airglow
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At airglow, we realize that today's business environment gives tremendous advantages to businesses that can use technology to their benefit. We also realize that many businesses can't justify maintaining their own technology staffs. Thus, we offer the "airglow assistance" program. For a small monthly fee, you get access to our staff as your "computer guys." When you have a question about technology, just drop us a line via phone or email. We'll give you a quick answer, and we'll do a little research if you're still interested. The advantage for you is obvious: you can worry about your business and not about the technology, and you don't have to wait until the next time your computer-savvy neighbor drops by for a drink. If a question isn't so simple, we'll tell you why and give you an estimate for the amount of time we'd need to give you a good answer. Then you decide whether or not the answer is worth the effort; if it is, engage our research and planning services. If it isn't, don't worry about it.
The first step in any successful business investment is planning. Technology is no different; by carefully considering the goals, needs, and constraints for a project, it's possible to develop the best possible plan. When planning a technology deployment, we start by asking questions such as:
- What are the business goals for the project? Is the existing use (or non-use) of technology actively impairing business needs, or is there an anticipated need for expansion?
- Considering the existing infrastructure, what components are already in place and can be re-used? What components are blocking progress now, and what components are likely to block progress in the forseeable future?
- What training and procedural changes will be necessary?
- Do public or private regulatory agencies place limits on how we can approach a project?
- What are the one-time costs of a project, and what are the ongoing costs?
- What would a true long-term solution cost versus a short-term solution, and how does that compare to the business picture?
- What are the security implications of the project? Is proprietary or customer-sensitive data involved?
With careful planning, it's possible to determine the best way to approach any project. At airglow, we take pride in our ability to communicate with our clients so that they understand the choices they are making. We will work with you to plan your project, and we'll be sure that it remains your project. We offer our planning services independently of our other services, and you have control of the project at all stages. If, after considering a thorough plan, you want someone else to do the project--or you don't want anyone at all to do it--we won't be offended. Our goal at the planning stage is to make sure that your project is the right project for your business.
In today's interconnected world, computers don't just need to work; they need to work with each other. At airglow, we have experience with networks of many types and sizes, and we can help you with your network. Whether you're just starting, need to add more machines, or need more speed and stability from your existing setup, we can work with you and solve your networking problems. We specialize in making things work even when the original plan disappeared years ago, and we can work with you to get the most out of your existing equipment and minimize the amount of new equipment needed. We'll evaluate where you are and where you want to be, and then we'll work on getting there. Whether it's speed, security, or reliability that you need, we can help you find it.
Between the local computer stores and the Internet, there are millions of software packages out there. However, that doesn't mean that any single one does exactly what you want it to. When you can't buy what you're looking for off the shelf, or when you need to update a custom application that's been in place longer than anyone can remember, a customized solution may be the most effective way to meet your needs. At airglow, we will work with you to evaluate the business case for custom software and the potential costs of custom development; if you want us to develop a custom solution for you, we will do that. Once we complete the project, we will turn over all of the project materials, from design documents and source code to the final program; that way, anyone who needs to modify the program in the future--whether or not they are associated with airglow--will have the best information possible to move forward.
A computer that you don't know how to use is nothing more than an expensive paperweight. At airglow, we realize that the best system is the one that lets you get your work done. We can develop custom training plans for one or many employees, allowing your staff to understand the tools they use and how to best use them. As with any of our services, our training and education programs start with an evaluation of where you are now and what business needs are to be addressed; we develop a training plan for you.
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