IT Risk Managers

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Öhlins Racing AB

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide automotive, motorcycle and motorsport industry with advanced suspension systems, both conventional and electronically controlled

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire IT Risk Managers to accomplish?

• We hired IT Risk Managers with the goal of enhancing our IT support and ensuring our systems are always available and ready to meet the needs of our automotive, motorcycle, and motorsport industry
• To improve our IT support and make sure our systems are constantly accessible and prepared to fulfill the demands
• Our objective was to proactively manage IT risks and improve the overall efficiency and reliability of our IT infrastructure

SOLUTION

How did you find IT Risk Managers?

Online Search

Why did you select IT Risk Managers over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from IT Risk Managers were assigned to this project?

45

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The scope of work with IT Risk Managers encompassed a comprehensive assessment of our existing IT infrastructure, identifying vulnerabilities and areas for improvement

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The measurable outcomes from our collaboration with IT Risk Managers were significant. Our system uptime increased by 30%, resulting in enhanced productivity and reduced downtime costs

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

IT Risk Managers exhibited excellent project management throughout the engagement. They consistently delivered items on time and responded promptly to our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with IT Risk Managers?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What we found most impressive about IT Risk Managers was their in-depth knowledge of our industry and their ability to tailor their services to our specific needs

Are there any areas for improvement or something IT Risk Managers could have done differently?

No, our experience with IT Risk Managers is overwhelmingly positive.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the treasurer and IT director of a printing firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with IT Risk Managers?

We had proximity issues with our previous IT provider. They were located an hour anyway so whenever there was a problem, that added to the response time. We needed a reliable and local IT provider so they could respond to issues as quickly as possible.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their main job is to make sure our 3–4 servers never go down. If the servers do go down, they are responsible for resolving the issue. Rapidity is key because none of our employees can work on their computers with the servers down. Risk Managers is also responsible for providing virus scan software for our PC’s and housing backup servers at several locations. They send a monthly notice detailing what has transpired within that timeframe.

What is the team dynamic?

I work primarily with 1 point of contact.

How did you come to work with IT Risk Managers?

I interviewed a couple of different firms but decided to go with them because they were confident, methodical, and their response time was great. The cost was reasonable too.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend about $20,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2011, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

A few weeks ago, one of our switches blew taking down all the servers. It was Monday at noon and nobody knew what happened because the lights were still on. I called Risk Managers and they were on site in 20 minutes. They were able to quickly apply a workaround until the new switch arrived the next day. We were completely operational within 24 hours. The response was unbelievable and the whole team is extremely knowledgeable.

How did IT Risk Managers perform from a project management standpoint?

They never delay projects or appointments and we’ve built a great relationship over the years. Usually, if I reach out to them it’s urgent and they always respond quickly. If our main point of command is unavailable they have a reliable chain of command.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm impressed with their level of expertise in all current technology as well as communications. If I need new cabling they're able to change the entire infrastructure of the cables and wiring. When we transferred to a new system, they were here every single day for 10-12 hours making sure everything worked properly. They're multi-talented and possess an admirable work ethic.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could be better at putting information into layman’s terms for people less technologically-inclined. They’re cerebral and somethings it’s like they’re speaking in a different language.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the IT Director for an industrial, commercial and multi-builder firm with 9 offices nationwide. The firm includes two construction companies and a real estate arm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with IT Risk Managers?

We required managed services for ongoing technical support across a range of projects. I was the only IT person on staff until we recently added an assistant admin, and I couldn’t handle everything myself.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

IT Risk Managers provides ongoing project-based technical support. I reach out to them whenever there is a specific project and they’ve helped us with multiple large implementations. For example, we installed and configured new routers at all 9 of our offices. They helped us manage new email implementations and move from multiple domains to a single one. We built a Citrix farm. We also moved to MPLS and transferred our network to the Cisco Meraki cloud.

They’ve also provided some security solutions, such as firewalls, vulnerability testing, and network health checks.

What is the team dynamic?

Rick Bolda is my main contact. I also work directly with a technician, Jamie Palkovics.

How did you come to work with IT Risk Managers?

The first time I spoke to Rick was probably 15 years ago. He cold called and asked if there was anything they could help me with. I was having an issue with backup at the time. He connected me to a colleague there and they resolved it. He asked the right question at the right time and they solved my problem. I’ve been working with them ever since.

How much have you invested with them?

My budget is between $70,000 and $100,000 for all three of our companies.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since January 2002.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

A great example of how well they have supported us is a hardware implementation we worked on early in our relationship. We needed to change out all the equipment for about 50 users in the office. When the equipment arrived, I worked with one of their techs all weekend to switch out the old hardware with the new, and get everyone up and running with internet connections and email. When the staff came in on Monday, everything was in place without a glitch. To me, that was huge. The fact that we do a lot of this work after hours and on weekends so that users can come in on Monday and everything is working – that meets all of my expectations for them.

How did IT Risk Managers perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate via Skype, phone and also meet in person. If I need anything, I call Rick and schedule something.

When we have a new project, Jamie will write up a scope of work, we’ll agree to it, and we’ll get started. They live up to what we’ve agreed on. Jamie knows what he’s doing which means he can clearly articulate what needs to go into any given project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Most impressive to me is how knowledgeable Jamie is. He’s able to solve problems. Whatever the project is, he either has the right expertise or, if he doesn’t, he figures out how to get it done. I like that they can think out of the box. If we're having trouble, we can always find another solution to make something work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about the details of your project so that, when you’ve communicated it, IT Risk Managers will be able to articulate an appropriate scope of work for what you want to do. I have to know what I want before I can ask them to do something, and I have to have expectations that they will meet within a certain timeframe, budget and scope. That's key.