Fencecore

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the manager of a cosmetic and medical-grade skincare boutique. We also offer consultations and treatments. Our products are only available through physicians.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fencecore IT?

We needed comprehensive cybersecurity assistance.

What were your goals for this project?

It’s very important that we have a safe and secure network for our clients.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was referred to Fencecore IT through a family friend.

Describe the project in detail.

They completely overhauled our company’s cybersecurity architecture. They assessed our email system, firewalls, and networks, then made changes to strengthen our security.

What was the team composition?

I worked with the CEO, who delegated tasks to a larger team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Fencecore IT was the perfect partner to help us with this project. I’m not very familiar with IT, but I always felt that I could trust their team to do what was best for our company. They provided information at every step of the project and explained their work in great detail.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team followed a helpful and hands-on approach. They were highly communicative, answering phone calls or responding to emails whenever I reached out. Their work ethic was efficient, and they took care of us every step of the way.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was most impressed by their speed. They quickly identified our issues and provided solutions.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I don’t have any negative feedback. As long as they keep up the good work, they’ll continue to grow.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the co-owner of Franesse. We're an importer and manufacturer of supermarket supplies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Fencecore IT?

We were looking for a company to help us with our IT needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have a Windows server and Fencecore IT configured our whole network infrastructure. They take care of all the backups, the server, QMap, the Cloud backup, and hardware updates for us. They've recently configured our Firewall and they're currently implementing a VoIP system that is supplied by another company.

What is the team composition?

I usually work with 1–2 members of their team.

How did you come to work with Fencecore IT?

I worked with them in the past and liked their work, so I continue working with them.

How much have you invested with them?

I've spent about $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in June 2018 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven't had any issues and all of our troubles are resolved. I can get a hold of them whenever I need them.

How did Fencecore IT perform from a project management standpoint?

They're accessible and deliver everything on time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a very pragmatic approach to finding solutions for us. Also, their rates are very fair.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I'm happy with everything, so I want them to keep up the good work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Listen to what they say. They have the technical expertise, so they can point you in the right direction and help you save money.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the assistant manager for IT of an auto parts manufacturing plant.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Fencecore IT?

We engaged Fencecore IT to back up our infrastructure and provide disaster recovery solutions.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Fencecore IT offered a quick turnkey solution that perfectly fit our needs. They created a backup system that involves disks and a tape library in case of a disaster. They configured each disk enclosure and server as well as the tape library on their site. Their team then installed the devices at our plant and configured it further from their home base.

What is the team composition?

We worked with an IT director and an assistant. The assistant installed the devices while the IT director guided the project and configured each tape and disk set-up.

How did you come to work with Fencecore IT?

Our partnership began when the president of Fencecore IT reached out to our former IT manager. They’ve delivered excellent products on time in the past, and they were already familiar with our system, so we chose them to complete this project.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent $55,000 on this particular project and have invested over $200,000 in total.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Fencecore IT on this project in September 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They provided us with an excellent solution that we desperately needed to back up all of our resources and infrastructure. We’re highly satisfied with the quality of their work.

How did Fencecore IT perform from a project management standpoint?

The team is highly responsive and accessible. They answered all of my questions about each disk schedule and helped me understand what they were doing. Every change required my permission, and Fencecore IT always honored my approval. Once the project was complete, they answered additional questions and provided documentation for training at my request.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Fencecore IT provided a highly prompt yet thoughtful quote with minimal interference on our end. Once the project began, the team demonstrated in-depth expertise about each process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Outline your company’s needs as precisely as possible. Fencecore IT has a highly responsive team that listens carefully to clients and will adapt to meet their needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

At the time of the engagement, I was the senior IT manager at a global automotive supplier.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Fencecore IT?

We needed experienced technicians to help us rebuild our old network infrastructure.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us with three major projects, with the most significant being a complete network overhaul for headquarters. Fencecore IT helped us develop the scope, procure equipment, and implement a new network infrastructure. Two of their technicians came to our site to conduct a wireless site assessment pre- and post-installation, in addition to helping us configure the main switches. The other projects involved setting up networks and server infrastructures for our two new locations in Mexico. Updates were provided every hour to ensure that the equipment crossed borders safely.

What is the team composition?

Dan Munk, Fencecore IT’s VP, was my main point of contact because of our prior relationship. When I needed specialized help, I contacted other key members on their team.

How did you come to work with Fencecore IT?

I had been following Munk for years, so I knew that they would be capable of helping us rebuild our failing infrastructure.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $80,000 ¬– $1 million on services and equipment.

What is the status of this engagement?

The major implementations took place between December 2016 – June 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I consider them to be my most valuable connection because they’re always helping us get out of tight situations. When we couldn’t find a vendor who sold or shipped the what we needed, Fencecore IT found a way to acquire and deliver the equipment to our isolated locations in Mexico. On another occasion, they sent us parts for a server rack that malfunctioned during the Christmas holidays within two days. In both instances, they helped us prevent delays.

How did Fencecore IT perform from a project management standpoint?

They maintain an open line of communication and provide comprehensive reports so that we’re as informed as possible on their work. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They care about my immediate needs more than they care about their profits, which makes them feel like an extension of our team instead of a sales company. I can go anywhere for tech equipment, but Fencecore IT is the only place where I can get quality customer service.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Although I appreciate their responsiveness, it would benefit them to adopt a ticketing system that marks non-urgent requests as a low priority. It would also be useful to have a digital record of their clients’ account history.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of finance and operations for a clothing importer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Fencecore IT?

We wanted to outsource our IT needs, since we were lacking IT staff internally. We needed help managing our network and infrastructure.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Fencecore works on special projects as needed and provides IT maintenance services. They set up our entire network infrastructure for about 70 staff members working on 50 PCs and various voice over IP systems.

A couple years ago, they helped us perform a server swap, changing all of our equipment over in the process after doing an assessment of user needs and recommending a hardware solution. They also provide some digital marketing and SEO services and helped us build our website.

What is the team composition?

I work with 2–3 people on a day-to-day basis, but I also have one main point of contact for high-level projects.

How did you come to work with Fencecore IT?

I had a connection in common with Fenecore, and we ran into each other by chance in Montreal.

How much have you invested with them?

We probably spend about $30,000–$40,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together for five years and counting.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Fencecore continues to keep everything operational and running smoothly. Their response time to any IT issues that come up is very fast; we can rely on them whenever we have any downtime related to an infrastructure networking issue.

How did Fencecore IT perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication is outstanding. I generally get a response back from them within minutes when I reach out by phone or email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I can trust them and I don't have to worry about pricing, because they're very upfront and transparent about their services. When we first started working together, they visited our office onsite to do an assessment, noticed that a lot of basic functionality for our servers wasn't working, and loaned us $40,000 worth of equipment to help us get it up to speed. They have a results-driven approach in that sense.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

No, but I definitely recommend working with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the senior network administrator at a large manufacturing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Fencecore IT?

We're an HP shop and we have our own IT department. Fencecore is our consulting partner, helping us with many projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We've done the wireless project with them recently and they also helped us with server and SAN replacements. In addition, they provide recommendations when it comes to parts or licensing.

Our equipment was seven years old, so we needed to update our technologies. We worked with them on identifying the equipment that would last us several years and help us grow. They're very knowledgeable and set things up exactly the way we want them, without taking any shortcuts. We never have to go back to them and change something because it doesn't work–they do things correctly the first time.

What is the team composition?

We had two technicians working on our server project and two–on our wireless project, but I usually work directly with the owner.

How did you come to work with them?

We worked with their owner before he started Fencecore, so we stayed with him.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2010 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The server project has helped us reduce the backup times tremendously, saving us time and effort. We used to back up the tape, which took 18 hours and now we're backing up the disk, which takes less than three hours. Also, everything on the backend is much quicker, which speeds up our business.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They're great communicators and we can easily get hold of them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have phenomenal customer service and always reach out to us to make sure we're happy. We typically get three quotes for a project and they do their best to get us the best prices.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a clear goal for what you want the project to achieve because that will help them get the best price and the equipment you need. If you don't have a clear goal in mind, they will sit down with you and discuss your objectives, helping you find a solution.