New Developments: WicInd Group Space

This is a WicInd Group draft document

January 31, 2007

We are currently seeking a new space top work in. Although we have looked at many of them, what we are looking for is determined by the space itself. We are considering a telework cafe, as part of the new space. This would allow teleworkers to lease space, equipment, and services from WicInd Group, with all the necessary services to perform their work remotely, yet in a secure location. This will also be a cafe, providing community space, to both the teleworkers, and partial access to the community. Other than public access times (daytimes 9am-5pm) the cafe is accessible only to the teleworkers (24/7). The Tele-offices are accessible 24/7 by members using their access cards and biometric devices. Extensive use of biometrics will prevent theft of the WicInd Group equipment. WicInd Group equipment will be accessed by use of biometric print scan. They will also be given a USB biometric scanner that will give them access to the WicInd Group network. This USB key can be used at any location to gain access to the WicInd Group network. This level of security ensures that WicInd Group services and WicInd Group equipment are protected from theft and intrusion.

The WicInd Group network will be a high security system. We will use a proxy server at the gateway to ensure that connections are secure from detection. We will also employ a IDS at the gateway with remote access to the network administrator (via remote STMP or SMS) on call. We will also use port forwarding to ensure that each user receives full potential of the network. Our network will use load balancing to make the most of the network, and provide exceptional performance for users. Because the network will be used both locally and through remote VPN access, we will go extra steps to ensure network security.

Our primary goals will be to provide access to our members, and to ensure high security. We are also highly concerned with integrity of the data that is stored on the servers. We will be utilizing an off-site data store to ensure that we have protected storage of network data backups. Our data will be backed up daily through high speed data connection (encrypted) to the off-site data store, using redundant update to ensure that they are synchronized properly. We will also utilize redundant data stores in the form of Network Attached Storage (NAS/SAN) using RAID level 5 or above to endure local integrity of the data stored on th servers.

This highly complex system will ensure security, integrity, and performance for the users. This will increase our value in the market. Our services will be trusted as will our security, as we continue to investigate such areas as type printing, retina scans, voice print, and other biometric and high security systems for user and network security.

Our users will be able to rely on 99.999% up time and performance, due to our use of high availability servers operating in a high security network designed to produce maximum performance across the channels, including VPN/ATM remote access.

A member can chose to work at the work space or from their own homes having secure access to the same data and network services in either space. Remote access will be determined by their services, as WicInd Group can only provide high speed access to the servers, and cannot guarantee the same type of access at the users location.

We are currently looking to install T1 lines at the proposed location. We will be setting our services up to utilize high speed optical fiber (DS3 and above) with plans for new technologies as they are made available. All our service stations are copper wired with Gigabyte Cat6 copper wires to the servers, with the capability to add duplex fiber when that is made available. We also offer WIFI (802.11n) and Bluetooth access secured by strong encryption. Our location in NY is designed to accommodate outside access points, with the same level of strong encryption.

WicInd Group wants to provide the best in service, equipment and space. To this end we have focused on ensuring that the space is unique and comfortable. It includes a conference room that features a 54" HDTV connected to the server network through a dual output media server. It also features a conference table that can be easily moved into different configurations for multiple uses. Further the conference room will be designed to be upgraded to make use of aware space technologies that are currently under development by WicInd Group in conjunction with various universities.

Each cube space is designed for both privacy and for open formats. It allows either the user to collaborate (connect several spaces) with other users or to work privately (space can be completely enclosed) in their own design. This highly flexible space design allows users to have many design configurations with complete access to all the services of the servers.

Of course what would a telecommute space be worth without the telecommunications. WicInd Group will be building a IP-PBX with the network server system. This will provide multiple line capability to each member user based on lease agreements. Line agreements are high customizable, and allow for remote authorization of additional capacity through IM request and remote Administrator authorization. However the telephony access is only IP access, and all land-line (POTS) access is through the network server. We have only one land-line number available to the members use. This is the number they will use to call in for service from remote. This single number is run through the IP-PBX and routed to the IP lines the user has leased. We will use an IVR sub-network to negotiate access from the land-line to members leased lines, through the IP-PBX server.

We will also be operating a call center (mostly help desk services) that will use a single point access POTS number that will be patched through the IP-PBX server using the IVR to route calls to knowledge base attendants using remote access or local access (in the case of agents that are local at the time of call). This knowledge base system will pool knowledge agents according to their level of knowledge on a particular area, and route through the knowledge base including elevation of user to other agents based on call transcription and monitoring. The IVR will monitor calls and will try to detect when elevation is necessary to best serve the customer. This system will be designed around the AI agent being implemented as soon as it can be developed to handle the calls from the IVR.

Last but certainly not least is the cafe. WicInd Group Cyber Cafe is for the use by the members and also by the community. Open from 9am until 5pm for the community, the cyber cafe allows community members to partake in the high quality coffee and other products of the WicInd Group Cyber Cafe. It also allows potential members to view the office setting by making an appoint with the Cyber Cafe staff to view the rest of the facility.

Members have 24/7 access to the Cyber Cafe through their access verification pass. After hours access provides basic access to coffee and other products, although after 5pm the service will be not be via a live attendant (self-service only). The cafe will also provide community meal services at predetermined times (see: WicInd Group Community food services).

This is the draft of the plan for the WicInd Group Telework Community Services. Specific details are currently being completed including cost and facility location cost. At such time as this becomes final we will be posting an update to this document disclosing the description of the services. WicInd Group makes no promise or guarantee of service based on this document as it is still exploring the potential of this proposal.

This is posted by James E. Doud, Chief Technology Officer and General Operations Manager for WicInd Group.

A shift in the WicInd

We have been, for the most part not doing any business for the past two years. This has as you might expect devastated our business. It has not however broken it. We are now working out the details of how to bring about a new WicInd Group. So look for WicInd Group products and services soon.