AMEC, the international engineering services company, required a secureremote access solution for 2000 regular remote and mobile staff. The company needed a flexible, and manageable solution with robust intrinsic security features. Using Microsoft’s IAG solution enabled staff to access corporate networks via the internet. Microsoft’s Active Directory Single Sign On (SSO) gives staff access to their email and to corporate intranets, while RSA’s technology permits admission to shared files.
“ The key to giving all our different remote user types anywhere, anytime access to the particular information they needed was in identifying a solution that would be diverse and flexible enough to solve every user’s information needs while providing consistent, highly secure and easily managed connectivity. “ UK IT Infrastructure Manager, AMEC.
Business growth at specialist underwriter, Beazley Furlong, was impacting the company’s IT monitoring capability. Extensive server proliferation meant the existing manual system was not cost-effective and could not guarantee maximum system uptime. Following a programme of server consolidation and the implementation of Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM), systems management became proactive and streamlined. Significant time, cost, productivity and systems availability gains were realized very quickly.
Based on their previous track record with email and security projects with us, we had every confidence that Eurodata would be able to successfully coordinate the complex task of consolidating 88 servers across London and USA.” Head of IT Operations, Beazley Furlong.
Under pressure from business groups and partners to provide enhanced access to the network and reduce networking costs, Birmingham City Council implemented a secure Microsoft IAG solution. By delivering a solution that optimized remote access, Eurodata’s team enabled access to 16 business applications for council staff – improving productivity - and reduced the number of bespoke VPNs in operation.
“In situations where staff work at home on a short-term basis, we no longer have the cost of setting up expensive individual broadband/ISDN lines.” Senior Technical Architect, BCC.
Britannic Management Services was looking for a secure and cost-effective way to give their 1,300 staff access to corporate data from home. They worked with Eurodata to implement a Microsoft IAG solution combined with Swivel’s unique two-factor authentication application that delivered an all-encompassing remote access solution. The technology cut Britannic’s laptop and dial-up costs; enabled them to assimilate new users quickly, while boosting staff productivity by 80%.
The technical staff at Eurodata got back to us very quickly whenever we needed help from them, and were very knowledgeable." Server Support Team Leader, Britannic Asset Management
Circle Anglia provides sheltered and residential accommodation across England. A programme of cost-savings triggered the need to reduce hardware maintenance costs dramatically. Eurodata provided a 75% cost saving on maintenance for the organisation’s PCs, laptops, monitors and printers - money that could be ploughed directly back into core activities. As an HP Authorised Warranty Delivery Partner, Eurodata ‘s highly trained and accredited engineers form a virtual extension to the in-house IT support team, delivering additional skills and knowledge wherever needed.
“With Eurodata you can build up some historical knowledge and it’s possible to speak to the individual who has carried our maintenance work, which makes it simpler to resolve any issues. It’s a more personal touch.” IT Support Manager, Circle Anglia.
Headquartered in London with offices that stretch from New York to Sydney, Datamonitor are a premium business information company, specialising in industry analysis. Their customers are 5,000 of the world's leading companies, to whom they offer independent expert analysis and in-depth forecasts on key business and industry issues. They offer detailed research and analysis reports in electronic form, based on quantitative and qualitative research. Dealing in sensitive, and highly desirable, electronic data and documents, Datamonitor have made electronic security a top priority. They have used Aladdin's eToken solution for three years, which offers their remote users strong authentication using a physical key device to connect to the virtual private network. Datamonitor improved the efficiency and security of the existing solution after consulting security technology leaders Aladdin and integration specialist Eurodata.
"Eurodata Systems helped a lot initially when I needed advice on which system to go for, and they really understood the range of solutions on offer, and understood my requirements." IT Manager, Datamonitor
Top three newspaper and magazine wholesaler, Dawson News, was unhappy with its RAS dial-up system for remote staff working. Unreliable connections and security issues prompted the company to look for a more robust solution. By implementing Microsoft’s IAG SSL VPN solution in combination with RSA SecurID, Eurodata created a strong, secure replacement system. Staff productivity and satisfaction increased and other stakeholders, such as local publishers, can also access their local branch systems via the company’s extranet.
“We found Eurodata very easy to talk to, friendly and helpful, and extremely knowledgeable about the Microsoft IAG product.” Group IT Services Manager, Dawson News.
IT plays a key role in ensuring that Direct Wines remains highly responsive to customers and all deliveries are made on time. The company required a partner to manage its Microsoft desktop environment and its server infrastructure within its Call Centre and distribution operations. Standardising and speeding up desktop deployment (via Eurodata’s Velocity Solution), improving network security and future-proofing hardware and operating systems all provide improved service levels to users and reduced maintenance and management costs.
“ Eurodata differentiated itself through its proposed deployment strategy – they had put a lot of effort into developing a robust migration process. In terms of cost they were extremely competitive,” stated Computer Services Manager, Direct Wines.
DLA is a leading law firm with offices across the UK, Europe and Asia. Eurodata provided secure clientless SSL VPN architecture allowing remote and mobile workers, easy and fast remote access to the firm’s email services and corporate information.
“Our lawyers can now access the information they need from any location with a standard web-browser, faster than ever before, therefore increasing productivity. Lawyers charge by the hour. The more effective the use of their time, the better the service they are giving the clients.” Infrastructure Development Manager, DLA Piper.
Eurodata provided IT security expertise to Essex Rivers NHS Trust, implementing a remote access solution for their radiology department. The Microsoft IAG technology used allows remote and mobile radiologists faster, more secure access to clinical information: scans and x-rays. More time is spent diagnosing patients - while ensuring their confidentiality - thus improving the quality of services delivered to the community, in line with the NPfIT.
Associate Director of IT, stated, “ Eurodata understood our challenge and helped us achieve our primary goal which is to support patients’ privacy while improving patient care in the local community.”
Eurodata Systems, self-implemented Unified Communications (UC) using an integrated Microsoft, Mitel and Dialogic platform. The UC solution gives productivity gains of 25% by creating a highly integrated voice, video, messaging systems for on-demand communications. Now remote, mobile and office-based staff waste less time on ineffectual communications and more time in productive and client-facing activities.
Des Lekerman, Eurodata Co-Founder, said, “ We now have integration between our telephony system, Outlook, SharePoint and voice and video conferencing. I am delighted with the productivity increases this has yielded even during its first three months of operation.”
In the highly competitive publishing world, the FT needed a solution that would allows its journalists and home-based staff remote access to email securely, anytime and from anywhere. Eurodata integrated Microsoft’s IAG solution into a global upgrade of the company’s messaging and collaboration systems, producing a low-cost, easy-maintenance solution that increased user productivity immediately.
“Security is a major issue for the Financial Times. Until we evaluated Microsoft’s IAG SSL VPN, we would not even consider allowing remote access from public locations such as an Internet café or airport terminal.” Project Leader, Financial Times.
Kingston Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Trust needed to optimise its Microsoft environment by migrating to a new IT infrastructure as its existing systems no longer met its evolving needs. The Microsoft Windows 2003 Server operating system, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and Active Directory solution enabled Kingston Hospital NHS Trust to fulfill the mandatory infrastructure requirements for acceptance as an Early Implementer of systems - part of the new NHS National programme for IT (NPfIT). Kingston Hospital also anticipates a lower total cost of ownership and is already seeing benefits in terms of resilience and compliance with NHS standards.
“Our new Microsoft infrastructure contributed to us being accepted in the programme. This has put us in an excellent position to adopt new best-of- breed applications and functionality, and move forward into the new National IT programme with confidence.” Network Services Manager, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust.
Business growth at London law firm, Macfarlanes resulted in an IT overhaul with the objectives of optimising infrastructure and improving systems continuity and storage, including email archiving. Eurodata improved the efficiency of its server estate by creating a virtualised environment that also reduced TCO and maintenance costs. Business continuity was enhanced and regulatory compliance maintained with the implementation of a fully replicated SAN solution.
“We like the objectivity Eurodata demonstrated in proposing technologies as well as their real understanding of our business. Working with a partner that had proven expertise in the legal sector was of paramount importance and Eurodata demonstrated that superbly.” Maurice Millen, Head of IT, Macfarlanes.
With 500 staff and an expanding network of offices in Canada, France, Luxembourg, Hong Kong and China, Marks & Clerk is a leading group of patent and trade mark attorneys with an associated firm of intellectual property lawyers. Providing a full range of integrated services covering patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and domain names, it ranks consistently as market leader with award-winning services tailored to client needs. Its merger with the Lloyd Wise Group gave the combined firms unparalleled representation and resources, notably in the UK and the Far East.
“Our business is driven by the ability to meet specific dates and deadlines for our clients, so our IT systems being unavailable is not an option in such a competitive marketplace. Thanks to the improvements we’ve made to our infrastructure, we’re already experiencing a 25% increase in desktop systems availability along with a 25% reduction in helpdesk calls.” IT Director, Marks & Clerk
Eurodata provided Microsoft migration consultancy and systems implementation to create a new, resilient IT platform delivering competitive edge to Marshall Aerospace. A high availability systems environment is essential and was delivered by Eurodata’s Managed Servicesremote monitoring services.
“Star Support service offers us peace of mind, knowing that our mission-critical infrastructure is supported; all we need to do is get on the phone and Eurodata will help resolve the issue.” IT Director, Marshall Aerospace.
The London HQ of Spanish financial services provider, Santander Central Hispanico required continual access to, and watertight protection of its business critical data. Eurodata designed and implemented a high-availability data back-up and real-time data replication and disaster recovery solution with Veritas’ leading software solution.
“Eurodata was highly professional, possessed significant experience in implementing multi-site, complex disaster recovery and replication solutions.” IT Infrastructure Manager, Santander Central Hispano.
SBJ Global Risks Limited is a Lloyds broker, focusing on corporate clients and international intermediaries. The 200 staff across two London locations provide marketing and product support to an international network of intermediary partners. Fast and effective information technology is therefore a critical component of the company’s success. SBJ wanted to maintain their outsourcing strategy due to the manifold benefits it delivers from cost-savings to improved end-user satisfaction levels. The company sought a new service provider for its London operations that could ensure exemplary end-to-end support for its staff and management of its IT resources.
Sport England wanted to modernise its IT to suit the needs of an increasingly mobile workforce, while at the same time reducing its licensing, maintenance, and operating costs and being able to better respond to business demands. Sport England migrated to Microsoft Windows ServerTM 2003, part of Microsoft Windows Server SystemTM, with Microsoft Active Directory® directory service. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 communication and collaboration server.
“Our licensing costs have fallen from £100,000 (U.S. $182,289) to £20,000 (U.S. $36,400) this year. We now have a road map approach to our technology and have a much better grip on what we will be using 12 to 18 months from now.” ICT Services Delivery Manager, Sport England
Tower Hamlets PCT was faced with the ongoing challenge of standardising and optimising their IT infrastructure as an early adopter of the Government's new NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT). Eurodata migrated Tower Hamlets to a Microsoft infrastructure environment with a centralised directory and advanced management facilities that would pave the way for future NPfIT initiatives.
"The main reason behind building a relationship with Eurodata was to take the pressure off the small number of people in our team, and to gain from Eurodata's experience and knowledge.” Head of ICT, Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust
Eurodata provided Virgin's flight engineers and employees fast remote access to company systems from around the globe using Microsoft’s IAG solution. The solution saved the company tens of thousands of pounds in international dial-up modem charges while significantly improving productivity and security features for remote access workers.
"I found it very refreshing that Eurodata delivered exactly what they promised. We find all too often that IT service companies are unable to execute what was originally promised." Technical Architect, Virgin Atlantic Airways.
With 1,300 product lines, IT was critical to the success of Weller Packaging’s sales and distribution operations. The company needed to consolidate, optimise and upgrade their systems to create a stable IT infrastructure that included email and intranet applications and backup services. More importantly, they needed a managed services provider that would cost-effectively manage their entire Information Technology post-implementation. Such managed services allowed the small IT team to focus on developing IT systems that would proactively support business activities.
"The end-to-end IT maintenance agreement with Eurodata gave us a stable platform from day one, with immediate support available whenever we need it, with experts just a phone call away. We have found the Eurodata system to be reliable, and stable.” Purchasing Manager, Weller Packaging.
