Professional Services solutions for Vision Direct
Client Background
Technimove have been requested to provide Specialist IT Professional Services to enable the successful completion of the project for a channel partner’s client, Vision Direct.
Vision Direct required support to manage and optimise their complex network configurations, safeguard critical data, and ensure business continuity across their locations, including offices in London, Manchester, York, and Amsterdam.
Recognising Technimove’s proactive, collaborative approach, Vision Direct sought a partnership that would allow Technimove to act as an extension of their IT team, ensuring seamless support across both onsite and remote operations.
Challenges
Vision Direct faced several pressing IT challenges that required immediate intervention and strategic planning:
Network Instability: Persistent issues with firewall configurations and network routing were causing connectivity disruptions, affecting day-to-day operations.
Legacy Systems: The need to migrate data from old file servers to new ones, establish a reliable backup system, and eliminate domain dependencies without impacting users.
Limited IT Resources: As a smaller IT team, Vision Direct needed additional expertise to ensure projects were efficiently executed without overwhelming their internal resources.
Technimove’s Approach and Solutions
Technimove’s approach included targeted solutions in network troubleshooting, firewall reconfiguration, server migration, and backup management, aligning with Vision Direct’s goal of minimising downtime and preserving data integrity.
Network Troubleshooting and Firewall Optimisation
Requirement: Resolve ongoing networking issues affecting connectivity and firewall configurations to stabilise Vision Direct’s digital environment.
Solution: Technimove deployed its professional services team to troubleshoot Fortigate firewall issues, reconfigure WatchGuard, and enhance networking stability.
The configuration changes included adjustments to spanning tree protocols, firmware updates, and port settings, designed to address connection drop issues and reduce latency across Vision Direct’s sites.
Outcome: Technimove’s detailed analysis and proactive troubleshooting resolved key connectivity issues, establishing a stable and resilient network foundation for Vision Direct’s operations.
File Server Migration and Backup Configuration
Requirement: Migrate data from old file servers to new ones with minimal user impact, break the existing domain trust, and implement a reliable backup solution to prevent data loss.
Proposed Solution: Technimove proposed a phased migration approach to ensure a seamless cutover of file shares:
File and Folder Structure Review: To ensure consistency, Technimove evaluated the file structure between the old and new servers, addressing discrepancies to create a like-for-like setup. A Distributed File System (DFS) was used to synchronise data across domains, despite the trust dependencies.
Backup Solution: A temporary Veeam Backup setup on Vision Direct’s Hyper-V host with Dell PowerVault storage ensured data redundancy during migration.
Technimove also recommended a standalone server with a SAS IO card to establish a more permanent Veeam backup solution on the PowerVault storage, which would eliminate single points of failure and offer a centralised backup architecture.
Outcome: This staged migration and robust backup configuration enabled Vision Direct to transition smoothly to the new file servers with minimal disruption to users.
The backup solution reduced risks by securing data across separate hardware infrastructure, providing Vision Direct with a dependable recovery solution.
Domain Controller Configuration and Firewall Reconfiguration
Requirement: Reconfigure local firewalls and optimise the regional domain controller setup to align with best practices and Vision Direct’s evolving network requirements.
Solution: Technimove reconfigured the local firewalls on the regional domain controllers after network issues were resolved. This cautious, phased approach allowed Active Directory to stabilise post-network optimisation, ensuring that the domain controller setup remained resilient and secure.
Outcome: By addressing the networking issues first and then configuring the local firewalls, Technimove enhanced Vision Direct’s domain controller reliability and reduced the risk of future connectivity issues.
Implementation Phases and Options
Technimove presented two options for file server migration, catering to Vision Direct’s need for minimal user disruption:
Option 1: Phased Departmental Migration
Description: Migrate one department at a time, validate user access, and remove old server shares in phases.
Risk Level: Lower risk of user impact with controlled migration steps.
Outcome: This option provided Vision Direct with flexibility, allowing them to manage access and troubleshoot issues department by department, ensuring minimal disruption.
Option 2: Full “Big Bang” Cutover
Description: Sync all shares to the new server at once, remove old shares and IPs, and enable the new setup immediately.
Risk Level: Higher risk of user impact but a shorter transition time.
Outcome: Vision Direct opted for a phased approach, as proposed in Option 1, which ultimately minimised risk and ensured a smoother cutover.
Results and Benefits
Technimove’s work provided Vision Direct with an enhanced IT environment that could reliably support their operational needs. Key benefits included:
Network Stability: With Technimove’s proactive troubleshooting and firewall optimisation, Vision Direct experienced fewer connectivity issues and smoother network performance across all sites.
Data Security and Resilience: The new file server and backup solutions minimised data loss risks, provided a more stable backup configuration, and eliminated single points of failure.
Efficient Resource Utilisation: As an extension of Vision Direct’s team, Technimove enabled them to achieve these complex IT goals without overburdening their internal team.
Future-Proofed IT Infrastructure: By resolving legacy dependencies and setting up scalable backup solutions, Technimove prepared Vision Direct’s IT infrastructure to meet future growth and operational demands.
Conclusion
Vision Direct’s partnership with Technimove illustrates how expert professional services can address and resolve complex IT challenges for companies with limited in-house resources.
By providing specialised solutions in network troubleshooting, server migration, and backup management, Technimove not only resolved immediate pain points but also delivered long-term stability and resilience for Vision Direct’s IT infrastructure.
This case study underscores the value of having a proactive, collaborative IT partner like Technimove, capable of acting as an extension of Vision Direct’s team and driving meaningful operational improvements.
Why Technimove?
As demonstrated in our work with Vision Direct, Technimove brings deep expertise in optimising IT infrastructure, improving network stability, and ensuring secure, efficient data migration. Our ability to integrate effectively with internal teams while delivering tailored, scalable solutions means your business can operate more efficiently, securely, and with long-term growth in mind. If you’re looking for a trusted partner who can drive tangible results and support your IT transformation, Technimove is the solution you need.
Ready to Transform Your IT Infrastructure?
At Technimove, we specialise in delivering tailored IT Professional Services that optimise your network, enhance security, and ensure seamless operations. If you’re looking to improve your IT performance and drive growth, let’s discuss how we can help. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our IT Professional Services can support your business.