Network refresh, what companies to talk to?

[Xellpnz]

Afternoon everyone!

 

Heading to the good old Bett show this year! be my second trip and can not wait.

 

Got a solid question for the community though.

 

We just became a muti-academy trust, and are looking at doing a whole network refresh. We have 3 sites, that we needed connected, rebuilt, and akin.

 

Anyone know of any companies providing a one off build for us? Sadly the 3 of us are unable to re-do the whole network between the sites over the summer, and looking at a friendly bunch of lads and ladies to give us a hand solve this issue. We can handle the network, but rather just get it all done up, freshened up, and start from scratch.

 

We can look after the network fine, just too much for our little brains to deal with in one summer!

 

pop a message so we can have a natter at the bett show over what we are aiming to achieve.

 

Thanks guys!

 

 

P.S Hope this is the right place to ask! Sorry if not, just hard to find such a solution.

[FN-GM]

When you say network, do you mean proper networking such as switches, routing etc or are you using the word network as a generic term for everything?

[Xellpnz]

In short, a whole rebuild software related (Rebuild DC/DNS/DHCP/Network arrangement/Network monitoring/Shared folder arrangement/etc etc) And some refresh on some old equipment, aka a few switches need replacing, some servers need updating. Its basically, someone to come in, give a hand re-do the whole network- software related, and some hardware related tasks, and get us back upto speed.

 

I can do it personally, but solo work over the summer doing around 4 sites, multiple DC's, new GPO Structure, new File share structure, meshing all sites into one domain, and having it all talk is just a tad to much!

 

Only thing we do not really need to do, is have new desktop/laptops and any AV. Just the internals that we need all redoing to a point.

 

Sorry for the odd request, i tend to rebuild the network. But just with everything going on, just a tad lost and worried.

[yac2016]

Make sure you have an idea of how you want it to be setup and what you want to use. HyperV or VMware, SCCM or WDS MDT, backup software etc. If you outsource it all it will be setup how the company wants it to be or through there own skills or experience.

 

What is your current setup?

[DSapseid]

Medhurst on stand E270.

[psydii]

XMA and EuroEle have proven good in the past. You pay for Project Management, a Solution Architect and engineering time. Not cheap, but thorough. Also they can supply on site support at the start of the service to help with the spike in calls caused by unexpected loose threads (people always forget to tell you about stuff, or don't read the memos sent before the migration).

 

I've found it helps if you have a senior member of the executive leadership (i.e head / Deputy) and Director of Finance/Operations very much involved in initial scoping meetings, it set the tone and encourages best behaviour.

[djm968]

Might be worth having a look at some local companies that have educational reference sites you can approach for a recommendation. You would possibly be able to get a more bespoke service specifically tailored to meet your requirements.