- What does m.e.s.h. actually do?
- m.e.s.h. is a communications controller allowing the secure split of one or more broadband connections to any number of end user offices at one physical site. It can control the bandwidth and download allowance available to each individual office and once installed, it can be managed by non-technical staff using a straightforward web control panel. This allows building operators to expand their service portfolio and introduce a new revenue stream by providing hassle-free data and voice services to attract tenants.
m.e.s.h. allows integration with many telephony systems, including VOIP technology and hosted VOIP solutions, greatly simplifying the full communications infrastructure for a site. m.e.s.h. works with all types of broadband line and allows for dedicated backup connections to provide emergency failover for a site. m.e.s.h. has been designed for operators of serviced offices and business centres but will benefit many other environments and industries.
- I run an existing business centre and want to offer broadband to my tenants, what do I need?
- As long as your physical environment fits some basic cabling requirements, you will need an external broadband connection and a m.e.s.h. installation.
- Do I need cabling?
- The m.e.s.h. system requires each office to have at least one wired connection to a central point. As long as this basic requirement is satisfied, the system will support all cabling models. If you have a building without cabling, or are planning a new build, the m.e.s.h. team can help advise on various cabling strategies to use the system most effectively.
- Do I need a leased line or can I use ADSL, SDSL or some other external connection?
- Although we recommend use of a leased line for best reliability and guaranteed bandwidth, m.e.s.h. can take any type of external connection to suit your budget and building size.
- How many offices can I connect to m.e.s.h.?
- Up to 200 offices can be connected as part of a standard m.e.s.h. installation. However, a more advanced configuration can be discussed for larger organisations giving an almost unlimited number of offices.
- How reliable is the system?
- m.e.s.h. was first installed to a live business centre environment in August 2007. Since then it has been introduced to an ever increasing number of centres and it now serves thousands of end users daily. The m.e.s.h. product is built using robust hardware intended for an always-on operation and is appropriate for deployment in an industrial environment.
In the unlikely event of a failure of the system, the fully trained m.e.s.h. technical support team keep a full range of spare parts and replacement hardware for fast deployment and can put into place a range of disaster recovery scenarios to get your centre back online quickly. The m.e.s.h. support service includes a fully documented service level agreement including timescales for resolution of problems.
- Are there people to call about functionality questions?
- In addition to offering technical support for the system, the m.e.s.h. support team will advise potential tenants on functionality and will happily talk to end users at all levels of IT competence.
- Does it need servicing?
- Once installed, the m.e.s.h. system should not need any servicing or maintenance.
- How big is the system?
- The m.e.s.h. server has two size options, one is a small case about the same size as a domestic broadband router, the other comes in a standard 19” rackmount casing. The accompanying switches are also 19” rackmount size. They are designed to slot into a standard rack but this is not essential.
- Is the data backed up?
- As part of the technical support package, the m.e.s.h. data is backed up overnight to a secure central server operated by our support team. This offers a total disaster recovery solution - in the event of fire, theft or in the unlikely event of hardware failure, we can rebuild a system identical to the previous night’s backup within minutes of your advising technical support.
- Do I need to replace my telephones?
- It is not necessary to replace an existing telephone system, but there may be a competitive advantage to your doing this. We will be happy to advise further.
- What happens if I install to an existing centre with tenants who already have broadband?
- m.e.s.h. does not have to serve all offices at a particular site so it is perfectly possible to run alongside other broadband provision. To avoid impacting existing tenants, you may want to roll the system out gradually and increase the capacity of your external connection as the user base increases.
- I already have a system in place for broadband control at my centre. How is m.e.s.h. of use to me?
- The ongoing support and running costs of m.e.s.h. are highly competitive, so you may be able to save money with a transition to m.e.s.h.
We are able to migrate an existing site to the m.e.s.h. system with virtually no downtime to the end users. Please contact us for further details.
- Do I have to buy the system outright?
- The most common approach is to purchase the m.e.s.h. hardware and software upfront, then you will incur no further ongoing charges other than the support package. However, we do have a competitive leasing package allowing you to spread the cost of the hardware over several years, for a modest monthly fee.
- How much does m.e.s.h. cost?
- Please contact us for a breakdown of pricing, which will depend on the size of your centre and your cabling model.
- Can I see a live demonstration of the system?
- Absolutely! Please contact us and we will happily bring a demonstration unit to your offices, or if you prefer, we will arrange a tour of a business centre running the m.e.s.h. system, where you can see the product in use in a live business environment and talk to centre staff about their experience with the product. In summer 2009, there are over 30 existing or scheduled m.e.s.h. sites around the UK, with more being added frequently!
