Updating small business computer system.

[klaner]

First off sorry if this is the wrong area of the forums for this.

Second, thanks for looking.

Ok, this summer there is a good possibility that a family member will be starting an environmental consulting company. I think I'm going to be tapped to suggest and implement the computer systems. I'm a geologist, but computer savvy as well, and reading the [H] everyday for a couple years (long enough to know that quite a few people here could do this in their sleep). However, when it comes to thinking up a complete system for a small company I don't want to assume I know everything. As far as individual workstations I'll need about 15 to start with possibly doubling in say two years, and one to handle 2d CAD work. Will I save money building the workstations myself or should I suggest getting a slew of Dells or something. Now as far as the server end of things, would you suggest seperate internet, file server, print server; a server to handle all the tasks; or a NAS, and allowing workstations to handle connecting to the internet gateway and spool their own documents. Or, is there a better way? It's much easier to hook together junk in my basement without any real worry about reliability not having to worry about people who don't know anything beyond word processors fooling around with it.
Thanks again!

 

[Noah]

Originally posted by klaner
First off sorry if this is the wrong area of the forums for this.

Second, thanks for looking.

Ok, this summer there is a good possibility that a family member will be starting an environmental consulting company. I think I'm going to be tapped to suggest and implement the computer systems. I'm a geologist, but computer savvy as well, and reading the [H] everyday for a couple years (long enough to know that quite a few people here could do this in their sleep). However, when it comes to thinking up a complete system for a small company I don't want to assume I know everything. As far as individual workstations I'll need about 15 to start with possibly doubling in say two years, and one to handle 2d CAD work. Will I save money building the workstations myself or should I suggest getting a slew of Dells or something. Now as far as the server end of things, would you suggest seperate internet, file server, print server; a server to handle all the tasks; or a NAS, and allowing workstations to handle connecting to the internet gateway and spool their own documents. Or, is there a better way? It's much easier to hook together junk in my basement without any real worry about reliability not having to worry about people who don't know anything beyond word processors fooling around with it.
Thanks again!

For a project like this, you could look at it many ways. Here is my point of view:

• I know how much you may want to build their systems, but I would recommend that they go Dell. Building 15 computers will probably cost more than it's worth (consider not only hardware but all the licenses you need for the software). Dell will give discounts for the slew you need. Just make sure the system for your CADing had some decent juice to it.
• You may not want to build some complex networking system just yet, considering you will only have 15 computers. A file server should do, along with maybe some specialized software to handle logins and the separation of files. Maybe you could even build that yourself, seeing as you will be doing CAD, stock it up on big HDs.

 

[MemoryInAGarden]

I would say build your own for maximum reliability. Especially if YOU have to work on them. There is nothing worse than trying to work on a bunch of Dell Optiplexes. Considering these are going to be CAD machines, be careful in what you choose for graphics boards. Get a Quadro if the budget allows it. Personally, after seeing too many Dells fail at my school, I would never buy any prebuilt computers again.