services

Last updated: 99.05.12

Background

The text below is contained in T&B's Internet Services pamphlet.

Overview of Internet Services

We build Internet business solutions which include:

Year 2000 compatibility for hardware and software.
Impervious to all PC viruses.
Protection against security breaches over the Internet.
Simple enough to be maintained by the owner.
Ongoing support and training to any level desired.
Compatibility with all computers using Internet standards.
The benefit of years of research and testing.
Connect a whole network to the Internet via just one modem.
Your business's own Internet domain name.
An economic permanent connection from $20 per month.
Intranet server hardware ranging from $300 to $7000.
Processor up to twice as fast as the fastest Pentium processor.

Focus

T&B (T&B Brodhurst-Hill Pty Ltd) is an independent consultancy, focused on providing optimum solutions for our clients. This goal is realised by our principal aims:

We do not retail purchases, but pass on all components of our solutions at cost. So, we recommend products according to the best value for our clients, without conflict of interest.

Months of research and testing on packages before recommending the best available to clients. Information on some projects is published on our web site as a world wide resource.

Minimising the long term financial costs of down time, maintenance, support, training and product life.

Keeping established standards for trouble free enhancement.

Expanding our vision of the technology to fit it to the business model, not mould the business into the technology.

Providing a support structure which can be provided rapidly at minimum cost, whether via remote access over the Internet, by phone or in person.

Making all services available to the user via a simple interface, without the need for typing any commands.

T&B can take a business from any current status through network design; desktop software and hardware implementation; email, web and file server; on-line databases and custom software development.

T&B charges for time only. In most cases, our rates are:

$60 per hour (ie $1 per minute).

$80 per on site visit.

Apart from inspection and installation, most of our services are provided without the need to visit your premises. We can access our clients' networks via the Internet or direct modem dial to address most support, maintenance, upgrade and training requirements instantly.

Our clients range from small business to large telecommunication companies, software companies and government departments.

Preferred Components

T&B customises each installation to best fit the client. The components of each installation usually include particular technologies which have proven efficiency, including those listed below.

Mac OS

Servers and workstations running the MacOS operating system and hardware feature prominently in our solutions. This choice provides the best match to the features required for our solutions. For example:

The PowerPC processor, used in new computers which run the Mac OS, is up to twice as fast as a comparable Pentium processor.

The Mac OS cannot be infected by the thousands of DOS and Windows viruses which exist today.

In several independent competitions offering thousands of dollars, no one has been able to crack a Mac OS server at system level over the Internet. Compared to Windows NT and UNIX systems, such security is outstanding.

Technical support costs for the Mac OS have been shown many times to be far less than Windows.

The useful life of Mac OS hardware significantly exceeds Intel-based alternatives.

High compatibility allows integration with other platforms via disk, or network. For example, we have several clients with complete Windows NT and Windows 95 networks being served and connected to the Internet via one Apple Macintosh.

The Year 2000 Bug is not a problem on MacOS hardware and system software.

Use of the workstations and servers is much more productive. There is no command line at all. Everything is controlled via a point and click interface from the ground up.

Internet Connection

In today's business environment, a permanent Internet connection and significant presence is increasingly mandatory. To connect a whole network to the Internet, we typically use:

Firewall security to only allow access from the outside world to selected services.

Permanent connection through one or more modems at a fraction of the ongoing cost (starting at $20 per month) of alternatives.

Desktop Software

Microsoft Office is a great product, but not always the best fit. In many cases we find that an alternative, such as AppleWorks, is better matched. The latter requires about 25% of the purchase price, training, and system memory. It can access other formats such as Microsoft Office, and Internet web page creation.

IMAP Email

The most used Internet service has always been email. But the standard POP email software is very limited in a business environment. The superior replacement, IMAP (Internet Mail Access Protocol), is now increasing in prominence. Unlike POP, it provides:

Access for multiple staff to have varied access privileges to shared mailboxes, such as sales@yourcompany.com.au.

Messages stored on the server so they follow you when you move from one computer to another.

Multiple server mailboxes for each user, to encourage organisation.

File Server

Typically, the creation of documents is the lifeblood of business work flow. So the management of those documents is extremely important. We strongly recommend the use of a central file server to allow:

Security so that staff can access the files necessary for their job function.

Access from any computer on the network.

Backup and general collaboration is much simpler and more reliable.

Development

The particular requirements of a business often exceed the original design of existing software packages, to a small or large degree. We often improve the system for our clients by developing custom software such as:

Automated work flow enhancements to replace drudgery with accuracy.

Invoice, ordering and accounting databases which can link to existing procedures and systems or on line shopping carts.

Minor enhancements to off the shelf software to make it behave as desired.

Thank you for taking the time to read this overview of T&B's services. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, or visit our web site at http://www.tandb.com.au to read more about our services and internet projects.

©1999 T&B Brodhurst-Hill Pty Ltd

Home | For Sale | Development | Client Services | Training | Internet Services | Contact | About T&B | Research | Solutions