions will be catalogued and potential causes of disruption will be evaluated for severity and probability of occurrence. Based on this information, we will recommend various safeguards designed to minimize the company’s potential business disruptions. The third phase is to develop a recovery plan. You need to know what steps to take to get back to normal if your precautions fail. In the final phase, you will test the Disaster Recovery Plan and update the plan where it fell short of expectations. ( For More CDAP Details ) Click to continue Services (Document Management) In February 2001 Microsoft issued "Microsoft Windows Desktop Product Life-Cycle Guidelines" and basically nobody read them or did anything about it. While this is a complicated document, what it means to you is that as of June 30th, Windows NT 4.xx and Windows 98/98 SE will no longer be supported by Microsoft. Will your applications function under Server 2000, Windows 2000 or Windows XP? Will your hardware be able to adequately function with these operating systems. The time to answer these questions is NOW; waiting until after the dead-line will be futile. ATON can assist you with addressing these questions and providing a solution. E-mail us and let us know how we can help. If you would like to read Microsoft's current stance on this topic, go to: www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle.mspx The rules for other Office products are more complicated, but ATON will assist you.