The Solution - DNG
How We Helped Dove Naish Group (DNG)
Document Management
With the rapid expansion of DNG and the launch of DNG Financial Services, office space had become a premium. Storage of current and old files created additional pressures on the available space. Staffing costs for document archiving and recovery were also a consideration let alone the inevitable delays in finding documents and files that occur in even the best run businesses.
A specially created project team quickly identified that any form of paper storage, however well managed, would increase costs - none of which were recoverable. The need for an electronic document management solution was obvious and the team extensively researched a number of solutions and suppliers.
DNG selected the EasySoftware solution provided by Redfox Consultancy Limited. Redfox are an EasySoftware worked with DNG on the design and implementation of their solution.
dng operate a centralised IT infrastructure with their back office servers placed in a single location serving all three offices via Citrix clients. Redfox implemented a centralised archiving server integrated with the infrastructure to serve all three offices with document scanning facilities.
For more information on DNG’s centralised I.T infrastructure see Redfox's business agility solutions and how Redfox provided DNG with Disaster Recovery and High Availability. See Neverfail Solutions.
In addition to saving space, the DNG benefits from an efficient and cost effective document management solution that seamlessly integrates with existing structures. “We had reached our on site paper storage capacity and due to our rate of expansion so a decision had to be made. We needed a solution to meet our business needs at an affordable cost. Waiting for someone to find paper file to provide needed information is not an option. We need the information available on demand. That is what we have achieved, as an example; we produce a file for each set of accounts that we prepare for a client, inevitably one file for each year's accounts. We often need access to one or more of those files. We now have those (files) stored electronically. I can hit a key and be looking at the data without delay. We are currently in the process of digitising all incoming documents and will shortly have all information relating to all of our clients immediately available in electronic form. This will have a significantly beneficial impact upon our productivity as a firm and upon our ability to exceed client's expectations” - Russell Wright Partner DNG.
Business Agility
To achieve a solid IT infrastructure platform DNG recognised that it must be high quality, sustainable, group wide, scaleable, secure, industry standard, and above all professionally managed.
Severe communication and productivity issues were created by each branch having independent data and email services. The need to centralise data and application delivery was obvious. DNG approached a number of organisations to submit a design and proposal which met or even exceed their requirement. Redfox were selected based on their expertise and have become DNG's strategic partner for delivery and support of its core systems infrastructure platform.
DNG now have one centralised IT centre serving all three offices.
Redfox's proposal was based upon the installation of Citrix Access Suite infrastructure which allows users secure and instant access to enterprise applications, information and processes - regardless of where they are located, at anytime, using multiple devices and over any connection.
Redfox facilitated DNG's centralized hosting of applications and data at the main office using IBM Bladecenter technology along with Windows Server 2003 and Citrix Presentation Server Access Suite. The applications and data were published securely to the local and remote users providing a stable and flexible IT infrastructure.
Redfox have a managed services agreement with DNG for the ongoing support, providing total IT support throughout organization using Citrix Shadow and Remote control facilities.
The investment has provided DNG with a reliable, accessible, secure and scaleable systems infrastructure platform and a sound backbone for their document management requirements.
”In addition to supporting our deployment of document management infrastructure, our involvement with Redfox has significantly benefited our centralized business model. Our three offices operate a combined team structure and the IT setup allows any user to access any information wherever they are based. Having real time support from Redfox gives us the security that we need to minimize downtime, indeed since the implementation there has been no downtime - Russell Wright Partner DNG.
For more information on DNG's Document Management Solution go to Redfox's Document Management Solutions and how Redfox provided DNG with Disaster Recovery and High Availability go to Neverfail Solutions.
Disaster Recovery and High Availability
dng believes that its clients deserve a superior level of service and that communication is the cornerstone of every relationship. Email and document access has become an increasingly important part of the company's business strategy. dng's client communication is increasingly dependent on email and document management, resulting in the growing demand for rapid response and constant availability. At DNG regular email communication with clients is of critical importance. To ensure email resilience, document access, site recovery and protection, and effective disaster recovery response, DNG chose Neverfail Solutions and Redfox consultancy as a strategic partner.
After researching the many solutions available ranging from high-end hardware systems, complex clustering solutions, replication and back-up technology, DNG realized that the best solution was a high availability software solution. This provided a robust failover environment and ensures email availability without significant cost and complexity. DNG also required an effective disaster recovery capability. DNG chose Redfox and Neverfail to increase email availability, document access and to provide a trustworthy recovery solution.
With approximately 60 users accessing email and other collaboration services, DNG needed a high availability solution for their Microsoft Exchange 2003, Microsoft SQL and EasySoftware document management environment. This needed to be that installed easily and with a minimal impact. After switching the workload between a primary server and a secondary server several times without any disruption of services, DNG quickly realized the value of Redfox's implementation of the Neverfail solution. The solution monitors all Exchange, SQL, File services on the primary server, takes corrective action on failed services and provides a robust failover environment to protect against application failure. Neverfail for Exchange ensures email is always accessible and provides site protection and recovery to a separate physical location at their remote offices a few miles away.
Redfox has implemented remote failover capabilities to protect DNG's Exchange, SQL and document management environment and improve service levels supporting client communication.
Redfox was able to introduce a high-availability solution into DNG's server environment with minimal impact on users to thoroughly protect communication with its clients. In the event of a site disaster, the business can continue operating from a separate locale with little or no disruption in service. The Neverfail solution has proven to be more cost effective and perform better than solutions that focus on replication or clustering for data availability. dng was interested in ensuring application availability and effective business continuity to provide a superior level of service to their valued clients. Redfox and Neverfail met every need while delivering the industry's lowest cost of ownership high availability solution.
“We rely on our document management and email communications to provide a fast and reliable service to meet our client's needs. Neverfail Solutions provided by Redfox Consultancy provided an effective and affordable solution. We hope never to have to use the technology but recognise the vital role it plays in maintaining our client service.” - Russell Wright Partner DNG.
For more information on DNG's centralised IT infrastructure please go to Redfox's Business Agility Solutions and how Redfox provided DNG with Document Management please see Easy Software Solutions.