Take The SMB Makeover Challenge

BACKGROUND:

Current Infrastructure

• 26 standalone PCs from
• myriad vendors (5 with NICs)
• 8 standalone printers
• 1 external modem
• 1 Netgear four-port hub
• 4 phone lines (2 dedicated,1 for fax and 1 for Internet
• dial-up access)
• Office 97 application software
• No virus protection
• Goals
  A technology makeover would go a long way toward helping CFLES meet four objectives:
• To establish a client/employer database that would improve the ability to match the skills of program participants with potential employers
• To enhance the English-as-a- Second-Language instruction component of the program through the use of computerized instructional software
• To increase the computer-
• training capacity of the Center so clients are better able to compete in today's job market
• To enhance Internet access for program participants to enable them to perform more self-directed job searches
• VAR Challenge
  Come up with a solution for CFLES, keeping in mind the limited funds of a nonprofit agency. Think servers, PCs, firewalls and backup software, wireless NICs, cabling, and also business software that clients could be trained in to make them more competitive in the marketplace. VARBusiness is in the process of lining up vendors, including 3Com, among others, to provide some of the necessary equipment. Now we just need your ideas. Detail an infrastructure, complete with hardware and software recommendations, plus how your solution will help CFLES realize its goals. The winning solution provider will be featured in an upcoming story that profiles this project and its outcome. Please e-mail your proposal by Sept. 9 to VARBusiness
• sections editor Gayle Kesten ([email protected]).
• Have an SMB makeover in mind?
  Or maybe you'd like to tell us about one you already did. We're all ears. E-mail VARBusiness sections editor Gayle Kesten ([email protected]) with the details, and your story could be featured in an upcoming issue of VARBusiness.