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INFOGROUP: 2003 USERS GROUP. Presented By INFONETICS, Inc. AGENDA: DAY 1. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS: 9:00-10:00 GAWDA VPN PRESENTATION: 10:00-11:00 NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP: 11:00-12:00 LUNCH BREAK: 12:00-1:00 A/P & G/L WORKSHOP: 1:00-4:00 QUESTION & ANSWER 4:00-5:00. AGENDA: DAY 2.
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INFOGROUP:2003 USERS GROUP Presented By INFONETICS, Inc.
AGENDA: DAY 1 • WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS: 9:00-10:00 • GAWDA VPN PRESENTATION: 10:00-11:00 • NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP: 11:00-12:00 • LUNCH BREAK: 12:00-1:00 • A/P & G/L WORKSHOP: 1:00-4:00 • QUESTION & ANSWER 4:00-5:00
AGENDA: DAY 2 • WELCOME BACK: 8:00 • INVENTORY CONTROL WORKSHIP 8:30-12:00 • LUNCH BREAK: 12:00-1:00 • CYLINDER CONTROL WORKSHOP: 1:00-3:00 • QUESTION & ANSWER 3:00-5:00
RITA+VPN: INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS • Internet is predominately a communications tool. • TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol • Developed in ’73 by Vint Cerf. • Used widely by D.O.D. in the 80’s. • Defacto networking standard for UNIX systems. • Finally implemented by Microsoft in Windows’95. • Became Microsoft standard networking protocol with “Windows98”. • Packetizes data, transmits through a series of routes. • Many to many topology, redundant.
The Old Way:LEASED DATA LINES • Traditional approach to data communications to distributors branches. • Very reliable, low in bandwidth, expensive. • 9600 baud (9.6Kbaud) analog, point-to-point, 2 or 4-wire leased lines. • 56,000 baud (56Kbaud) digital circuits. • Frame Relay -- geographically diverse areas. (proprietary version of the Internet developed by telcos) • Simple dial-up phone lines (non-toll) • Costs range: $50/mo for simple dial-up, to nearly $1000/mo for higher speed data circuits • Expensive when crossing telco borders. • Held high due to local telco tariffs and fees. • Usually “leased” by the customer.
Dumb Terminals vs.IP-based Devices • Dumb terminals/printers “serial communications”: • Requires one-to-one connection between host and terminal. • Multiplexors enable multiple serial devices over single circuit. • Moderately expensive communications gear (modems, DSU's, multiplexors). • Terminal equipment; affordable, simple, easily maintained. • “IP” based devices: • Communications traffic carried over common link. • Inexpensive communications gear (routers, hubs). • Terminal equipment (PC’s/Print Servers); expensive, complex, software maintenance. • Personal productivity software; word processing, spreadsheets, internet access, email and multimedia.
RITA - Remote Internet Terminal Access (telnet) • Communications is carried over Local Area Network (LAN) or Internet • Uses low-cost, local connection to Internet. • No long distance toll charges or expensive leased line. • Ideal for a telecommuter or mobile sales force. • Can provide “Extranet” access B2B – UASI/Westgate
RITA - Remote Internet Terminal Access • TELNET: Widely used method of communicating between computers. • End-users computer is simple display device. • Terminal Emulator/TELNET program used to connect to host/server. • Host computer processes all keystrokes, controls access to software & data. • Very prevalent in today's mainframe/legacy systems.
RITA - Remote Internet Terminal Access • Security issues; • Communications is un-encrypted. • Can be eavesdropped on (theoretically) by unscrupulous individuals on the Internet. • Hardware based firewalls must be deployed. • Login/passwording must be well managed on servers. • All Window’s PC’s have some form of “telnet” built-in. • Software change so only “root” can change passwords.
VPN – Virtual Private Network • Encrypted communications between devices. • Both ends use a common encryption key, also known as a "private key". • VPN router devices uses private key to encrypt all packets. • Secure/reliable, even on public networks.
VPN TUNNELING - Wide Area Network • Encrypted “tunnel” through the Internet. • Local Area Networks (LANs) connected as a Wide Area Network (WAN) • Enables secure exchange of all types of networked based services: • RITA - Terminal Emulator/TELNET program used to connect to host/server. • File and Print Sharing, Network File System(NFS), I: drive. • All services typically associated with a Local Area Network (LAN) • Security Issues Dramatically Reduced
Other Internet Services • Internet access means much more than just communication route. • Web Browsing: Enable PC users to visit manufacturers web sites for product information and the ability to place and check on the status of orders. • Email: Perhaps the most ubiquitous tool for the 20th century. • Replaces phone calls to branches (and long distance tolls). • Send email to multiple parties at the same time, reduces duplicate efforts. • Instant Messaging: • Newest, instant, non-verbal, communications. • Rivals telephone in ability to interrupt. • VoIP: Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol. • VoIP phones allows connect telephone handsets in the branch to the main phone system in your central office.
Types Of Connections • "IP" communications utilize a variety of types of Internet connections. • T-1 circuits provide the highest bandwidth available; 1500Kbaud. Highest price point too; $900-$1,500/month. • DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)/Cable modems offer fast speeds; 128Kbaud-768Kbaud. Less expensive; $30-$120/month. • Simple 56Kbaud dial-up circuits; $15-$25/month plus cost of phone line. 56Kbaud dial-up lines should be used only as a last resort for small branches. • Full-time access needed at main office. • “Static IP address” required.
CASE STUDY • Moderate sized, independent welding supply/industrial gas distributor in Southeast. • Four remote branches, 150mile radius, 2 crossed state lines (inter-lata). • Traditional 4-wire, 9600 baud, analog, leased lines = $1,200/mo for 3 branches. • Estimated cost of 4th branch prohibitive at $800/mo. Total = $2,000/mo.
CASE STUDY • 56K point-to-point digital circuits rejected. No savings. • 56K Frame Relay rejected. Small savings, large hardware investment. • DSL implemented at main office ($80/mo) and 2 branches ($60/mo) = $200/mo. • Cable modem at 2 branches = $75/mo. • Total Internet Connectivity = $350/mo. • Estimated savings = $1,650/mo. • 15 month Return On Investment
PITFALLS • DSL & CableTV ramp-up problems. • Installation schedules typically aren’t met. • DO NOT OPT FOR SELF-INSTALLATION. • DO NOT DISCONNECT LEGACY EQUIPMENT (leased lines) UNTIL NEW SERVICE IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL. • Do not sign long-term contracts. • PC’s require more software maintenance & configuration. • Employee training considerations. • Internet acceptable use policy needed.
RITA+VPN QUESTIONS • What more can you ask out of a new use, for an old idea.
NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP • RITA+VPN, INET • Web Hosting/Email/iCat • RSS: Route Scheduling System • INFOTERM • SPT-1800 • INFOPAGE/OKIPAGE • VER.2.20 Software Upgrade, in development • 3-digit Ship-To • 2-character Warehouse • 2-character Output field
BEST PRACTICES • SPT handhelds for Inventory Physicals • SPT handhelds for Serial # Tracking • Mailing Services • Batch Faxing • Price Disks • Dunning Letters • I: Drive, Exporting Data • Double Life For Your Laser Image Drum