Left to right: Darrell Lofton, webmaster, Tom Parham, president,
Tom Parham Audio, and Doug Hanley, president, MacTEK Consulting
The Goal
Enable the client to publish audio and video-rich websites quickly and cost-effectively.
The Assignment
- Install and maintain a low-cost, easily administered web hosting solution
- Set up an in-house web hosting server
- Help expand business opportunities by delivering web design and hosting services to musical acts
- Enable cost-effective streaming audio and video
Musical acts often request web design and hosting services from Tom Parham Audio, a full-service recording studio and production facility. Parham previously outsourced its own web hosting and did not have a reliable, cost-effective alternative for the bands that they represent. The company asked web hosting and Xserve experts MacTEK Consulting to develop a cost-effective solution that would give Tom Parham Audio in-house web design and hosting capabilities for itself and clients. Above all, the solution had to stream large amounts of video and audio over the web quickly and inexpensively.
“Being a member of the Apple Consultants Network gives me access to the latest training and software so that I can constantly hone my skills. There's also a great sense of community among members that lets us share expertise and referrals.”
— Doug Hanley, president
MacTEK Consulting
The Solution
Cost-effective hosting with Xserve.
MacTEK implemented a solution based on Xserve that allows Tom Parham Audio to provide web hosting services to musical acts. MacTEK set up the Xserve. Then, using the complete suite of network services in Mac OS X Server—included with Xserve—MacTEK set up numerous services such as file and printer sharing and media streaming with QuickTime Streaming Server and QuickTime Broadcaster. Because all of the necessary server software and development tools are included with Xserve, MacTEK did not have to purchase additional software to implement the solution.
To ensure minimal disruption to existing websites that were previously outsourced, MacTEK implemented the solution in stages, carefully testing each step along the way. MacTEK also trained Tom Parham Audio on how to administer the Xserve solution and Mac OS X Server software.
Remote system administration.
Using the remote management capabilities of Mac OS X Server such as Server Monitor, Server Settings, and Server Status, MacTEK can remotely monitor the Xserve solution to ensure reliable service for both Tom Parham Audio and clients. By dialing in to the Xserve, MacTEK can troubleshoot services such as email and streaming audio and video or even determine how much space remains on the Xserve hard drive.
The Results and Benefits
End-to-end client services.
The power, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of Xserve enabled MacTEK to deliver a simple, low-cost solution. As a result, Parham is saving thousands annually in hosting services for its own websites, as well as expanding its business into web hosting. “Thanks to Xserve and MacTEK, we can offer bands everything from recording services to CD covers and website development and hosting,” says Tom Parham, president of Tom Parham Audio. “Best of all, we expect the Xserve solution to pay for itself within a year or less.”
“We're lucky to have Doug Hanley working on our Xserve solution. He took a phased approach that ensured that the transition to Xserve went smoothly. His expertise is unparalleled.”
— Tom Parham, president
Tom Parham Audio
Cost-effective video and audio.
Outsourced web hosting services usually charge substantial extra fees for streaming audio and video because the large files consume so much storage space. This can add up to substantial extra fees for bands. Xserve comes equipped with 720GB of storage and expands to include much more space. MacTEK was able to deliver a solution that is easily expandable and low-cost, allowing Parham and clients to stream numerous songs or videos over the web without incurring exorbitant fees.
Fast, reliable in-house development and hosting.
When Parham used outsourced web solutions, the design and hosting were not always reliable or predictable. MacTEK helped bring the entire process in-house. Webmaster Darrel Lofton designs on Macs and oversees hosting on Xserve. The result is that Tom Parham Audio can provide fast, reliable services to clients while saving money. As an added benefit, sites can be updated in minutes. “With Xserve, we have incredibly fast access in updating sites. We can work on a local network and upload new files about 10 times faster,” says Doug Hanley, president of MacTEK Consulting.
