Marketing Innovator Discovers Dependable Technology with ITS

Background

Founded in 1992, SFGT is a strategic marketing, innovation and ideation company whose high-profile clients include Sunoco, Tylenol, McNeil Nutritionals, and Johnson & Johnson.

The Challenge

In the fall of 2005, SFGT was on the verge of a rapid growth phase. Communication, both internally and externally, played a critical role in that growth. The technology network was composed almost exclusively of Apple Mac workstations and laptops connected to a Microsoft Windows-based server infrastructure. The network was administered by a Windows-focused technology consultant. At the time, support by Microsoft’s groupware product for Mac-based clients was minimal. Further, there was minimal awareness of any products in the small field of Mac-based groupware solutions. Hence a Windows-based solution was assembled that facilitated communications, but in a cumbersome fashion.

SFGT was employing a Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 in conjunction with a Microsoft Windows Terminal Server for use internally and externally. Sharing files, sending attachments and scheduling should have been more seamless than it was. Further, there was no centralized workflow. Users would work on large files on their workstations and save them back to the server when finished. With multiple users collaborating on the same document, there was no guarantee that the latest version of the file was on the server. To add to its technology challenges, the firm had complex issues integrating Mac and Windows solutions from a Mac user’s perspective.

The Solution

Jason Alan Snyder, Managing Director, Technology Strategies for SFGT, was looking for a partner who could match his company’s technology needs with tools that could be integrated into the daily workflow.  He was looking for a company that could understand where SFGT was headed and provide the technical expertise to help them get there.  He selected IT Solutions.

IT Solutions implemented a Power Mac G5 running OS X Server attached to an Apple XServe RAID storage device. The network switches were replaced with gigabit switches. All data was moved to a central location on the server. Users were directed to work directly on files saved on the server. Finally, Kerio Mail Server was installed as the groupware solution. Kerio provided the functionality of the Microsoft Exchange Server running on the Mac platform. Further, it natively supported Outlook 2003 and web mail while allowing for the integration of mailboxes from the Microsoft Exchange Server directly.

“At SFGT we invent sophisticated technology products for marketers. As such, we require a dependable and transparent IT infrastructure that will ensure we can bring velocity to our ideas,” said Jason Alan Snyder. “Therefore, our choice in a technology partner was a critical business decision.  ITS has consistently met and exceeded our expectations as our technology partner. They are a truly impressive and talented collection of technologists and project managers always attentive, proactive and capable of meeting the demands of our complex and fast-moving business environment.”

The Return

SFGT maintains its Mac-based network of over 40 workstations and users have access to web mail, FTP and VPN services along with Smartphone support with over-the-air (OTA) synchronization of their email, contacts and calendars. The Windows Terminal Server 2003 remains in place for remote access. Numerous users run Windows XP on their Macs using Parallels software. ITS continues to provide ongoing support and works with SFGT to plan and implement strategic initiatives.

Unlike many technology service providers, IT Solutions has maintained its commitment to the Mac platform over the years by continuing to support many Mac-based and Mac-Windows hybrid networks. At the same time, it leverages its status as a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and FileMaker Partner to provide the best-fit integrated technology solutions for clients.