Humane Society’s New Network
Posted on November 25, 2004
Filed Under Business Computing, Networking, Windows |
For the past few months I have been working with the Welland Humane Society to help them move past a legacy computer system to a more modern and reliable system that will increase productivity and streamline operations. The old system was fine in its day but having served the shelter for ten years, it certainly owes no one.
The issues the Humane Society faced are typical of what one would expect in an older ten user or more computing environment. The old network was built in a “peer to peer” configuration. Peer to peer networks have no server to speak of but rather all computers are both servers and workstations. At the time the network was installed, real server computers were ridiculously expensive and difficult to manage.
The goals of the Humane Society are also typical of those of a small business. Email should be routed to the right individuals for proper resolution, reporting should be simple and accurate, data input should be straight forward, and information should be accessible to those who need it yet protected from compromise.
To meet those goals we decided upon Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition. We were fortunate enough to be able to get a terrific price on a new Dell server and Microsoft offers exceptional pricing for registered charities through the not-for-profit channels.
The Small Business Server 2003 product includes Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Sharepoint Services, a shared fax component and a number of other useful technologies.
To deal with the email requirements, we are using Microsoft Exchange to route email to the appropriate individual or group. SQL Server will eventually be used to create a new operations tracking system that will allow easy data input and reporting, and Sharepoint Services will provide a means to share information and collaborate on projects and activities.
Longer terms goals include placing kiosks within the Humane Society building where visitors can look up information on animals they might be interested in adopting. The technology could also be used to link the lost and founds of any number of Humane Societies to help lost pet owners easily find their animals even if the pets have wandered into a neighboring municipality.
The City of Welland generously donated some of their old computers when the city last upgraded its network. Some of those computers came with Windows 2000 Professional which fit perfectly into the new Small Business Server environment.
Once this project is complete, the Humane Society will be able to operate more efficiently, data will be more reliable and the ability to analyze and improve upon operations will be greatly enhanced. But we’re not there yet – there is still a need for a larger network switch, network antivirus, backup equipment and a programmer willing to help build a new SQL database and front end.
If anyone is interested in making a monetary donation toward new equipment or a donation of time to produce new tracking software, please call the shelter at 905-735-1552 or email dianeb@wellandhumanesociety.org
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