Network Optimisation and IT Stabilisation Project
Client Overview
Vision Direct, a leading provider of eye care products, faced persistent networking and infrastructure issues that compromised performance across their UK and European sites. The issues centred around networking, firewall configurations, and Active Directory (AD) replication, which were causing frequent connectivity drops and an overall unstable IT environment.
To tackle these challenges and establish a stable, optimised IT framework, Vision Direct enlisted Technimove’s Professional Services team through a channel partner.
Project Challenges
Vision Direct’s challenges were complex and spread across multiple sites, affecting day-to-day operations and IT reliability:
Network Instability and Configuration Issues: Various networking misconfigurations and outdated settings were leading to disruptions in network traffic, particularly in routing, spanning tree protocol (STP), and static routes.
Firewall and Active Directory Replication Failures: Problems within firewall rules and AD replication were causing intermittent connectivity drops and impacting data flow between sites.
Documentation Gaps and Best Practices: Vision Direct lacked updated documentation for their existing setup, making it difficult to identify specific problem areas or ensure best practices across their network infrastructure.
Technimove’s Solution Approach
Technimove proposed a structured, multi-phase approach, involving sprints, to analyse, diagnose, and resolve Vision Direct’s networking challenges across their primary locations.
Each sprint was strategically designed to tackle distinct network components, address critical issues, and align Vision Direct’s infrastructure with industry best practices.
Sprint 1: Network Health Check and Best Practices Review
Objective: Conduct a comprehensive review of Vision Direct’s Manchester network setup to identify and correct configuration issues and create a model setup for other locations.
Activities:
Network Health Check: Technimove conducted a thorough review of the existing network setup, focusing on routing, spanning tree protocol (STP), firmware versions, port configurations, and
DHCP/DNS settings. Packet captures and log analysis were performed to identify any errors.
Firewall Review: DHCP/DNS functionalities, managed by WatchGuard firewalls, were analysed, with particular attention to misconfigurations affecting connectivity.
Documentation & Findings Presentation: A detailed report of the findings was presented to Vision Direct’s IT team via a conference call and summary slides. Technimove outlined a set of corrective actions to optimise the Manchester setup, which could be replicated at other locations.
Responsibility Clarification: Technimove discussed with Vision Direct who would execute the necessary fixes. If Vision Direct required Technimove’s continued support for implementation, additional time and effort would be scoped and quoted.
Outcome: Vision Direct received a clear overview of network misconfigurations and specific areas needing adjustment. By following the recommendations, they established a template for consistent network practices across other sites.
Sprint 2: AWS Routing and Dynamic Backup Line Review
Objective: Address static routing issues within Vision Direct’s AWS setup, clean up unused static routes, and review dynamic routing configurations for a reliable backup line.
Activities
Static and Dynamic Routing Audit: Technimove examined the current AWS routing setup and cleaned up unnecessary static routes that were causing network inefficiencies. Dynamic routing configurations were also reviewed to ensure effective failover functionality for backup lines.
Point-to-Point Routing Policy Review: The team evaluated routing policies between Vision Direct’s data centres, ensuring each policy followed best practices for secure and efficient data transfers.
Documentation Update: Detailed findings were shared with Vision Direct’s team, allowing them to update internal documentation and maintain ongoing improvements independently.
Responsibility Clarification: As with Sprint 1, Technimove reviewed the findings with Vision Direct’s team, confirming whether the fixes would be self-executed or if further Technimove support was needed.
Outcome: Vision Direct’s AWS and data centre routing structures were optimised, creating a more resilient and efficient network framework. The streamlined routing setup also improved documentation, ensuring internal IT teams could maintain these standards moving forward.
Sprint 3: Ad-Hoc Consultancy and Technical Support
Objective: Provide Vision Direct with flexible access to Technimove’s expertise to address any questions or emerging issues that fell outside the scope of the predefined sprints.
Activities
Ad-Hoc Support: Vision Direct was granted a contingency day for online consultations, email inquiries, and additional advice. Technimove established a dedicated, monitored email address to handle inquiries efficiently.
Knowledge Transfer: Technimove’s engineers offered insights on best practices, troubleshooting techniques, and configuration recommendations, enabling Vision Direct’s team to manage minor issues independently.
Outcome: The ad-hoc consultancy arrangement empowered Vision Direct’s IT team with rapid, on-demand access to Technimove’s expertise, enhancing their ability to address minor challenges proactively.
Sprint 4: Optional Advanced Network Review (Out of Scope)
Although initially out of scope, an optional Sprint 4 was defined for Vision Direct to consider:
Objective: Conduct an in-depth review of specific areas, including spanning tree protocol, CPU memory usage, routing loops, and port configurations, to ensure network efficiency and stability.
Activities
Diagram Review and Analysis: Vision Direct would supply a detailed network diagram for Technimove to analyse. Potential areas of improvement in network topology and hardware configurations would be identified.
Findings Presentation: Findings would be presented via conference call, and discussions would determine if Technimove or Vision Direct would be responsible for making the required fixes.
Site Focus: The York Latency site was identified as the primary candidate for this advanced review.
Outcome: While optional, Sprint 4 provided Vision Direct with a future opportunity to optimise network resilience further, based on Technimove’s targeted recommendations.
Project Management and Coordination
Throughout the project, Technimove’s assigned Project Manager played a pivotal role, handling all aspects of planning and delivery:
Coordination: Managed scheduling, delivery timelines, and ensured alignment with Vision Direct’s requirements.
Risk Assessment: Prepared method statements and risk assessments as needed.
Milestone Tracking: Monitored project milestones and facilitated regular check-ins to ensure all objectives were met.
Communication: Maintained open channels with Vision Direct’s IT team, ensuring clear communication and understanding at each project phase.
Results and Key Outcomes
By partnering with Technimove, Vision Direct achieved significant improvements in their network stability and operational efficiency. Key outcomes included:
Enhanced Network Stability: The phased approach to network health checks and targeted optimisations across configurations reduced connectivity issues, ensuring consistent network performance across all sites.
Improved Documentation and Knowledge Transfer: Through detailed reports, presentations, and updated documentation, Vision Direct’s IT team gained deeper insights into their network setup, best practices, and troubleshooting techniques.
Scalable IT Framework: The streamlined, optimised infrastructure and backup-ready configurations enabled Vision Direct to manage their network and prepare for potential future scaling.
Conclusion
Technimove’s expert diagnostics, structured sprints, and collaborative project management allowed Vision Direct to stabilise their network infrastructure while establishing best practices for continued maintenance.
By aligning Technimove’s specialist Professional Services with Vision Direct’s needs, the project successfully addressed critical IT challenges and delivered a stable, secure, and scalable solution for Vision Direct’s evolving operational requirements.