After reviewing LSH Auto’s existing setup, Atturra advised on a comprehensive, yet timely cloud transition plan. This ‘fit-for-purpose’ solution runs via a mix of on-premise, colocation datacentre and private cloud, underpinned by HPE server and storage infrastructure. The solution was designed to address LSH Auto’s immediate business continuity needs, while also creating a bridge for future transformation.
Each site required a significant upgrade to HPE Aruba network infrastructure, endpoint devices, as well as the procurement, configuration and installation of HPE on-premise server infrastructure.
The Atturra team had a 24-48 hour period over a weekend to complete this component of the project, ensuring minimal disruption to the business during their regular trading hours, and that all systems were back up and running for the start of the work week.
The project team operated at full speed – working on the necessary upgrades, performing a hefty data transfer, and implementing the workload management migration to the new hybrid IT environment.
In a multi-layered approach to security, Sophos endpoint security protection and highly redundant cloud-based Check Point firewalls are now operational.
“We have continued to bolster and improve their security over time to ensure a multilayered security approach,” according to Atturra Chief Information and Security Officer (CISO), Kevin Koelmeyer.
“Due to the unique auto dealer regulations and reporting requirements for different states, we had to customise each CRM implementation for each location,” Koelmeyer explained.
“Atturra got down to business and worked collaboratively with each site (and the required software vendor) to ensure a smooth transition took place.”
Meanwhile, connectivity and uptime guarantees (as part of the agreed SLA) also had to be navigated. In that vein, each location was transitioned onto new Internet links and upgraded to HPE Aruba infrastructure, which allowed for redundancy.
Additionally, newly installed Wi-Fi infrastructure had to ensure every device was connected from day one. Where possible, legacy hardware was integrated into the transition to maximise resources and extend the useful life of existing IT investments.
On the security front, the company adopted a private cloud infrastructure to securely migrate its data, and also created a new active directory and email platforms (on-premise email protection was previously on-board).
“For me, the Atturra team are big enough to deliver and small enough to care,” said Alex Wong, Head of IT at LSH Auto. “They are the right fit for our business. They are their own ISP, they have tech talent and purchasing power, and we are not like a drop in the ocean for them.”
