Optimising document productivity by creating hybrid cloud

Triple4 had upgraded the client to a fast processing server incorporated by two virtual machines and performed a successful Office365 migration. The customers data was moved onto One Drive; creating a more safe and secure environment.

Intro

FirstClass Projects are professional painting contractors based in Johannesburg, servicing their immediate surroundings. Steadily growing into one of the largest painting and coating contractors in South Africa, FirstClass Projects have been involved in some landmark projects completed across the country in the past 28 years.

FirstClass Projects have been members of the Master Builders Associated since 1989. Being preferred applicators for Plascon and Dulux paints and licensed applicators of Marmoran allows for specialized services.

FirstClass Projects are committed to utilizing the latest technology on offer from the coatings industry. Endeavoring to work together with both clients and manufacturers to offer the most suitable, highest quality, environmentally conscious and cost-effective solution.

Details

Challenge

The customer had a single SBS 2011 server housing Active Directory, Exchange 2007 and File Server. The current server was a “whitebox” server and is unbranded and out of warranty on hardware and software. Currently, the customer carries out windows backups to an external disk. In addition to this, they also required the migration of email users from Office365 as well as the setup of a OneDrive account.

The majority of challenges encountered during this particular project while internal did affect the customer. The junior engineer selected to carry out the onsite work was dishonest when giving a project status report. The client alerted Triple4 to the fact that some of the tasks had not been completed or where not completed to a satisfactory standard. In addressing this problem a tier three engineer was sent to the client to complete the outstanding technical task and ensuring the customer was satisfied with the work carried out.

Addressing this challenge going forward, the implementation of a checklist that will be given to the selected engineer going to the site. This will require the engineer to check off each task as it is completed. By the end of the day, the customer will be asked to sign the checklist confirming everything was completed to their satisfaction.

Solution

Considering the situation presented by the customer two solutions were proposed. The complete virtualization of the environment including server upgrade and the migration to Office365 with OneDrive.

Triple4 recommended the DELL PowerEdge Server as well as the migration of emails to Office365. The complete solution was virtualized on a VMware hypervisor with three virtual servers, a domain controller, a file server and a backup server. Making use of the backup server a complete backup solution was implemented. Using Veeam Backup and Replication 9.5 backups were set up to carry seven restore points for the Domain Controller and File servers.

File level backups were also implemented. Triple4’s scope of work included the following for solution 1; creating the client on the Office365 backend, changing MX records. Migrating the user to Office365, installing and configuring the DELL host, provision, and configuration of the virtual servers, migrating the SBS 2011 server to the new virtual servers, migrate the users to Office365, setup users on Office365 OneDrive and document handover.

For solution 2 Triple4’s scope of work included the following; creating the client on the Office365 backend, changing the MX records, Installation and configuration the DELL host, provision and configuring the virtual servers, migrating the SBS 2011 server to the new virtual servers, migrating users to Office365, setting up users on Office365 and OneDrive as well as documentation handover.

Testimonial

“We have been with Triple4 for numerous years and they always exceed expectations, they are always willing to go above and beyond no matter how big or small the issue is.

Over the years they have assisted with hardware, software & server upgrades and so much more, they continuously do so to ensure our office’s IT structure is up and running at all times.

They have made our lives so much easier by being a call away. I would most certainly recommend them to any business big or small. They are truly the best in the business. “