Nominee: Audcomp from Ancaster, Ontario
Describe the solution, service or initiative
A client tasked Audcomp to help them design and implement a flexible infrastructure to support the department’s mission-critical operations. The goal was to ensure 100% uptime with no single point of failure. The department was facing a few challenges in system administration. The challenges included lack of fault tolerance, backup depth and robustness and domain based instability, which were caused by aging infrastructure that needed to be upgraded. The solution Audcomp designed and implemented included – Mission critical high availability cluster and redundant servers, storage, networking and power. Leveraging on HP converged infrastructure based on HP Proliant G7 and HP Storageworks P2000 G3 Storage solutions, Audcomp designed a simpler, integrated and automated environment. The solution have provided the client a greater performance and reliability, making sure their mission-critical systems are up and running with minimal failure.
What makes it original or innovative?
When planning and designing the solution, Audcomp had to make sure the proposed solution would be integrated into the client, federal government and RCMP strict regulations, while allowing for simple management and 100% up time on a budget. At the time, the client didn’t have a dedicated IT team to manage their infrastructure, therefore, having a simple, integrated and automated environment was very critical. Audcomp designed and implemented the HP Converged Infrastructure to increase performance, increase availability and reduce risks. What makes this solution innovative is that: – The client was able to transition from directed attached storage and physical infrastructure to a centralized storage and virtualized environment that provides fail over, high availability and maximized uptime. – This solution didn’t not only bring all server, storage and networking resources together, but it also consolidated management tools and processes to manage the infrastructure in an integrated way. – Audcomp configured the client’s site for virtualization and power savings, leveraging the power of HP converged infrastructure that brings together security, power and cooling management capabilities. As a result, the client reduced their power consumption by 45% and their cooling requirements by 65%. – The client’s users are now able to use their computing resources via a single logon and roaming profile while retaining their individual security clearances. – Audcomp partnered with the respective IT technicians from the federal government, RCMP and local police to make sure the solution doesn’t conflict with their regulations. – Audcomp was able to design the solution to fit in a constrained space, with very limited cooling and rack space.
Describe the improvement this solution made to the customer’s sales or revenues and provide measurable evidence of such.
Audcomp’s solution dramatically reduced the complexity of the client’s network by consolidating purpose-built application servers with various maintenance and security requirements to such a degree that the client has had zero downtime in over a year. Previously, downtime was an issue every 2-3 months. With 60 users, this downtime was hindering the day-to-day activities of the department. The increased efficiency and up time helped the client management team to shift focus from dealing with IT issues to doing their work with peace of mind. The point of contact from the client in implementing this project said he is completely satisfied with the work Audcomp did for them. In his own words, he said ‘Our requirements had outgrown the outdated equipment and we didn’t have the technical skills to design the solution ourselves. Audcomp designed and implemented the solution for us under budget. Now, we have a peace of mind. With less downtime, our productivity has improved. Audcomp manages our infrastructure, so I focus on my main Job.’ The entire experience in providing this solution has helped Audcomp to strengthen its partnership with the client. Afterwards, the client has relegated their IT responsibilities by outsourcing the work to Audcomp as their Managed Service Provider.
Describe the improvement that was made to the customers efficiency, with measurable evidence.
1. The client’s users are now able to utilize the company resources via simple and intuitive single logon and roaming profiles while retaining their individual security clearances. These allow them to increase their productivity exponentially. 2. The client used to experience downtime every 2-3 months. This has affected user productivity. With the new infrastructure implemented, they are experiencing maximum up time. This allows the client to provide its services without interruption. 3. They have also become efficient in their power usage. The client reduced their power consumption by 45% and their cooling requirements by 65%. Audcomp configured their site for maximum virtualization and power savings. 4. The challenges including lack of fault tolerance, backup depth and robustness and domain based instability are all solved.
How did the solution improve the customer’s ability to serve internal or external clients?
With increased IT speed and agility, internal users have been able to increase their productivity and efficiency. – The client relies on their IT to serve their community. With converged infrastructure, they have been able to align their IT with their day-to-day business demands. This allows them to interact with their employees, partners and the community they serve more quickly. – Staff members, who were the ‘help desk’ hat in handling ongoing IT issues, now have a peace of mind and are able to focus on their actual job.
In what ways does the solution go above and beyond industry expectations?
See the response for question 2.
How does the solution further your customer’s green or environmentally friendly plans?
Audcomp configured the client’s site for virtualization and power savings. Leveraging on HP converged infrastructure based on HP Proliant G7 and HP Storageworks P2000 G3 Storage solutions, the client reduced their power consumption by 45% and their cooling requirements by 65%.
Find out who the big winners are on Sept. 11 when CDN presents them at the CEA Awards Gala.
Learn more about CDN’s Channel Elite Awards 2013
