GENERIX LTD AND CHESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL FORGES PARTNERSHIP
TO CREATE NEW BUSINESS BENEFITS
Companies now recognise that pro-active desktop management is paramount to effective
host connectivity and a requisite for maintaining unified PC networks.
A variety of platforms with growing server and PC populations are posing challenges to
the adoption of enterprise wide strategies. More and more organisations are realising that
they have a wealth of systems and data which they need to make available in the
appropriate format for all the different types of users they serve.
Unfortunately, adopting new initiatives can be a nightmare in terms of cost, time,
initial outlay and risk. In-house IT management groups normally struggle to upgrade and
maintain a variety of dysfunctional platforms. Resource constraints and rapid evolution of
technology make it difficult to evaluate all options and it is increasingly more important
to work with partners with knowledge and a proven track record.
Background:
Generix Limited provides products and services which allow organisations to retain
existing investments in business systems and lay the foundation for evolving WITH new
technologies, to gain and retain competitive advantage in an ever changing and challenging
business environment
Generix believes that delivering true business benefits requires hard work based on
sound business knowledge, a vision, continuity and the long-term commitment to build
lasting relationships.
"If we don’t understand the issues facing businesses how can we structure our
proposals to reflect users' needs?" asks Leonard Klejnow business development manager
at Generix.
The following case study maps the events of Generix and Cheshire County Council's
deployment of Attachmate® Host Access™ Server and
their recent pilot of NetWizard® by Attachmate.
A CASE STUDY
Problem and objectives:
Dave Johnson Principle IT Consultant has worked at Cheshire County Council since 1970.
He described the problem facing the Council's PC environment. The spread of buildings and
variety of different platforms (IBM, Digital and UNIX) resulted in a multitude of
different protocols, screen layouts, complex sign-on and navigation rules. This caused a
lack of consistency and reliability in the Council's function to perform as a unified,
collaborative network Initially, an in-house front end integration tool handled all
protocol conversions but responses were much slower than direct connections. Concerns were
also expressed at the need to keep pace with the changing windows environment. Part of a
wider initiative was the consideration of TCP/IP architecture to give a single protocol on
all platforms across all the networks providing an entre- into browser technology and a
'thin client' approach.
Dave Johnson said:
"It's all about providing functionality, which is easy to use, and that
doesn't require specialist skills to maintain".
Results:
Generix Ltd came to give advice on the Council's host connectivity issues in January
1998. After independent research from Generix, Attachmate proved to be a market leader in
connectivity. The solution to a complex problem was a single product providing a very rich
setting for host connectivity. Generix recommended Host Access Server from Attachmate.
Using this technology they have been able to mimic the current user interface within a
browser. This has meant an easy transition for the Council's 2000 PC users. Keyboarding
has remained the same. Existing visuals and overall design of the PC has not been
drastically altered - an essential requirement for the user.
The solution now delivers very fast IP to IP connections; there are no protocol
conversions and the server is easy to maintain.
Dave Johnson conceded that teething problems had occurred when a function key problem
was detected with the software, which was not reflecting the hosts' actions. The outcome
has delayed the system going live until April of this year. Fortunately, the problem has
only cemented the relationship between Generix and Cheshire County Council due to the
commitment shown by all parties, including Attachmate US and UK, to rectify the problem.
An additional benefit is that the solution remains valid with Network Computers and
similar thin-client access.
Future objectives:
Cheshire County Council is now addressing the total cost of ownership issues of desktop
PCs. Dave Johnson comments: "Over a five year life span, actual operating costs of a
PC are five times the initial purchase cost". (Gartners Group US statistic reports)
NetWizard introduced by Generix aims to save
the Council 20-30% over five years. The key objective is to adopt a standard environment
by enforcing defaults and basically 'locking down the desktop' and the use of techniques
to automate software deployment. NetWizard also enables remote user support by allowing
direct connection to network PCs. It can also act as an interactive tool to instruct users
and remotely solve problems. It's a very cost effective and instantaneous solution. In
conjunction with Generix, Cheshire County Council has built a firm foundation for its
future investment in IT solutions.
‘’It's reassuring to know that a company like Generix is primarily driven
by the business requirements of customers and only then identifies appropriate
technology’’
