SMB

Case Study

Customer name: DBD Distribution
Industry: Kitchen unit distribution
Project name: VMware infrastructure implementation

Overview
At Connect Systems we understand that careful network design and installation is of paramount importance and is essential to ensure the client gains the most benefits from their IT infrastructure. We have many years of experience in designing, upgrading and installing network systems of varying sizes and levels of complexity. As part of the support function, we work closely with the client in developing a road-map for the evolution of the IT Infrastructure to ensure it meets the changing needs of the client.
DBD Distribution have been a client of Connect Systems for many years, and we have provided IT support to the in-house IT Manager Neil Barnard.

Virtualisation project
DBD Distribution had a network infrastructure which comprised 4 servers each providing a different critical function.  With Neil, we devised a plan to implement an upgrade programme to replace these servers. Because DBD Distribution are enjoying continued growth, the suggested solution had to take into consideration future requirements to ensure that the solution would be suitable for the foreseeable future.

We proposed a Virtualisation solution that would allow each server to be consolidated to a single host server.  As well as reducing the one-off hardware costs, the on-going costs of running this single server are lower in terms of power requirements and on-going systems support.  

We were able to redeploy one of the replaced servers, as the backup and virtualisation management  console which has greatly enhanced how Neil can manage the network.

Through careful project management and highly skilled engineering the project was successfully delivered with minimal disruption to Neil’s 50+ users.

Major benefits
As a result of this project DBD Distribution now have a stable system which will provide considerable longevity. The worry of the impact the aging hardware posses has been removed and the cost of replacing the 4 servers was reduced by supplying a single server and creating multiple virtual servers. Backup and restore procedures have been simplified and are now faster to conduct thanks to the backup solution suggested.  With a single server, running costs have been reduced, and adding further virtual servers in the future will be a lower cost operation. In addition implementing a full Disaster Recovery plan has been aided through virtualisation.

Result

DBD Distribution now have a stable network that will cope with projected future expansion of the company which is backed up by expert support from Connect Systems.