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 CASE STUDY HEATING & PLUMBING ENGINEERS, INC. |
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| Customer Profile: |
Heating & Plumbing Engineers, Inc (HPE) is a full-service mechanical
and sheet metal construction company
based in Colorado Springs, with an additional
location in Denver. Established in 1955,
HPE supports all phases of mechanical construction
throughout Colorado. |
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| Business Situation: |
HPE had considered incurring additional
costs from upgrading a T1 line to a
DS3/T3 line to resolve network traffic
issue between their two locations.
Additionally, their proprietary accounting platform needed updates
to continue operating. |
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| Solutions: |
BNC analyzed existing network environment including LAN/WAN bandwidth to optimize businesses operation needs.
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| End Result: |
Upgraded existing hardware and implemented
Availl, real-time replication software,
to better utilize existing bandwidth
as well as provide a single set of
replicated files for the CAD department
to utilize to allow for collaboration
between the two sites. This solution saved HPE over $8,000
annually as they were not required to
purchase an expensive point-to-point
DS3/T3. |
HPE specializes in design build and commercial HVAC.
HPE plumbing and piping division designs mechanical
systems for industrial, commercial and institutional
installation. With an in-house Fabrication Shop,
pipe can be fabricated in any configuration
utilizing materials such as stainless/carbon steel
and copper piping. An additional Sheet Metal Shop fabricates
over two million pounds of galvanized duct per year
along with PCD coated, stainless steel, aluminum
and black iron. Clients range from
office buildings, schools, retail and manufacturing
facilities to clean room installations.
HPE
outsourced their network support to supplement an in-house
desktop administrator and was frustrated with the lack
of proactive
and consultative support for their IT needs. HPE
was experiencing decreased productivity and latency
issues with CAD file
access in Denver, which is essential to their sheet
metal production functionality. Their IT needs had
outgrown current
support and needed additional assistance to grow
their organization.
BNC met with representatives to discuss strategies
to increase proficiencies through technology to create
less traffic with their current T1 and address their
accounting platform needs. A dedicated BNC engineer
was assigned to learning HPE’s CAD processes
and data requirements. The engineer determined the
network had a “band-aid” approach
to administration where problems
were addressed individually without looking at big
picture to provide a “cure” for multiple problems with a larger
solution(s). Solution architects suggested HPE’s network would benefit
the most by reallocating applications and services.
The
proposal suggested upgrading/adding additional hardware
including a new HP server configured with Windows 2003
Standard Edition for the Colorado Springs office, replacing
their existing Citrix server, installing an iPrism
and Cisco switching equipment,
as well as updating routers at each site. Routers
would be reconfigured to deliver Quality of Service
(QoS) to all VOIP traffic
and to replicate data. The routing tables for the
Colorado Springs servers would be reconfigured to reduce
routing delays and traffic.
Once the proposal was accepted, an implementation
plan was developed to set timelines and milestones
to be followed up with staff training. The Denver
server was rebuilt to make better use of the available
space for data storage, the OS Cisco router was upgraded
and setup with QoS, and a gigabit backbone switch
was installed in Colorado Springs to increase bandwidth
for CAD file transfer. The Availl WAFS software was
configured to enable real-time file replication for
the purpose of synchronizing CAD and other data between
locations. A new Citrix Server was built and configured to access their
accounting application Jonas. An Iprism was installed with Active
Directory integration to monitor and manage web traffic
to increase
available internet bandwidth.
Upon project completion, BNC implemented standard
monitoring and alerting systems and remote access
for offsite administration. Engineers continue to
monitor and support the solution on an ongoing basis.
HPE benefits from proactive technical support and
scheduled maintenance to ensure the network is running
smoothly and properly supports the organization. BNC looks forward to
supporting HPE’s future
growth through proactive strategic technical strategy
planning.
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