WAN Architects / Hardware Integrators: I need a partner for a project

[Pete123]

Sorry to post this non firearms related item, though I'm at risk for having to walk away from a huge project that will allow those involved to make good money.

 

I have a client that wants to change providers for their 150 location WAN, upgrading to MPLS.  They want to use their own routers.

 

I need a partner that can correctly architect the WAN, source and oversee installation of the hardware and possibly monitor the WAN once live.

 

Do any of you own a company or work for a company that can handle this?  The customer is here in Nashville.  

 

If so, please send a PM to me.  This requires a a high quality provider - someone that has handled large projects and deals with WAN all the time.  I would rather walk away from the business than make a mess with something this important.

Edited November 10, 2015 by Pete123

[Sam1]

Does this need to be during business hours? If not I can ask a coworker if he's interested on Thursday. You would have to explain the details to them, I work on the server side of things and he deals with wan and man and a bit of lan (on a large scale).

[CommsNBombs]

If only I wasnt stinkin active duty......fuckkkkk

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[Pete123]

Sam, I sent you a PM.

 

CommsNBombs, Yeah, it sucks.  Someone could probably start a business on this project, though the military has this little thing called AWOL.

 

I love your humor.  I laugh and laugh every time I see:

 

"I thought those came pre-fuzed?!" National Guard Field Artillery 2LT to me, when I explained why his 155mm didn't exploded"

[LagerHead]

Man, I wish I could help, but I'm afraid it would eat into my day job. Besides, the monitoring part makes it necessary for someone to have an established business. As you know, that's no small task. You might talk to Presidio. I don't know if they do monitoring, but I know a folk or two that work there and I think they could handle it. Of course, you could also just purchase managed service from a provider, but that usually means they provide the router as well. Usually he owns the router owns the management/monitoring.

[Pete123]

Lager,

 

That's great input.  You're totally correct about the complexity.  This has to be done correctly or the Dir of Infrastructure and CIO will lose their jobs and I'll get sued.

 

Presidio has gone through some changes and I don't know anyone outside their company that has seen their work since these changes.

 

I have a couple of guys with day jobs that are WAN jocky's and they definitely could handle it, though I would have to cobble together the rest of the solution.  I would rather find a partner.  I spoke with a newer MSP this morning that was recommended by a tech leader that has seen his work and I think that may work out.

 

The usual suspects in town - LPS, Bedroc, UDT, ANS, etc... either have internal issues or are unwilling to come together as equals in a partnership.

[CommsNBombs]

There are a few IT Mercenary companies based out of Nashville like Asurion, Conexes (sp?) And a few others I dont remember off the top of my head.

What kind of IS is this supporting? I have only touched MPLS in a very small, classroom enviornment but the level of complexity that it runs as far as monitoring makes it that much harder to upgraded an already in place WAN as Lager pointed out.

Especially since they want to keep their routers. Is that going to make it vendor specific, or just the most economic/feasible way to do it?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[Pete123]

CommsNBombs,

 

Thank you for your interest.  I would love feedback / input from those of you with knowledge in these areas.

 

They are based here in Nashville and have locations across the country.  They have a mish mash of providers, though mainly AT&T.  They have prem based phone systems using PRI Telecom lines.  

 

They do have applications delivered over the web, though I'm not deeply involved with those yet.

 

AT&T has a great network.  The problem with them is customer service and billing.  My client grows by acquisition.  So, they may have a new location needing a circuit.  If AT&T is busy, they'll tell them it may be eight months, which is a big pain.

 

They need a Telecom infrastructure that is much more scalable.  They want hosted VoIP, which of course means there has to be some kind of QoS.  I want to help them get to the point that when they buy a new company, they provide a list of the locations and I have a cookie cutter approach to get them up and running from a WAN / Telecom perspective.

[LagerHead]

Asurion is an insurance company. I used to work there. While they had some good folks, I question the sanity of anyone that stays there more than a year. ;)

 

Pete, if you really need someone to help finish a design, I could probably help you out, though my availability during the day is hit and miss. I'm generally 100% available during the evenings though. I couldn't do any monitoring afterward though. I work from home, so giving me a call during the day isn't a big deal. If you want to go that route, just send me a PM. Otherwise, I could put out the feelers to my friends as well.

[LagerHead]

CommsNBombs,

 

Thank you for your interest.  I would love feedback / input from those of you with knowledge in these areas.

 

They are based here in Nashville and have locations across the country.  They have a mish mash of providers, though mainly AT&T.  They have prem based phone systems using PRI Telecom lines.  

 

They do have applications delivered over the web, though I'm not deeply involved with those yet.

 

AT&T has a great network.  The problem with them is customer service and billing.  My client grows by acquisition.  So, they may have a new location needing a circuit.  If AT&T is busy, they'll tell them it may be eight months, which is a big pain.

 

They need a Telecom infrastructure that is much more scalable.  They want hosted VoIP, which of course means there has to be some kind of QoS.  I want to help them get to the point that when they buy a new company, they provide a list of the locations and I have a cookie cutter approach to get them up and running from a WAN / Telecom perspective.

 

If you're getting that kind of response from AT&T, you need a new rep. I would suggest talking to your salesperson and tell them the issues you're having. If they can't fix it, call their boss. They'll fix it.

[Sam1]

If you're getting that kind of response from AT&T, you need a new rep. I would suggest talking to your salesperson and tell them the issues you're having. If they can't fix it, call their boss. They'll fix it.

 

AT&T sucks in Nashville, they got to the point at work where any request bypasses the reps and includes the brass at AT&T.  That's the only way they have been able to get a quick response.