Case Studies

ITRM doesn’t just improve IT performance — we power the ideas and dreams of the companies we work with

ITRM CASE STUDY #1: THE CHARITY PROJECT OF CHICAGO

The Charity Project of Chicago is an exciting, vibrant, meaningful non-profit organization in Chicago. Their team is full of dedicated advocates who bleed for their community. The Charity Project of Chicago blends community development, community organizing, social services and advocacy to build healthy, civically engaged communities. ITRM was excited about the opportunity to help such a positively focused organization.

CHALLENGE

Like a lot of organizations,The Charity Project of Chicago was running on an aging and insufficient technology platform. And just as commonly, they lacked a technology plan that took into consideration the needs of their business. With multiple locations throughout Chicago and more than 200 employees,The Charity Project of Chicago needed their technology infrastructure to be consistent, reliable and support the business process and work of the staff instead of impeding it.

APPROACH

IT Risk Managers conducted a comprehensive IT-Health assessment and strategy study. They analyzed, evaluated, and made subsequent recommendations for all aspects of CPC’s technology environment, and the way that it worked with its human component: network infrastructure; servers; applications; workstations, laptops and mobile connectivity. All areas were evaluated from an operational, financial and strategic perspective. The resulting assessment helped develop a clear path forward for The Charity Project of Chicago to realize more value from their technology, and more importantly – more results from their efforts.

RESULTS

IT Risk Managers completed a full technology refresh for The Charity Project of Chicago. They implemented leading edge solutions like VMware, Cisco, EMC and Barracuda. VMware virtualization was implemented to improve server performance, provide reliability and ensure server availability. Cisco network systems were implemented to improve and power network performance, ensure network reliability and network security. An EMC storage area network was deployed to insure data availability, data recoverability, and improve IT system performance. As a result of this comprehensive tech refresh, The Charity Project of Chicago now has a significantly more reliable, scalable and secure IT system to meet the current and future needs of the organization and its community!

ITRM CASE STUDY #2: STANDARD ENGRAVERS INC.

network cable systems

Standard Engravers, Inc. is an exciting, family owned company based in Schaumburg, IL. They are the ultimate solution in today’s printing plate industry. The Standard Engravers team manages the branding of globally recognized products from Fortune 500 companies to innovative independents. Their philosophy of continuous improvement has made them an industry leader in corrugated printing plate manufacturing. And what they do is just plain cool.

CHALLENGE

Standard Engravers out grew their existing IT solution because of their own success – something typical of good companies with average IT. Organizational and client needs demanded a more robust solution to meet the needs of their growing and evolving business. Standard Engravers needed fast, bulletproof systems in place to manage the large graphics files they typically sent and received. They also needed a support solution that could meet the particular needs of their Apple-intensive art department.

APPROACH

IT Risk Managers conducted a comprehensive IT-Health assessment and deep-dive strategy study. ITRM analyzed, evaluated, and made recommendations for all aspects of Standard Engraver’s technology environment. These areas were evaluated from operational, financial and strategic perspectives. The assessment ITRM made helped develop a clear, actionable path forward for Standard Engravers to realize more value from their technology.

RESULTS

IT Risk Managers completed a technology refresh, utilizing leading technology solutions, VMware, Cisco and EMC. They also implemented its Managed IT Service solution. The ITRM managed service solution includes network operating center management (NOC Service), help desk, cloud backup, network engineering services and CIO IT strategy services, which ensures Standard Engravers servers and systems are patched, available and ready to support the business 24/7. The help desk service supports Standard Engraver’s apple and windows user support needs. The cloud backup is ITRM’s off-site backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solution. Standard Engravers also receives IT leadership, project deployment, and support from IT Risk Managers CIO and engineering team.

ITRM CASE STUDY #3: THE PHOENIX COMPANY OF CHICAGO

Intercom repair in Chicago

Established in in 1969, The Phoenix Company of Chicago, Inc. is a global supplier of RF/Microwave connector and cable assembly products. Through their progressive research and constant innovation, they consistently move the aerospace, medical, military, test and instrumentation markets forward.

CHALLENGE

When they approached ITRM, The Phoenix Companies’ challenge was to streamline their IT operations and provide a more elegant, cost effective solution to meet their global IT needs. While moving their manufacturing and design operations to a bigger facility, they were simultaneously transitioning their IT operations to a bigger facility. New, remote locations and remote workers required improved connectivity from their ERP systems. And that was a certainly a big challenge.

APPROACH

IT Risk Managers conducted a comprehensive IT-Health assessment and deep-dive strategy study. We analyzed, evaluated, and made recommendations for all aspects of The Phoenix Companies’ vital and constantly evolving technology environment. To come up with the best possible solutions, we evaluated everything – from operational, financial and strategic perspectives. The assessment ITRM made helped develop a clear, actionable path forward for The Phoenix Companies’ to realize substantially more value from their technology.

RESULTS

IT Risk Managers completed a technology refresh, utilizing leading technology solutions, VMware, Cisco and EMC – and implemented its Managed IT Service solution. The ITRM managed service solution includes network operating center management (NOC Service), cloud backup, network engineering services and CIO IT strategy services, which ensures The Phoenix Companies’ servers and systems are patched, available and ready to support the business 24/7. The cloud backup is ITRM’s off-site backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solution. The Phoenix Companies also receives IT leadership, project deployment, and support from IT Risk Managers CIO and engineering team. The overriding result is an innovative company better suited to innovate and win.

ITRM CASE STUDY #4: WEST SUBURBAN ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES

Video intercom system Chicago

West Suburban Accounting Associates is a leading accounting and financial services firm based in the suburbs of Chicago. They have a phenomenal team who puts their client’s needs first at every turn. The difference in their way of doing business, and that of others in their industry, is remarkable. West Suburban’s practice includes consulting, accounting, tax & compliance services, auditing & assurance and wealth planning. They are supremely devoted to their client’s welfare and success, pride themselves on being trusted advisors, and, over the years, have reaped what they’ve sown.

CHALLENGE

West Suburban had been growing significantly for a number of years and, in many ways, had outgrown their core technology. West Suburban was facing an ever-increasing business need for redundancy, disaster recovery, and, like most businesses worth their salt, an always-on, always-available system for them and their clients. West Suburban also had a serious need for a reliable, secure data backup solution.

APPROACH

IT Risk Managers conducted a comprehensive IT-Health Assessment and strategy study. They analyzed, evaluated, and made recommendations for all aspects of their technology environment. These areas were evaluated from an operational, financial and strategic perspective. The assessment charted a path forward for West Suburban in which they’d realize more value from their technology. IT Risk Managers also put special emphasis on their data backup and recovery needs.

RESULTS

ITRM completed a technology refresh, utilizing leading technology solutions, VMware, Cisco and EMC. They also implemented its Managed IT Service solution. One of the key IT Risk Managers’ managed service offerings that gives West Suburban peace of mind is an off-site data backup and business continuity solution. This solution backs-up West Suburban’s data continuously throughout the day to redundant data centers. In the event of a failure or disaster, the data can be recovered quickly and the backup appliance can act as redundant file and system server. The real result: West Suburban can concentrate all their efforts, even that of their IT team, toward improving outcomes for their clients.

Disclaimer: The client names have been changed to respect our client’s privacy, and adhere to confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. The work completed is accurate and business references will be provided upon engagement.