Niche MediaIT Support Manager
Jan. 2010 - Jul. 2010At Niche Media (publisher of, amongst other titles, Desktop Magazine, Australian MacWorld, and Australian Design Review), I was responsible for the support and maintenance of a network comprising: - fifty mixed Mac/PC workstations, ten mixed-OS servers (including a Daylite CRM server, in-house Communigate mail server, Filemaker database, Apple Xserve, 7TB fibre-RAID, OS9 prepress systems, virtualised CentOS and XP/VIsta/Windows 7 development platforms, a Windows Server 2003 system and a Server 2008 system), two co-located Dell PowerEdge web servers, three separate Cisco routers (two 800-series and an 1812), a secure wireless network, and the NEC PABX phone system.
I was responsible for training of computer operators in OS X and CRM functionalities, ensuring that their hardware and software requirements were fulfilled, and the procurement, replenishment and tracking of IT inventory. I also project managed the system-wide update of redundant and outdated infrastructure through consultation with the Digital Director and Managing Director. Changes made during my tenure at Niche include the negotiation and installation of a faster microwave link, the upgrade of the CRM server and clients, the total replacement of the in-house mail server with a Google Apps solution, the procurement of a new NAS back-up solution, the systematic upgrade of workstation OSes and provision of new systems for long-term employees, new servers, the replacement of the Agfa Apogee prepress system with a future-proofed solution, the procurement and installation of a Mitsubishi 7.5KW aircon unit for the data centre environment, and a new 802.11n wireless network.