1-page Solution Brief - Posted 12/15/2008
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Arts Organisation Saves 50 Per Cent on IT Costs with Consolidated Server Solution
Business Needs
Medium-sized businesses can struggle to cope with the expanding needs of their IT infrastructures. Glasgow Cultural Enterprises is one such organisation, employing 300 people on two sites. As the company’s IT needs grew, it added a variety of servers. By 2008, it was using several versions of the Windows® operating system and Microsoft® Exchange Server.
The infrastructure became unmanageable due to the number of server versions that had been deployed over time. Network Administrator Cliff Brown realised he needed to build an affordable, consolidated infrastructure to reduce the number of tasks he had to complete, including:
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With Windows Essential Business Server 2008, we can design the entire system, creating a reliable infrastructure to manage the venues economically— plus, I no longer waste time on system maintenance. |
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Cliff Brown
Network Administrator
Glasgow Cultural Enterprises |
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- Checking for separate licences expiring at different times
- Performing daily maintenance
- Bearing a high cost of ownership
- Travelling to the office out of working hours to fix unexpected problems
Solution
Working with Digital IP—a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner that has provided services to the organisation for 10 years—Brown decided to implement Windows Essential Business Server 2008. The companies participated in a Technical Adoption Programme and received direct support from Microsoft and access to the beta version of the solution—with plans
to migrate to the Premium Edition when it is released. Implementation by Digital IP lasted just 15 hours, with no downtime for users. The team replaced four expensive servers with a centrally managed, unified blade system operated by a single administrative console. The solution has dramatically cut IT complexity and improved efficiency through:
- Comprehensive security features
- Enhanced collaborative technologies, including mobile and Web-based messaging
- Remote system access for administrators
Benefits
- Compared to standalone products, the integrated server solution cuts installation and operating costs by 50 per cent.
- With simplified management, Brown saves 20 hours a week and is now using that time to carry out organisation-wide desktop standardisation based on the Windows Vista® operating system.
- A single server simplifies licence management and helps the company comply with licensing agreements.
- Remote access makes off-site maintenance possible to help respond to issues instantly.
- The server solution offers strong integration and scalability potential.
- Fast, simplified deployment schedule saves time and money.
- Users receive high-quality service due to stable and reliable system.
This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.
Document published December 2008
