The Client
Our client is a leading manufacturing firm that was constantly running out of bandwidth and space. We helped them turn the situation around with our hybrid cloud strategy.
The Situation
The client had refreshed their IT infrastructure some years ago and had maintained a data center in their office to manage IT services. The data center was built on a platform of servers and storage. It allowed for the deployment of key business services and ensured corporate file sharing in a resilient manner.
As the business grew, our client discovered they needed more dedicated staff and equipment to maintain those systems. As the setup was becoming outdated quickly, the company needed access to a reasonably large capital outlay to replace those systems. A cloud option seemed the most practical way of solving the problem.
The Challenges
The existing systems were incapable of meeting their bandwidth needs. The client was also undergoing a major shift in staffing and faced a challenge in training them. They wanted a more effective way of running their business. The most practical option was to make a transition of their IT operations to the cloud. The goal was to achieve the following:
Gain more uptime and resiliency
Get superior support from a managed services provider
Repurpose IT resources to have a greater focus on business
Deploy valuable business applications when needed and quickly
The Hybrid Solution
Our client chose us to perform a cloud migration as part of the cloud hybrid strategy. We worked with the client to move email and collaboration services to the cloud, migrating their exchange server and integrating Skype for Business. As the start was extremely successful, we immediately developed that much-needed trust with our client.
The next phase involved migrating physical and virtual machines onto our cloud services platform. The client’s monitoring and support services were also transferred onto these systems. The last component of the cloud hybrid solution was to transfer corporate file services. We worked on providing local access to files through physical/ virtual filers at corporate offices. We also developed integrated backup, security, and versioning.
We recommended sound solutions by looking at the whole picture. It helped us design a custom hybrid cloud that worked smoothly for them.
The Key Benefits
Cost Savings
We convinced the client that the hybrid cloud option is not only the most economical one but is also an effective way of avoiding adding physical space to their data center. They were running out of space, and without the cloud option, they would have had to invest heavily in expanding the data center and incur all the ancillary costs.
The client’s business operations entail the use of a robust platform. They had major requirements in terms of infrastructure. The cost of hiring an IT team to support and maintain it on-premise was also huge. We provided them with the technical support needed without the need to hire IT professionals and train them. The client was happy to have access to high-value resources on an as-needed basis.
Proactivity
The client felt more confident in proactively addressing IT situations instead of having to switch to fire-fighting mode frequently. They were at peace, assured by the fact that we were monitoring their issues without having to use dedicated personnel for the purpose. We handle the day-to-day operations as they continue to grow and expand their business.
Mobility
With multiple locations and offices, our client was able to share data virtually and connect using the best business software. Manufacturing involves the generation of large project documents. They were all now secure in the cloud, and it also ensured that everyone was working on the same version, regardless of their location. Manufacturing plans and documents need a lot of bandwidth. We were able to provide them access to a global file system that everyone could share.
"We are delighted with the end result of the hybrid infrastructure implementation project. Cascade did a marvelous job, first of understanding our needs and then creating a custom cloud strategy that took care of all our operational and administrative needs at every level. We have a smooth working system now that runs with clockwork precision."
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