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Common Questions
Here is a list of the Permutation Company's most frequently asked questions.
If you have a question or comment for Permutation not answered here, please submit it via the Contact Us section. We will respond as soon as we are able.
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What services do you offer for businesses?
Our business clients tell us that value means both consistency and flexibility. We developed our Fortress™ servers and Rampart™ off-site backup solutions with that in mind.
As
well, each of our business deployments has been unique. From the
development of a few custom workstations (including staff training) to
the deployment of a large back-end data farm for high-definition medical scans, Permutation improved the lives and profitability of its clients.
If you would like to discuss more about how we can add value to your environment, or just solve a nagging problem, please contact us.
What services do you offer for schools?
Permutation
has experience with the hardware and software that UK schools and youth
organisations require to support education, development and the ongoing
needs of faculty & staff.
We specialise in new deployments,
centralising shared facilities (such as wireless networks, file
sharing, printing and application access), and maximising the life-span
of existing ICT investment.
Staff experience includes the deployment of the Westfield Technology Academy, winner of the Breaking the Mold
award from the U.S. Department of Education (as part of President Bush,
senior's American School 2000 Project), as well as the design and
implementation of ICT at one of Broadway's primary schools. In addition, we have rolled out and trained faculty on numerous software suites.
Permutation has a
commitment to education, and can offer schools and organisations a wide
range of services to suit their budgets. Please contact us with your needs.
What services do you offer for homes?
Permutation
can solve the vast majority of computer and networking problems
uncounted within the home. We believe in taking the fear out of
computer support.
Most common issues are listed in our à la compute™ range of services. Much like an à la carte menu at a restaurant, each has a fixed price, so there is no uncertainty about how much things will cost.
For problems that fall outside of à la compute™, or when you want multiple items from the menu, please contact us.
We will quote a fixed price in advance,
so you will know the full price before making your decision.
I have a computer emergency. Can you help?
Permutation strives to provide value where and when it is needed.
In many cases, we can use our Remote Resolver™
technology to provide near instantaneous support. Even if you
need on-site support, we will do our best to meet your needs.
Contact us via our website, or better yet, call us at 0845 833-6425.
Why does à la compute™ use "fixed rate pricing?"
Most
clients do not know how long it will take to resolve their problems, and dread
an enormous "time-and-material-based" bill at the end.
Permutation
is so confident in its ability to deliver value quickly, it uses "fixed
rate pricing" on many of its services. That means, whether it takes 30
minutes or three hours, clients know what they will pay for success.
If you would like to see the complete menu of à la compute™ offerings, click here.
I have a general problem with my PC that is not listed in à la compute™. Can you fix it?
Permutation
can solve the vast majority of computer and networking problems
uncounted within the home. We believe in taking the fear out of
computer support, and have therefore developed the à la compute™ menu of service.
However, if you require several items from the menu or something outside of à la compute™, it is very likely we can help.
Contact us for a quote on customised home service. We strive to provide value to all of our clients, regardless of their needs.
What is Remote Resolver™ and how does it work?
Remote Resolver™ is a small application that allows Permutation to guide its clients interactively through procedures on their computers.
It is based upon technology developed the Cambridge Labs and has been modified by Permutation for increased security and ease of use. Clients can run this application while on the telephone with Permutation staff and can watch as problems are resolved remotely.
Once the application is exited, neither Permutation nor anyone else can regain access to the client's machine without them choosing to re-run the Remote Resolver™ application.
How secure is Remote Resolver™
Remote Resolver™ is based upon technology developed by the Cambridge Labs. It has been modified by Permutation for increased security and ease of use.
The application uses a highly complex encryption scheme (called the 128 bit Blowfish keyed, symmetric block cipher) to prevent others from "seeing" anything on the client's computer. A discussion of the scheme can be found here.
Further, once the application is exited, neither Permutation nor anyone else can regain access to the client's machine without them choosing to re-run the Remote Resolver™ application.
This ensures that Permutation can support its clients' needs without compromising their security.
How can I become more confident and less fearful of my PC?
First of all, the best way to become more confident in anything is to do it more often, whether it be computing or horse riding.
As well, we recommend that clients take advantage of courses offered locally on basic and advanced computing techniques.
Permutation
is, in fact, developing an educational series with three intended
audiences: small business owners, educators and OAPs. Dates, descriptions
and details will be posted on the website soon.
Everyone is talking about Skype™. What is it and how does it work?
Skype™ offers a set of free and commercial "telephone-like" services. Its parent company is eBay™ International.
Users of two computers (both connected to the Internet) can run free Skype
software and literally "talk" with one another using each computer's
speaker and microphone. This is entirely free (assuming you already
have a connection to the Internet, of course).
Further, using the computer's speaker and microphone, a user can place a call to an
ordinary telephone nearly anywhere in the world (called SkypeOut™).
While such calls are not free (they are charged per minute), the rates
are currently far lower than other types of traditional calling.
There is even a method for allowing ordinary telephones to come through a user's computer (called SkypeIn™), which carries a fixed annual fee.
Skype calls (and other so-called Voice-Over-IP or VOIP
techniques) rely on the public Internet for their connectivity.
Therefore, the quality of such calls can be affected by other users of
the Internet at any given time.
Permutation makes extensive use of Skype and related technologies. We even offer the installation of Skype with a traditional handset similar to your home phone as one of the à la compute™ services.
If we can help you with Skype, please let us know.
What is Permutation?
The Permutation Company Ltd was
founded by Jim Schmitz, having over 15 years of experience in the
industry.
The
Permutation
trademark, based on the silhouette of a swan, was established in the US in 1998, moved to the
Cotswolds area in 2001 and registered as a UK Limited Company
in 2006. The company is registered in England at Companies House under number 5873985.
Where is Permutation located?
Permutation is based in Broadway, one of the most beautiful and historic of the Cotswold villages.
Our business address is as follows:
Permutation Company Ltd
1 Leamington Road
Broadway, Worcestershire
WR12 7EF
Is Permutation involved in its community?
Permutation believes in supporting its surroundings. Much of its technology, though cutting edge, is sourced locally.
As well, Permutation staff assembled and copy-edited the Broadway Parish Plan 2005-06 and served on the document's steering committee. It is a principal member of the Broadway Natural History Society and supplies its audio-visual technology.
Permutation is proud and thankful to be an active part of the Broadway community.
I have a question, but it is not addressed here. What can I do?
We update this Common Questions page often. If you have a comment or question not addressed, please contact us. We will strive to respond as soon as we are able. |
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