Octagon Credit Investors

Profile: Octagon Credit Investors, LLC is an experienced leveraged loan and high yield security investor with over $1.75 billion of assets under management. Octagon is an independently operated and managed entity, owned by its senior management and JP Morgan Partners (JPMP). 

Challenge: Octagon had effectively disconnected itself from JP Morgan Partner’s IT infrastructure and space. The company needed to purchase its own network infrastructure and implement its own e-mail server, file and print services, and back office application servers. An RFP created by consultant company Constantin Walsh-Lowe was created and distributed outlining the requirements.


Goals:

• Procure a new Local Area Networking System, file servers, desktop PCs and printers for its new facility.      

• Design, develop and configure the new infrastructure.

• Work hand-in-hand with JPMP’s current Information Technology (IT) Staff to facilitate the break off between JPMP and Octagon.

Solutions:

• Implemented a Cisco PIX Firewall (later migrated to Checkpoint) for security and internet access via Verizon T1 leased line and Verizon DSL backup line.

• Configured and Deployed 3 HP Proliant Servers: Exchange Server, File Server and Wall Street Office Server. 2 Years later migrated to Dell PowerEdge running VMware.

• Deployed a rollout of 30 workstations for day-to-day task and a 10 seat trading desk for daily trading via Bloomberg terminals.

• Moved mailboxes and shared documents from JPMP to new network infrastructure. 

• Provided Octagon with a IT Support Plan for on-going technical support and maintenance.

2 Years after the JPMP move Supersum implemented a Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Solution that replicates the entire server to a separate facility using VMware. They are a 100% virtualized environment.

Results and Benefits: Full satisfaction! There has been 99.9% network uptime! A reduction in consulting and staffing costs related to network and technology due to a yearly IT support agreement.

Manhattan Borough President

Profile: Manhattan Borough President’s Office (MBPO) is the office of current president Scott Stringer. Their main office located in downtown New York City has about 230 users and their uptown New York City office has about 20 users.

Challenge: MBPO is running Windows NT 4.0 and Exchange 5.5. The software is roughly 12 years out of production and 4 years out of support with Microsoft. MBPO needs to be effectively migrated to the latest  Microsoft Exchange technology available and implement Mobility technologies without any disruption on the network that affects the day to day task of this busy office. The Exchange Project must be completed in 2 months before the budget year ends

Goals: The goal will be getting MBPO running on Microsoft Exchange 2007 and implement a BES Server for staffs Blackberry devices. The upgrade must be done in phases and must not affect the office during regular business hours, and all work must be performed after hours and weekends,  there must be little to no desktop configuration tasks which will interrupt general office productivity. All desktop changes must be deployed via group policies and or scripts. MBPO has a single IT person to support both offices.

Solution:

• Implement and configured 2 Checkpoint firewalls to secure and connection the 2 office locations.

• Configured new Gigabit Ethernet switches with fiber distribution between wiring closets.

• Configured, Deployed and Power Edge Servers to run VMware with Windows host

• Consolidated and Migrated data from legacy Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2008 Servers. This included: Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, WINS, File and Print Services.

• 2 Phase upgrade of Exchange Server, Upgraded from Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007.

• Implemented a Blackberry Enterprise Server.

• Trained and provided support to internal IT staff for 30 days after the migration.

Results and Benefits: Full satisfaction! There has been 99.9% network uptime! A reduction in IT support outsourcing costs and improved speed and performance.

HMG/Tribeca Events/US Open

Challenge: HMG + Tribeca Events Staffing required a application which allowed the management of over 500 Service Professional, required the applications to be mobile, and needed to produce invoicing and reporting on a daily basis and some processes needed to be conducted within a outdoor environment.

Technologies: SQL Server, Windows mobile, SQL Replication services, Asp.net C# Web Application, SQL Reporting Services

Solutions: Developed a robust application which allowed HMG staff managers to collect time from various locations with the US Open venue and synchronized data over a wireless connection utilizing Windows Mobile technologies. When synchronization was complete a asp.net web based application allow the creation of invoicing and reporting which allowed HMG to manage hundreds of staff members and clients for the event seamlessly.

HMG Web Based Staffing Management Software

Challenge: HMG Inc., a premier staffing company based in New York City needed a way to consolidate various software solutions which was used to manage events, produce invoicing, and communicate with Service Professional.

Project: When Supersum was approached all managements was done using many different application such as Excel, Quick Books, CaterEase Staffing software, and email. Supersum was approached to develop a solution to overcome all the white noise associated with the management of hundreds of events and service staff.

Technologies: SQL Server, Asp.net C# Web Application, a various third party UI components

Solution: Developed a web based application which allowed clients to submit requirements of a event, track staffing status, and Invoicing. The application also allowed service professionals to manage a calendar of events staffed to, Track time and payment, and allowed communications with HMG for cancellations and acceptance of events booked to. A third component was also developed to allow HMG a window to view and manage all activities occurring within a event. Currently the application supports 100- 200 users per day.

Vanuatu Marine Time

Profile: Vanuatu Maritime Services Ltd is a privately held Vanuatu company operating under contract to the Vanuatu government as the Maritime Administrator. VMSL operates the central registry office and handles all details of vessel registration, mortgage recordation, crew documentation, and all matters relating to safety and proper vessel inspection and documentation.

Challenge: Vanuatu was in need of improving an existing application which manages the documentation and registration of large tanker vessels. The current implementation was an Access database which lacked on performance, functionality and usability. Some users had familiarity with MS Access and wanted to know if it was possible to continue using a similar UI for reporting.

Technologies: SQL Server, Access 2003 + 2007, VBA

Solutions: Utilizing the services available in SQL server and maintaining a MS Access User Interface Supersum was able to develop a robust application which allows Vanuatu and its staff to generate report without the use of a developer. The end result was a multi user network application which solved all of Vanuatu’s issues.