A leading credit union in California faced significant challenges in detecting and managing network and infrastructure issues across its complex environment. With approximately 40 branch locations, 3 data centers, 300 servers, and 1,000 users serving more than 400,000 individual and business members, ensuring seamless operations required a more advanced and proactive approach. Without a centralized monitoring system, the organization lacked real-time visibility into its network and infrastructure, making it difficult to identify and resolve issues before they impacted operations.
To address these challenges, the credit union implemented a centralized Network Operations Center (NOC) powered by SolarWinds. This solution provided advanced monitoring and reporting tools aligned with industry best practices, significantly improving visibility into network and infrastructure operations. By leveraging SolarWinds' comprehensive monitoring capabilities, the organization gained the ability to track performance metrics, detect anomalies, and proactively address potential threats before they escalated into major disruptions.
With a centralized NOC powered by SolarWinds, the credit union can now continuously monitor the health and performance of its network and infrastructure. The system enables early detection of potential issues, allowing IT teams to resolve problems before they escalate into outages. By systematically scanning for failures, the credit union can prevent disruptions, ensuring seamless network performance and uninterrupted service delivery. The implementation of SolarWinds has also improved the organization's ability to predict and prevent incidents. By monitoring for early warning signs, the credit union can take swift, proactive action to maintain system stability. This enhanced monitoring has strengthened network resilience, improved operational efficiency, and reinforced the institution’s commitment to reliable, secure service delivery.
Our client requires the capability to capture snapshots of application databases and store them securely and efficiently while reducing recovery times within their current NetApp SAN infrastructure.
We seamlessly integrated NetApp SnapManager with their existing NetApp SAN infrastructure to meet our client's needs and imported over 50 application databases into the system. To ensure data protection and integrity, automated database snapshot policies were configured within SnapManager to enable regular snapshots of the databases. Extensive testing was conducted on the database snapshot restore functionality to verify the seamless recovery process, assuring the client that their applications could swiftly recover from potential disruptions.
Reassured by the expertise of certified professionals, our clients gained peace of mind knowing that their application databases were secure through a technically robust implementation. Furthermore, if necessary, they were empowered to independently execute the recovery process, supported by comprehensive documentation and advanced tools provided for their convenience.
Our client is undergoing a comprehensive infrastructure modernisation initiative to implement a cutting-edge security framework aligned with Zero Trust principles. By leveraging our expertise, the client is strategically aligning with the NIST Zero Trust maturity model, selecting top-tier products for seamless integration to fulfil the specific capability needs of each maturity model pillar. This strategic approach is poised to establish a state-of-the-art data centre and infrastructure fortified by robust zero-trust security protocols.
To address the needs of the users and device pillars, we strategically utilised key Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft Entra (Azure AD) for robust identity management and Microsoft InTune for efficient device management. Our approach also involved leveraging tools such as Gitlab, Microsoft Purview, and TrendMicro to enhance data and application management while ensuring top-notch security measures. Considering the client's substantial on-premises network infrastructure with a mix of cloud services, we integrated VMware NSX-T to implement effective east-west micro-segmentation. This decision enhances network security and optimizes overall network performance. Moreover, we meticulously configured a suite of cutting-edge tools to fulfil the Automation Orchestration pillar requirements, including Microsoft Sentinel, Ansible, Elastic, Gigamon, and Microsoft Defender. This comprehensive setup ensures seamless automation and orchestration and enhanced visibility and analytics across the network infrastructure.
Before implementing these tools in the client's environment, they lacked comprehensive visibility into their end devices and network traffic. By seamlessly integrating a tailored suite of tools in collaboration with the client, they achieved unparalleled visibility across their entire environment, spanning from individual devices to network infrastructure. This newfound visibility enables them to proactively identify and respond to potential threats in real-time, leveraging advanced analytics to enhance their security posture and overall operational efficiency.
Our client, a private investment firm that has deployed over $20.9 billion globally, needed to move to a new company headquarters on short notice. As you can imagine, they were concerned about finding a trusted partner to quickly set up the IT infrastructure in their new offices. This would involve communications cabling, low voltage installation, and IT inventory relocation - not to mention working with the general and electrical contractor - on a very tight schedule. All of these tasks would also require high project management and a senior-level foreman to complete the work efficiently and on time.
The structured communications infrastructure cabling services we offered the client included a detailed description of all the components required to do the job. These included copper patch cords with proper termination, bi-directional cable testing, and patch panel labeling. We took great care to ensure that all connections were established according to industry standards, while working closely with the electrical contractor to make sure that everything was in order. Our proposal included low voltage equipment installation as well as the relocation of IT inventory, such as monitors and docking stations. Everything was completed on time and well within budget.
The professional IT services we provided to our client enabled them to complete the relocation of their office headquarters quickly. Meeting the client’s expectations allowed them to resume full business operations with minimal disruption. The cabling and equipment installations were completed efficiently, giving the client a reliable IT infrastructure comparable to their previous location. The inventory relocation also offered the chance to recycle some computing equipment that had outlived its usefulness.
The migration project was driven by several key challenges faced by the customer. The initial challenge was the Complexity of Existing Processes.The current SSIS processes were intricate and convoluted, resulting in difficulties with maintenance and scalability. The second challenge was Integration Limitations. The existing system struggled to integrate with modern cloud-based applications, which hindered data accessibility and usability across the organization.The third challenge was regarding Skill Gaps. The internal team lacked the specialized skills and expertise required for a seamless migration to IICS, which posed potential risks and delays in project execution.
To effectively address these challenges, a proactive and structured migration approach was devised, encompassing the following key phases: Discovery: Conducted an in-depth analysis of the existing processes to identify critical connections, tasks, steps, and workflows. Design: Developed an enhanced workflow blueprint inIICS to align with the customer's specified requirements, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. Documentation Development: Key references such as Job names, SSIS names, and SSIS Sub package names were meticulously documented to ensure clarity and facilitate future reference. Training: Organized knowledge transfer sessions to empower the internal team with essential skills and insights, thus reducing reliance on external consultants for ongoing modifications. Implementation: Conducted thorough testing of workflows in IICS before the official handoff to the customer, ensuring functionality and performance. The customer performed workflow audits and testing in tandem with development milestones, enabling prompt feedback and necessary adjustments.
The migration to IICS yielded significant benefits for our customers which began with Streamlined Data Processing. This enhanced work flows in IICS that led to more efficient data processing, significantly improving operational productivity. Scalability also improved after the migration. With the new cloud-based solution that provided the flexibility to quickly scale operations to accommodate future growth and integrate with additional cloud applications. In addition, there significant Skill Enhancement as knowledge transfer sessions equipped the internal team with critical skills. This fostered independence and reduced the need for ongoing external support. Lastly, there was Improved Collaboration. A well-defined communication plan promoted collaboration and alignment, minimizing misunderstandings and potential project delays. The migration from SSIS to IICS has positioned our customers to leverage advanced data handling capabilities and improved operational efficiency. By implementing a structured approach that proactively addresses challenges, the organization is better equipped to meet its evolving data processing needs in a rapidly changing digital landscape. This successful migration sets the foundation for continued growth and innovation within the organization.
A prominent credit union encountered multiple obstacles in establishing a secure, dependable, and scalable Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) for its staff. The current VDI system, built on an obsolete platform, posed challenges due to high maintenance costs, performance issues, and limited scalability. Moreover, the credit union aimed to enhance workforce flexibility and mobility by enabling employees to utilise personal devices and access their desktops from various locations. Meeting stringent regulatory and security standards, ensuring seamless business operations, and implementing robust disaster recovery measures were crucial objectives for the credit union.
In addressing the challenges, First Tech Federal Credit Union partnered with Aspire Live, a leading cloud services provider, to create a state-of-the-art VDI solution using VMWare Horizon Cloud. Drawing on Aspire Live's expertise and top-notch industry standards, the innovative solution integrates key elements, including VMWare Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure, VMWare Unified Access Gateway, VMWare App Volumes, and VMWare Dynamic Environment Manager.
By implementing the VMWare Horizon Cloud solution, First Tech Federal Credit Union revolutionised its operations, reaping many benefits that propelled the organisation towards unparalleled success. The deployment led to a remarkable surge in employee productivity and satisfaction and substantially reduced operational costs and complexities, paving the way for a streamlined and efficient workflow. Moreover, the enhanced security measures and heightened compliance standards instilled a sense of trust and reliability within the organisation, ensuring data protection and regulatory adherence. This transformation also ushered in increased business agility and resilience, empowering the credit union to adapt swiftly to changing landscapes and emerging challenges, setting a new standard for excellence in the industry.
Our finance industry client, situated in a bustling metropolitan area across multiple buildings on campus, encountered persistent challenges. Clients struggled to maintain a reliable and consistent wireless connection at their workstations and while moving within the premises. In anticipation of future expansion and to address existing connectivity issues effectively, an urgent requirement arose for a comprehensive survey and remediation plan to enhance wireless coverage and performance throughout the entire campus.
Conducting meticulous Passive and Predictive site surveys across three multi-story locations, we meticulously evaluated the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) and cloud-based dashboard configurations to align them with industry best practices. Our comprehensive report identified critical areas for improvement and provided the client with tailored solutions to optimise their wireless network performance and ensure compliance standards are met. We delivered a robust and tailored wireless network solution for enhanced connectivity and seamless operations by strategically placing access points and defining coverage areas based on specific wireless needs.
With the successful implementation of a comprehensive survey and remediation plan across the multi-story locations of our finance industry client's campus, we have achieved optimal radio frequency coverage for voice and data transmission. By conducting Passive and Predictive site surveys, reviewing the Wireless LAN Controller configurations, and strategically placing access points based on wireless coverage needs, we have ensured that the client's wireless network offers seamless connectivity throughout their workspace. This enhanced infrastructure guarantees improved client supplicant function and elevate employee productivity and satisfaction by providing a reliable and consistent wireless connection at their desks and while moving within the buildings.
