The Wheeler Centre is Melbourne’s home for books, writing and ideas. They have been supporting writers, readers, and thinkers since its inception in 2009, after Melbourne was awarded the UNESCO City of Literature status.
The Wheeler Centre uses a range of live and digital conversations, debates, performances, and readings to engage with the public about pressing everyday topics. It prides itself on creative collaboration, diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.
Challenges
The Wheeler Centre were experiencing poor IT performance, coupled with unreliable support, and legacy hardware and software that was part of their tenancy. This IT environment was holding them back and wasn’t providing them peace of mind.
When the pandemic hit, The Wheeler Centre staff were working from their personal devices at home as desktops were used in the office. Due to the unreliable VPN connection and complexity of the environment documents were being saved locally on devices.
Their current IT environment did not allow them the flexibility, control, and reliability they needed to run their organisation. The Wheeler Centre goals were mobility, security, workflow capability, functionality, up to date IT environment and to take back control of their network and business.
Solution
After discussions with Steadfast Solutions based on their needs and budget, a customised solution was approved. It addressed their accessibility, connectivity, and security needs whilst allowing them to be independent.
The solution included:
- Microsoft365 with storage, chat, online meeting, emails, and document management.
- a new fleet of laptops set up with Microsoft 365 and security.
- migration of emails, systems, and files.
- security for devices, email, and web traffic.
- email with security, backup, and archiving.
- domain name migration and DNS hosting.
- training to allow staff to get to know the new environment and systems.
- support to assist with IT enquiries and issues.
Results
The solution and IT support have provided The Wheeler Centre with:
- the independence and freedom to operate their business more efficiently and effectively.
- peace of mind that their emails, systems, and business have an adequate level of security to prevent attacks.
- streamlined processes with integration and more capability for staff to work easier.
- better communication and sharing documents and information in real time within the organisation, with the Board and externally.
- increased productivity including no downtime, one place to store and retrieve documents, with integrated and reliable systems.
- time savings due to faster access to devices, systems, and data.
- knowledgeable, exceptional, and respectful support that goes above and beyond every time.
- flexibility, adaptability, and ability to work from anywhere, anytime.
1200% faster to access systems via a device
The process was a 4-step process before and now it is 1 click with added security.
600% faster to load and save files
The loading and saving process using the legacy system lagged, and now it is much quicker.
Conclusion
The Wheeler Centre was impressed with Steadfast Solutions’ responsiveness and they’re hands on approach during and after the migration. Support staff were on onsite for two weeks after the migration, assisting staff.
The Wheeler Centre has peace of mind that their new IT environment is working for them and are secure.
“We had received positive feedback about Steadfast Solutions, and they lived up to their reputation. We are now back in the driver’s seat of our business and systems, and we are confident that things are working effectively, efficiently and securely.”
~ Sally Rosevear, Office Manager, The Wheeler Centre.