Database Development

Database development for open source databases such as MySQL utilizing PHP.  CiviCRM database development in the Joomla and Droopal/Civicspace Content Management Systems (CMS).

Project Management

Project management is the most important factor in determining the success or failure of a project.  A failure to plan is a plan to fail.  Good project management ensures that projects are delivered on time and within budget.  Success is not an accident.

Knowledge Management

What is Knowledge Management?  It takes many shapes and forms.  At its core it is usually based on a set of tools for collecting and organizing the information assets of an organization.  Information alone is not Knowledge.  Knowledge is information made useful through making it more readily available and by allowing it to be shared widely throughout the enterprise.  When that knowledge is locked up in individual employees' heads it is not as valuable as when it is captured and shared.  Good decisions require a combination of good information and hard learned lessons and experienced judgement.  Organizations often refer to their employees as their biggest asset.  Sometimes they forget to learn and capture the fruits of their employees' experience in systems so that it is retained when they move on.  This is a waste of much of the investment represented by that employee's experience.  Capturing and sharing best practice is essential to any organization that is striving for greatness and success.

Content Management/Web Development

Everything is moving to the web.  Developing web based applications is more than just writing some html code.  One of the best ways to develop web based applications is to use a Content Management System (CMS).  Systems like Lotus Notes and GroupWise are proprietary CMSs that can cost quite a bit to install and maintain.  There are some excellent Open Source alternatives such as Joomla (used for this site), Droopal/Civicspace, and Plone.  All of these systems combine database back-ends with web front-ends.  The purpose of any CMS is to move the focus from the technology to "content" and to provide a very flexible, modular environment for collaboration and information sharing.

Linux and Windows Server Support

Infrastructure Services

From wiring to email systems your information infrastructure is the foundation for everything else you do.  Designing the right infrastructure makes everything else you do easier. 

Network Design and Implementation

For many years people have been saying that their networks should be as reliable as electricity and other utilities.  It should "just be there" and perform well no matter what is asked of it.  In many cases networks don't live up to those expectations and even slow the organization's progress.  All networks are not created equal.  Making sure that all of the parts and pieces work together seamlessly is much more difficult than it may seem at first blush.  When your network is unstable you appreciate what it takes to create a rock-solid network.  There is no one-size-fits-all solution.  As the DSL market has grown many organizations have tried to use it in place of their Frame Relay backbones.  Some have regretted the move.  In an era that has brought growing demands on our bandwidth resources with new technologies like Voice Over IP (VoIP), Video Conferencing, and lots of database access, Asychronous Transfer Mode (ATM) often offers the solution.  ATM allows you to manage your bandwidth by allocating bandwidth to specific services for selected periods of time.  This is especially important if you are running VoIP phone systems.  DSL is a great technology for remote offices but is not always up to the demands of enterprise backbone networks.  Getting your network right can make life much easier.