1. Mobile Broadband VPN

Using mobile broadband SIM cards we have set up a fully mobile virtual private network for Sportstiming.ie to use at event sites. The system consists of routers with mobile broadband interface capability and VPN server / client features on board.

Currently in a pilot testing phase, the system allows the client to bring a pre-configured VPN network to any location, and ensure reliable communications between the event timing control centre and outlying timing devices anywhere on the event course. Live data from timing devices is captured and relayed to the central database immediately as a chip-wearing athlete passes the timing device.

Prior to this solution, the timing transponders had to be manually collected from various points on the course and brought back to the control centre to undergo a data dump into the system. Having a live feed from devices over the VPN network not only greatly improves the accuracy and reliability of information in the system, it also eliminates the logistical problems of gathering data from  timing devices, especially when several events are run on the same course during the day and devices have to be collected and brought back to their  respective locations several times over.

2. Voice & Data VPN

The other current VPN project involves an extension of a VPN network which was initially set up last year between the Cork and Thailand offices of a major IT services company. A third office has been opened slightly closer to home but this time there is the added complication of replication of Active Directory data from the main office over the VPN to a backup server, as well as a VoIP link from site to site.

Mercato have been involved in several strands of the project, providing design and specification consultancy on the data & voice networking as well as supplying and installing the VPN routers and PoE equipment for IP Phones.

Do you worry about backups? You should.

We provide an online, offsite, automated backup service. Advantages:

• The service is hardware independent therefore no obsolescence. If your present tape/disk drive fails you would have to replace it with an identical unit if your existing tapes were to be used. If this type of drive is no longer available your tapes are of no use whatsoever. In addition if you upgrade your server you do not need to purchase a backup drive.
• It is performed 365 days per year
• No back-up media to be relied upon. Backup tapes should be renewed every six months as they can stretch and become damaged during use and transmission.
• No dependency on a member of staff remembering to change the tapes on a daily basis and remove from site for safe keeping. No concerns over holiday/sickness cover.
• Fully automated – electronic solution – reliable modem technology and communications reduce the risk of error or oversight.
• Data is stored off site fully encrypted and password protected. All data is encrypted on your PC or server before it is transmitted to the backup site so there is no way that your data can be viewed even in the unlikely event of the transmission being intercepted.

We installed a robust wireless network with failover points and redundant hardware for an iPad lab project where the school is undertaking a pilot programme to teach via iPad and use digital content rather than traditional books.

More recently we have expanded a long-standing client’s VPN network with additional Cisco 800 Series routers, adding several new branch offices overseas. In another VPN project we recommended Sonicwall as a VPN solution and won the bid to install a Head Office and branch network VPN. It’s good to know that some businesses are expanding.

As always we continue to provide a very high level of customer service and technical excellence to our client base in IT maintenance and audiovisual sectors.

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Several manufacturers have launched attractive 7″ tablets but this is one of the first big-name contenders to match the iPad screen size. The Toshiba Folio 100 tablet has support for Android 2.2 and Wifi, supports 32GB of storage on SD, includes a webcam and supports Adobe Flash and HDMI.

Other advantages of the Folio 100 over the iPad include USB and MiniUSB ports. The 3G version launches in Q1, adding a 100 euro premium to the price of the Wifi-only version which sells for approx 429 euro.

Property management & reservations, POS systems, Spa management

Wireless Internet – Guests

Cisco router / firewall

Brookfield campus is home to about 500 students during the academic year and caters for summer visitors. The Hotel & Leisure Centre provides accomodation for business and leisure guests in 24 rooms.

Mercato provides wired and wireless Internet to the hotel and apartments throughout the 11 acre site. Most buildings are connected to the central hub via Cisco Long Range Ethernet . Cisco LRE provides close to LAN speed IP traffic over simple one-pair telephone wiring with up to 1.5 km transmission distance.

We manage student Internet access with an ISP grade router & firewall with a 500-user hotspot controller. The network uses high and low priority queues to manage bandwidth and file sharing.

We have taken a phased approach in assisting the National Sculture Factory (NSF) in moving from a costly dependence on legacy in-house hardware to a flexible and feature-rich Cloud solution.

More details to come as the project progresses.

Phase 1 – Cloud hosting for email & shared calendars – Complete

Phase 2 – Cloud hosting for CRM & contact management – in Beta test

Phase 3 – Projects data and documents in the Cloud

Ranging from coverage within a hotel lobby or an entire building, to dedicated radio links spanning many kilometres and joining up offices to enable free voice & data traffic between sites, there is a solution for your requirements.

Mercato has been installing Interactive Whiteboards since 2006. We mainly concentrate on the market leading brands – SMARTboard and Promethean.

SMARTboard is the best-selling IWB (Interactive Whiteboard) in Ireland. This is due to its quality, reliability and support, including professional installation and free training by dedicated full-time trainers.

Many schools love Promethean boards for their specialised child-friendly software and features such as height adjustment.

We are happy to advise you on the best board for your requirements and budget.

We also supply a new product – interactive projectors – which turn any wall or standard whiteboard into an interactive surface.

Benefits include the ability for sales staff to move around the showroom and connect from anywhere. It’s also much easier to add new staff to the network and reposition workstations.

Running in parallel is a public wifi Internet access facility for customers.

The project also includes Lexus and Toyota at Kinsale Rd.