DirectPointe Delivers Enterprise-Class IT Solution for Small Businesses

November 30, 2006; 04:11 AM
DirectPointe, a leader in managed computing services, today announced the DirectPointe SmallOffice Solution, a fully-featured, enterprise-class networking solution for small businesses. The SmallOffice Solution provides all the core server and networking hardware, software and support services a small business needs at an unprecedented price point.

“Small businesses have traditionally experienced a gap between the technology they want and the technology they can afford,” said Michael Proper, DirectPointe CEO. “DirectPointe is bringing value to their IT investments with a new managed services model that provides small businesses with all the needed technology, services and support for a consistent monthly fee. The SmallOffice Solution truly makes technology simple, manageable and affordable."

At the heart of the SmallOffice Solution is the CentralPointe Server that integrates all the core server components and applications and delivers them through a secure, Web-based console. This simplifies the technology for a small business by fully integrating all of the components into one server that becomes a plug-and-play device and is easily set up with limited technical experience. This solution also provides small businesses with a single point of purchase and accountability for their technology needs.

Server and Network Components

The CentralPointe Server includes all of the server components for file, print, messaging, FTP, proxy, LDAP, local backup, Web, and database. The network components include managed firewall and VPN, content filtering, intrusion detection and prevention, bandwidth management, dynamic DNS services, and wireless access. The server will connect with any desktop environment running Windows, Macintosh, or Linux as long as they meet basic, minimum specifications.

Once the SmallOffice Solution is installed and configured, DirectPointe monitors the system to keep the network and server running efficiently. Technical support issues are handled by DirectPointe and are included as part of the monthly fee. This solution can easily scale to accommodate growth by adding more users or additional applications.

For STI, a pilot customer of the SmallOffice Solution, the benefit of the solution was the organization, consolidation, and simplicity it provided for their office. They had spent years trying to balance the various aspects of IT using different vendors for email, network services, Web hosting, domain name registration, and they had very few IT standards throughout the office. Prior to DirectPointe, STI had a half-hearted back-up system for data protection, no Internet content filtering and flawed virus protection.

“What a breath of fresh air DirectPointe was,” said Lawton Smith, president and CEO of STI. “Within 30 minutes the DirectPointe technicians had installed a new server, copied our core data to the back-up system and launched a simple Web-based interface to manage 10 years worth of IT headaches through a single interface. DirectPointe has delivered a simple, manageable solution for our small office that allows us to focus on our business without the worry, hassle, or headache of the typical small office IT environment.”

Pricing and Availability

DirectPointe SmallOffice Solution will be available Jan. 8, 2007. Pricing is tiered based on the number of users and starts at an introductory price of $250 per month for up to 5 users. The solution can accommodate up to 50 users. For more information, please contact info@directpointe.com.

About DirectPointe

DirectPointe provides managed computing services that make managing technology simple, manageable, and affordable. For a fixed monthly fee, our customers have a single point of accountability for the procurement, deployment, management, protection, and support of the entire computing environment. DirectPointe’s approach eliminates the hassles of managing computers, networks, software, and vendor relationships enabling customers to focus on their business. For more information about DirectPointe, visit the company's website at www.directpointe.com or call 801-805-9700.