John Paul College’s journey to digital excellence

John Paul College, a school in South East Queensland, recently conducted a comprehensive review to better understand the needs of its staff and students. The findings highlighted a need for enhanced digital capabilities, world-facing cameras for STEM, and increased computing power to support new learning streams.

In partnership with Data#3, John Paul College utilised Data#3’s Device as a Service to equip the school with the multi-feature HP ProBook, specifically designed to support its growing curriculum requirements. The integration of this new technology into classrooms has since enabled students at John Paul College to work more efficiently and fully embrace the digital classroom.

“By adopting the latest HP devices, we are ensuring that our students and staff have access to the best tools available, supporting our goal of being a leader in digital learning and innovation,” said Nicholas Burton, Network and Systems Manager at John Paul College.

In this video, discover how John Paul College has incorporated multi-feature HP devices and Microsoft Intune to empower and enhance student learning.

Are you ready to enhance learning and unlock the full potential of your students?

With over three decades of expertise in the Education industry, Data#3 is well equipped to provide educational clients with the tools they need for success, offering a range of cutting-edge technology services and solutions that enhance and empower classroom learning. Through this approach, Data#3 enables schools to create a modern, flexible, and secure digital classroom that fosters greater engagement, productivity, and innovation in the learning process.

Glencore Technology gains greater insight from Microsoft Power Platform

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Objective

Glencore Technology wanted to migrate their CRM system to Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) in the power platform to leverage greater integration, automation and reporting across business platforms.

Approach

To maximise the potential of D365, Glencore Technology sought the guidance of an experienced partner. After considering multiple options, they chose to work with Data#3 due to their excellent longstanding relationship and confidence in meeting high delivery standards.

IT Outcome

Business Outcome

We enjoyed the end-to-end process from inception to delivery and seeing it come alive. Every sprint review was exciting as the concept came to fruition in front of our eyes.

Jo HardieSenior Business Analyst, Glencore Technology

The Background

Glencore Technology has been marketing technology in the metals and mineral processing industries for almost 40 years. With expertise spanning process and equipment design, detailed engineering, equipment supply and operator training, they provide essential services in some of Australia’s most demanding workplaces.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) was introduced as part of a digital transformation, to modernise IT systems, leverage cloud based Software as a Service (SaaS) applications for greater flexibility and future proof the scalability of solutions and data management for a dynamic business.

The Challenge

Glencore Technology’s sustainability is built on a passion to constantly evolve their products to solve burgeoning problems of valued clients. As an engineering projects organisation, continuous improvement is in all that they do to drive value to the customer throughout the asset lifecycle. When Senior Business Analyst Jo Hardie joined Glencore Technology, a digital transformation program was already underway.

“We had already started the journey to revamp our systems across the entire architecture. A lot of platforms were reaching end of support, and we were facing challenges with our incumbent on-premises systems. Gathering and combining business data from disparate systems was time-consuming, it could take days to pull together data for reporting.”

Among the roadblocks Glencore Technology identified was a CRM product no longer offering the depth of function now available in modern options, unable to sufficiently grow with the business. Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform were chosen as an alternative that promised a more intelligent and streamlined environment.

“As the business grew, a major drawcard was looking at automating business process between systems and departments, to get out of spreadsheets and email chains and streamline operations,” explained Hardie.

“This would expedite the turnaround time from a request for quotation, to receiving a purchase order and handover to the delivery part of the organisation.”

A key driver for the project was to ensure that valued resources were supported to work efficiently, using their skills and strengths to add value instead of becoming swamped with manual tasks.

It comes down to optimising your people; when everything is manual, the result is high value resources, performing low-value tasks. As an organisation grows, complexity increases, with more people performing tasks that keep operations running but don’t add significant value. We wanted our teams free to focus on high-value tasks so they could drive value to the business and our clients.

The manual processes were, said Hardie, more likely to lead to errors even from the most diligent employees, especially when working across multiple systems in a complex environment. D365 and Power Apps would give the opportunity for more accurate and real-time information, and Hardie knew that access to support and availability of expertise was crucial if Glencore Technology was to make the most of the opportunity.

“There was a preference for us to select a delivery partner within our local time zone . We knew we needed the support to be readily available when needed.”

IT Outcome

“Glencore Technology has had a longstanding relationship with Data#3, and as a premium partner of Microsoft – the accolades for Data#3 stand out for themselves. Working with the team is seamless, they are great people, the communication is fantastic at all levels, the delivery of their work and their support is phenomenal, and they have a willingness to help,” explained Hardie.

“Our organisation thrives on long-term partnerships, and with Data#3 there was a lot of alignment.”

The Glencore Technology team was keen to get true value from the D365 and Power Apps investment, and that meant tailoring it to align with the intricacies of the business. The process began with presales engineers closely examining the way the business operated and identifying the best way to proceed.

“We had presales meetings between both organisations to understand the problem and scope, identify any constraints, and discuss the desired outcomes for the project. When I joined, some time had lapsed since the initial project scoping, so it was important to ensure realignment with the team and to reaffirm the core deliverables,” said Hardie.

“Working with the Data#3 Project Manager, we established trust quickly in the project team, collaborating with SMEs on user requirements. Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle , Data#3 gave us guidance and support, in best practice delivery of agile software projects.”

The flexible approach of the Data#3 team and a willingness to work at Glencore Technology’s pace was important, given the organisation was juggling a number of demanding situations while prioritising the needs of clients.

“It was a challenging time for our organisation and the wider industry as we were still experiencing the impact of the pandemic and many of our people were working from home. We went through a fully remote build, rollout, and support. Glencore Technology was moving between offices, and we still managed the rollout with minimal issues.

“It really helped in our ongoing project that we had a technology stack that could be managed fully online, making it easy to support and work remotely. Interruptions during the pandemic delayed our new office fitout, which meant the rollout happened with our workforce working remotely full-time,” explained Hardie.

Despite working in unusual circumstances, Hardie felt the combined Data#3 and Glencore Technology team stepped up to the challenge. The close alignment and collaboration involved reinforced her assertion that a good cultural fit is crucial when choosing a technology partner, and the outcome reflected this.

“We enjoyed the end-to-end process from inception to delivery and seeing it come alive. Every sprint review was exciting as the concept came to fruition in front of our eyes. We have been able to automate a lot of processes, and power apps complimented our journey with Power BI where we are seeing benefits and synergies as we move more of our incumbent products to the Power platform environment. We have more seamless, integrated reporting.”

The experience of introducing D365 and Power Platform has changed the way the Glencore Technology team views its technology ecosystem, and this has helped to guide forward planning.

“Working with leaders in the IT industry, we have noticed a shift in the product trends of the industry. Previously you would buy a product off the shelf and it would have seven years of life before being replaced by another iteration or another product.

“Now, Software as a Service (SaaS) has continual improvement and features added, which is fantastic. It is great for a business like ours because it allows systems to be as adaptable as we need, and to grow and change with our business. It keeps continuity in our systems for employees, so the user interface isn’t changing as often,” said Hardie.

“We can take the approach of selecting software systems with integral alignment to our long term business strategy. It is a winning component of the platforms we have in place for the future.”

Business Outcome

While the technology rollout went smoothly despite the challenges faced, Hardie considered user adoption to be the true gauge of success.

“The adoption was good, with minimal disruption to business activities. That was a testament to the Data #3 team that it was a successful project. We seamlessly managed change with 150 users fully online.

With more processes becoming automated, the quality and timeliness of information has been especially notable. Hardie noted that even the most dedicated of staff can make the occasional typo, and human error is inevitably a factor when tasks are performed manually.

“Data cleanliness is a priority; when people had manual tasks in Microsoft Excel, there was greater potential for error. Now we have more automation, more checks in place to validate our data. The data integrity aspect is second to none, and reducing manual handling errors is so important. We avoid unnecessary double handling of work by pushing data between systems. We now have in real time reporting, we can track changes as they happen, which is invaluable.”

As Hardie’s team and the company’s growing user base gain in confidence, they continue to find ways to capitalise on the new environment.

“We’re receiving feedback that the tools are delivering productivity improvements and that positive impact provides intrinsic value for me. With change there is always some resistance but moving teams through these teething issues to full integration with the system that is the biggest success. It is easy to enjoy the process when you’re working with good people who are passionate about their work, it’s been a fantastic relationship with the Data #3 team.”

Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle , Data#3 gave us guidance and support, in best practice delivery of agile software projects.

Jo HardieSenior Business Analyst, Glencore Technology

Conclusion

While the streamlined processes and fast, accurate access to information have been well received, there has also been a profound effect on Glencore Technology’s ability to adapt to an ever-changing business landscape.

“This makes us so much more agile as a business. It frees people’s time from pulling together reports, spending more time on adding value for our clients and our strategic focus,” said Hardie.

Glencore Technology has already been building on the success, finding new ways to automate processes and free up time. The relationship with Data#3 has continued, and Hardie said that she feels reassured to know support is available when needed.

“Their strength is that they openly communicate with customers. Communication is 90% of the battle, and there were no issues in that area, they were ready to help at all levels of the organisation. Whether the support team or the senior leadership, we knew we could reach out and get professional advice. They have been generous with knowledge sharing in the space around emerging topics like AI, they always give us a chance to talk things through with technical experts. This ability to call on people with great talent and receive expert advice, is everything.”

While Glencore Technology is a highly regarded expert in its own area of technology, Hardie concluded that it is of utmost importance to focus on core business and introduce specialist partners to support ancillary business functions.

“This area of technology is not our bread and butter, and we don’t always have the right core competencies readily available in-house, so delivery through partners and strategic alliances is very important for us. The IT industry is evolving at such a pace that it’s hard to stay current on emerging trends and technologies, so having experts in this field and being able to get trusted advice is a wonderful part of the relationship with Data#3,” concluded Hardie.

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RSM Australia unleashes the power of analytics with help from Data#3

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Objective

RSM Australia wanted to make better use of their Microsoft Dynamics 365 investment by aligning it more closely with their business strategy and increasing overall adoption across the organisation.

Approach

The relationship between Data#3 and RSM Australia spans more than 15 years, so when they needed additional expertise and trusted advice, it made sense to turn to their preferred Microsoft provider.

IT Outcome

Business Outcome

We knew we needed additional support to continue delivering the project to the standards we expected but were nervous about finding the right fit. It’s easy to work with Data#3. They aren’t just our provider, they are an extension of our team, and we know we can count on them when we need it.

Helen CarvossoDirector of Marketing, RSM Australia.

The Background

Established in 1922, RSM Australia has grown to become a leading player in Australia’s professional services industry. With more than 1,900 staff in 32 offices, RSM Australia provides financial and advisory accounting services, acting as a trusted partner to a wide range of business, government and individual clients.

Having introduced Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) previously, RSM Australia was finding underlying structural issues and limited technical resources were creating challenges in adopting its full potential.

The Challenge

Unsurprisingly, much has changed during RSM Australia’s century in business. While the values of friendly expertise and exceptional service have remained the same, the business’s remarkable longevity owes much to a willingness to embrace new opportunities. Director of Marketing Helen Carvosso said that staying ahead in a competitive sector requires an ability to look forward.

“We are currently busy working on our growth plans to 2030 and a strategic focus for us is our digital transformation, where using analytics and automation will be very important moving forward. We have invested heavily in learning about AI and leveraging data for our growth strategy.”

A significant investment to date has centered on Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365), a portfolio of intelligent business applications that streamlines operational processes and drives greater efficiency. While the capabilities of D365 were thoroughly researched and matched the business’s needs, the roll-out had been problematic.

“We rolled out the D365 instance in January 2023. It wasn’t quite perfect and we knew that at the time, but we wanted people to start using it. The more people that started to use it, the more requests we were expecting and received for improvements, changes or additional features. We also knew there were some structural issues we would need to address down the line.

“Our CRM team didn’t have the technical capability we needed to begin addressing those structural issues – so we were looking for a partner who could act as an advisor, understand what we were trying to achieve, provide options, and help us find the best way forward.”

For RSM Australia, it was especially important that the chosen partner could identify potential implications of each course of action and minimise any impact on users and the wider IT environment.

“Our previous advisors had added fields as we requested, without providing the strategic advice on the impacts of some of these requests. We needed partners who weren’t just ‘yes’ people but could advise, guide, and challenge us to ensure we used best practices to build a future-proof system that would take us forward. We needed to add that additional technical competence and depth to our team.”

IT Outcome

With user requests coming in thick and fast, it was clear that the RSM Australia team needed the right processes in place and guidance from a trusted partner. After considering multiple partner options, it seemed to Carvosso there was a logical choice.

“There were downstream implications to any changes, and we needed to understand these. We had a long relationship with Data#3 in other areas of RSM and ‘Microsoft-Land’. That relationship spanned 15 years. The main driver to work with Data#3 on our Dynamics environment was their position as our Microsoft licence provider – they already provided our D365 subscription.

“What I like about the Data#3 team we work with is their empathy and non-judgemental approach. We’re working with an external provider as we don’t have all the answers – and sometimes we don’t know the right questions to ask. They encourage those questions, which helps them understand where I’m coming from too.”

The Data#3 team worked with a proven methodology, and this gave the structure that Carvosso knew was needed. They set about learning in greater depth about RSM’s business and technology eco-system, and understanding what a great outcome would look like.

“It was really very smooth. We set up regular meetings at the start to understand where we were and to roadmap our immediate priorities. We were easily set up on the ticketing system, which was all totally transparent, so we had visibility of where things were at. Now, we have established a regular cadence of meetings to suit business as usual, but when things pop up, the team is there to answer our calls and emails very quickly.”

In that early phase, more than 100 enhancements and changes were scoped out and implemented, positioning RSM to achieve greater benefits from their D365 environment.

“There are a lot of automation pieces here that help us to get work done. We can create workflows and understand the potential implications.”

By digging deeper, Data#3 was able to help RSM better align D365 with the activities of the business, so that staff time could be saved on repetitive tasks and refocused on the customer service they are known for.

“We applied some automation based on principal clients. It used to be extra work for a partner to go in and check a box to say a client now needs tax updates. Now, when a contact changes to client status, that checked box can happen automatically. We have been able to add functionality to apply different rules for clients and contacts with changes triggered automatically, saving manual effort.”

Business Outcome

The challenges that RSM faced in the initial D365 rollout had hampered enthusiasm for the product – but this is something Carvosso said had been turned around, with positive results encouraging greater engagement.

“Rolling out new technology and getting people to adopt it can be scary, if not outright off-putting. Now we have support to make it fit for purpose, so it helps people with what they are trying to do in their day-to-day jobs.

“Before we didn’t have the technical expertise to be able to make it work for them. We can now go to the stakeholders and understand their business priorities and make the system work for them, not the other way around,” explained Carvosso.

That expertise doesn’t only come from the Data#3 team. Carvosso’s group was keen to gain skills and confidence in working with D365, so they could handle the more straightforward requests while still calling on Data#3 for more complex changes.

“We learned a lot very quickly from the team. They shared best practices and how they prefer to be briefed – it was a different realm to what we were used to. We learned a lot about best practices for change requests from them,” Carvosso said.

“That has been great as it does help us too, to get a better brief, we know the right questions to ask. The Data#3 team has been helping us upskill, so we can use them for their technical expertise rather than day-to-day actions. It has been an opportunity for us to learn and develop as we continue the relationship.”

With early difficulties unravelled and a faster time from request to completion, the RSM team has observed a change in the way they are perceived by the users they support.

“We have been given the confidence and credibility to go back to our team when they have questions or development requests, and we have a hundred percent certainty that we have a process in place. We pitch it to our change advisory group and come back with solutions. The refined process means we have a hundred percent confidence when we report back to the business.

“Like any new relationship it took time to get to know one another – but when we started to report small wins back to the business, we could see the confidence building among end-users, in the platform and in us,” said Carvosso.

It is not only users who are able to work more effectively now. Carvosso’s team has also had a weight lifted from their shoulders.

“We are spending time better, not stressed about the time we are spending and worrying about having to fix problems. If we are notified of an issue, we put it on the list and know it is being taken care of. We’re able instead to spend our time educating and upskilling people on how to use D365 better rather than having to apologise for what it can’t do. “We have learned from Data#3 how to prioritise requests from inside the business and have a better idea of how much time and effort it will take. We have the confidence to think outside the box now, and before we go to Data#3 we consider if we can fix something internally.”

We have learned from Data#3 how to prioritise requests from inside the business and have a better idea of how much time and effort it will take. We have the confidence to think outside the box now, and before we go to Data#3 we consider if we can fix something internally.

Helen CarvossoDirector of Marketing, RSM Australia.

Conclusion

Part of RSM’s longevity is down to the business focusing on its strengths and understanding where it pays to seek expert help. Working with a partner that complemented RSM’s strengths and shared the same long-term view has been a game-changer for Carvosso.

“Data#3 showed that they very much see it as a long-term partnership, so when they scope something out, they are not creating a rod for their own back by making changes without question. They take time to make sure the outcome will really be what the business needs, even if it is not what we originally asked for – they push back if it is not the right thing.”

For someone that does not come from a technology background, Carvosso found the process unexpectedly enjoyable.

“Their biggest strengths were their patience and expertise. They will invest the time to understand where we are coming from and the challenges we face, they have empathy around that and offered solutions based on their technical expertise. “They had an understanding of us as a professional services firm, an understanding of our language and the nuances. They built a rapport, had a real sense of humour, and made it fun, not scary. It’s easy, they are like an extension of our team, and we know we can count on them.”

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International Safety Systems switches to modern, secure Microsoft Azure environment

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Objective

International Safety Systems wanted to modernise their IT infrastructure and migrate to the cloud.

Approach

As International Safety Systems infrastructure neared end of life, the business sought recommendations from a trusted consultant, and determined that a shift to Microsoft Azure was the right path forward. That advisor joined Data#3 and they recognised that the expertise and culture of their partnership would make a good match.

IT Outcome

• Scalable environment
• Exceptional availability
• Built-in backup and disaster recovery functionality
• Improved security
• Fast and cost-effective, making it easier to innovate

Business Outcome

• Customer’s data is cloud-hosted, residing in their chosen location
• Streamlined onboarding process
• Access to additional expertise
• Avoidance of capital expenditure (CapEx)

The most outstanding part of the project is the improved reliability. We have had no unscheduled downtime thanks to the way our Data#3 consultant designed the platform.

David RickwardCommercial Director, International Safety Systems

The Background

International Safety Systems (ISS) provides customised safety, quality and risk management solutions to customers around the world, helping them to meet compliance requirements while improving their business resilience.

ISS had been hosting its specialised apps in-house, using a thin client approach to distribute software. As available cloud options matured, ISS recognised the potential to work more efficiently and offer an enhanced service to customers.

The Challenge

The AIRS app from ISS is used to capture and manage safety and quality data for customers in stringently controlled industries, such as defence and aerospace. The small, very busy ISS team helps its customers meet all compliance obligations, reducing risk and operating more safely. Until recently, Commercial Director David Rickward said that managing infrastructure was a way of life.

“We had a traditional model, before Software as a Service was widely available. We hosted our software on our own hardware in a Sydney data centre. In addition to the hosting cost we had all the associated maintenance costs and then every five years, we would have to throw it away and start again, which meant incurring substantial capital costs and add-on services. Whilst it allowed us to distribute AIRS online it was a costly and labour-intensive model.”
That service model required effort from customers, and the cost was amplified by the need for extremely high availability to meet the service levels required by clients.

“We had backup redundancy and disaster recovery servers running. Overall, we were happy with the uptime – however, there were occasional unscheduled outages which required on-premises support, adding more cost,” explained Rickward.

As the time for renewal approached, with cloud options now offering greater maturity, ISS sought advice from a trusted cloud specialist, who learned about the ISS business model and made initial suggestions.

“He was experienced with Microsoft Azure. After we started discussions with him, he moved to Data#3. He provided a lot of really good ideas around platform design to make our operations more efficient. We had been working with him for several years and we wanted to continue that relationship.”

IT Outcome

After careful evaluation, ISS followed Data#3’s recommendation for a Microsoft Azure environment, first instating one instance of the ISS software, then provisioning more until the solution hosted all customers. Microsoft Azure backup and DR, as well as several Microsoft Azure security and management features were put to work to help the ISS team work efficiently.

“It was a reasonably quick transition by technology standards, taking six months from our first proof of concept discussions, through commitment and implementation. We canvassed our biggest clients to see if there were any issues for them to move to the new environment, especially in terms of security. Their primary concern was where their data would reside.

“We sandbox tested with a couple of our biggest clients, migrated some smaller clients, then lastly the bigger organisations over a period of eight months.”

The solution included expertise from a Data#3 cloud specialist, so that ISS would always be positioned to work proactively and able to get the most form the Microsoft Azure platform, while managing costs effectively.

“We’re leveraging our Data#3 cloud specialist as our platform manager. We monitor the day-to-day ourselves, and he does general housekeeping a couple of times a month to ensure updates are installed. He also talks us through new security features we might be interested in. This input is invaluable to us – we’re a small company and can handle tasks ourselves but can’t do everything in-house. This arrangement gives us access to the wider resources of Data#3 when we need it.”

Rickward has stated that the flexibility of the Microsoft Azure platform has already impressed ISS clients, given the speed and cost-effectiveness of rolling out the custom app that the company is known for. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“One client in the aviation industry initially wanted to run the app in-house. They went to their IT department, who quoted six figures for the new servers, and managing and monitoring those assets. We can spin up a dedicated host for them and provide continuous access to data. It was one fifth of the cost that their internal IT would have needed.

“They would have had to go through getting budget approval, which would have taken 12 months, but being a pay-as-you-go model, it was signed off within a week.”

Microsoft invests around $1 billion (USD) each year on Microsoft Azure security, with developers designing solutions for the modern threat landscape where organisations face an increasingly sophisticated barrage of attacks. Rickward said that this timely boost to security is “absolutely a plus”, with the shift to the secure online platform reducing risk for ISS and its clients.

“It is a valuable part of the solution without a shadow of a doubt. Before, every thin client had its own port, so there were multiple ports facing the world. By changing, customers now have web access through a firewall, with only one single point of entry. When you look at it from a security risk point of view, it is considerably better than before, and our customers stay safer.”

Business Outcome

The transition for customers went smoothly, causing no disruption and earning praise for the improved ISS offering after the shift to Microsoft Azure.

“Their lives got easier without having to run the thin client. The cutover was seamless, and the users had their familiar app, they weren’t seeing any difference except that they just had to use a hyperlink instead of clicking an icon on their desktop.”

As a technology business itself, ISS places considerable importance on finding solutions that keep its lead position in its competitive market.

“We can stay at the forefront of technology, always using the latest and greatest, as opposed to buying hardware that becomes obsolete in a month, which then becomes a patch job. Moving to the Microsoft Azure platform means we can stay at the front of the curve, in turn giving our customers the best outcomes,” described Rickward.

This progress is aided by sharing knowledge, with the Data#3 Azure expert helping the small ISS team to gain confidence in the new platform. Rickward is happy that the business has benefitted from someone with enormous depth of Azure experience.

“He has done quite a bit of work with our internal team on things like day-to-day monitoring and firewalls. He’s helped our team to completely understand what to look for, and how to achieve compliance.

“It has been a game-changer for us, and we look at it as a partnership arrangement. Given what the Data#3 Azure expert has delivered us, it is a lot more capability than we would otherwise have, and we’ve gained a lot more capability in-house with him there.”

That capability extends to helping ISS respond to requests for tenders. Rickward said that the ability to access expertise helps to show prospective corporate and government clients that ISS has the capability needed when providing such a critical service.

“The advantage of dealing with a technology company like Data#3 is that if we don’t have specific expertise in-house, we know we have it through them. When we’re bidding on some contracts, it gives us more credibility to have that support, especially in the government space. We do a lot of work for government and from a security point of view, if we’re working with an organisation that is already approved, it makes for a more seamless transition, and we don’t have to delay delivery getting approvals.”

For customers, the Microsoft Azure platform raises the bar for custom solutions. ISS can now offer shared platforms, where customers’ individual environments are logically separated, and where customers prefer, dedicated platforms can be quickly provided. The ability to store data in their own or an approved jurisdiction has proven to be essential.

“Microsoft Azure provides more flexibility, allowing us to do more for our clients with specific requirements. For example, for legal or regulatory reasons, clients may need to ensure their data is stored in a particular jurisdiction. With Microsoft Azure we know we can provide that assurance and have them covered.”

It has been a game-changer for us, and we look at it as a partnership arrangement. Given what the Data#3 Azure expert has delivered us, it is a lot more capability than we would otherwise have.

David RickwardCommercial Director, International Safety Systems

Conclusion

Although Rickward said that any major change in delivery method had the “potential to be traumatic”, he was clear that with the right team in place, it didn’t have to be.

“My advice is simple: find someone who totally understands what you do. Data#3 was very good in terms of what we were trying to achieve and that understanding meant we were able to map it out together – it was truly a collaborative experience. In terms of understanding the platform and how to manage disaster recovery, that was important.

“The transition itself should be made straightforward – taking the environment off the existing platform and moving it into the cloud. However, there are so many tricks to managing Microsoft Azure well with the right security around it, it’s essential to engage with an experienced consulting firm.

You might be tempted to do it yourself, but you will end up saving money and getting a better result with the right partner. When I filled out the customer satisfaction survey, I gave it a 10 out of 10. One hundred percent!”

Ultimately, the solution was measured by ISS against the benefits and service levels they were able to provide to their valued customers around the world. The switch to the Microsoft Azure platform has been deemed a success.

“The most outstanding part of the project is the improved reliability; we have had no unscheduled downtime because of the way the platform is set up. When we did have minor issues, we were able to failover to backup systems without service interruption. The service delivery has been outstanding,” concluded Rickward.

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July 11, 2024; Brisbane, Australia: Leading Australian technology services and solutions provider, Data#3, is proud to announce the ribbon-cutting and launch event of a new state-of-the-art Security Operations Centre (SOC) located at the Data#3 Head Office based in Brisbane.

This new service is powered by SecurityHQ, an esteemed global cyber security company and a renowned international SOC provider, exemplifying the pinnacle of cyber security excellence. Together, SecurityHQ and Data#3 demonstrate a joint commitment to delivering unparalleled security solutions that meet the highest standards of data protection and sovereignty.

Brad Colledge, CEO and Managing Director of Data#3 expressed his enthusiasm for the new facility: “The opening of this SOC marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide unparalleled security services to our customers. Security remains the top priority for business and technology leaders, and with the ever-increasing threat landscape, this facility is another strategic investment towards alleviating the burden on IT teams. It allows them to focus on transformation projects and shaping their digital future.”

Richard Dornhart, National Security Practice Manager at Data#3, added: “Organisations today must balance limited resources with the relentless pace of market disruption. Our Managed SOC services represent a competitive advantage for our customers, driving digital transformation without distractions. We see this as an opportunity to help our customers improve service delivery, increase agility, and extend service coverage, all while significantly reducing ICT risk.”

“The unveiling of the new next-generation SOC is a testament to the strong partnership between SecurityHQ and Data#3, and underscores each of our commitment to serving as an extension of our Australian and Queensland customers’ IT and Security teams. Together, we help provide the essential elements these teams need to protect their organisations – time and insights. SecurityHQ already provides a 62% lower noise-to-signal ratio than leading competitors, and this further investment will only help to increase this gap in the region,” said Feras Tappuni, CEO at SecurityHQ.

“The presence of SecurityHQ representatives at this momentous occasion underscores the importance of this collaboration to provide a service that meets the specific needs of Australian businesses. We are excited to open this SOC and bring such a valuable service to Queensland and Australia,” concluded Dornhart.

Data#3’s Managed Cyber Security services deliver relentless protection, swiftly identifying and mitigating security incidents around the clock, with 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response. Data#3 has one of the most mature and highly accredited security teams in Australia. By leveraging its expert cyber security specialists, and trusted partner SecurityHQ, the team deliver unparalleled visibility and protection against cyber threats.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) depended on disparate data sources and wanted to integrate aircraft, patient, and crew data to provide a clear picture of availability. This integration was particularly essential for day-to-day operations to ensure they could provide the ‘finest care to the furthest corner.’

“The work we’re doing ensures that pilots, nurses, and doctors have the right information. Rather than a 000-dispatcher calling multiple places to find the right aircraft, we can tell them straight away. For example, we had a critically ill patient who needed to travel to Brisbane, and we could see that the closest crew was not the best match for the patient’s needs and could immediately locate the best option,” said Nick Warwick, Data Integration and Analytics Manager, Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section).

In this video, discover how RFDS utilised the power of Microsoft Power BI, Azure Functions, Power Apps, and Flow workflows to deliver digital transformation that helps save lives.

Are you ready to start your IT modernisation journey?

With more apps, devices and data than ever to navigate, you need a business partner that can guide and support you throughout your IT modernisation journey. Data#3 holds the highest level of partner accreditations across the Microsoft ecosystem. With expertise that extends from the network and the cloud, to the datacentre and workplace, you can rely on our expert team to guide and advise on the best technologies to meet the demands of the changing workplace.

Contact our team of specialist today to discover how you can transform your organisation with Data#3.

In a recent blog, we introduced the Cisco Networking Cloud. A year ago, Cisco first introduced its “multi-year vision” for the Networking Cloud, positioning a high-level software console that provides access to all its on-premises and cloud-based networks whilst also delivering predictive analytics and visibility across network domains.

The initial vision was to provide a console that would include the following:

In recent conversations that we’ve had with our customers, they raised three broad questions. This blog aims to address those to provide clarity regarding the Cisco Networking Cloud.

Integration and Compatibility

“How does the Cisco Networking Cloud integrate with existing on-premises Cisco and Meraki infrastructure? Are specific models or versions required to ensure full compatibility and functionality with the new cloud management platform?”

The Cisco Networking Cloud is a multi-year journey involving customer input to unify the various Cisco management platforms. In the image above, you can see the Cisco Networking Cloud as a high-level console view providing single sign-on access to a broadening range of Cisco on-premises and cloud-managed platforms. Consistency of user experience (UX) and user interface(UI) in the ongoing maintenance of the unified management platforms has been adopted.   

The Cisco Networking Cloud will cover the following Cisco operating systems IOS-XE, IOS-XR and NX-OS, and secure access to the Meraki Dashboard, DNA Center, Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller, and the Catalyst SD-WAN Controller.

Cisco Catalyst Cloud Integration

For the Cisco Catalyst switches and wireless access points listed below, monitoring within the Meraki Dashboard is supported from IOS-XE 17.12.3 and improves towards the end of 2024 with the release of IOS-XE 17.15.1. Management of these devices is still handled via a command line interface due to the varied and potentially demanding configurations supported by Catalyst devices:

Meraki Cloud Integration

Meraki devices are designed to be cloud-managed out-of-the-box and can seamlessly integrate with Cisco’s Cloud Networking solutions. All Meraki hardware models are compatible with the Meraki cloud dashboard.

Single sign-on and consistency of user interface

A common development UI is now used for the Cisco cloud-managed applications such as the Meraki cloud-managed dashboard, Identity Service Engine (ISE) and ThousandEyes. In addition, you can log into one of the three cloud applications and, if licensed, tab between them without having to log in to each individually, which saves time and improves security and the user experience.

Security and Compliance Features

“What are the security features and compliance standards supported by Cisco Networking Cloud (built-in or native integration), and how does it enhance the protection of our network infrastructure compared to existing Cisco and Meraki solutions, or bespoke on-prem tools?”

Cisco is a major security vendor, leveraging its strong networking heritage, significant development and acquisition resources, and Cisco Talos Intelligence Group, one of the largest commercial threat intelligence teams in the world.

The Meraki cloud-managed dashboard provides a customer-friendly integration platform that combines Cisco’s increasing native security capabilities applied across the core functional deliverables of routing, switching, wireless, CCTV, and IoT.

The Meraki cloud-managed platform leverages both on-premises and cloud-based compute models, offering a range of security functions to meet each individual organisation’s appetite for risk.

A sample of these functions includes:

The Cisco Networking Cloud aggregates network protection for organisations and end users by offering an adaptable security solution where customers specify their security policies, and Cisco applies firmware and security updates as required.

Operational Impact and Migration

“How do I minimise the impact on our network during migration, and what tools or services do Data#3 and Cisco provide to ensure a smooth transition?”

The investment and familiarity with existing Cisco toolsets can present a level of organisational inertia when it comes to changes of this magnitude. However, with network monitoring as a primary capability of Cisco Networking Cloud, it’s an incredibly low risk, high return way to test the “Power of the Platform” for yourself.

Creation of a Meraki cloud-managed dashboard account is simple and free if you don’t already have one. There is a straightforward process to add a Catalyst device to the dashboard. As noted above, if you have a DNA Essentials or DNA Advantage licence, cloud monitoring is already included, so there is no further outlay. As you develop familiarity and comfort with Cisco Networking Cloud, you can gradually add other infrastructure over any time frame you choose, and at your own pace.

Although the technology and approach are already in use and well-proven within companies around the world, for those looking to take a guided approach, Data#3 can facilitate a Proof of Concept (POC) to address any residual questions. This hands-on option enables organisations to understand how Cisco Networking Cloud would fit seamlessly with your existing management toolsets, providing layers of monitoring and management capabilities and engaging staff with a broader range of skillsets.

Data#3 and Cisco

As both a Cisco Security Master Specialised and a Networking Master Specialised Partner, Data#3 has one of the most mature and highly accredited teams in Australia. Working in partnership with Cisco, we have been helping our customers achieve a more connected and secure organisation for more than 25 years.

To explore how you can simplify and secure your network, talk to a Data#3 specialist today.

Delivering the digital future – securely

In the critical shift from traditional VPN architectures to a Zero Trust model, HPE Aruba Networking’s recent acquisition of Axis Security gives users the confidence to deliver Zero Trust access for all users, and in all use cases.

VPN access is an ‘all-or-nothing’ proposition – with no granular access mechanisms that can be applied on a session-by-session basis, VPN Gateways can become extremely complex to manage.  

Our latest infographic, “Why Zero Trust Should Replace Your VPNs” can help guide you through this complex landscape, and toward a solution that ensures traffic is never backhauled, smart routing capabilities are utilised, and users receive continuous access even if networks change. 

Why Zero Trust should be replacing your VPNs Infographic

For more information on how to future-ready your security with HPE Aruba Networking’s Security Service Edge (SSE), check out our blog.

Explore the capabilities of HPE Aruba Networking Security Service Edge (SSE) through this demo video.

Register your interest in a SSE test drive today!

If you’re interested in a test drive in your environment or have any questions, please reach out using the contact form.

Information provided within this form will be handled in accordance with our privacy statement.

HPE Aruba Networking’s acquisition of Axis Security in early 2023, and more specifically, the integration of their Security Service Edge (SSE) solution into Aruba’s EdgeConnect portfolio, has proven transformative for their advanced security solutions in the rapidly expanding edge-to-cloud connectivity market. By integrating the former Axis Atmos (now HPE Aruba Networking SSE) into its security portfolio, HPE Aruba Networking has created a complete Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) solution, integrating cloud-based SSE and their EdgeConnect SD-WAN portfolio in a single offering. This now makes HPE Aruba Networking a verified security and networking vendor, supporting its “security first networking” positioning with a comprehensive solution.  

It’s fair to say HPE Aruba Networking’s security portfolio previously had some gaps in terms of cloud-native support, edge connectivity, and advanced security services such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Secure Web Gateway (SWG). These capabilities were provided through the acquisition of SilverPeak in 2020 (now EdgeConnect), and integrations with security vendors such as Netskope, but the integration of HPE Aruba Networking SSE delivers these capabilities in a single integrated solution with: 

  1. Cloud-native support: As organisations increasingly move their applications and services to the cloud, there is a growing demand for cloud-native solutions that cater to this shift. By acquiring Axis and its cloud-native SSE platform, HPE Aruba Networking can provide a more comprehensive security offering that covers both on-premises and cloud environments.  
  1. Edge connectivity: With an ever-growing number of IoT devices and applications relying on edge computing, the need for secure edge connectivity has never been more critical. Before the acquisition, HPE Aruba Networking offered secure solutions for managing edge devices; however, they were not fully integrated with associated cloud security and SD-WAN solutions. The Axis integration strengthens Aruba’s edge connectivity capabilities by delivering a unified SASE solution, which combines Wide Area Networking (WAN), traffic segmentation based on role and identity, edge security, and networking services into one comprehensive SASE offering. This not only allows for improved visibility and control over edge devices but also simplifies network management and streamlines the deployment of edge applications. 

It is important to note that HPE Aruba Networking remains an open network and the integration partnerships will remain – more on this below!   

The VPN Conundrum

With Axis Security’s technology, it makes it much easier for HPE Aruba Networking to offer a solution for the increasingly difficult area of VPNs.  

The shift to remote working drove a corresponding increase in the use of VPNs for remote connectivity to enterprise resources. However, VPNs have become a major attack vector for malicious activity, with a 1,500% increase in targeted VPN attacks due to remote work.

VPNs also deliver a poor user experience with traffic backhauled over long distances causing slow connection speeds and users dealing with repeated logins and network reconnects. The complexity of managing and scaling VPNs is compounded by the number of security products involved in delivering them, often from different vendors. 

Zero Trust totally changes the equation for remote access, ensuring that remote users are never placed on the network and their infrastructure and IP address are never exposed to the Internet. With HPE Aruba Networking SSE, organisations can now adopt the same access policies defined for public cloud to their on-premises infrastructure. Further, by adopting ClearPass Network Access Control internally, both users and IoT devices can be covered by Zero Trust access control policies, whether they are onsite or outside the corporate network. 

For more information on how Aruba Atmos and ZTNA work, check out our infographic.

What about Aruba Central and ClearPass?

Interestingly, this acquisition will greatly strengthen the scope and capabilities of both Central and ClearPass. 

ClearPass offers visibility, control, and response to network connectivity, and with HPE Aruba Networking SSE’s ZTNA module, ClearPass can enforce Zero Trust secure access more effectively for users, devices, applications, and data based on clearly defined access control policies.  

Aruba Central, HPE Aruba Networking’s AI-powered network management system, also stands to gain from HPE Aruba Networking SSE as part of HPE Aruba Networking’s SASE capabilities. 

As Aruba Central focuses on intelligent operation and maintenance of wired and wireless networks, the integration of SSE introduces an additional layer of security and access control, streamlining a comprehensive network solution. 

These SSE capabilities will empower Aruba Central to deliver robust, streamlined, and secured WAN capabilities of EdgeConnect and an all-inclusive Zero Trust network management system. 

Does this mean less HPE Aruba Networking investment in 3rd party solution integration?

HPE Aruba Networking has always had multi-vendor interoperability at the heart of its solutions as every environment is different and far from homogenous. So, whether it’s from Aruba’s EdgeConnect fabric or SD branch gateways, HPE Aruba Networking will continue to support the ability to integrate with various vendors.  

Similarly, if you already have your own SD-WAN or SSE solution, HPE Aruba Networking will continue to have full support for those integrations. 

Conclusion

The integration of the HPE Aruba Networking SSE platform has essentially expanded HPE Aruba Networking’s security offering by providing a more robust solution for managing and securing access to corporate and public cloud resources.  

HPE Aruba Networking can now offer a unified SASE solution that integrates SSE and SD-WAN into a single-as-a-service platform.  

It’s also allowed HPE Aruba Networking to incorporate three fundamental services – Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Secure Web Gateway (SWG) – to advance its already robust security solutions further, providing more comprehensive, integrated, and advanced network features.  

Test drive SSE

I invite you to explore the capabilities of HPE Aruba Networking SSE in this demo video. If you like what you see and would like to test drive SSE in your own environment, or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me using the contact form below.

Information provided within this form will be handled in accordance with our privacy statement.

The world of work has changed, and so have our device operating systems.

Are your remote or temporary users productive and secure from anywhere, on any device, without compromising IT security? It’s no longer enough to simply have the latest operating system, such as Windows 11, rolled out across your fleet. If you are managing a temporary or elastic workforce, working across both company-owned and personal devices, we know how challenging this can be to manage.

Introducing your solution: Microsoft Windows 365, a cloud service offering a new way to experience Windows 11. Connect to your own dedicated PC hosted in the Microsoft cloud, from any device or anywhere, and stream your personalised apps, settings, and content. Windows 365 helps you support your remote and hybrid workforce without sacrificing security or performance.

Want to learn more? Watch our webinar on demand below to hear from Data#3 Principal Solution Architect Sam Allitt, and Microsoft W365 Global Black Belt Andrew Lowson, as they demystify Windows 365!

Keen to learn more about Windows 365? Contact us to speak with one of our W365 experts directly and begin your Cloud PC journey.