A prominent non-profit community-based organization that provides services to numerous smaller non-profit groups sought to build and centralize a cost efficient technology resource. The concept would put all the initial expense and technical expertise needed for the servers, software, licenses, and support at a central facility from which all could benefit. Once connected, small non-profit affiliates could enjoy access to resources and capabilities that otherwise would be unaffordable. At its core, this technology backbone would provide a medium in which co-workers could share information and include Microsoft Exchange for e-mail as well as the latest version of Microsoft Office.

The non-profit organization requested Insource develop, implement and maintain this vital technology resource.

Insource collaborated with the organization to devise an initial proof of concept and detail a rollout pilot program. To begin, Insource:

• Provided a comprehensive overview document and proposal
• Detailed technical information
• Provided cost analysis of labor and hardware
• Established goals and criteria for success

However, the real first step to accomplish this aggressive plan would be for the non-profit to secure funding. Insource conceived of turning the functional design specifications into an official grant application. The grant application was submitted to a large foundation, which, after several joint meetings with Insource and the non-profit’s staff, awarded significant funding to the project.

Insource was capitalized to purchase the software and hardware needed to implement the Citrix solution, set up and configure servers, and roll out the technology to four affiliates.

Subsequently, TAC, a technology advisory committee lead by Insource including MIS Directors from for-profits and non-profits, was established to support marketing, and future design and implementation.

Insource was instrumental in this high-profile organization accomplishing its goal of efficiently providing a centralized technology service. Today, the service capability has expanded offering affiliates access to IC3, Internet and Computing Core Certification and testing, Microsoft Office applications for training, and a health care training module. One prominent Boston charter school is using the technology infrastructure to host their Web Accessible student information management system.

Insource continues to work with the organization to develop an ongoing growth plan.

A strategy company that offers state-of-the-art technology and uses mathematical and computational modeling to solve complex business problems, was operating without a firewall, anti-virus protection, and a domain infrastructure. Additionally, their software licensing was not being monitored and the servers were bordering on failure.

Their complex network, comprised of Windows OS, Linux, and Apple, required an expert assessment, an understanding of their business application and practices, as well as the critical need to address operating malfunctions. Furthermore, the organization was seeking a comprehensive technology platform from which to support future growth.

In order to meet the overall needs of the strategy organization, Insource worked very closely with one of their designers and:

• Determined the best plan for marrying Insource’s knowledge of networking and hardware with the strategy company’s programming expertise
• Proposed a comprehensive and cost efficient network design
• Implemented a highly secure redundant network
• Utilized leading-edge firewall technology and anti-virus software

Insource also provided contingency planning to ensure the company would not suffer any downtime should one of their existing Internet lines fail. Furthermore, Insource enabled remote access for both company employees and Insource, which allowed for easy offsite data retrieval as well as efficient network troubleshooting.

Insource provided critical and efficient technology solutions to ensure the strategy company’s good operating health and security. Today, the organization runs virus-free, the network is protected from hackers, data is secure, software licensing is up to date, and most management is done at a central server level.

Overall, the total cost of network ownership has been greatly reduced by minimizing time and expense arising from configuration errors or network failures.

Finally, the return on the Insource investment was clearly demonstrated when the strategy company was able to win a profitable new client because they could accommodate a VPN connection. This was a direct result of Insource’s recommendation and implementation of Sonicwall, a more flexible firewall option.