Partnership for Progress
Who is Partnership for Progress?
Partnership for Progress is a mental health care facility in Atlantic, Iowa.
Overview of Solution
In the fall of 2006, Partnership for Progress approached HTS to assist them in designing a new system for a new day facility they were constructing about two miles from the resident center.
What do they say?
“As our business has grown, computer technology has become a vital tool in our day to day operations. HTS has proven to be extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of the computer industry. HTS is the key component in meeting our technology needs.”
-Lori Richter, Partnership for Progress
Customer Pain
Partnership for Progress needed the ability to allow caseworkers access to files and programs from both locations without carrying that information on a laptop.
Assessment
HTS engineers and the Account Manager designed a system utilizing the Microsoft Terminal Server solution, in conjunction with a VPN connection through the SonicWall TZ 170. While this solution was problematic at first, due to connectivity issues, HTS worked with Partnership and the local internet provider to resolve these issues. The result was a multisite business operating as a single office, which eliminated the duplication of efforts and multiple back-up solutions. This saved the client money in equipment and productivity.
Vision and Solution
HTS Staff developed a multi-stage solution utilizing the close partnerships we hold with Microsoft, HP, and SonicWall. This solution provides for the use of terminal service sessions at the remote location utilizing standard desktop units. As the units at the main facility have aged, we are replacing them with the desktops from the remote facility and replacing those with Thin Clients. This allows for increased security and reduced total cost of ownership bringing a faster ROI to the project.
Implementation
HTS installed a terminal server at the main location, and a SonicWall and desktops at the remote location. Though there were initial hurdles to clear regarding connectivity, these were resolved and the system works well. We are currently in the final phase of this project, moving desktops to the facility and converting the remote facility to a Thin Client based network. This phase also includes a rollout of a full-managed service offering that will further lower the total cost of ownership.
Customer Impact
Partnership for Progress now enjoys a seamless network across both locations allowing caseworkers to migrate from one to the other with ease. Productivity has increased and the total cost of ownership is decreasing.