Dr. Martin Beckmann - IT Consulting

Welcome to the home page of Dr. Martin Beckmann! I provide IT services for small businesses, docter's offices, home offices etc. If you need a reliable network for your small business, connecting your workstations, server, Internet access and peripherals such as printers, and you do not have the time and/or expertise to set this up or maintain, I can help.

What I do

My focus is on those small businesses that do not have the expertise to set up or maintain their own IT infrastructure, but which have a need for:

A network, linking their various computers together to share data, Internet access, printer access, etc.,
High availability of the computers and network, ensuring that no valuable time is lost fixing computer problems rather than getting on with business,
Safe storage of business data,
Safe, easy to handle and retrieve backups of business data,
Secure Internet access,
Other optional services such as a web page, email server, off-site storage of backup data, etc.,
And most important: low cost of installation and ownership.

For such businesses, I provide:

Installation and maintenance of stand-alone servers,
Installation and maintenance of complete, small networks - workstations, one server, and peripheral equipment,
Secure wireless networks.

How I do what I do

Installations are customised to your wishes. Since customer satisfaction is paramount, I put a lot of emphasis on analysing your needs. I consider that a proper analysis, documentation and implementation of my client's needs is the single most important element of my business. Typical questions that will have to be analysed, are:

How many workstations do you have or need?
Do you already have a central server computer?
How are your computers being used?
What software is installed?
Who is using what software?
What are your safety needs?
Should restrictions be imposed on certain users (employees)?

Based on the answers to these and other questions, I propose a networked system to you, typically consisting of a central server, workstations, and any other equipment needed to fulfill your requirements. This system is then implemented:

Proven, open-source platforms are used for implementation of your server needs. I specialize in servers based on OpenBSD. I can also provide Linux-based servers; I prefer Guardian Digital's "Engarde Secure Linux Professional" distribution for this type of application. These platforms are proven to be very safe.
Open-source packages are used for both standard and optional features such as sharing files and printers across the network, providing a web server, etc. Open source software is reliable and cheap, and with its large and growing user base, it is tested very thoroughly. Security holes are found and patched quicker than with most commercial software. Viruses are not (yet) an issue.
Workstations are based on Microsoft Windows XP or Linux. For Linux workstations, my standard solution is to use SUSE Linux, but other distributions can be accommodated too.
Installations are kept simple. This significantly reduces the risk of failure, and means that even with a failure of one computer, the rest of the system keeps running.
Installations are set up to be robust - they will easily recover from a problem without user intervention, in the absence of trained personnel.
Simple tools are installed and used to handle those tasks that are not automated. I provide training in the use of these tools.
My standard solution for backups is to use optical media - DVD-ROM or CD-ROM. This is cheaper than using tape systems, and very reliable. The resulting data can be read on any computer equipped with a DVD-ROM drive (almost all computers sold today). However, if so desired, I are also able to install tape backup systems.

Contact

For more information, as well as pricing, contact me at:

Dr. Martin Beckmann
Lochtstraat 51
B-3740 Eigenbilzen
Belgium
Telephone: +32-497-546096
Email: martin@beckmann-consult.com

Acknowledgments

With many thanks to the authors of the Open Source software listed below (in no particular order...)!

$[Linux\$

I actively support the movement against software patents in the EU. Please help in keeping the EU free of software patents.

This website is monitored by InternetVista in order to maximise its availability:

Disclaimer

Every attempt has been made to make this website as accurate as possible. However, I am not responsible for any errors. Please contact me directly for more information.

Copyright notice