Andrew Hollis
IT Consultant and Systems Administrator
My career in technology began long before it was a career — seated at a keyboard, navigating Microsoft DOS one command at a time. From there, I followed the evolution of the Windows platform through its pivotal decades, while developing an equally deep fluency in macOS — the platform that would ultimately lead me into the world of creative professionals.
That crossover proved formative. The media and entertainment industry runs on both ecosystems simultaneously, and understanding each from the inside out became a defining professional advantage. Where others saw a platform divide, I saw an opportunity to serve as the connective tissue between technical infrastructure and the artists, editors, and producers who depend on it.
Today, with over a decade of experience supporting M&E environments, I specialize in the infrastructure that keeps creative pipelines moving — from editorial and VFX workstations to render farms, shared storage, and large-scale data delivery. I've worked alongside colorists, sound designers, motion graphics artists, and post-production supervisors, and I understand that in this industry, downtime isn't just an inconvenience — it's a production risk.
The pace of change in media technology is relentless, and that's exactly what keeps the work compelling.
Mac, Windows, and Linux
Configuration, management, and troubleshooting for end-user workstations across all major operating systems.
Virtualization Hosts
Running multiple operating system instances on a single physical server to maximize hardware utilization.
Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Fibre Channel Networks
Design and support for TCP/IP networks, Fibre Channel fabrics, firewalls, managed switches, Wi-Fi access points, and VPN.
Software Updates
Proactive patching of operating systems and applications to keep environments secure and up to date.
File Servers and Storage
Block and file-level storage for users connecting via SMB, iSCSI, NFS, and Xsan, with hands-on Fibre Channel experience.
Cloud Storage
Vendor-neutral guidance on cloud providers and pricing for team file sharing, backups, and long-term archival.
Large Data Transfers
Expertise in the delivery methods most common in Media & Entertainment, including Aspera, Signiant, and secure FTP workflows.
Domain Controllers
Windows Server administration for Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and related identity and access services.
Data Security
Firewall configuration, endpoint protection, user access controls, and penetration testing — with deep expertise in Media & Entertainment security.
Business Continuity
Identifying single points of failure, building redundancy, and implementing backup plans that keep operations running when components fail.
Tiered Data Storage
Managing online file servers alongside nearline and offline tiers — offloading less-frequently accessed data to tape, cloud, or archive disk.
Render Farms
Provisioning and managing distributed computing resources for renders, encodes, and other CPU/GPU-intensive workloads.
Web and Domain Mangement
Managing domain names, DNS, FTP, website hosting, and business email providers.
Video Workstations
Setup and support for editorial, motion graphics, and VFX workstations — including shared storage integration.
Digital Audio Workstations
Setup and configuration of DAW software, plugins, audio interfaces, and hardware controllers.
Conference Rooms
Installation and support for displays, projectors, video conferencing systems, and meeting room AV equipment.
VoIP Phone Systems
Deployment and management of IP-based phone systems, handsets, and SIP providers.
Subscriptions and Annual Fees
Vendor-neutral review of software licenses and service agreements — ensuring you're not overpaying and are getting the best available terms.
⬆️ Based in Sherman Oaks and serving clients across the greater Los Angeles area ⬆️
Remote Collaboration and Screen Sharing ⬇️
Available for remote support via Zoom, including screen sharing — reach out to get started.