DSL

Bucheri McCarty & Metz LLP
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Report:
DSL - The Next Wave in Kokomo Connectivity!

What is DSL, anyway?
DSL, or Digital Subscriber Lines, is a new Internet Connectivity product which is coming to Kokomo. Because DSL usually runs on existing telephone lines, and because DSL is configured over a shared network, as opposed to point-to-point dedicated networks such as T-1 connections, DSL is relatively inexpensive.

In other words, DSL will allow you to set up a shared Internet connection in your office, at high speeds, for low prices. And if they haven't already done so, the telecommunications providers in the Kokomo area will start knocking on your door, offering you what could be an excellent product.

Why DSL?
Now, before you read further, know that BM&M highly recommends this service for most of our clients. High-speed Internet access, shared by the appropriate team members, increases the productivity and morale of your staff. Your company will become more responsive to your customers, and thus more competitive. Your bottom line will improve. There is a definite ROI on high-speed Internet access.

Yes, there are many issues to consider and hoops to jump through. But that's why we're here. We can help you through the procurement and installation process. And we feel that the added productivity for your employees will be far worth the initial headaches of DSL.

Having stated that, there are some headaches . . .

Are there hidden costs?
Yes! As always, with computers, getting high-speed Internet access is much more complicated than plugging a bigger phone line into the back of your computer. And because BM&M is an objective third party, as always, we want to stress that there are some ramifications to DSL that your local phone company may or may not disclose.

DSL Start-up Issues:
There are many issues to consider involving the installation of DSL. They include the following:

	The service itself: There are many costs associated with DSL services. And there are many DSL products available. There is ADSL (Assymetrical Digital Subscriber Lines), SDSL (Symetrical Digital Subscriber Lines), HDSL (High Bit Rate DSL), etc. You know how it is with computers. And which service you need depends on your own individual needs. That is, if the service is even available in our area. Which at the time this white paper was published, we still are not certain.
	Availability: There are a host of issues associated with the availability of DSL. Just because it is available in Kokomo, doesn't mean that your office will be able to get it. We have seen, in other markets, DSL available to one office and NOT available to an office just 100 yards away. But don't fret, we have trained people who can quickly determine availability for your telephone numbers.
	Service Costs: There are usually four costs associated with DSL. If you allow us to assist you, we will be sure that you are made aware of them all. They are: Local Exchange Carrier Installation Fees, Local Exchange Carrier Monthly Fee, Modem rental or purchase, ISP Installation Fees, ISP Monthly Fees.
	Proxy Service: In order to have shared access to the internet, you are going to need what is called a "proxy server." Microsoft has a decent product for this which works with NT. There are many other proxy servers available, however, which may . Don't jump at Microsoft without investigating all the alternatives. We can help you find the best solution, and make sure you understand all the associated costs involved.
	Security: Once you install DSL, your network is now connected to the entire world! We can help you sort through the many available firewall products to find one that meets your needs. For more information about this, see our white paper on firewalls.

On-going DSL Issues:
Once you have installed DSL, by nature of high-speed shared internet access, there are going to be a host of issues which you'll want to integrate with your Information Technology Plan. We can help you sort through:

Computing Policy: You are going to need to establish a "Computing Policy." We can help you write a policy which protects your company while at the same time allows your employees the freedom to increase their productivity.

Internet Services: There are many various Internet Services you may want to install on your network once you have high-speed internet access. These services include:

	E-mail Servers: Allows you to have as many e-mail addresses as you want, with the flexibility of adding new addresses and maintaining existing addresses on the fly.
	Fax Servers: Converts in-coming faxes to e-mail, routes faxes to your users desktops, allows faxing from your users desktops.
	Web Servers: You can host your web site right on your network, which improves flexibility, maintenance, and tracking. And it can be much less expensive!

Network Monitoring: Once your users are on the Internet 24 hours per day, seven days per week, you're going to need to monitor where they are going. Some companies block certain web sites, others just monitor access.

Mail Filtering: There are ways you can filter all the junk e-mail you are getting, and this can be integrated with your firewall design.

Virus Protection: With a high-speed internet connection, the threat of virus attack proliferates. A total virus defense plan is a must for your Information Technology Plan.

Intranet Design: Since your staff has access to the Internet, you might as well document your company's policies and procedures on your own internal Intranet. Making information more accessible will only improve the productivity of your employees, the competitiveness of your company, and your bottom line!

Portal Design: As time goes on, your employees are going to find web sites which they hit more often than others, because of the quality of information available. You can design "portals," which are internal web pages that allow your employees a more effective gateway to the Internet which your company surfs.

Let us help!
Our technology division is in the business of developing Information Technology Plans. DSL provides one excellent example of how the right approach to Information Technology can make or break the success of your IT investments. For more information about BM&M's Technology Consulting services, contact us!

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Firewall Considerations

Information Architecture

Lock the Doors

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Last Modified: 12/08/04

Report: DSL - The Next Wave in Kokomo Connectivity!

Report:
DSL - The Next Wave in Kokomo Connectivity!