Skillshare International has adopted IBM-based collaboration technology to improve the performance of its wide area network (WAN), which was suffering bottlenecks as a result of different network speeds and capacities around the world.

Working with Surrey-based systems integrator LAN2LAN, the charity implemented IBM Lotus Domino and Notes to allow compression of content and replication between its UK servers and local devices.

“In some of our more remote locations, it made more sense to connect only for the purposes of updating local and central systems, which may be once a day or even less frequently”, explains Caroline Frankland, facilities and administration manager at Skillshare.

“Our teams work with replications of our main systems on their machines. Then, when they connect, the server and the local systems automatically update each other.

“This might require leaving the machines connected for a few hours, or even overnight, but it means that our people can get on with their work without being restricted by poor quality connections.”

Interface with Google Maps

The charity’s server in Leicester is replicated at LAN2LAN’s optimised and high speed site in Woking, removing the need for substantial investment in its own network.

Meanwhile, LAN2LAN has also created an intranet interface with Google Maps to optimise the service for low bandwidth networks, while recruitment functionality has been integrated into the charity’s management information system to allow staff to search a database of volunteers and match up skills as required.