METAL & GLASS MANUFACTURING
IT Transformation for a 5th-Generation Architectural Metal & Glass Manufacturer
This 5th-generation, family-owned architectural metal and glass manufacturing company, founded in 1888, became an ingenuIT client in 2014. With 75 employees working in both office and field environments, the company has played a key role in the construction of iconic NYC structures, including Yankee Stadium, the Apple Cube on 5th Avenue, and the World Trade Center (both original and rebuilt).
Previously, they worked with a single-employee IT provider who could not meet their growing infrastructure, security, and support needs. ingenuIT was brought in to overhaul their IT environment while ensuring scalability, security, and business continuity.
The Challenge
At the time of engagement, the company needed a comprehensive IT strategy to address:
A new server deployment that could properly support Active Directory, File & Print Services, Microsoft Exchange, and their CRM/Project Management software.
The previous IT provider's single-server approach, which created a single point of failure and performance bottlenecks.
Lack of security controls, automation, and group policy enforcement across company devices.
Unreliable remote access for field employees.
No disaster recovery strategy, leaving the company vulnerable to data loss.
The Solution
To ensure reliability, security, and scalability, ingenuIT executed a phased IT transformation, implementing:
Virtualized Infrastructure: Instead of a single physical server, we deployed a Windows Server with Hyper-V, creating four separate virtual machines (VMs) to efficiently run each service.
Group Policy Standardization: Configured automated policy enforcement for a secure and consistent user experience across all devices.
Enterprise-Grade Networking & Security:
Installed Cisco Meraki wireless infrastructure for reliable connectivity.
Deployed a Sophos business-grade firewall for advanced security protection.
Implemented secure remote access with Single Sign-On (SSO) for seamless login management.
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity:
Designed a disaster recovery strategy replicating all VMs to a data center every 15 minutes.
Ensured business continuity in case of fire, flood, or unexpected disasters.
Cloud & Software Modernization
2017: Exchange Migration to Microsoft 365 –
Eliminated on-premises Exchange by migrating email to Office 365 without disruption or data loss.
Extended the server’s usability by 3 years after removing the Exchange workload.
2017: Sage 300 Private Cloud Implementation –
Assisted in transitioning from legacy CRM/Project Management software to Sage 300.
Deployed Sage in a private cloud with RemoteApp/RDS, simplifying access and management.
Compared to Azure/AWS hosting, this solution saved the company over $65,000 in infrastructure costs.
Business Resilience & Hybrid Work Enablement
2020: Rapid Remote Work Deployment (Pandemic Response) –
Within hours of shutdown mandates, all employees securely accessed office computers remotely.
Ensured business continuity with minimal downtime.
Post-Pandemic: Hybrid Work Optimization –
The company transitioned to a permanent hybrid work model, leveraging foresight in IT infrastructure planning.
Continued IT Evolution & Data Protection
2022: Server Refresh & Microsoft 365 Migration –
Upgraded on-premises infrastructure with a new server deployment.
Migrated all employees to OneDrive for seamless file access and collaboration.
2022: Enhanced Backup & Disaster Recovery with Axcient –
Implemented a 24/7 backup strategy, running hourly backups with near-instant recovery.
The Advantages
Through a strategic IT partnership with ingenuIT, the company achieved:
✅ Enhanced reliability & performance – A scalable virtualized environment that supports core business operations.
✅ Improved security & business continuity – Hourly backups, disaster recovery replication, and a Sophos firewall protect critical data.
✅ Cloud efficiency & cost savings – The private cloud Sage 300 solution resulted in $65,000+ in cost savings compared to Azure/AWS.
✅ The company remained fully operational throughout the pandemic.
✅ Future-proof IT planning – Continuous IT modernization strategies ensure long-term business success.
✅ Unmatched uptime and security – In over 10 years working with ingenuIT, they have never experienced significant downtime, data loss, or security breaches.
Since 2014, ingenuIT has transformed the IT landscape of this fifth-generation architectural metal and glass manufacturing firm, providing a secure, scalable, and highly efficient IT environment. Our proactive IT strategy, cloud migration expertise, and disaster recovery planning have allowed the company to continue innovating while maintaining strong security and operational stability. We continue to provide them with all IT-related services, ensuring they stay ahead of evolving business and technology demands.
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