Each year, our sister publication Computer Dealer News hosts the Channel Elite Awards to recognize IT Solution Provider for their innovation, leadership, and commitment for creating value for their customers. As Canada’s leading IT channel publication, CDN invited solution providers to submit their best work to nine different categories for 2013’s awards. Here, we present the case studies these award nominees put forward to us. 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
Nominee: Epic Information Solutions from Winnipeg, Manitoba
Cloud Solution description
EPIC Information Solutions is leading the way for Cloud Computing in Manitoba by offering our customers access to a complete portfolio of Infrastructure and Software as a Service Cloud Solutions. EPIC has recently implemented an innovative hybrid cloud solution involving initial server equipment colocation. The colocation was expanded to virtual machine hosting, progressing to virtual machine replication via Veeam software and a warm disaster recovery site.
What type of cloud architecture was deployed and how were these decisions made with security in mind?
Public Cloud architecture was deployed in this solution because it has many advantages, including: redundant high bandwidth internet connections, redundant power and a secure data centre environment. The Public Cloud we deployed for this solution also provides 99.97+ uptime. Other advantages include no hardware issues to contend with, and any potential issues can easily be resolved with one phone call or email. Security concerns were factored in at all levels of the solution and implementation. To protect the client’s security, we implemented a secure data centre and replicated data over a secure VPN.
How does this solution push the boundaries of a typical cloud computing solution and qualify as innovative?
The EPIC Unified Cloud offered the client the opportunity to consolidate infrastructure, applications, corporate communication and business process, while having access to the latest technology managed by highly-skilled and certified technical resources, with little to no capital costs. This solution pushed the boundaries of a typical cloud architecture in the scale of the disaster recovery site that was provided for the client.
Why was this type of cloud solution the right choice for this business case?
The client needed flexibility and the solution allowed a scalable virtual infrastructure that can be adjusted as needed. In this case, EPIC’s innovative Hybrid Cloud solution provided the following advantages to our client: • Redundant high bandwidth internet connections • Redundant power and a secure datacentre environment • 99.97+ uptime • No hardware issues to contend with • Any potential issues can easily be resolved with one phone call or email. • Turned cap ex into op ex • No hardware refreshing to worry about
How was the success of the system measured and what were the results?
Client needed a cost-effective solution to enhance: • efficiency • Sustainable • Reliability EPIC’s Hybrid Cloud solution met these needs, provided 99.97+ uptime and turned Capex into Opex.
How did the design and implementation of the solution break new ground for you as a solution provider?
This implementation broke new ground for EPIC by allowing us to provide a large-scale, fully-featured Hybrid Cloud solution. It differed from past implementations in terms of scope, both of size and amount of features. We were challenged to provide more features, which allowed us to increase our offerings and provide comprehensive Hybrid Cloud offerings and experience.
How does the solution further your client’s green or environmentally friendly plans?
Since no dedicated hardware was required, virtually no power is needed to sustain the solution. No physical space is required either, so there is very little office space required and absolutely no waste is produced. This solution is 100% sustainable and has no negative impact on the environment.
