SSII began its relationship with Continental Resources in 1993 with the purchase of used computer equipment. This proved very cost-effective for SSII. Over time, SSII purchased new PCs and printers from Continental, and as their needs grew, SSII bought more equipment from Continental.

Richard Nardella, VP of Finance and Administration at SSII states, "As SSII grew, the decision was made to update our computer equip- ment. Continental Resources was extremely flexible and replaced all of our used comput- ers with new equipment." SSII purchased one of their first net- worked PCs from Continental. All remote and in-house networks were also set up by Continental Resources. Continental consulted with SSII, determined their hardware needs and recommended the most compatible software solutions. Since then, all PCs have been upgraded to Continental Resources' own line of XPROŽ Systems Pentium II computers.

SSII initially tracked and managed their client data in a pro- prietary database which ran on a UNIX server. SSII created this database, and Continental Resources migrated this database to a new XPRO server. As SSII grew, not only did they out- grow their facility, but their growth also eventually taxed their server. It was obvious that a new database server and more robust file and print services were necessary to support their growth.

Since Continental Resources, Inc. was SSII's system integrator on other projects, they were asked to provide at least two new solutions and detail the level of in-house information technology expertise required. One of Continental's solutions incorporated a high-end Sun Microsystems UNIX database server in conjunction with Windows NT's providing the necessary file and print services.

An alternative solution was presented in which both the file and print services as well as the database function were handled via Windows NT, and run on a SMP HP NetServer.

Continental Resources recommended the Windows NT solution to run on a SMP HP NetServer and house the database on this machine.

As SSII grew from three employees and one major contract to a company providing sales personnel who generate over $100 million dollars in revenue for their employers, the company demanded more than their current network and servers could provide.

The first upgrade in 1996 consisted of integrating the UNIX database server with a Novell file, print and Lotus Notes application server. This configuration was adequate for approximately two years, until unprecedented growth forced SSII to relocate to a new facility in 1996.

Again, SSII discovered they had out- grown their present network and looked to Continental to provide another solution. The criterion for this second upgrade, which began in September 1997, was basic: provide outstanding network performance to both local area network clients and to an ever growing, mobile sales force. Since SSII made a large investment in Lotus Notes, Continental recommended either a migration from the UNIX database to a Notes server running on an NT box, or an all-UNIX solution.

It was necessary that the implementation cause no interruption of access to SSII's contact database. For this reason, and because the all-UNIX solution would require day-to-day UNIX support that was unavailable to SSII, the all-UNIX solution was ruled out. SSII opted for the UNIX database with Notes server on an NT box, and the migration was transparent to SSII's users and executives.

Continental was then charged with proposing, presenting, and implement- ing the solution for all server hardware, the network operating system, and the database engine. Logically, SSII liked the idea of migrating from their UNIX database into a manageable Lotus Notes database that would give their remote users greater access. However, the main concern of SSII: How would this solution provide a fast and reliable remote connection for the national salesforce to access the database?

Continental's solution included using multiple high-end intelligent serial cards and advised installing a modem hunt group. This was the feature that sold SSII's executives. The solution also consisted of a dual processor HP NetServer LH Pro with an array controller to enhance disk performance on the database, NT server 4.0 as the network operating system, and Lotus Notes running on the NT platform. This provided excellent application as well as file and print server options with sufficient room for expansion.

All SSII branch offices communicate via a wide area network (WAN); they communicate with the corporate office in Andover, MA, via the server. The server provides access to databases, email and the Internet.

However, when a remote user, (i.e., one of the national salespeople) needs access to the client database, a connection to the corporate office is made through a dial-up modem. The database is then replicated throughout sites using modem hunt groups (the next available modem picks up). At that point, this salesperson is connect- ed to the local area network (LAN) and has access to the client database.

The SSII computer network is on a star topology. In a star topology, all devices (offices or remote users) are connected to a central computer or hub. A hub is a common connection point for devices in a network through which all data passes. This hub, residing in the corporate office, acts as a server and takes all requests for replication and authorization from branch offices and remote users.

All network users, whether in branch offices or remote locations, must connect to the main hub and request authorization. The hub then routes therequest to the appropriate server. Users in branch offices are attached to their own NT and Lotus Notes server, and these offices connect to each other as one server to another exchanging data (email, Internet, applications, etc.). The entire SSII computer network contains 16 servers: two servers are at the corporate office (one server with database only), 10 branch office servers, and four small, separate in-house servers.

The current network configuration allows SSII's mobile staff to dial in to two modem lines and replicate their mail and specific database on two Notes-controlled modems. This solution, provided by Continental, allowed 30+ users to simultaneously connect to the server via a remote access service and have full network access.

Their remote access occurs through a modem line which connects to the server to access Internet, email, database, etc. and then downloads into the PC. This was the single most important feature to SSII. The basis of their business is immediate access to their database in order to track existing candidates, and to enter new candidates. SSII couldn't function without this Lotus Notes system -- it's how they communicate. As SSII plans to bring 30-40 new offices on-line, the design of the network implemented by Continental will be the model for each of these new locations.

One of SSII's most recognized clients, a nationwide telecommunications company, made a unique request of Continental Resources.

Not only did they require recruitment of 125 nationwide sales personnel, but they also needed a notebook PC for each individual salesperson. These notebooks would be used to automate the sales force.

This client also requested that their logo be imprinted on each of these PCs. Continental Resources was extremely resourceful in this unique endeavor: they sourced the correct number of PCs, agreed with SSII on the price, and provided 125 logo- imprinted notebook PCs at $4,000 each. This totaled $500,000 worth of notebook PCs, and $70,000 worth of printers. Continental Resources provided a value-added service to this SSII client which enhanced SSII's abili- ty to complete this critical project smoothly. The client's need was met by providing a unique one-stop service.

Continental Resources provided SSII with both technical knowledge and advice during this network migration and establishment of its MIS environment. SSII views Continental Resources as its information technology consultant, hardware supplier, and a true full-service, value- added vendor. Continental Resources makes a positive difference in the way SSII conducts its business.

The strength of the SSII and Continental Resources relationship is due primarily to a Continental Resources' Senior Engineer who did a superior job, is well-respected within SSII and is considered part of the SSII team.

SSII has worked with one sales- person at Continental Resources for the past six years. This consistency also plays a positive role in the SSII and Continental Resources ongoing relationship.

Richard Nardella, VP at SSII states, "This continuity has been a plus. Having the same person to deal with is a benefit. This consistent point of contact streamlines communications and efficiency between SSII and Continental Resources. Also, the solid relationship established between Continental's system consultants and salespeople and SSII management has proven to expedite the sales decision- making processes. Continental Resources is a well-established supplier of quality, high-technology solutions in North America. This is the major rea- son why SSII will continue to use them for years to come."

Currently there are ten SSII offices nationwide, and plans are underway to add additional locations within the coming year. Continental Resources' competitive hardware, service, and pricing will provide SSII with all of their present and future information technology requirements.

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