Case Study#3: Seacliff Seafoods

Client: Seacliff Seafoods, Inc. – Offices in Los Angeles, CA and San Antonio & Houston, TX

Problem #1:
Seacliff Seafoods, Inc. wanted to improve their overall operations by more efficiently connecting their computer networks and systems.

Solution #1:
T.Rowe Consulting Group analyzed Seacliff’s existing technology infrastructure, workstations and networking. Then recommended, facilitated and implemented new networking infrastructure equipment and workstations to increase network performance and workflow efficiency.

Result #1:
By maximizing the efficiency and speed of Seacliff’s computer networks, more work could be done in a shorter amount of time.

Problem #2:
Seacliff’s San Antonio office was connected to the primary network in Los Angeles using an expensive Frame-Relay connection. This connection provided no external Internet access and more importantly, operated much too slowly from the San Antonio office.

Solution #2:
T.Rowe Consulting Group implemented and installed a much less expensive Virtual Private Network DSL solution to go along with newly installed and improved network infrastructure to better connect the Los Angeles and San Antonio offices together into a usable Wide-Area-Network while also connecting to the Internet simultaneously.

Result #2:
By using a secure DSL solution to connect the two offices together, Seacliff not only continues to save approximately $1,100.00 per month on connectivity charges, but also has a much more flexible and speedy Internet based connection. This more flexible connection then allowed us to connect important executives and traveling employees to their network in Los Angeles from their homes or anywhere on the road, once again improving efficiency and performance. The DSL solution also allowed for all network users in both offices to access the Internet while using their corporate network simultaneously, improving their access to pertinent information. Another benefit of this new connection is the ability for T.Rowe technicians to remotely help and troubleshoot ongoing issues in either Seacliff offices over the Internet, saving Seacliff in onsite travel charges.

Problem #3:
Inter-office communications, communication between offices and communication with vendors was done either through expensive phone calls, or by sharing two America Online accounts amongst several employees. Individual employees did not have their own e-mail addresses or electronic method to communicate directly with their co-workers, vendors or customers.

Solution #3:
Setup and centralize e-mail and instant messaging communications systems for maximum efficiency and flexibility of collaboration amongst employees, customers and vendors. Implement and install a corporate Exchange Server and instant messaging server in Los Angeles to handle all communications between offices and externally.

Result #3:
By using a centralized e-mail server, all communications via e-mail could be controlled, monitored and implemented when needed. This also provided the ability for all employees to have their own e-mail address, allowing direct communication with the appropriate people in a timely manner. Not only could employees access their e-mail from their office machines, but we setup a web mail solution as well, allowing for corporate e-mail access from anywhere, anytime using any Internet connection. By using instant messaging for inter-office communications, not only did it allow all employees to communicate instantly and in real-time, but the phone bill was cut in half in the first quarter of full time use as well.