Industry: Private Sector/Construction
Geographical Location: Fife, Scotland
Service Provision: Transition & Divergence Services & Managed Network Operations Services
Case Study - Donaldson Group
Managed Network Operations Service
Service Summary:
Tecnica is a trusted technology partner for the Donaldson Group, fulfilling several vital ICT requirements since 2010. Tecnica were a key partner during their divergence from Stewart Milne Timber Systems and the national integration of Donaldson’s ICT infrastructure across their business, having previously supported the integrations of other smaller acquisitions.
We continue to support the Donaldson Group through managed network operations and response services, remote monitoring & patch management, and third-line support.
The Challenge:
The Donaldson Group required a strategic ICT partner with a deep understanding of the operational culture across their manufacturing and retails businesses. Their chosen partner needed to demonstrate the capacity to operate in lockstep with Donaldson’s proactive ethos and agile working practice, supporting day-to-day ICT business operations.
In addition, they required consistent access to specialist skills necessary to deliver high-calibre design and implementation for several key project, enabling digital transformation during a period of complex business integration. Donaldson’s also required assurance that their chosen partner could effectively manage transition, providing ongoing technical governance from the perspectives of performance, security and operational efficiency.
The Solution:
Tecnica worked collaboratively with Donaldson’s over an 18-month period to design and implement robust technical strategies that enabled completion of a series of transition projects across hybrid operating environments (for example, on premise infrastructure and Microsoft 365). To enable this transformation, Tecnica also provided hardware procurement, configuration and deployment, diverse technical expertise, and support resource to compliment internal IT resources.
Technical Highlights:
Cross-skilling:
Adept ICT professionals ensured success metrics were met and an environment of cross skilling enabled DG specialists to improve administrative self-sufficiency and future-proof improvements.
Modernisation:
Upgrades to network and server infrastructure were aligned with both best practice and operational requirements. This included modernising server estate and ensuring segmentation, where appropriate.
Enhanced Resiliency:
Through a consultative-led approach to backup strategizing, a series of tailored improvements were implemented enhancing organisational resilience.
Implementation
To optimise delivery, the required transitions were delivered in phases based on Proof of Concept (PoC)/User Acceptance Testing (UAT) frameworks, and an overall rinse and repeat methodology was used to ensure effectiveness while minimising disruption.
This approach included the following core aspects:
Planning & Design
Comprehensive review of ICT environments and development of the transition and upgrade roadmap. A gap analysis was conducted, identifying infrastructure components suitable for transition, which required upgrade, and which ultimately needed replacement.
Configuration & Testing
Validation of applications, hardware compatibility, and network readiness.
Deployment
Projects included departmental/branch server deployment and endpoint replacement of 400 devices, ensuring minimal impact on operations. Additionally, Microsoft 365 cross-tenant coexistence and migrations were completed.
Ongoing Support
Post-deployment monitoring, user assistance, and issue resolution to ensure stability during and after transition.
Results:
Following a series of successful project deliveries which resulted in optimising operations and modernising infrastructure, Tecnica continues to work with DG’s IT team providing managed network operations services and third-line support across DG’s ICT estate.
Key aspects of ongoing managed services include:
- Proactive monitoring & support: 24/7coverage to identify issues and mitigate business impact.
- Incident management, performance monitoring, patching, and upgrades.
Implementation
To optimise delivery, the required transitions were delivered in phases based on Proof of Concept (PoC)/User Acceptance Testing (UAT) frameworks, and an overall rinse and repeat methodology was used to ensure effectiveness while minimising disruption.
This approach included the following core aspects:
- Planning & Design: Comprehensive review of ICT environments and development of the transition and upgrade roadmap. A gap analysis was conducted, identifying infrastructure components suitable for transition, which required upgrade, and which ultimately needed replacement.
- Configuration & Testing: Validation of applications, hardware compatibility, network readiness.
- Deployment: Projects included departmental/branch server deployment and endpoint replacement of 400 devices, ensuring minimal impact on operations. Additionally, Microsoft 365 cross-tenant coexistence and migrations were completed.
- Ongoing Support: Post-deployment monitoring, assistance, and issue resolution to ensure stability during and after transition.
Results:
Following a series of successful project deliveries which resulted in optimising operations and modernising infrastructure, Tecnica continues to work with DG’s IT team providing managed network operations services and third-line support across DG’s ICT estate.
Key aspects of ongoing managed services include:
- Proactive monitoring & support: 24/7coverage to identify issues and mitigate business impact.
- Incident management, performance monitoring, patching, and upgrades.
Customer testimonial:
“We’ve been a long-term partner with Tecnica and have found them ever reliable, flexible and knowledgeable. The 3 key attribute that you should be looking for in a Managed IT Service Partner. Really, we look at Tecnica as a seamless extension of our own team”
Donaldson Group – Chief Technology Officer
Summary:
Tecnica’s structured and collaborative approach ensured smooth and efficient processes were utilised during a complex transition period across multiple locations and platforms, stablishing ICT infrastructure in the process. We were able to demonstrate a strong capability to manage complex, distributed enterprise-grade ICT infrastructure throughout design, ICT optimisation, and parallel transit operation governance.
This initial service provided the foundations for a series of continued proactive managed services, ensuring system security and resilience while prioritising user experience, business operations, and high availability.
Get in Touch:
If you are considering a digital transformation initiative, contact Tecnica to discuss how we can support your programme from strategy through to implementation. Our team works alongside stakeholders to define clear objectives, modernise core systems and deliver practical change that improves performance, efficiency and user experience across your organisation.
