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Infrastructure redesign

Penntech proactively advised that the ageing hardware and operating systems were not scalable or aligned with their business growth strategy. They required an infrastructure that was secure, robust, fit for purpose and scalable.

The problem faced

AIS Interiors was established in 1979 and is a global workspace design and delivery company with 22 offices worldwide.  Their global workspace strategists create tomorrow’s offices, and Penntech is proud to support their IT needs as their IT partner of choice.

Penntech proactively advised, and AIS acknowledged that their ageing hardware and operating systems were not scalable or aligned with their business growth strategy.  They required an infrastructure that was secure, robust, fit for purpose and scalable.

Hardware Upgrade and operating systems

Through Penntech’s remote monitoring system installed on the servers, we were able to identify end-of-life devices. 

The business case for the recommendation was presented to AIS, setting out that aged hardware required an upgrade to ensure that problems/faults would be covered under warranty protection.  Further, those operating systems would need to be routinely patched with security updates using supported versions, which is impossible for end-of-life devices.

Storage Upgrades

Penntech’s monitoring and maintenance system alerts when storage thresholds are met.  Thresholds are reviewed to ensure some large temporary data dumps do not cause them.

Audit findings

  • Data was spread across multiple servers without limited ability to handle replication and redundancy needs
  • Storage thresholds were regularly alerted
  • Storage capacity was insufficient to support business growth aims and unstable in the current state
  • The database performance was poor

Penntech discussed the business strategy to ensure this aligned with the IT infrastructure strategy, thus accommodating the business requirements.

Penntech then researched and presented the solution to AIS bespoke to their business needs, within budgetary constraints and aligned to their business strategy aims. 

The outcome

The solution identified was the replacement of out-of-date hardware, which was procured and installed by Penntech IT:

  • Dell SC3020 SAN storage appliance
  • Server Hyper-V-Host
  • Domain Controller
  • SQL and File Servers

With the infrastructure designed and installed, Penntech then consolidated the data spread across multiple services into a single FAP, DFS.

Storage Craft was selected as the appropriate backup solution providing ShadowProtect and replication to the cloud.

Benefits realised

  • The required increase in storage capacity was realised for current needs
  • Storage capacity was now scalable for future growth without the need for complex upgrades or redesign
  • The new files servers’ DFSr system handles replication and redundancy by consolidating multiple servers into one FQDN
  • The upgraded SQL Server improved database performance
  • Security and other patch upgrades now protect AIS’s infrastructure
  • Data continued to be backed up but on a more cost-effective basis due to the consolidation of servers

Global spread

AIS Interiors was established in 1979 and is a global workspace design and delivery company with 22 offices worldwide.

Their global workspace strategists create tomorrow’s offices, and Penntech is proud to support their IT needs as their IT partner of choice.

Service type

Penntech is proud to support AIS with their IT needs as their IT partner of choice.

AIS used their Managed IT Services  Agreement with Penntech IT Solutions to realise the benefits.

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