Help me set up new network - Paid work!

[reggiep]

Ok only a short post first as I have about 100 jobs to do by 9:00am.

We are looking to replace our current system with a new one. Starting from scratch with new servers.
We currently have an admin and a curriculum and are looking to combine.

I have already had RM quote me happy (not) and a local school who seem to help other schools a lot and I am quite happy to use them BUT I have been asked to find other sources of help.

So I'm looking for either a company to give me an idea of cost or someone who can do this from another school who may have the experiece.

I'm looking to go with either windows 2003/2008 vanilla or maybe with Ranger tools on top.
I suggest Ranger as I am not sure how I would do certain tasks without it. e.g send out software that isn't an msi, bulk add users, quickly add a user?

As I have said before on the forum I am not confident enough to set up a domain by myself so hence this post.

Anyone?

[jamesb]

I'm quite happy to help out in any way I can. If you've got more details of your current environment, your budget, and requirements for the new network which you could PM to me then I can probably knock a basic outline together for you over a couple of days.

[Ric_]

Out of interest, what ballpark was the RM quote and I'll come in cheaper

Seriously though... if you put together a list of requirements, several people on here will probably 'quote you happy'.

Need to know number of client machines, number of users, number of servers, openness to virtualisation and how much investment in hardware you are planning. I know how I would prefer to do the migration but other people would want to do it differently.

[powdarrmonkey]

Seriously though... if you put together a list of requirements, several people on here will probably 'quote you happy'.

*nods* Something I'd love to get my teeth into, I'd happily take a week's holiday for it

[reggiep]

Back again,
Sorry forgot to mention my location. In Prenton on the Wirral.

Ok RM quote was around £30,000.

I'll PM anyone my phone number if they are serious and want to chat!

We have about 300 workstations including laptops, 2 admin and 2 curric servers.

Not sure what else to put here at the moment.

[reggiep]

Sorry forgot to mention that the local school who would help out would charge about £8-9000 to do the work. This would also include me going across to their school to be involved in the setting up of the servers so I'd be learning at the same time.
I just want a system that works and I'm quite happy to then go off and learn anything else i need to to make it work well.

[Ric_]

@reggiep: What time of the year are you looking to do this, will all the laptops be available at this time and how much training would you like?

[mb2k01]

8-9K?
I'll fly from Cornwall for that!

[reggiep]

Ok when are we looking to do it?

We have funds from end of April and want it up and running after the Summer holidays.
I wouldn't bank on all the laptops coming in in one hit BUT I'd ask for them and any that didn't would just have to do without them, usual thing here.

[reggiep]

OK just to clarify I know the price of 8-9k looks high but that would include me being included in the set up, and a promise to help out with any problems after the set up, obviously not indefinitely.

[mb2k01]

Hi reggiep,

Sorry, my previous post was meant partly in jest. I'd love to (and my bank manager would love me to), but unfortunately I'm on a full time contract at the minute.
If you want a personal recommendation for a company who would fit right in to what you're suggesting and continue to work with you, then Stone Computers would be who I'd choose.

Stone have helped me out on a couple of other network projects by going in and doing the basic installations before I've turned up to customise further. They offer 5-yr on site warranties on their kit, and have fantastic kit! (No, I'm not getting paid for this glowing recommendation!)
Contact Jamie Stewart at Stone on 01785 285648 - he will be able to give you straight answers to all you need