Q. Does SND do only network security? What else can SND help me with?
A. SND does a lot more than just security. Though we do have a wide breadth of experience in network security and certainly can satisfy your needs in that area, that is not all we do. We also provide and perform:
Project Work: Whether it is upgrading your Windows Active-Directory domain to Server 2003, installing a new mail server, deploying a Share Point site, building your new SQL database server; or just installing some "tricky" software your company may need, we have the experience to handle almost anything.
Network Management: We function as your virtual IT staff, providing remote and onsite support services. We offer experienced professional IT support for any size client.
Work Flow Analysis: We call this our "Virtual CIO" service. Simply put, we analyze your network, how you envisioned it working when it was designed, and how your employees currently utilize it. We identify those areas where Management and User ideas about the network differ. We identify work flow bottlenecks and find solutions that fit right.
Network Design: Big or small...simple or complex...we help take the mystery out of creating your network. From "ground-up" or "adding-in", we can help you create a network that does what you need it to do now, yet scales easily for your future growth. Get your network properly designed and know what it will cost and return before you buy any hardware.
Network Monitoring: This is by far our most popular "stand-alone" service outside of Security Consulting. We make it easy to see what is currently happening on your network. This allows our clients to make better and more informed decisions about change, growth, and issues.
All of our services are geared toward making your life easier. We believe that proactively looking is the best way to make sure any issues are spotted early and cured before they cause lost productivity, lost payroll, and corporate downtime.
Q. This seems the same as some other tech companies out there I've seen. So what makes SND different from them?
A. The difference lies in the quality of our people. People "in the know" about industry certifications know they mean nothing without experience to back them. The minimum experience level for an SND engineer is 5 years. We handle Windows, Solaris, Linux, Cisco...you name it we have probably done it at VERY high levels, i.e. we haven't just deployed Check Point Firewall-1 on Solaris, we've done it with 2 boxes in "hot-failover" with third-party (like Stonebeat Full Cluster or Rain Wall) clustering software. We haven't just deployed a router or two, we've designed and implemented ISP level networks, with multi-area OSPF interior routing and multi-homed BGP-4 peering links. We have ONLY top-level engineers on staff. There are NO "junior" engineers in SND!
Q. So are your prices higher then since your people are so good?
A. Not at all! We are structured much like a law firm in that we are all partners. This means that there is no-one in our structure that doesn't contribute directly to the bottom line. There are no levels within SND that do not contribute. This means overhead is very low. Also, with our level of people, our engineers can do it ALL in regards to any project. We don't use add-ins like Project Management. It is all rolled into the one price. For example, many companies have a structure like this:
Example of our competitors pricing:
Engineer: ...................$175 hr
Senior Engineer:..........$185 hr
Project Manager:.........$160 hr
Then they come to you and tout that their rates are lower than others because "you only get a Senior Engineer when you need one". But that is false logic because why would you NOT want a senior man to do the work? Why can't you get a senior engineer for less? Well, you can! Here is how SND typically prices work:
The base rate at SND is $145 hr. That's for an engineer who would be a senior engineer at any other company.
Rates lower depending on the quality of the client and the value of the work done over time. Some of our long-term clients pay as little as $125 hr for major project work.
Rates are FURTHER reduced for clients of any of our Managed Services contracts. Managed clients typically see rates as low as $110 - $120 hr for maintenance work.
Q. Is my company too small or too big?
A. There is no such thing as too small or too big. Bigger companies tend to have their own IT staff, and so they use us for backup staff, staff training, and also our Network Monitoring service. Small companies tend to go for our Managed Network, Work Flow Analysis, and Network Monitoring services. Companies of all sizes contact us for Projects, as that entails an application of specialized knowledge the in-house IT staff may not have. We work with you to find the custom application of our services that helps you best!
Q. I don't see pre-conceived service plans with service levels like "Platinum" or "Bronze" as I do at so many other tech companies. Where are those?
A. They don't exist within SND. We do everything "custom" because every client is different. We don't lump you into a group and make you fit to us. We customize every aspect of our services to make it fit to you. Why should you pay a fee for onsite hours if they are unnecessary? Why should you pay for hours never received? By customizing our services we meet both your needs and your budget.
Q. I have a question about Managed Network Services...What exactly is it?
A. Simply put, our Managed Network Service means we will perform all the functions of a professional Network Administrator. This alleviates the need for clients to have a person on staff. Many companies reach a point in their growth when they have to increase their technology investment into areas beyond what the typical "computer knowledgeable" person in the office can handle. They get caught between needing professional IT staff, and being able to afford it. This service allows them to leverage our knowledge and infrastructure for a cost decidedly less than payroll for a professional administrator.
Q. Are there any specific vendors that SND recommends?
A. Although Secure Network Designs has a working business relationship with several vendors, we pride ourselves in being a product agnostic company that specializes in finding the right solution that will be most beneficial to you and your company, not us. For a list of vendors we use, please see our Technology Partner page.