Case Study

Powerful engineering applications and CAD-based programming were once the sole domain of the UNIX platform - formerly the only Operating System robust enough to handle these CPU-intensive tasks. However, the limitations of UNIX and the lack of many productivity programs - like e-mail and Internet access - caused many users to have a love-hate relationship with their systems. Today, as PCs have dramatically increased in computing power, many formerly UNIX-based companies are making the switch to embrace the vast benefits of Intel Architecture (IA)-based computing.

Protex International, a Long Island, N.Y., manufacturer and distributor of security equipment, recognized the increased opportunities for efficiency in an IA-based environment. With more than 50 users, the Protex system lacked company-wide integration and did not deliver the efficiencies and flexibility necessary for Protex's ongoing growth. As IA computing power increased, Protex seized the opportunity to move its large-scale engineering applications to the more forward-looking platform.

Protex selected Bi-Tech Enterprises, Inc., a top local service provider, to implement the system-wide conversion. An Intel Authorized Solution Provider, Bi-Tech brought its more than 20 years of experience to the installation, helping Protex update its systems with a more reliable network.

"Protex really needed to upgrade from UNIX and install a more modern-day network," says Al Rosen, president of Bi-Tech. "The ever increasing power available to PC desktops enabled this demanding engineering environment to finally make the move and capitalize on the benefits of the PC. This company grew phenomenally following its conversion - to almost twice its size prior to the installation. Much of that growth would not have been possible without the new capabilities and enhanced productivity delivered by this system."

Foundation for Expansion

The entire system has been converted to Intel® Architecture-based equipment, with users accessing the old system when necessary through terminal emulation, delivering the ability to look up past history. Bi-Tech established the reliability critical for Protex with two servers with 200-megahertz Intel Pentium Pro processors, both running Microsoft Windows NT*, and utilizing Intel® 510T switches and 100T hubs for consistent system performance. The redundancy of the system minimizes downtime and provides maximum data integrity, which is vital to the growing company. The SNMP-enabled system is managed using Intel® Device View, which automates many administrative functions and allows Bi-Tech to provide high level monitoring of Protex's systems."

The whole business relied on these mission-critical applications, so we were charged with making the converted systems operational and very stable as quickly as possible," says Rosen. "With our background in providing clean, Intel® Architecture-based environments and our specialized software for transferring data, we were able to meet their goals and deliver the productivity gains Protex needed for sustained growth."

Since Protex handles complex customer support functions for its products, Bi-Tech installed proxy server support, which provided complete Internet integration. In addition, Bi-Tech equipped Protex with Intranet and Internet communications, as well as network fax capabilities, delivering better access to both internal information and customers through e-mail and fax. The system-wide Intel® equipment includes Intel® NetPro print servers, rounding out the end-to-end solution for increased functionality and reliability.

"I think this is really a modem day case study for small to medium businesses, since every phase of the Protex desktop is now well integrated in a smooth and very cost effective manner," says Rosen. "And since we specialize in upgrades, we continue to deliver new models of high-level PCs to the engineers, rotating their existing machines to departments with less demanding applications. Moving forward, we'll continue working with Protex to maximize its budget, while systematically bumping up the power available to all employees."

Protex's integrated solution has allowed the company to refine processes and communicate more effectively, both internally and with customers. The Bi-Tech system has been a catalyst for its increased growth, delivering substantial productivity gains over the UNIX-based system of the past.

"The whole industry is going toward PC-based environments, and we really wanted to move ahead," says Eric Bowman, MIS manager, Protex. "In the past, if we had a problem with our UNIX system sometimes we couldn't even find someone to support it. Now, our mission-critical applications are on an extremely reliable system, and our employees are much more efficient as a result."

Bi-Tech has the distinction of being one of the country's first Intel® Authorized Solution Providers - a premier designation that identifies a location as having a high level of expertise and as a preferred source of Intel® solutions.

"We've been very pleased with the training we've received as part of this program - it's helped us refine our consulting techniques, which will help our customers and result in higher quality leads," says Rosen. "In addition, through Intel® we've made contacts with other dealers and have been able to forge new business partnerships. It's great to be a part of this select group."

For more information, visit Bi-Tech via the web at www.bi-tech.net or Intel's Authorized Solution Provider program at channel.intel.com/business/authorization.