Recommended Technology Platform

Computers

To ensure performance, security, and reliability across your organisation, we recommend the following standards for desktops and laptops.

Standard Inclusions

• Three-year onsite warranty with business-grade support coverage

• Business-grade devices only (consumer-grade models are not recommended)

• Pre-configuration and asset tagging via Inspired IT procurement

• Baseline security configuration aligned with SMB1001 and Essential Eight principles

• Remote monitoring and management (RMM) enablement for ongoing support

Minimum Hardware Specifications

Note: 12th Gen and newer Intel processors offer improved Windows 11 compatibility and enhanced security features, including TPM 2.0.

Preferred Brands

We recommend the following manufacturers based on their proven reliability, enterprise-grade support options, and consistent device lifecycles:

• HP (EliteBook, ProBook, EliteDesk)

• Dell (Latitude, OptiPlex, Precision, XPS)

• Lenovo (ThinkPad, ThinkCentre)

• Microsoft (Surface Pro and Surface Laptop for hybrid users)

• Acer (TravelMate series – selected business models only)

All devices should be sourced through a commercial/reseller channel to ensure proper warranty and SLA coverage.

Operating System

• Windows 11 Pro (preferred for security and long-term support)

• Windows 10 Pro (only if application compatibility requires it; end-of-life October 2025)

Devices should be joined to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) or Hybrid AD and enrolled in RMM or Intune for policy enforcement and compliance.

Firewall

• A business-grade firewall is essential for protecting network perimeters, enabling secure remote access, and enforcing security policies. We recommend the following standards for firewalls in all client environments.

  Primary Vendor – Fortinet (Preferred)

  Inspired IT exclusively supplies and recommends Fortinet firewalls due to their robust security features, reliability, and integration with advanced threat protection and management tools. Fortinet provides excellent value and scalability for small to mid-sized businesses.

  Recommended Fortinet Features:

  • Unified Threat Management (UTM)

  • Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

  • Application Control and Web Filtering

  • Secure VPN (IPSec and SSL)

  • High Availability (for critical environments)

  • Centralised cloud management via FortiCloud or FortiManager

  Model Selection:
  Firewall models are recommended based on the client’s environment, number of users/devices, VPN requirements, and internet bandwidth. Typical models include the FortiGate 40F, 60F, 80F, and 100F series, scaled accordingly.

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  Alternative Supported Vendors

  While Fortinet is our recommended and supplied firewall platform, Inspired IT also provides support and configuration assistance for the following vendors if already in place:

  • Cisco Meraki / Cisco ASA

  • WatchGuard Firebox Series

  Support is limited to configuration management, firmware updates, and general troubleshooting. We do not supply these units directly or manage licensing renewal for them.

Switches

• Switches form the backbone of your internal network, providing connectivity between users, devices, and critical infrastructure. We recommend using business-grade managed switches to ensure visibility, performance, and reliability across all environments.

  Preferred Vendor – Ubiquiti (UniFi Series)

  Inspired IT recommends and supplies Ubiquiti UniFi switches as our preferred platform for small to mid-sized business networks. UniFi switches provide enterprise-level performance, centralised management, and strong integration with Ubiquiti’s ecosystem of wireless and security devices.

  Recommended Features:

  • Fully managed Layer 2 or Layer 3 switching

  • Centralised management via UniFi Controller (cloud or local)

  • VLAN support for network segmentation

  • PoE and PoE+ options for VoIP, wireless access points, and security cameras

  • Fanless designs available for quiet deployments

  Model Selection:
  Switches are recommended based on network size, number of endpoints, and power requirements. Common models include:

  • UniFi Switch Lite (8/16-port) – For small offices and edge deployments

  • UniFi Switch (24/48-port) – For core switching and server rooms

  • UniFi Switch Pro – For advanced networking and Layer 3 features

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  Additional Brands (Supported, Not Supplied)

  While Ubiquiti is our preferred and supplied brand, Inspired IT can support other common business-grade switches, including:

  • Cisco Small Business / Meraki Switches

  • HP/Aruba

  • Netgear ProSAFE

Access Points

• Reliable wireless connectivity is essential for modern businesses. Poor Wi-Fi performance can lead to reduced productivity, poor call quality, and limited device mobility. Inspired IT supplies and recommends business-grade wireless access points that deliver fast, secure, and scalable Wi-Fi across all environments.

  Preferred Vendor – Ubiquiti UniFi

  Inspired IT exclusively supplies and supports Ubiquiti UniFi access points for all wireless deployments. UniFi access points offer excellent performance, centralised management, and seamless scalability, making them ideal for small offices to multi-site networks.

  Recommended Features:

  • Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E support (depending on environment and device compatibility)

  • Dual-band or tri-band radios for optimal performance

  • Centralised management via UniFi Controller (cloud-hosted or local)

  • Seamless roaming and fast handoff between APs

  • Guest network isolation and VLAN support

  • Power over Ethernet (PoE) for simplified installation

Routers

• A reliable and secure internet connection is the foundation of every business IT environment. Routers play a key role in managing WAN connectivity, routing traffic between internal and external networks, and enabling features like failover, load balancing, and VPN.

  Recommended Practice

  Inspired IT does not supply or recommend consumer or ISP-provided routers for business environments. Instead, we recommend using business-grade firewall appliances (such as Fortinet) with built-in routing functionality to replace traditional routers altogether.

  In modern business networks, a dedicated router is often unnecessary when a properly configured firewall is in place.

Servers

Servers are the central infrastructure component in many business environments, providing essential services such as file sharing, application hosting, identity management, and virtualisation. To ensure performance, stability, and long-term support, Inspired IT recommends the following server hardware and operating system standards.

Recommended Server Hardware

Inspired IT supplies and supports business-grade servers from the following trusted manufacturers:

• Dell – PowerEdge series

• HP (Hewlett Packard Enterprise) – ProLiant series

Recommended Server Operating Systems

We support and recommend the following Microsoft Windows Server operating systems, depending on the environment and application requirements:

Note: For all new deployments, Windows Server 2022 is the recommended version, unless specific application requirements dictate otherwise.

Backups

• Under our Managed Services Agreement (MSA), Inspired IT supports the following backup platforms:

  Cloud Backup

  • Datto SaaS Protection (Microsoft 365 – Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams)

  On-Premise & Hybrid Backup

  • Datto BCDR (Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery appliances)

  Virtual Machine & Server Backup

  • Veeam Backup & Replication

  • Veeam Agent for Windows/Linux

Email

• Exchange Online

SPAM/Phishing Protection

• Email Protection (Microsoft 365)

  • Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (formerly Advanced Threat Protection)

  • Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP)

  • Phishing and SPAM Filtering Policies via Microsoft Security & Compliance Center

  DNS-Based Threat Protection

  • DNSFilter – Real-time filtering for malicious domains, botnet protection, and content filtering

  These tools are configured, monitored, and supported by Inspired IT to reduce exposure to phishing, malware, and other inbound threats.

Antivirus

• Under our Managed Services Agreement (MSA), Inspired IT supports the following antivirus and endpoint protection platforms:

  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (formerly Windows Defender) – Integrated antivirus and threat protection for Windows devices

  • Inspired IT SOC-Integrated Endpoint Security – Includes monitoring, detection, and response via Inspired IT’s Security Operations Centre (SOC)