Fostering_Solutions_Case_Study
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Fostering Solutions had a slow and complicated network that frustrated staff. They implemented a new solution with Zen that simplified their network design, improved reliability and security, and freed up IT staff. The new IP VPN and centralized security platform provided faster connectivity and easier management. It allowed the organization to scale effectively as they grew. Staff were happier and IT could focus on other priorities rather than troubleshooting network issues.
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Fostering_Solutions_Case_Study
- 1. CASE STUDY FOSTERING SOLUTIONS HAD A SLOW AND OVER- COMPLICATED NETWORK THAT LEFT STAFF FRUSTRATED. THROUGH SIMPLIFICATION AND MANAGED SUPPORT, ZEN HELPED FOSTERING SOLUTIONS BUILD A BETTER FUTURE. Established twelve years ago, Fostering Solutions is one of the UK¡¯s leading independent fostering agencies in the UK. Every day, its carers and staff work to ensure the children and young people in their care enjoy a safe and secure home where they are given every opportunity to enjoy their childhood and reach their full potential. The organisation provides a mix of emergency, short-term and long-term placements, working closely with local authority teams to achieve positive outcomes for every child or young person, even when they have complex needs or exhibit challenging behaviour. FOSTERING SOLUTIONS BUILD A NETWORK FOR THE FUTURE
- 2. Contactusformoreinformation: 01706902910 info@zen.co.uk www.zen.co.uk THE SOLUTION Lesley Davidson, the organisation¡¯s ICT Manager, decided enough was enough; her team therefore looked at a number of providers for a more effective network solution, but no-one amongst the competition reached the high bar set by Zen. ¡°We chose Zen¡± says Lesley, ¡°because, apart from the fact that we already used them and had confidence in them as a provider, we felt they fully understood what we were trying to achieve and would work with us, not only for present requirements, but future ones too.¡± The new solution incorporates IP VPN with a mixture of Ethernet and ADSL connectivity services plus, centralised Network Security. Zen project managed and handled the migration from start to finish. ¡°They were very organised in terms of managing the project¡± notes Lesley, ¡°and extremely patient. THE BENEFITS Zen¡¯s simplified network design has created new efficiencies for Fostering Solutions in-house IT team, freeing them up to focus on other opportunities and challenges, rather than troubleshooting network issues. With Ethernet circuits backed up by SLAs at mission-critical sites, they can now rely on sufficient bandwidth and 24/7 availability. In turn this has led to happier staff, who can get their work done speedily without the stress of a poor connection. The solution has also made the work of managing and securing the network much easier. With Zen¡¯s Managed Support team providing backup, Lesley and her team can implement new security policies swiftly and confidently through a centrally managed security platform that now provides enterprise-grade protection, network wide. Branch offices are supported remotely, while the need to travel to set up new user accounts, has been eliminated, as the work can be done over the IP VPN. What¡¯s more, the new solution is scalable. As Fostering Solutionsgrows,socantheIPVPNtotakeinnewsiteswithout the cost and complications encountered with IP SEC-based VPNs. With Zen on board, Lesley said ¡°we are able to utilise expertise we don¡¯t have in-house. If we have any ideas, we knowwecanrunthembyZenandgetexperthelpandadvice.¡± All in all, the move has been a triumph for Fostering Solutions and Zen. The organisation now has a fast, reliable and secure network that its staff and carers can rely on, plus they¡¯ve also got the ability to expand. It¡¯s a win for Fostering Solutions, the carers, children and young people it supports. THE CHALLENGE Fostering Solutions prides itself on its flexibility, quality of care, and outstanding support. Like any modern organisation, it relies on IT systems. Until recently they used a mixture of connectivity solutions, including wireless, SDSL and ADSL. Network security was handled discretely at each site, though managed by a central in-house team. Meanwhile, the organisation¡¯s Bolton head office acted as a hub, hosting the organisation¡¯s key business applications. Unfortunately, limited bandwidth at head office affected the performance of the entire network, hence the end-user experience. Slow applications and long delays led to complaints from staff and nightmares for the ICT Team, who felt uncomfortable telling their colleagues that they couldn¡¯t do anything without more investment in the network infrastructure. What¡¯s more, securing the network was proving time consuming and expensive, while the existing solution wasn¡¯t easily scalable. The network was struggling to meet current demands, yet Fostering Solutions was actively growing.