Linux

Information Technology Consulting

We are your local IT Consulting / Computer Consulting experts who can assist in all aspects of software implementation, as well as repairing your network and server, whether they run on Windows or Linux.  Like most small business, you may not have the luxury of having your own Information Technology department to take on new projects or tackle complex challenges.  You may be just barely hanging on to what you currently have and praying that your systems do not break down. We are here to come in with our knowledge, expertise, and experience to do the job of the Information Technology Department you wish you had.

Computing Management, Inc.'s Mission

Computing Management, Inc. (CMI) is an Information Technology Consulting Service located near Indianapolis, Indiana, providing outsourced computer system support and consulting services.  CMI services include computer and server installation, implementation, repair, support, and maintenance.  We work on all types of computer equipment, networking, and software running on both Windows Server and Linux servers.  Servers today may exist at your location or in the cloud.  Established in 1983, we have over 30 years of Information Technology experience, installing and supporting systems all around central Indiana.

Our mission is to help small and medium sized businesses manage their computing needs by taking advantage of the best available technology.  We provide reasonably priced consulting services to design, build, implement, repair, and maintain business computer systems.

We build, install, and maintain servers taylor made to match your business needs.

Servers do much more these days than simple file and printer sharing.  Your business computing needs can be broken down into services.  These services include file and print sharing, but also may be more specialized like database application servers, or servers dedicated to a major software you use to run your business. We can help you determine what type of server you need, build, implement, and maintain.

Business Software Implementation Projects

Implementation of business software, selection of the right product, working through configuration, customization issues, and following up with proper user training, are all key to successful software implementation.  We can help you implement your software product running on either Windows or Linux.  We have the programming experience to handle complex customization, data migration and conversion, to take the best advantage of your business software.

Is your computer system technology stuck in time?

Computer Technology changes over time and eventually you will need to modernize, or bring your systems up to current specifications.  Is that old server and software that has served you well for many years starting to show signs of its age?  Is your system no longer capable of running the now current version of the software you need to run your business?   We can help with a carefully planned and implemented IT Modernization project.  There is much more to migrating to new servers, workstations, and software than simply replacing machines.  Data has to be transferred, preserved, and updated. End users need to be trained on new software and procedures, and in the end, everyone needs to see the change as an improvement.

Systems Maintenance Will Save you Money.

Our IT System Administration and Maintenance Plans are tailored to your budget and needs.  Computer systems require regular maintenance in order to continue running smoothly and with proper security.  Once we evaluate your system, we will estimate the number of hours needed to be spent on Proactive Maintenance, Administration, and IT Technical Support in order to keep your systems running smoothly and reliably.  This time can also be used for future planning, consulting, and improving your computer environment.  The more time you commit to buying on a quarterly basis, the more discount you receive on our base hourly rate of $150/hour.

Help Desk Technical Support

In the ever changing world of technology, users are expected to be more and more self sufficient in adapting to and using new technology.  The problem is that your business may rely on employees who are more creative in nature or managerial and technology does not come naturally to them.  A question or technical issue can stop a user's  productivity and lead to frustration, unless they have somewhere to turn for assistance from Help Desk Technical Support and Problem Solving.  In larger corporations, this is called the Help Desk, where an entry-level IT person would answer questions and solve problems on technical issues.  Unfortunately it is rare, especially for a small or medium sized business, to have their own Help Desk.  We can fill this void by serving the role of Help Desk Technical Support and provide assistance with problem solving.

There are times when you need to call in Experienced Technical Problem Solvers

Our extensive experience is our biggest asset.  We take the time to listen to users, analyze customer's needs, and recommend solutions that work.  Whenever we install something, we make sure we do the job right, according to well established industry standards and best practices.  We will only use the best available computer hardware and software that will assure success.  We are used to solving problems that nobody else can.

With experience in the field, implementing and maintaining mission critical computer systems, networking, and servers, we are in a position to recommend solutions that we have used before.  There is "No need to recreate the wheel" every time you need a solution.  We use our experience to your advantage.  While we know what works and what to recommend, we also will keep you from making the mistake of investing in a system that does not meet your needs.

There are many choices that need to be made when designing, and setting up a server.

With our experience setting up hundreds of servers over the years, we can navigate the many choices and arrive at a practical solution.  Servers can be expensive and most businesses cannot afford to buy the wrong equipment. Servers require experienced professionals to design and set up, otherwise they can lead to pure misery for all involved.  Since we specialize in small and medium sized business computing, we will have a good idea of what server is right for your business, based on our experience working with other companies like yours.

Companies need someone who is familiar with their entire computing environment. Computer systems need Administration.

We provide guidance to help navigate your business through a sea of technology.  We can perform a management, decision making role as a member of your team.

Decisions need to be made, and right or wrong decisions can make or break a business.  Without consistant administration, your computer system will be adrift and eventually show the signs of neglect.  Your system needs someone to keep a watchful eye on changing technology and innovations in Windows, Linux, network security issues, as well as all the hardware and software in use.  Someone needs to make practical recommendations on how to utilize new technology to your best advantage.  Someone needs to be looking down the road at emerging technology and the future of your company.

Many companies no longer have the luxury of their own IT Departments to, or even dedicated, qualified, IT Personnel as a result of downsizing or recent economic hardship.  Your computing environment is unique and it is wasteful to have different technicians come in from time to time and try to fix or maintain a system they are not familiar with. By performing regular maintenance and IT Technical support, we build a level of familiarity that will allow us to diagnose problems and implement solutions much more quickly, thus saving you a lot of money over time.

Your technology problem may not be all that unique.

Chances are other companies we work with have been through a problem similar to yours and we already know the solution.  This is where our experience comes in handy. Many companies face similar problems in growth, changing technology, data recovery, or disaster management.  We have the battle scars that come from solving a lot of problems over many years and we have yet to see a challenge we can not meet.

 

We keep ourselves up to date on all the latest security patches, varnings, and various bugs that are known problems.  We know how to track down error codes and search for solutions based on other peoples experiences with the same problem.  There is often no need to invent a solution.  By keeping up and reading about problems, vulnerabilities and their solutions, we can often prevent a problem on your system before it ever happens.

 

What successful projects have we completed lately?

Computer consultants are only as good as their recent successes in implementing computer systems that people actually use in business. We have current working technical knowledge and are continuously implementing systems all over central Indiana.

We understand more than the intimidating technical terms that are not part of a normal vocabulary. We understand the technical terms, but we also realize that all you want is a computer system that works well so you can run your business. There is no qualification or degree that is better than actual experience that comes along with years and years of successfully implementing computer systems and keeping those systems running smoothly.

We recommend what we know and use based on our own experiences.

We have experience setting up both Windows and Linux Servers.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both and they each have their own place in your computing environment.  We view a server as a tool which is used to perform a particular function or functions, usually serving as a platform to run a specific program like an accounting system, or practice management system.  Software companies like to sell their own servers to customers who do not have any IT Support, but these servers are generally overpriced and under powered.  Have them quote you a price and we will show you what we can do for the same money and will exceed their requirements.  In other words, with us, you get more bang for the buck!

We know how to deal with Security Related Emergencies.

Has your system been hacked?  Is your Internet connection under attack?  Are your computers infected with a fast spreading virus?  Has someone taken over your server?  Do you need your system secured after an employee change?  These are all issues that we have dealt with in the past and know how to get under control.  We have the tools and experience necessary to figure out what is going on and find a solution.  We will repair the damages, find the source of the problem, and implement preventions to secure your systems.

A server is generally a more powerful computer that is designed to run continuously for years. Windows Server is the most common and most expensive.

Recent versions of Windows Server include Windows Server 2008, and the newer Windows Server 2012.  Your major software package may require one of these Windows Server Operating Systems.  Windows Server Operating Systems require licenses from Microsoft, or something they call CAL's (Client Access Licenses). The cost and number of CAL's you need to buy is based on things like the number of users who will be using the server.  Different features within the Windows Server Operating System can be turned on or off, and often require their own CAL's.  Just to illustrate the complexity of Microsoft Licensing, check out the following information from Microsoft Licensing CAL's. If that information does not give you a headache, you can then look at the pricing involved and start shopping!   These are all waters that we have navigated and are familiar with, based on servers we have installed.  We will save you a great deal of time and money by simply showing you what you need to buy and prevent you from making costly mistakes.  The major software application that you need may require that your server runs Microsoft Windows Server.

The other type of server we commonly set up, the one that Microsoft would rather you did not know about, is called a Linux Server.

Linux is based on, or is derived from an older operating system, much older than Microsoft, called Unix.  Unix is still around today and is used for running things like supercomputers in educational environments.  Linux has evolved over the years to the point where it is a highly reliable business server operating system.  It is generally much more efficient than Windows Servers in terms of the size or amount of power the server needs, and does a much better job performing certain functions or services.  The most wonderful thing about Linux Servers is that the Linux Server Operating System, as well as all the Services or Programs we use on Linux Servers are absolutely FREE, as in NO COST.  FREE is a radical concept for those used to dealing with Microsoft Servers!  Sorry but although the cost of the server and its software is free, we do not set them up for free.  We set up Linux Servers to perform the following:

Internet Mail Server  with features like Spam Filtering, Virus Filtering, and WebMail.  You can have an internet domain like YOURDOMAIN.COM and set up an unlimited number of mail accounts or addresses. You may be paying someone to do this now.  Having your own mail server can save you a great deal of money, while also assuring that nobody can snoop, spy, or otherwise have access to the messages on your server.  This is a big issue in the news these days.  The programs we use to set up a Mail Server include Debain Linux, Postfix Mail, SpamAssassin, and CLAM Antivirus.  If you send or receive e-mail with us @Computing-Management.com, our mail is hosted on a Linux Mail Server as described above.

Internet Web Server  You may be paying someone to host your website http://yourdomain.com and http://www.yourdomain.com.  The price of this hosting probably depends on the size of your site and the amount of traffic or data throughput.  The disadvantage to having someone host your domain, especially if they want to do it for free, is that your website may be judged by the company it keeps.  In other words, your legitimate business site may be penalized in the search engines because you are sharing the hosting services on a server that may also be hosting sites of a less desirable nature.  These days, if you want to have a legitimate business website, and have it perform well with search engines like Google, it is best to have your own server.  We can set up a Linux Web Server and help promote your site with Google.  Our Linux Web Server includes Debain Linux, Apache Web Server program, and Clam Antivirus.  The website you are viewing now is running on a Linux Web Server as described above.

Database Server Microsoft has their SQL Server program but Linux has their own Database Server Programs that can perform just as well.  The most common of these programs is called MySQL.  MySQL is now supported by a big database company you might recognize, named Oracle, and is a very capable database program.  We can help you design and program a database, as well as convert and manipulate data.  This may be integrated into your company website for either internal or external use.

File and Print Server  These are basic servers for both Windows and Linux Servers.  The only difference is that Linux can do it a lot cheaper because there is no CAL's  or licensing to  buy.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Server  You may have been hearing a lot about CLOUD, or CLOUD Servers lately.  There is a lot of hype and marketing involved here.  If you need a shared and secure area to store files and make them accessable to you, or possibly to your customers to upload and download, the easiest way to do this is with a FTP server. 
This is one of the most basic services of Linux and again, there are no licenses to buy.

There is a long, ever growing, list of other services available for Linux.

Once a server is set up and installed on your network, it must be secured.

Server Security, especially for servers accessible through the Internet must have the proper security to keep them from getting hacked.  We take server security very seriously because we realize just how dangerous the world is.  It is a given fact that there will be attempts to hack into your server every hour of every day.  This is just the nature of the Internet and a properly setup and secure server will be prepared and protected from such attacks.  We utilize firewall security, user and file security, as well as intrusion detection to keep your servers secure.  Servers, and the software they run, must be constantly maintained and updated to protect against the latest security threat.  Server Security is something that should be set up and maintained by competent professionals like us.  We can set up your server and monitor and maintain it remotely keeping an ever watchful eye for problems.

Give us a call so we may meet and discuss your server needs.

We have experience setting up both Windows and Linux servers and maintaining them in production environments.  We have solutions for all the different types of servers commonly used in small and medium sized businesses.  We know what works and have the ability to duplicate our successes and make them work in your computing environment.

There is a silver lining in every cloud.

Emergencies are unfortunate, but usually our customers are better off once the problem is solved.  You may wind up with a better system than you had before.  You may learn and take corrective actions that will make your system more reliable.  When we fix something, we fix it right and leave our customers in better shape as a result of the experience.