Managed Internet Gateway (MIG) Server

The internet has become perhaps the most invaluable business tool of the last decade. With the long awaited release of cost effective broadband technologies (ADSL, My Wireless) to a starved South African market, small and medium enterprises are finally able take advantage of the incredible value that a permanent high speed internet connection has to offer. Like their larger corporate counterparts, smaller enterprises are able to access the invaluable mine of information on the world-wide web, get instant access to e-mails.

These incredible benefits however come at a price. The Internet is an environment fraught with the perils of viruses, spam and even hackers. To the unsuspecting permanently connected user, this link to the outside world provides hackers with open access to your most precious commodity, your business' information! In addition, without careful management and constant care, your network could become prey to the devastating effects of viruses and your people to the time-wasting antics of span.

Wouldn't we be living in Utopia if all these problems could be eradicated whilst still maintaining the awesome advantages of a permanent broadband connection cost effectively?

Current Scenario

Most businesses today cannot survive without the benefits of e-mail. But with the advent of e-mail comes the expectation of instant response. In order to ensure a timely response to emails, most businesses with a dial-up account end up dialing in to check up their email at least 10 times per person in the average working day. If this dial-up takes approximately 3-5 minutes, you are looking at an average of 45 minutes per person per day just checking e-mail!

The result - based on 5 users checking mail, a spend of approximately R125.00 per day:

(5 people x 10 times/day x 5 min @ R2.50 = R125.00)

That excludes browsing or even sending and receiving large mails which could take up to 15 minutes for single e-mail. This would equate to approximately R2500.00 (over 20 working days) excluding your internet dial-up account, e-mail accounts or your data line rental!

The end result - most small business end up spending in excess of R3,000.00 per month on Internet access!

Ideal Scenario

The ideal scenario would be

1. An always on connection.
2. E-mail based on your company domain -e.g. joe@yourcompany.co.za
3. A Secure e-mail and Internet system with Anti Virus and Spam scanning.
4. Being able to add company e-mail addresses with a few clicks of a mouse.
5. Fast access time saving on wasted time spent downloading mail on-line.
6. A secure cost effective solution with fixed costs.
7. Good first line support.
8. A saving of up to 30mins a day currently being wasted waiting for email per employee!
9. Add computers to your network easily.
10. Secure firewall.
11. The ability to host your web site.

Proposed Solution

MANAGED INTERNET GATEWAY (MIG) SERVER

The MIG Server offers significant benefits to small business' that use the Internet for both E-mail and Internet browsing. The MIG server allows the small business operator to access the power of a full Internet gateway with e-mail capabilities on a cost effective Linux platform, effectively lowering their total cost of ownership, while providing full Internet functionality, with features including local e-mail, firewalling.

The MIG solution will potentially save you in excess of R1,000 a month. The proposed solution will provide you with continually managed and updated Linux based firewall and mail server; Spam filtering, a domain name server and a DHCP server. In addition a cost effective e-mail virus scanning solution is available.

The MIG solution will also allow you to support 10 users off the system without additional costs. The MIG server can also be used in larger organizations to supplement existing line bandwidth to radically enhance browsing capability. We also offer desktop virus scanning @ R15 per month per user.

Features and Benefits

1. DHCP server- allows you to easily add users to your network
2. Personalized unlimited e-mail addresses
3. Secured/firewalled Internet access- reduces hackers into system
4. Reduces worm spread
5. Local mail server with Webmail
6. Virus scanning for e-mail
7. Mail experience is almost instantaneous
8. Linux offers a cost effective platform with no operating costs
9. Managed services
10. Cost saving
11. Continual updates of firewall security and anti viruses.
12. Easy installation single server solution
13. Connect or share ADSL, My Wireless, Infosat or a leased line!
14. Simple web hosting
15. Virtual static IPs

Conclusion

The state of the art Managed Internet Gateway (MIG) system is a driven technology solution allowing small and medium business to have access to low cost fast Internet and e-mail services without paying the costs of leased lines, routers and fixed infra structure costs which are extremely expensive.