Continuum Case Study
Continuum Photonics, Inc. and the Quest for a New Enterprise-Class IT Infrastructure
When emerging companies transition from startups to mainstream businesses, they face significant information technology and data communication challenges as their needs outstrip the capabilities of their original IT infrastructure. Spade Technology offers clients a convenient way to avoid this predicament by offering a full-range of outsourced information technology services.
As an example, consider the case of Continuum Photonics, Inc. of Billerica, MA, an emerging leader in optical networking, serving commercial and governmental markets in the U.S. and abroad. Founded in 1998, Continuum is an engineering-driven company employing over 45 technical professionals having enormous data processing needs.
Expanding Staff and Larger Facilities Mandated a Major Change in IT Strategy
According to Kevin Borek, vice president of operations for Continuum Photonics, “Prior to moving into our new 25,000 sq. ft. facility, it was apparent that we would need to upgrade to a new and more standardized enterprise-class IT infrastructure. Since we didn’t have a full-time IT staff to do the work in-house, we chose to outsource the project to Spade Technology. They had already been working with us to bring our rudimentary systems up to a higher level of performance, as well as to organize our data and to make it more easily recoverable.”
Spade initially appraised the situation, then generated a “technology compass” document to define a recommended course of action for Continuum Photonics. Using the technology compass as a road map, Spade performed a variety of tasks involving the IT hardware infrastructure, software applications, and technical support.
A More Robust Infrastructure
To ensure maximum uptime, Spade scoped out a redundant, fault tolerant IT network architecture. Implementation required:
• Constructing a dedicated server room with five server platforms.
• Stringing more than 60,000 feet of Ethernet and multimode fiber optic cables.
• Adding uninterruptible power supplies and surge protection.
• Migrating from DSL to a faster T1 line.
• Deploying a new firewall and virtual private network solution (SonicWall).
• Installing new switching hardware with a throughput of 48 million packets per second.
Powerful Enterprise Software
To enhance data processing, management and accessibility, Spade migrated Continuum from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Active Directory, and from Microsoft Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2000. Then a new directory system with login scripts was created, based on Active Directory. To further safeguard vital company information, a disaster recovery strategy, using both tape back up and off-site storage, was implemented and Norton Corporate Antivirus was deployed. Spade also set up a cost-effective, centralized software license and asset management program.
Responsive Technical Support
Since Continuum opted not to hire its own IT staff, Spade assumed the role of Continuum’s IT department by positioning staff on-site for three days a week and by performing remote systems management. In addition, Spade took over the hosting and management of Continuum’s web site.
A Fully Integrated IT Infrastructure
“With Spade’s help,” says Borek, “we have been able to create a fully integrated IT infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of our staff, sustaining our company’s growth, and incorporating sufficient checks and balances to safeguard our intellectual property. Spade tries hard to please, and overall we are quite satisfied with the level of support that they provide to us.”