Expert technical advice on LAN, WAN, internetworking, and client/server systems

Consult with experienced specialists in networking, client/server technology, and groupware applications early in the decision-making cycle to help you make the right choices for your multivendor environment.

Network Consulting complements your in-house resources, providing high-level technical expertise before you undertake a network design, upgrade, or integration project.

Skilled consultants can help you define your requirements, develop a sound technology strategy, assess the fit of new applications and their impact on your network, and determine which products and technologies meet your business objectives. This service is ideal for any organization that is:

Implementing new LANs or WANs

Consolidating existing networks

Upgrading or extending existing networks

Moving to a client/server network architecture

Updating applications in networked environments

Implementing new network management products and tools.

Benefits

Gain a clear understanding of the technical requirements for more efficient, more manageable networking in your environment.

Complement your internal knowledge and expertise with custom-tailored, "as-needed" assistance.

Get an accurate assessment of the impact of introducing new network and network management products.

Identify the networking and groupware products that best address your business objectives and optimize your existing technology environment.

Benchmark your network operations against best-in-class competitors.

Take advantage of flexible service options that accommodate different management approaches and requirements across your network.

Take advantage of First Step's multivendor expertise, global service capabilities, and alliances with key hardware and software providers.

On-site consulting whenever you need it
This highly flexible offering lets you choose the precise type and extent of network consulting that meets your special needs. Service options include:

Requirements assessment
A technical consultant works with you to gather information critical to identifying your unique networking requirements. A detailed report defines your needs, proposes a preliminary solution, and outlines its benefits.

Network audit
The consultant collects and analyzes network performance data, then documents specific recommendations for improvements.

Technology/product consulting
The consultant evaluates the benefits of various networking alternatives or network management products for your environment; determines the impact of introducing these products or technologies; makes technology and product recommendations; and drafts a preliminary project plan proposing "next steps," such as a detailed analysis or design specifications.

Network architecture consulting
The consultant helps you develop a technical strategy for building a stable, efficient network environment consistent with your business and technology goals. A strategy document addresses naming, distributed computing, and addressing schemes, as well as transport designs and protocols.

Network applications assessment
The consultant gathers and analyzes applications performance data. Network auditing and applications benchmarking may be performed to develop recommendations for network reconfiguration or redesign. Results may be incorporated in a requirements document.

Network simulation and modeling
The consultant tests the proposed network's architecture by simulating anticipated traffic and incorporates the results in a requirements document.

Network strategic plan
Integrating information collected in conjunction with services outlined above, the consultant develops a design document addressing your long-term network growth plans, network management strategy, and/or migration strategy.