IT Infrastructure & Technology Support
The Context
Starting a new business from scratch is demanding enough. Doing so in a rural location, with no existing infrastructure to build on adds a layer of complexity that leaves little room for error.
Every technology decision needs to be right first time, and every decision needs to be made with internet connectivity in mind.
This case centres on an independent B2C organisation in a rural part of Aberdeenshire. A new entrant to the market, the organisation had been trading for under a year when it engaged our team and we have been involved from day one of the project, providing recommendations and taking ownership of the technology environment from the ground up.
Rather than inheriting an existing estate, we had the opportunity to design and build the right infrastructure from the outset. That meant working not just with the client, but with architects, electricians and network engineers to ensure that every element of the physical and digital environment was considered and coordinated before a single cable was pulled.
This case study has been fully anonymised to protect our client. If you'd like to learn more, or would like to be put in touch with the client directly, please get in touch.
The Challenge
With no existing IT infrastructure in place, every element of the technology environment needed to be specified, procured, and implemented from scratch.
There was no legacy infrastructure to work around, but equally no foundation for our team to build on.
The rural location introduced immediate connectivity challenges. No existing internet provision was in place, meaning connectivity options needed to be researched, planned and coordinated as part of the wider build, rather than bolted on as an afterthought.
At the same time, the business needed to operate a range of cloud-based operational, administrative and payment systems from day one. Ensuring sufficient, reliable bandwidth for all of them to run concurrently, in a location where connectivity options are limited, required careful planning.
Underpinning all of this was a fixed and non-negotiable go-live date. The infrastructure had to be ready, tested and fully operational in time for the business to open its doors and start processing payments, which meant we were working to a hard deadline.
The Solution
Most projects start with a full-system audit that lets us profile potential problems. In this instance, we didn’t have existing infrastructure to survey
Instead, our team jumped into the planning process; working with the client to start designing a robust estate that would meet the needs of the business for years to come.
Designing the Network from the Blueprint
We began by working directly from the building's architectural drawings, designing the network infrastructure around the physical layout of the business before construction was complete. This allowed us to specify in advance where network racks would be mounted, where access points would be positioned, and exactly what power and cabling requirements would need to be accommodated.
Working closely with the electrical contractors, we provided detailed specifications covering power requirements, floor plans and infrastructure placement, ensuring that the physical build and the technology environment were developed in parallel rather than in sequence. Getting these details right at this stage avoided the kind of costly remedial work that often follows when technology is treated as an afterthought.
Infrastructure and Device Specification
With the physical environment mapped, we specified and deployed the full network infrastructure, including switches, desk phones and ceiling-mounted wireless receivers positioned to provide reliable coverage across the business.
We also specified the end-user device estate, recommending laptops and other devices appropriate to the demands of the business, and designed a phone system suited to the day-to-day needs of a busy clinical environment.
Connectivity Planning and Implementation
With no existing internet provision on site, we worked with Openreach and the relevant engineers to plan and implement a primary fibre connection, coordinating cable routing back to the correct termination points within the building. Starlink was incorporated as a secondary connection to provide resilience, with 4G retained as a further contingency, ensuring that a connectivity failure at any single point would not bring operations to a halt.
Cloud Platforms and Systems
We worked with the client to select and implement the cloud-based systems needed to run the practice, including Microsoft 365 and SharePoint for file storage, a cloud-based practice management system, and payment processing infrastructure. Bandwidth planning was carried out across all of these platforms to ensure the connection could comfortably support concurrent usage under real operational conditions.
Email accounts were migrated from a third-party system into Microsoft 365, consolidating the platform and ensuring continuity of communication ahead of opening.
Backup, Recovery and Ongoing Support
A cloud-based backup and disaster recovery solution was implemented to protect the business's data from day one. Ongoing monitoring was configured to provide visibility of device status, uptime and security posture, with automated alerts for any faults and a programme of regular security updates and patches.
Our team provided on-site go-live support on opening day, and will remain engaged through an ongoing managed service covering monitoring, maintenance and incident response.
The Results
The business is now operational with a complete, modern and well-considered IT environment, designed specifically for its needs, its location and its building.
Every layer of the technology estate has been specified and implemented as part of a single, coordinated engagement: From connectivity, through to infrastructure, devices, cloud platforms, communications, backup and security. Nothing has been left to chance.
For a new business in a rural location, this foundation will make a tangible difference to their resilience and operational efficiency. The business opened with the same level of protection as a well established and managed organisation, and we will continue to provide ongoing support for many years to come.
