ITWALES.COM - Profile: Capital Network Solutions

Posted: Mon, July 18, 2005 Capital Network Solutions logo

Profile: Capital Network Solutions

by Sali Earls

Capital Network Solutions is an accredited Cisco Premier Partner based in Cardiff, and specialises in corporate network design, support and integrated services over data networks.

It is experienced in providing security solutions to businesses of all sizes while CNS engineers hold the highest level industry certification recognised.

Its support model is based on the specific needs of each customer, and it can provide long-term support contracts, including the full range of PC, server and network services, or short notice support in the event of an emergency.

Each tailored package includes a combination of the following services:

Remote network performance monitoring;

Telephone and email support;

On-site support (two hour, four hour, next business day response);

Security monitoring, and;

Regular security and performance audits.

Staff at CNS have an in-depth knowledge of popular products from leading vendors such as Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Novell, IBM and Sun, as well as technologies such as IP networking, Voice Over IP, wireless networking, Virtual Private Networks, and network security.

The CNS client base includes the Welsh Development Agency, DePuy, Securicor, Allied Domecq, the University of Wales, Newport, and the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Customers range in size from small single offices with three PCs to global networks of 13,000 users.

Sali Earls speaks to Sarah Edwards, Business Development Director of Capital Network Solutions to find out more about the company.

What's the history of your company?
My husband, Mark set up the business in 1996. He had been an independent IT consultant for a number of years prior to that.

I joined the business in 2001 as CNS became more of a client-facing business after we achieved Premier Partner status with Cisco Systems.

In the last couple of years we have concentrated more on the wireless and mobile side of the industry, as well as wired and wireless security.

In the mean time, the workforce has continued to expand, and we will be looking to double our turnover in each of the next two years.

What unique products/services does your company provide?
All of our engineers and staff are Cisco accredited. This doesn't mean that they just get a piece of paper and that's the end of it. We have to be re-certified every year, which means we are consistently reaching Cisco's very high standard of performance and knowledge.

Sarah Edwards, Business Development Director of Capital Network Solutions The Cisco accreditation means we have a global seal of approval, and we are continually striving to improve our knowledge and skills, and will hopefully obtain Silver Partner status with Cisco in the not too distant future.

The size of our business also makes us incredibly flexible. We are not a BT or NTL with issues being passed up and then back down again for consideration.

We make the decisions and just get on with it. We are not dictated to from on high - we are led by our customers' requirements.

And, of course, the nature of an independent business like ours is that we are on the ground, and extremely close to our customers, and can react very quickly to their needs.

Uniquely, our partnership with Cisco also enables us to offer customers a wealth of world-class support services that we can leverage to provide outstanding network management and support services. It means, in essence, that while we enjoy a 'personal' relationship with our customers, we are also offering them a 'global' service.

Lastly, we are committed to remain at the forefront of wireless technologies, and provide our customers with the best security solutions available, customised to their individual budgets and timescales.

Our wireless services include site survey, security audit, wireless network deployment and wireless equipment resale.

What's been the key to your success?
I know it's a cliche, but a lot of hard work has been a major factor, as well as a gritty determination to succeed!

The other main factor has been our team. If you are going to provide a first class service to your customers you must have talented, reliable and flexible staff, who have the same ideals and morals as you. We have that team, and are very, very fortunate.

What one piece of outside technology has benefited your company most?
Mobile networking - without a doubt. More and more people are becoming wirelessly-enabled and the whole culture is changing.

People are working from home, or just working from anywhere! The technology is now there and businesses are realising that their staff do not need to be chained to their desks.

What one piece of advice would you give to start-up companies in your field?
Can I offer three!?

I'll probably get shot for this, but don't take everything the business advisers tell you too literally! Their advice is not always entirely right, and I would advise anyone starting-up to use such information as part of your information-gathering process, and not base all your key decisions on it.

Make sure you research your market and competitors thoroughly.

Lastly, make you to recruit the right staff. The wrong choice in a small business could be absolutely catastrophic.

Where do you see your company going in the future?
Onwards and upwards! We have very aggressive targets in place and we want to be recognised as a key Cisco Premier Partner. We want to be seen as an alternative to the likes of BT and NTL.

I genuinely believe that we offer an excellent service, provided by my excellent staff. As more and more people become aware of us I think it is inevitable that more and more people will use us.

That might sound arrogant, but I really do believe that we offer a first-class service and therefore once customers use us, they will use us again, and also refer us on to other people, as we are increasingly finding.

Find out more about Capital Network Solutions at www.capitalnetworks.co.uk.

Subscribe to
ITWales Updates
Click Here!