Networking is the process of communications via connections; this applies to both people and equipment.

Networking assists in meeting the needs of a business by: -

• Sharing devices - printer, scanners, internet access
• Sharing data - corporate databases, address books, accounts
• Backup - saving a copy of vital data
• Central Service - fax, email
• Security - controlling access, anti-malware

 

Amongst the many resulting benefits of this scenario are: -

• Reduced cost of backup, and simplicity of restore
• Allows users/machines to be inexpensively and quickly added
• Reduced cost of individual workstations
• Increased efficiency due to common access, and redundant access to data.

 

The same fundamental technology can be further enhanced to allow access from any remote user by wireless means, or from any where in the world, by using the internet as an extension to the office network. Obviously exposing your company data in this manner can only be safely undertaken if the appropriate security measures are included in the implementation process.

Examples of such measures are:-

• Using secure tunnels to allow our data transfer across the net.
• Using secured web-portals to allow secured browser access from a web browser.
• Using secure transfer protocols, like wap2 to encapsulate our data.

 

BUSINESS EXAMPLE

Requirement:
            Mr X required to access their emails and faxes whilst travelling abroad.

Merlin Solution:
            We implemented a secure system, operating across the internet, using any web browser with SSL security, Novell GroupWise secure email with web access as the email system , and the open source Hylafax fax/email gateway to replace the fax machine. Incoming faxes were printed, and converted to emails , and outgoing emails were converted to faxes, the web browser accessed both from any internet kiosk or pc.

To discuss your specific requirements please call   01189724666