AzteQ Solutions

AzteQ Solutions specialises in the provision and project management of highly proficient IT engineering resource, for the installation of network cabling, IT hardware such as PCs, printers, servers, software upgrades, as well as EFTPoS credit card and EPoS terminals with associated ancillaries. Installations are provided as part of a rollout project or as an ongoing site support service.

AzteQ operates a formulated project management methodology, specifically designed for our working system. It ensures that projects are effectively risk analysed, planned, scheduled and controlled. They are therefore completed on time and within budget.

The IT hardware/software services provided include:

• IMAC services
• Terminal (including EPoS and EFTPoS) installations
• PC & Server implementation & deployment
• Software & Hardware implementation & upgrade
• Teller installations
• Printer installs, incorporating configuration and assignation
• Site surveys
• Asset recording

For all services, we can provide a Communication Program, which can include undertaking telephone site surveys and to book engineer visits with users to effect the service provision and to meet specified schedules. Additional telephone services can be provided, if required.

Engineer Vetting

Suitable engineers are assessed utilising a skills matrix (as part of our quality assurance procedures) and project overview description, to ensure full field engineering competence. Furthermore, engineers utilised by AzteQ have their references verified and may be CRB, BoE and credit checked using online disclosure services.

Service Levels

Service levels are achieved through management control of the operational process. This includes activities such as contacting end user sites and arranging appointments, accurate scheduling of engineers’ calls, constant liaison between engineers and internal co-ordinators (from confirmation of receipt of daily activities, through to ETA’s and confirmation of call closure).

Co-ordination & AzteQ Job Management System; AJaMS

AzteQ utilises a fully integrated real-time web based management system (AJaMS), which is visible to customers and staff via a secure password. Once installation advice has been sent to AzteQ, the jobs are uploaded on the system and the engineers allocated. The jobs are then visible to the engineers by viewing their own web portal, prior to installation activities.

The engineers organise their own routes, and close down each job in real time via a phone call; this information is then added to the web as it happens giving our customers a real time job closure system.

End of day/end of week report can be supplied according to customer requirements. Further customised activities, including KPIs can be incorporated accordingly.

Coverage Area

AzteQ provides coverage throughout the UK Mainland. Other offshore areas and Northern Ireland can be covered, if required.

Hours of Cover

Installation services are generally available Monday to Saturday from 08.30 to 17.30, excluding public and bank holidays. Service cover outside of these hours can be provided, if required.

Typical Projects

Server installations

AzteQ has successfully completed 3 distinct but linked projects, managing in excess of 30 engineers at approximately 350 sites across the UK, in order to carry out site surveys, deployment and server racking installations.

The survey requirements included site attendance in order to conduct surveys in the Comms rooms, with a view to installing new servers within. Also included was the logistical handling, including the collection of equipment from FSL for delivery to site. Thereafter, the engineering teams were then responsible for cabling, patching, racking & software builds. All packaging etc was removed & returned to FSL for disposal. All activities were conducted to the customer’s exact standards and documentation.

Patch installations

Approximately 20 engineers were utilised to follow an installation document and a desktop shortcut to download a package from a local server. The semi-automatic nature of installation allowed multiple workstations to be upgraded by one engineer simultaneously. Therefore depending on the size of each site, multiple deployments of workstations was capable, up to approximately 120 workstations per engineer per night.

To aid deployment tracking, engineers labelled each successfully upgraded workstation and identified those where problems were experienced that prevented successful completion. Each workstation identification number was then entered onto an asset log, which was faxed to the co-ordination team at the end of each shift. Engineers then acted as ‘floorwalkers’ at each site on the day following deployment. The local business contacts were requested to maintain an awareness of any problems experienced whilst the floorwalkers were present, to ensure as many issues as possible were resolved without the need for re-visiting the site. The floorwalkers reported all problems and actions taken to the customer’s overall co-ordinator.

The number of installations was circa 7300: the smallest site requiring 17 installations per night and the largest 345 per night. For some smaller sites, engineers were utilised on multiple sites during the same evening. Number of sites was 18 including locations in Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham and Croydon.

Server and Workstation Moves

This project involved relocating servers and workstations, at 42 sites, for a major hospitality chain. The requirement for the moves involved powering down/powering up, data and power cabling and performance examination.

Terminal Installations

AzteQ has completed a complicated project which included the provision of a project management/co-ordination function, including administering the logistics management; concerning the de-installation and installation of terminals at approximately 2000 specified end user sites. The project also involved earth loop impedance testing and on-site terminal training for the end users at installation. The rollout was completed over a nine week period, on time.

Printer Installations

AzteQ has also completed an installation project requiring the management/co-ordination function, including administering the logistics management, for the installation of printers at approximately 280 sites across the UK. The project also involved procurement of all materials for data and power cabling requirements and help-desk liaison during configuration and on-site testing.

Terminal installations

Site surveys over 80 sites across the country. Site installation including cabinet, data cabling and power installation. Hardware and terminal installations including hub, router and power box. Project includes provision of a project management/co-ordination function, including administering the logistics management. The project also involved procurement of all materials for data and power cabling requirements and customer liaison during configuration and on-site testing.

Broadband Terminal Installations

Assistance to customer with head end building & testing. Installation of equipment into IDF locations, installation of Ethernet IRM’s, placement and connection of customer terminal, patching of customer network and testing of signal tone including network cabling where necessary.

Front & Back Office Installations

Approximately 30 lead engineers were utilised UK wide, visiting over 300 sites for a major retail chain to install PCs and Servers during OOH. Activities included on site responsibility to ensure additional engineering resource installed tills (up to 23 in stores) and thereafter providing connectivity to the server, according to prescribed procedures.

DVD Installations

This 6 week project included site surveys, completion of relevant documentation, procurement of specific materials, logistics management, installation and configuration and testing of high performance DVD players for a major hotel chain at 46 sites.