Credit: Dreamstime
Data#3 has landed a project with iNova Pharmaceuticals in implementing a cloud and mobility solution to create a more consistent and secure IT environment.
iNova’s workforce stretches across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Africa, with many mobile users on their network.
Many staff carried different computers, with different operating systems and applications, as well as limited backup and their own admin rights, which made it a challenging task to support their IT environment.
Data security was also a major issue.
Data#3 was brought in to help create a cloud road map that led towards developing a standardised Windows 10 operating environment, introduction to Office 365 and a device refresh.
iNova associate director of technology, Michael Smit, said it had an archaic end user set up and it needed to introduce modern standards.
“We had multiple versions of software, it was often outdated, with no adequate security,” Smit said. “This was causing everyone’s computers to behave erratically, with a long stream of computing problems.”
Smit said due to working with many different stakeholders, it was difficult to articulate a firm plan upfront, so having an effective planning process, schedule and delivery was key. A change management program was also put in place, offering staff a range of training methods on the new products.
First up, iNova updated their computers, and then took on the task of standardising its platform based on Windows 10, and making use of Intune, SharePoint, Azure Active Directory and Skype for Business.
“We were able to use Microsoft software such as Intune and Azure Active Directory to remotely manage the environment. From that, we had a base,” he said. “Then we worked on migrating corporate information to the cloud.”
This migration has resulted in reducing 400 different versions of applications down to 90, and provided a clear view of its software licensing obligations.
“The outcome gives us better security, data retention and infrastructure management,” Smit said. “Data#3 showed a real willingness to work with us and make changes where needed."
