Physicians Independent Management Services

With the expert guidance and knowledge of the team at Akuwa Solutions, we have saved a significant amount of money, reduced ongoing expenditures and implemented a bullet proof disaster recovery plan. Akuwa has facilitated great advances in all aspects of our corporate network infrastructure. We have fully aligned ourselves with the highest of industry standards and reliability

 

Data Center Efficiency:

With the consolidation of 24 physical servers down to seven, the power consumption to the data center has decreased by 71% for applied power and 60% for cooling requirements. This is a very real cost savings of approximately $4,400.00 per year. In addition the maintenance costs of warranties for each physical server have decreased by roughly $10,450.00 per year. PIMS Virtualization project was accomplished in its entirety utilizing the company’s existing HP Server hardware. The cost savings of leveraging the existing hardware vs. purchasing new hardware is estimated in excess of $133,000.00.

Consolidated all servers, switching, wiring, phone systems and internet to a ‘seamless and secure’ physical rack and wiring management enclosure infrastructure, which has further reduced cooling and power costs in the data center.

Implemented Microsoft’s RDS system for secure end user and customer remote access to PIMS production resources. The choice to utilize Microsoft’s RDS system over comparable Citrix Systems resulted in an estimated cost savings of between $19,000 and $35,000 per year (based upon 100 users and a Citrix renewal pricing schedule).

Installation of a full 48 port Gigabit network ‘core’ to infrastructure. All servers now communicate with the users, printers, internet, web, email at approximately 10x previous speeds.

Implemented the newest Barracuda Email archive system, ensuring full record keeping for all corporate email. Including all incoming, outgoing and inter-office email. Regardless if the email is lost or deleted at the individual email boxes.

 

Disaster Recovery - Microsoft 2010 Data Protection Manager (DPM):

Microsoft’s upgraded data protection manager server allows PIMS to backup all virtual guest servers multiple times a day, fully and intact, while in production, with no impact to the end users. The system offers the ability to restore whole servers as well as individual files and folders directly from its data storage.

Currently a second 2010 DPM server is co-located with GTE at an off-site Disaster Recovery (DR) Site. Full replication of all production servers and data is accomplished twice daily, to the off-site faculty.

 

Working with Chuck and his team of Engineers at Akuwa has improved my bottom line, increased efficiency and given me peace of mind. Now I am 100% positive that we can recover from any type of catastrophic event quickly and efficiently.

I highly recommend Akuwa Solutions Group for all your I.T needs.

Chris Hazelwood, CPA, CFE

Chief Financial Officer

Physicians Independent Management Services, Inc.

http://www.pims-inc.com/

Harp Development

“Our company relies heavily on IT. When we looked for a company to manage our IT infrastructure, we short listed the top IT companies in SW Florida. As a former network engineer with a strong background in security, I knew exactly what I was looking for – a company with capabilities and knowledge in IT that exceeds my personal knowledge. I found that in Akuwa. No matter how big, small, demanding or complex my IT requirements were, Akuwa were able to exceed my expectations, implementing everything on time and within budget. Even though located 60 miles away from our HQ, with their remote monitoring and management capabilities, our IT infrastructure is being maintained and looked after 24/7. Issues at 3 AM? No problem! Akuwa will get right on it, and with a smile! The team at Akuwa is not just professional, but is friendly. Our relationship has developed with them over the past 4 years; it feels like Akuwa is part of us. We rely heavily on their services, and they have never disappointed! Thank you Akuwa!”

Amir Harpaz

Owner, Harp Development

http://www.harpdevelopment.com/

DooleyMack Constructors, Inc.

DooleyMack Constructors has benefitted from a close relationship with Akuwa Solutions Group for about 10 years now and they have never let us down. As a construction company with offices in Florida, Georgia, Texas and the Carolinas, the proper management of our technology infrastructure has been critical to our growth and success over the years. As the computer systems administrator supporting over 200 users, with central servers and remote clients, I have relied on Akuwa for support with lan/wan network integration issues as well as all hardware and software considerations. They have always been quite cordial and helpful even in the most exigent of situations, providing sound and reliable support. Most importantly, Akuwa is always on top of the newest technologies, not necessarily to "jump on the latest bandwagon" but to take advantage of implementation of emerging solutions once they have been proven stable such as server virtualization. Having a technology consulting partner who can accurately assess the needs of their clients and provide high-level customized computer services has been a great advantage. I do not hesitate to recommend Akuwa most highly.

Gordon Graham

Director of Information Services

DooleyMack Constructors, Inc.

http://www.dooleymack.com/

Grapevine Communications

“Akuwa has taken Grapevine Communications to the next level of security for all of our critical data and provided an operating platform that improves efficiency in our daily business. Now I can relax knowing our data, back-ups and archives are readily available and in the event of a catastrophe, we can be back up running in minutes,”

John Fain

Co-Owner, Grapevine Communications

http://www.grapeinc.com/home.html

IMAP, Inc.

IMAP - Global Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory. Formed in 1973, IMAP is the world's most well-established organization of leading merger and acquisition advisory firms

 

I.T. Goals:

Relocation of Corporate Headquarter’s Data Center in Sarasota, Fl. to Istanbul, Turkey with minimal business interruption

Issues:

Corporate servers would take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to clear customs  

Solution:

Virtualization of Corporate I.T. Infrastructure onto a laptop that can be brought on an airplane in order to clear customs at the airport

Critical Business data placed on external hard drives

The Bottom Line:

Corporate servers would take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to clear customs

No interruption of business in the transition period.

http://www.imap.com/

First Step of Sarasota

First Step is a fully licensed and accredited recovery center offering an array of services from detoxification to outpatient. First Step has been providing substance abuse treatment since 1968. It strives to treat all clients in the least restrictive environment available, while considering human values and respect for personal dignity.

 

I.T. Goals:

Upgrade Hardware

Stabilize Infrastructure

Improve Disaster Recovery

Issues:

Servers of various ages and capabilities many out of warranty

Inadequate Cooling in data center

Unreliable back ups and disaster recovery

Solution:

Consolidation and upgrading of existing servers with implementation of Virtual Server Technology

The Bottom Line:

Immediate saving of over $60,000 in hardware expense and $13,000 in A.C. replacement

Annual savings of over $1,200 in energy cost

Disaster Recovery time-frame reduced to minutes from days

Simplified I.T. Management

http://www.fsos.org/

Suncoast School for Innovative Studies

Suncoast School for Innovative Studies, is a Sarasota County Charter School serving VPK through 8th grade. SSIS offers a variety of programs and a host of opportunities, but even more, a family atmosphere with a wonderful staff committed to educational excellence, outstanding students and a safe, clean, orderly campus.

 

I.T. Goals:

A State of the Art computer Network for Students, Faculty and Staff

Wireless Connectivity on both campuses

Connection between Campuses

Issues:

Old hardware

Slow Wi-Fi with dead zones

Unreliable back ups and Disaster Recovery Strategy

Solution:

Virtual Server Implementation on both campuses

RUCKUS Wireless Access points

Laptops for Administration/Faculty/Staff

Top of the line Computer Labs for students

The Bottom Line:

The Suncoast School for Innovative Studies has two of the best Computer Labs in the State of Florida

The RUCKUS Wireless Access Points have doubled the capacity and range of previous wireless network at 1/3 of the cost of alternative hardware options

Staff and Faculty can move throughout campuses without loss of connectivity or performance

Virtual Server Technology gives SSIS a bullet proof Disaster Recovery Plan

http://www.suncoastschool.org/

Miles & Thirion, CPA, P.A

“We find the Akuwa staff to be friendly and professional. They are always prompt in replying to our request and you feel as if you are their only client. They are quick to follow up with our technology inquiries and needs. They are proactive in supervising and monitoring our technology. We truly believe that they are an asset to our business. We could not properly function without their continuous support and knowledge.”

Jerry Miles, CPA

Miles & Thirion, CPA, P.A.

2050 Proctor Road, Suite F

Sarasota, FL 34231

941-929-7725

http://www.Miles-Thirion.com