Systems Integration // Express Commerce

Express Commerce provide a full range of IT Systems Design and Implementation services. We design, implement and support systems from single workstations through to complete network architectures including LAN / WAN implementation and server-side services supporting tens of thousands of users.

Our certified engineers are well practiced in using Microsoft, Linux, Citrix, Novell and Apple products; committed to resolving support issues whilst keeping customers informed. We have something of a reputation for resolving complex issues with which other IT service companies have struggled - with the customer testimonials to prove it! Showing flair and creativity in network design, planning and installation is our forte.

We regularly engage with clients who wish to upgrade or replace legacy network systems, including their core Directory Services and desktop PC’s and can take on as much or as little of the project as you like.

Our systems integration services include; back-office and enterprise platform upgrades and migrations, and we are happy to discuss your Microsoft, Novell, Citrix, Apple Macintosh and Linux environment and/or requirements. Our expertise includes;

Microsoft - Back to top

Our experience includes complete lifecycle development of single-server implementation projects through to large-scale Active Directory network environments supporting tens of thousands of users and mailboxes and scores of servers. We have conceived, designed, implemented, configured, reviewed and supported systems of all sizes for our customers.

Our systems engineers have solid experience with:

Microsoft Windows Server systems (NT 4.0 onwards, including Terminal Server, Enterprise, Advanced and Web editions).
Microsoft Exchange Server (5.5, 2000 and 2003).
NT 4.0 domain environments.
Active Directory (2000 and 2003).
Active Directory upgrades and migrations.
Advanced Active Directory configuration.
Exchange upgrades and migrations.
Microsoft SMS Server.
Microsoft SQL server.
Microsoft WSUS (update server).
Microsoft SharePoint services.
SAN and NAS systems.
Server clusters.
Backup and Recovery.
Enterprise-scale desktop deployment.
Enterprise-scale desktop management.

Linux - Back to top

Our experience includes design, implementation and support of Linux server solutions, including integration into Microsoft Windows networks Linux server systems, network design and deployment, as well as Linux desktop use, Linux systems integration and troubleshooting. We also support several customers with mixed Windows and Linux environments, and understand how to get the technologies to play well together.

Our systems engineers have solid experience with:

Various GNU/Linux distributions, including Red Hat (most versions from 7.2 onwards through to Red Hat Enterprise Linux), Debian, CentOS, Ubuntu, Trustix and others.
Apache and LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQl, PHP) web servers.
Linux as a DNS server (BIND), a file server (Samba), a proxy server (Apache/squid), a Mail server (Sendmail/postfix), a DHCP server and many other roles.
Mambo/Joomla Content Management systems.
Moodle Course Management systems (including Active Directory integration).
SmoothWall firewall products (GPL and all corporate versions).

Apple - Back to top

Our experience includes design, implementation and support of small Mac workgroup networks through to dedicated Apple Mac art and design suites for education establishments, including integration into Microsoft Windows networks. We also support several customers with mixed Mac and Windows environments, and understand how to get the technologies to play well together.

Our systems engineers have solid experience with:

Mac OS 9
Mac OS X
Mac OS X Server
Mac-Windows network integration (including Exchange server integration for mail)
Mac-Linux network integration
Apple OS X applications

Novell - Back to top

Our experience includes complete lifecycle development of single-server implementation projects through to large-scale Novell network environments supporting thousands of users and mailboxes and dozens of servers. We have conceived, designed, implemented, configured, reviewed and supported systems of all sizes for our customers.

Our systems engineers have solid experience with:

Novell Directory Services
Novell GroupWise
Novell Clustering Technologies
Novell Security Products
Mixed Directory Integration

The examples above are only a subset of our breadth of skills and services; Express Commerce will be happy to discuss any IT requirements with you regarding your Novell Netware and GroupWise systems.

Backups - Back to top

Our experience includes design and implementation of backup systems, from dual-pathed, multi-terabyte, fibre-channel SAN environments to single servers. We understand the true value of good backup strategy and methods, and the potential cost of bad ones.

Backup can take many forms, and we are also comfortable discussing many different mediums and technologies, including:

Tape backup (including media rotation and storage strategies).
Disk backup (either as an interim or ultimate medium).
Off-site archival.
Data replication.
Backup software and agents.
Dedicated backup servers for backup consolidation, including tape libraries and auto changers.
Dedicated backup network infrastructures.
SAN/NAS based options (snap clones, snapshots etc).

We are also experienced in systems recovery, even where the systems are new to us. We have successfully recovered many systems, from plain data volumes to Active Directories, SQL databases and complex Exchange servers.

The examples above are only a subset of our breadth of skills and services; Express Commerce will be happy to discuss any backup or Disaster Recovery requirements you may have regarding your IT systems, no matter what platform you are using.

Security - Back to top

Our experience includes design, implementation and support of secure networks, encompassing many aspects.

Our systems engineers have solid experience with:

Network perimeter security (Firewalls, IDS, SME NAT routers).
Content filtering (e-mail spam and inappropriate web content).
Secure network architecture / topology design.
Secure remote connectivity, including VPN for road warrior and site-to-site tunnels.
Centralised Anti-Virus management.
Centralised Windows patch management.
Appropriate use of non-Microsoft systems to enhance security.
Designing networks for a hostile user base.
External network security audit.
SSL web site encryption.
Assessment of compromised systems, including first stage forensics.
Best practice and education for securing existing systems.
Anti-spyware and malware products.
Backup and recovery.

We have a flexible attitude to the projects we undertake, and we recognise that the methods we use must be appropriate to the systems at hand, and therefore vary.

However, we take pride in our work, and like to engage with our customers as much and as early as possible. In this way, we can be sure that we will be providing the best possible solution for the requirements that the project is intended to address.