SUMMARY
CLIENT
Test Instrument Solutions is a specialist provider of electrical testing equipment, supplying a comprehensive range of products to electricians and maintenance engineers. Established in 2005, the company has continued to expand its services to include equipment calibration and power quality testing for solar and EV charging systems.
PROJECT
Test Instrument Solutions was operating on an ageing IT infrastructure built around Remote Desktop and traditional file sharing, with much of the equipment over 15 years old. The business needed to modernise its infrastructure, reduce its reliance on ageing hardware and create a more secure, flexible and manageable IT environment.
SOLUTION
We modernised their IT infrastructure with a secure, cloud-based Microsoft 365 environment, including SharePoint, enhanced security, comprehensive backups and full FTTP connectivity. These improvements have created a faster, more flexible, and more reliable IT environment, ready to support the business in the future.
Introduction
Test Instrument Solutions relies on its IT infrastructure to provide staff with access to important company systems and shared data. When we took over the company's IT support, much of the existing infrastructure was based around legacy tech and traditional file sharing.
A significant amount of the equipment was over 15 years old, resulting in slow computers and the increased likelihood of hardware failure. The existing infrastructure had also largely been configured and maintained by a single employee, leaving limited documentation or technical knowledge elsewhere in the business.
We worked closely with Test Instrument Solutions to review their existing IT environment and develop a modern setup to reduce the company's reliance on ageing infrastructure, improve security, and give staff greater flexibility in how and where they can access company resources.
Challenge
Test Instrument Solutions' existing IT had become increasingly difficult to support and maintain. Much of the infrastructure was over 15 years old and the continued reliance on legacy hardware increased the risk of system failures and unexpected downtime. Shared data was primarily accessed through a traditional file server and staff relied heavily on Remote Desktop to access company resources. This limited flexibility and meant that the business remained dependent on ageing on-site infrastructure.
There was also a significant operational risk due to the existing setup having largely been created and maintained by just one employee. With limited documentation and knowledge shared across the wider business, this created a single point of failure that could make future support, maintenance and development a challenge. Security and remote access also required changes, with greater control over how users accessed systems and data, alongside improved authentication and protection against compromised accounts and unauthorised sign-ins.
Finally, the existing internet needed to be improved to support a move towards cloud-based services. A faster and more reliable connection was required to ensure staff could take full advantage of Microsoft 365, SharePoint, OneDrive and other cloud services.
Solution
To reduce Test Instrument Solutions' reliance on its legacy file server, we implemented Microsoft SharePoint for the company's shared data. This provides staff with secure access to the information they need, whether they are working in the office, remotely or on the move. Microsoft 365 Business Premium was also introduced across the business, providing access to additional security and management capabilities, allowing us to implement Microsoft Conditional Access policies, giving the company greater control over how and where company accounts and resources can be accessed. We also added Secure VPN connectivity with Multi-Factor Authentication to further strengthen remote access security. By requiring users to verify their identity when accessing company systems, this provides an additional layer of protection against compromised passwords and unauthorised access.
As part of the infrastructure modernisation, compatible devices were upgraded to Windows 11. This has helped bring the company's workstations onto a modern operating system, improving security and ensuring devices are better prepared for future requirements. We also introduced Sage Remote Access, reducing the company's dependence on the ageing Remote Desktop environment.
To improve data protection, Microsoft OneDrive Known Folder Backup was configured across all Desktops, Documents and Pictures folders. This helps protect important business files stored on individual workstations by automatically synchronising them with OneDrive. An independent backup solution was also introduced through Acronis, providing full Microsoft 365 cloud backup. This provided them with an additional layer of protection for important Microsoft 365 data.
Finally, the company's internet connectivity was upgraded to full Fibre across their premises. The increased speeds and improved reliability provide the connectivity required to support the company's new cloud-first approach and ensure staff can access Microsoft 365 services at all times.
what were the key outcomes?
Improved Security & Data Protection
Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Multi-Factor Authentication have significantly strengthened the company's security, providing greater control over access to company accounts, systems and data. Microsoft OneDrive Known Folder Backup and cloud backups also provide stronger protection against data loss, helping to ensure important business information can be recovered when required.
Faster & More Flexible Access to Data
By moving shared calibration data to Microsoft SharePoint, staff can securely access important information from wherever they're working. The introduction of full FTTP connectivity has also provided the faster, more reliable internet connection needed to support SharePoint, OneDrive, Microsoft 365 and other cloud services, improving the overall experience for staff.
Modernised Infrastructure
We've reduced Test Instrument Solutions' reliance on ageing hardware and its legacy tech. The business is also no longer dependent on one individual understanding how its core IT infrastructure operates. With a modern, documented and manageable cloud-based environment now in place, we can help to provide ongoing support and continue developing the company's IT infrastructure as its requirements change.
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