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Specialty
Print and Design
7. Implementation
Technical Dimensions
There were three dimensions to the technical infrastructure:
- internal
systems
-
web site
- pre-production
Internal
Systems
- accounts
- SAGE software sitting on a Linux server
-
mail server - running on a Linux server with PC's running
Microsoft Outlook
- administration
- Xpediate software for the dissemination of messages, call
logging, transaction history and logging of customer emails
and faxes
-
central database - to store information for the Xpediate
software.
On
designing the internal systems, Dan Courtney planned for minimum
exposure to security threats. Firstly he suggested running the
accounts and mail server on the Linux operating system instead
of Microsoft NT. He felt that there were fewer viruses written
for Linux systems. Running these critical applications on Linux
would minimise the threat of downloading viruses. As at this
time the SAGE accounting system is not connected to the outside
network, all orders arriving via the web site have to be manually
entered. This may change in the future as the security is increased.
Except
for the mail server, all the internal systems have no connection
to the outside world. In this stand-alone environment, SPD have
ensured they have a negligible threat from imposters hacking
into their systems.
The
Xpediate software and the Central database serve as a basic
CRM [Customer Relationship Management] system. Each customer
enquiry, request for quotation and order is logged and tracked
via a central database. This system allows them to accurately
monitor and follow up their customer transactions.
The
Web Site
The
web site comprises of both a B2B and B2C area.
- web
server - hosted with Go2Web
- tailored
customer section for ACC bank to:
-
displaying product catalogues
-
ordering facilities
-
account information
- web
site for marketing and promotion
-
information about the company
-
contact details
-
customer quotes
SPD
decided to host the web server off site for cost reasons. The
alternative was to purchase expensive hardware, with both backup
and resilience capabilities. In addition, they had little in-house
IT expertise to run and maintain such a system. Instead, their
site is managed and maintained in an external facility with
a guaranteed 24x7 uptime along with full back ups.
For
any small site modifications, SPD have a trained member of staff
who makes any such changes to the site.
Pre-Production
SPD made a massive investment in electronic plate making
equipment. Supplied by Millers, their new Hindleburg system
cost € 140,000 and consisted of:
- file
server - for the electronic transfer of artwork
- Apple
Macintosh - to check off artwork and match colours
- CD
burner - for transferring artwork to CD and then loaded
on to the electronic plate making equipment
- networks
- ISDN [see sidebar] for access into the file server
As
with the internal systems, Dan Courtney & Associates suggested
this costly system operate in a stand-alone capacity. With no
network connections directly into the equipment, all files are
transferred manually via CD.
To
receive files a fileserver is connected externally via
an ISDN line. Customers are able to upload any artwork
to the system. Artwork is then loaded onto the Apple
Mac and set up for the electronic plate making process.
The file server also receives other artwork for direct
transfer to other printing equipment in the facilities.
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