ALCOM PRINTING GROUP
The Alcom Printing Group is a full service commercial sheet-fed and web printer providing in-house binding and finishing services. Alcom employs 150 people at its 81,000 square foot facility in Harleysville, PA. To learn more about Alcom, visit their web site at www.alcomprinting.com.
If your business is ready to enter the age of new technology by networking your computer operations, you know how important it is to find a network consultant who can give you a "complete package". You want someone who can recommend and supply the correct hardware and servers, and understands how to configure it in a fashion that will guarantee your system will be properly backed up.You don't want down-time. You don't want crashes. You want improved operations and functionality. You want consultants who understand your current software and can configure it to integrate seamlessly with your new system. Alcom Printing Group faced just such a dilemma. The printing group handles all types of commercial printing on non-heatset web and sheet-fed presses. In 1998, Alcom purchased Program Solutions Software with Macola Financial Software, a printing industry specific package that goes from soup to nuts as far as estimating, job planning, job costing, inventory control and all accounting functions. Program Solutions recommended Domain Technology Group to assist with the networking involved. Alcom learned that Domain had experience working with other Program Solutions users and had set up their networks according to the software specifications. Alcom felt Domain was a good fit.
Before the software/network changes, Alcom was running a mid-range IBM system 36 with mid-80s software for all of their administrative and financial needs. They felt like they were starting from square one. They had tracked their inventory on paper up to this point.They had no e-mail. They needed everything from cable installation to new computers and configuration of a new server. Their IT people needed to be trained to understand and maintain the new network. Later, in June of 2000,Alcom consolidated their multi-location operations into one plant in Harleysville, PA. Again, Alcom involved Domain Technology Group in order to make the transition as seamless as possible.
The relocation of the network went well, but it was soon realized that the Electronic Prepress production server needed to be replaced. Domain stepped into the picture again, and recommended a Compaq server, which they installed and configured. With the new server
there were no crashes, and no production losses. All data is archived, and there are back-ups every night, resulting in smooth, dependable operations. Susan Baudouy, Alcom's MIS Coordinator, says David Kramer, President of Domain Technology Group, "taught her a lot." "We knew nothing about networks and hardware. We leaned on Domain for that," Susan says.
"David is very professional. He's quick on quoting, and details what he's talking about. If we still don't understand, he puts it a different way. He helped us to understand the network. Now, Larry
Goncea, a network engineer with Domain, is in charge of our account. Larry is also great, and is always there for us whenever we need his technical support."
In summary, Domain helped implement the ideal solutions to meet Alcom's changing needs. Susan Baudouy says, "They are a super professional outfit that is very knowledgeable in all areas in which we've requested help."
- Strategic IT planning
- Overhaul of entire network
- Installation of production servers
- Financial software implementation
- Staff training for new software
- Ongoing upgrades and maintenance of network
