SisAdmin

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a partner at Windward Environmental LLC, an environmental consulting firm located in Seattle, Washington.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SisAdmin?

Recently we moved our office to a new location, and SisAdmin was involved throughout the process.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We have relied on SisAdmin for years for their excellent service desk and IT infrastructure support.

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

The project team at SisAdmin was involved in all stages of the move, from initial schedule development to post-move troubleshooting. They planned and implemented the buildout of our new server room, coordinated with our cabling contractor as needed, installed a new wireless network, relocated and installed all of our server room equipment, and helped to get our computer equipment back up and running.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Our primary support team consisted of Elisabeth (CIO), Chris (Design Desk), and Darrell (network engineer). We also had assistance from the Service Desk engineers for post-move troubleshooting.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The IT infrastructure aspects of the office move went perfectly. Every step of the relocation process was completed ahead of schedule and without complications. Total downtime during business hours was limited to a Friday afternoon, and all systems were functional prior to start of business on Monday.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project team was in contact frequently throughout the project, checking on milestones with 3rd party vendors, confirming technical specifications for network hardware, and providing to-do lists with tasks clearly identified and assigned to team members.

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

Our project engineer went above and beyond to help us with last-minute contingency plans when a 3rd party vendor came close to missing a critical deadline. This is a perfect example of the type of service SisAdmin has provided us over the years. Their staff shows the highest commitment to providing excellent service to their clients.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I don't have any suggestions.

BACKGROUND

What challenge were you trying to address with SisAdmin?

We needed their team’s managed IT services to optimize our system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was the scope of their involvement?

SisAdmin supports our onsite and offsite IT machine operations through hardware and software installation and maintenance.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact is Elizabeth (Virtual CIO).

How did you come to work with SisAdmin?

Their team was referred to us by another law firm.

How much have you invested with them?

Our annual payment approximately amounts to $70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement with SisAdmin commenced in November 2018.

SOLUTION

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

SisAdmin has an effective approach to addressing our technical problems and running our system — they’ve managed to reduce our downtime issues, and those positive changes continue to make a big difference in our operations. Overall, we’re happy to be working with an expert team that delivers cost-efficient solutions.

How did SisAdmin perform from a project management standpoint?

We mainly communicate via Zoom and phone calls. They’re a responsive team that promptly attends to our needs, which is why we keep engaging them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What sets SisAdmin apart is their ability to devise innovative solutions in resolving the most complicated issues. Additionally, we appreciate how they make our collaboration worthwhile through their engaging and agreeable ways of communicating.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’ve been times when we’ve hoped results came in faster, but we’ve already discussed this with their team. SisAdmin has also addressed this as soon as they’ve received our feedback.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Hiring SisAdmin is the first important step — after that, you can simply show up in meetings prepared with insightful feedback.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CFO and oversee IT.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SisAdmin?

We hired SisAdmin to take over the management of our IT department to eliminate a weakness in our IT structure.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We had met the owner a few years earlier and stayed in touch. We then interviewed and discussed our situation when it was appropriate.

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

They stepped in when our IT Director left. We had planned with them prior to director's departure and they worked with us to develop the plan. Then, over the next few years, they increased the efficiency of our network system and increased the reliability tremendously. We have done several other projects with them over the years.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We have a VCIO that we coordinate most things with. They have several technicians and staff that have a wide range of skills that support our needs. We have worked with several of their staff - depending on the project and our needs. Their team is highly trained, easy to work with, and has great communication.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have virtually no downtime on our system anymore. It is reliable and consistent. We have created better redundancy and systems to prevent downtime. We have increased the efficiency of our system and equipment, while improving access to staff.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Great. They easily flex between what "we" can do and what "they" can do. Projects are fluid and they let us do what we are capable of and guide us, and then take ownership when it is most appropriate for them to do the project. Each project is different and they engage the right mix of who does what for each.

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

The staff is all competent and easy to work with . Good communication and ability to address issues along the way.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I think we have landed with the right VCIO now, but we did have a few different point people along the way and the changes sometimes create a disconnect.