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High Performance Workstations and Servers Custom-Built Workstations for Everyday Use, Performance and Special Purpose Applications Servers for Business and Enterprise Introduction Most of the time, mainstream manufacturers such as HP, Gateway and Dell deliver decent if not excellent value for the dollar. But for those willing to look outside the more common and pedestrian offerings from the majors, and for those with special needs and applications, a world of enhanced performance and sheer good looks awaits. There are practical considerations as well. The need for a very compact PC package and/or ultra quiet operation can best be satisfied with custom designs or unique form factors. One example of such a unique form factor is that of the increasingly popular Small Form Factor (SFF) XPC series offered by Shuttle Computer. As a business grows, so does its needs for bigger and better ways to centralize and manage its information assets. A small but growing business must sooner or later make the transition from a rudimentary peer-to-peer network to one that is server-based. A business making the transition from a small, family-owned concern to a larger enterprise needs more storage, better ways to collaborate, and more than one server to handle the flow of information. Total Cost of Ownership Another consideration is that of long term Total Cost of Ownership, or TCO as it is called. Here's the issue in a nutshell: the PC you buy today from Dell, for example may for a variety of reasons require replacement after a couple of years. Too, warranties for mainstream gear may not be what you'd expect. Intel, for example, offers a 3 year warranty on their retail processors. The standard Intel OEM warranty is 90 days, and that may or may not be enhanced by the reseller beyond that 90 day period. Sure, mainstream PC builders like HP and Dell offer extended warranties, but these come at a pretty bump to your wallet. Scalable and Upgradeable The biggest advantage that custom solutions enjoy over their mainstream brethren is that they are often far more flexible and can be more easily upgraded to meet future performance and feature requirements. A carefully configured custom solution will allow the kind of performance and feature upgrade capability that will greatly extend the original system's usable lifetime. For example, let's say that Intel delivers a new 4 core processor that you absolutely must have in order to get the most out of an application like AutoCAD. If you own a Dell, that's an end-of-life proposition for the Dell. You can't just rip out the old Dell motherboard and replace it with something else - case and motherboard are Dell-specific and won't accommodate other parts.. But you can do this if you own a more open-ended and less proprietary system to begin with. So let's see - replace a motherboard, processor and a possible operating system upgrade versus buying a whole new system. If long-term TCO is a concern, then it's a pretty easy choice to make in favor of a custom system. At the end of the day, you may actually find that you'll get a better warranty, higher quality parts and longer service life by going to a custom solution. The initial cost of such gear may be higher than that of the bargain packages offered by the mainstream manufacturers, but if you only have buy it once, you're ahead of the game. This all adds up to lower Total Cost of Ownership. We Build 'Em StarLAN Consulting Services has delivered more than 250 workstations and over 40 servers based upon custom solutions and the Shuttle SFF (Small Form Factor) PCs to local business and entrepreneurs. From the most basic systems to ultra-high performance packages built around the latest dual-core processors, the Shuttle XPC has offered superior build quality, excellent fit and finish and solid, innovative design. These versatile systems have performed variously as standard office workstations, CAD design centers, multimedia controllers, software development platforms, specialized network appliances and even as compact servers. StarLAN CS also provides high-performance, custom built workstations and servers built around Antec's award-winning computer cases and Intel and ASUS motherboards and Intel processors. Finally, StarLAN Consulting Services offers blade servers and storage servers for the growing enterprise.
Prices on these products will vary depending upon configuration and current market conditions, so it is best to contact StarLAN Consulting Services for an assessment of your needs and quote. Owing to their higher level of functionality and sophistication, all of the products listed here require expert setup and configuration to perform at their best and at their most secure. This is what we do.
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