TCS Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ICT?

ICT is an acronym for "Information and Communications Technology". It has been rapidly adopted as being more inclusive of all the elements of a modern approach to business computer systems and communications than its predecessor acronym "IT" (Information Technology). Therefore it is more relevant to describe your systems as "ICT Systems" rather than the restrictive "IT Systems".

What is the TCS Management Centre?

This is where we monitor, manage and remotely maintain and administer our client computer systems. It comprises an NMS server for alerting TCS technical staff when a client system has a problem, a Microsoft SMS server for remotely maintaining and auditing client PCs and servers and a trending server for collecting statistics on customer's resource usage. It also contains a model LAN that models most of our client networks, so that we can test software and also replicate problems locally on this LAN for diagnosis.

What do TCS do?

We evaluate the ICT solutions that companies have and recommend ways for them to be more efficient. We design and install business ICT solutions. We provide full ICT system management from our management centre in Belfast for our clients. Finally, we add value to these services by providing technical specifications for customer purchasing and free expert advice to our clients as part of this service.

Who are TCS?

TCS are an ICT Services company, based in the heart of Belfast. This means we look after the computer systems for a wide variety of companies primarily around the North of Ireland from our Management Centre. We also provide expert systems evaluation for SME businesses and government departments.

So really, TCS is just another ICT company?

No. We're more than that -- we're your ICT department. We offer a unique service to our clients that no other company in Belfast offers. We develop a relationship with our customer that does not include any hidden agendas for selling other services, hardware or software so that we can make extra profit at your expense. Thus we provide impartial and unbiased advice all of the time. In addition, we do not have a sales or marketing department: Such is the strength of our solution we work entirely from referrals and hence retain our focus on ICT expertise.

How does the TCS approach to managed services differ from other companies?

We feel that all of our peers have a partial or negative approach to the after-sales service they provide, in that they all quote for "support" of a customers systems. Traditionally this means the customer pays money for the service company to respond to a problem once it happens and get the systems fixed. However this leads to downtime and loss of productivity (and money), while no maintenance of ICT systems results in a host of problems from security to data loss. TCS know that all computer systems are live dynamic environments with ever changing data and a host of moving parts. Just like a car needs regular servicing so too do ICT systems, which keeps them running smoothly and problem free, resulting in no downtime. The TCS philosophy is to monitor and maintain these systems, providing feedback to their owners and performing all the systems administration and trend reporting that help the company build and change positively with time.

Do TCS offer simple support as well?

Because the TCS philosophy is to proactively manage ICT systems, we rarely provide quotes for reactive support. That fact notwithstanding, we recognise that not all companies have the vision or budget to have full ICT management and so if we do receive requests for support we will do our best to provide this service.

"TCS provides us with an excellent service in the provision and management of all our ICT requirements, allowing us to get on with our clients' business."

-- Brian Kennedy, Partner,
O'Connor Kennedy Turtle