We can take your business to new heights
Are you ready to find out more?
.png){kind=logo}
Civil Engineering Case Study
Client Profile
Client Type: San Diego Civil Engineering firm
Employees: Approximately 15
Client Relationship: Long-term client of Bayside Networks
Challenge
Hybrid Cloud implementation – technology refresh
Background
We have many long term clients, some going all the way back to the inception of our company. Please check our website for more information on how long we have been in business. New clients are always great, but we also take great pride in long term clients that come back to us year after year, including when they are due for a major technology refresh. An example of a technology refresh, would be projects like: new servers, new networking system, or a new cloud system.
In this case, our client is a locally owned civil engineering firm. They came to us about 10 yrs ago with a very modest technology system, where their data was stored on a user PC, then shared out to others within their company from that PC. Our first project with this client was to install a proper fault tolerant “server” that included raid (redundant) data storage and a robust backup system. The client used that system for about 8 yrs, until the server started to run low on storage space due to ongoing growth in the client’s dataset.
When the time came for a new data storage system, our client chose to work with us again for the solution. The fact is – every client has a choice for their IT support provider and the easiest time “to switch” is when a major technology change is needed.
Solution
In the last ten years, cloud based computing solutions have become increasingly accessible and effective solutions for many types of businesses. In our client’s case, the best option was to replace their aging server was to move their non-client related data to a cloud based solution known as Microsoft Sharepoint that the client already had access to through their Office365 subscription. We also removed their old server, by making the following changes to their environment:
-
Removed the “active directory” connection from each of their PC’s, and joined each computer to the new Microsoft Entra identity management system
-
Moved networking roles, such as DNS and DHCP, and passed those responsibilities over to the client’s internal firewall device
-
Installed a Synology brand NAS with fault tolerant RAID disk storage that provided considerably more data storage than the client had previously
-
Redirected their backup system to their Synology NAS, and enabled ransomware protection by setting up immutable off site backups with Amazon Glacier based storage.
-
Moved the client’s non client related work files to Microsoft Sharepoint, enabling most of their admin staff to work effectively from home – without any need to VPN into the client’s office and eliminating the need to have a desktop PC turned on at the office for them to work remotely.
In this client’s case, it didn’t make sense to move all their files to the cloud. This client makes use of large CAD based files using software such as AutoCad – and fast local access to all files is critical in their ability to work efficiently.
Outcome
Client moved into their new office on time, without any technology related surprises or downtime. They shut down operations mid day on a Friday, relocated their equipment over the weekend, and they were operational the following Monday morning.
We also debriefed the client’s internal IT Team, such that they have been able to take over the maintenance and operation of their networking system on their own after the move was completed.
Would you like to hear more about this project, client, or their experience with Bayside Networks? Please contact us, we would be glad to provide contact details for this client as they are an excellent reference for us and our work with them is ongoing on a wide assortment of projects and support needs.
A Successful Partnership
This project is just one example of our long-term relationship with this client. We continue to work on a wide range of projects and provide ongoing support.
Want to learn more?
Contact us for more information about this project or the client’s experience with Bayside Networks. We’d be happy to connect you with them for a reference.