Arroyo Grande – California Coastal Communities
Arroyo Grande, Oceano, San Miguel
Microsoft and Cisco Computer Support
Commonly Asked Questions – Part 2
Professional local and remote IT services available in Arroyo Grande, Oceano, San Migual, Atascadero, Paso Robles, and all of San Luis Obispo County
For immediate server support, call (877) 752-1122 or email support@exiis.net
Overview of Exiis Corporation
Exiis Corporation is a client-centric, outsourced professional IT firm specializing in Microsoft Products and Technologies. Our extensive experience with network management and security, application support, and Cisco networking products make us an ideal partner when local resources and IT departments need additional support with their network services.
1. What are your documentation practices and do we receive information on work performed? Exiis Corporation utilizes the Microsoft Solution Framework (MSF) to ensure all actions taken when working on your system is well-documented and follows industry “Best Practice” recommendations. Clients receive access to a dedicated Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) site that reports and records these processes in real-time, so there’s never a question of work performed. The SharePoint site is available to our clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, where they can log on at their convenience and check the status of work performed.
2. How does Exiis Corporation address new projects? Every client, network, and infrastructure has their own requirements, making each new project unique in its own way. Exiis Corporation follows a strict set of Project Management hierarchy which allows us to remain focused and on course while allowing us to remain agile and flexible enough to make adjustments when necessary. Essentially, all projects are managed in the following stages:
a. Requirements: The envisioning stage of the project where ideas are formed and informal discussion of the desired solution are discussed.
b. Architecture: The planning stage where solutions are drafted and submitted for submission, which entails a comprehensive screening of the proposed solution, hardware and software considerations, and workflow design plans.
c. Test Lab: Once the architecture is approved, a virtual and/or physical test lab is built and tested for design flaws, unforeseen events, and delivery of project requirements.
d. Design Modification: Results from the test environment are compared with the original requirements and architecture design plans. Modifications and final testing provide the “Proof of Concept” evidence needed to move forward with the actual implementation of the proposed changes.
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3. We have a Macintosh OS X and Apple desktops; do we need to call someone else? No. One of the benefits of working with a large IT firm is access to several Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from several disciplines. Exiis Corporation has many clients with Apple Macintosh Servers and desktops. Some of these Macintosh programs include:
a. Adobe After Effects
b. Apple Final Cut Pro
c. Apple Logic
d. Apple Motion
e. Digital Performer
a. Digidesign Pro
b. Illustrator
c. InDesign
d. MOTU
e. Photoshop
f. QuarkXPress
g. And more…
4. What are some examples of Enterprise Resource Planning services you offer? Exiis Corporation offers a wide range of support for both ERP and MRP solutions for organizations of all sizes. Some of these solutions include:
a. Microsoft Business Solutions
i. Axapta
ii. Navision
iii. Great Plains Retail Management
iv. Microsoft Dynamics
b. Macola ERP
c. MAS 90
d. QuickBooks Enterprise
5. Why does Exiis Corporation recommend upgrading to the latest release Of Microsoft Exchange Server? Microsoft Exchange Server is the premier messaging and collaboration server, providing more than simple email messaging. For example, Microsoft Exchange Server provides many solutions for task management, calendar sharing, and appointment setting. The latest release takes into consideration intelligent routing features, regulatory requirements, unified messaging, and advanced anti-spam solutions. Even if you are using another email solution, such as an ISP POP 3, Novell, or even Notes, Exiis can migrate that information from your legacy server into the latest release of Microsoft Exchange Server. The Microsoft Exchange client, Microsoft Outlook, is increasingly becoming more intelligent—set-up is performed seamlessly with the latest release, where end-users simply supply their email address—Exchange Server handles the remaining set-up processes, requiring less time from internal IT support departments and ensuring the client is set-up correctly, the first time, without the hassle of continuing calls into the Help Desk.
6. How can I be sure my network is up and running 24X7? Exiis Corporation has a modern “Network Operations Center” (NOC) dedicated to monitoring remote network servers 24X7 utilizing some of the most advanced tools available on the market today. For example, by utilizing Microsoft Operations Manager, our network and server support professionals can monitor your network and all of its devices for potential failures, bottlenecks, and security. Additional networking tools allow us to monitor servers in a mixed environment as well, such as Linux, UNIX, and Apple-Macintosh. Monitoring your server provides you and your organization with the peace of mind that network services will always be available.
7. Why does Exiis Corporation recommend Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA)? Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA) is the premier firewall and reverse proxy server available today. Built directly on the Microsoft Server Security model, advanced integration with Active Directory, reverse web publishing, unlimited VPN connectivity, built-in support for advanced Exchange Server, and special filters aimed at detecting and preventing common network attacks are just a few of the reasons we recommend ISA. ISA also provides real-time protection and reporting services along with built-in email alerts which enable administrators to take action in real-time before the intrusion or damage has occurred.
8. What other firewall products and solutions do you support? Many organizations rely on Microsoft and Cisco technologies to provide enhance security and firewall protection to their network. Additional products, such as Check Point Software, WatchGuard, Juniper Netscreen, SonicWall, and Symantec support are also available from Exiis Corporation.
9. We have strict security requirements and regulatory compliance issues that need to be addressed—how can Exiis Corporation assist us? On these occasions, Exiis Corporation can offer you a complete network security assessment from a CISSP/CISA certified professional. CISSP certified professionals have been internationally recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as being fully accredited in providing information technology security solutions under ISO/IEC 17024. CISSP professionals can assist you in all areas of network security management, access controls, and cryptology methodologies. Companies who utilize the services of a CISSP certified professional are less likely to experience security breaches, legal challenges, and ethics questions.
10. What considerations are taken into account when securing a network environment? Keep in mind all network security practices share common requirements. For example, by following the items listed, your network will be very safe and secure—with the exception of operating system specific “known issues”, almost all network infrastructures follow these guidelines:
a. Access Control and Auditing
b. Accountability (Ethics, Instigations, Legal)
c. Administration
d. Application Development (Secure Code)
e. Architecture (LAN/WAN/Telco)
f. Audits
g. Continuity Planning
h. Data Encryption
i. Operations Security (Processes)
j. Password Requirements
k. Physical Security
11. Do you offer support for Microsoft Office Desktop Applications? Exiis Corporation can provide advanced training to individuals or classroom style from a Microsoft Certified Office User Specialist. Microsoft Certified Office User Specialists have extensive training with the Microsoft Suite of Office products, such as Word, Excel, and Access. If your organization is looking to increase productivity, cut costs, and automate office processes, an Office User Specialist is the perfect solution. For organizations where a local Office Specialist is unavailable, Exiis Corporations remote “Help Desk” can provide you with remote assistance for those complicated Word or Excel solutions. Having access to these professionals means less time attempting to “figure it out” on your own and more time in providing the answers and solutions you are working towards.
12. How can Exiis Corporation assist us with Microsoft Operations Manager? Microsoft Operations Manager deploys special reporting agents across the entire enterprise which report back to a central console. Network services such as bandwidth usage, performance thresholds, and other reports allow for Exiis Corporation, or your internal staff, to respond quickly to potentially damaging or failing systems. Implementation of Microsoft Operations Manager is commonly performed by highly skilled network engineers—the server deployment can be very sophisticated to the average network administrator. Once the server is deployed and properly tested, advanced rules, customized reporting scripts, and alerts can be configured to meet your organizations requirements.
13. Can Exiis Corporation assist us with a SPAM solution? SPAM is one of the largest nuances Mail Administrators face on a daily basis. The problem with spam prevention and filtering is usually addressed by placing several layers of protection between the Microsoft Exchange Server and the edge router. Many advanced features for SPAM prevention are built right into the latest release of Exchange Server. Other products, such as Postini, Barracuda, and other third party solutions add additional layers of protection. Exiis Corporation can assist your organization in determining the correct level of filtering and third-party solutions that make the most sense for your organization.