When Feeney’s IT processes started to slow the company down, MCS overhauled the entire system—both software and hardware—while upgrading security and implementing cloud-based storage and remote access.
Thanks to MCS, I no longer worry about my IT system. The MCS team foresees problems before they arise and come up with cost-effective and easy-to-use solutions. Now our IT runs smoothly and efficiently, giving me time to concentrate on running my business.”
Feeney’s Filling Station in Dromore West, Co. Sligo, is open to the public approximately 100 hours a week. It provides petrol, retail, and delicatessen services to the local community and commuters travelling to and from Ballina and Sligo. Feeney’s Filling Station has three fulltime and twenty part-time employees.
CHALLENGE
This owner-operated SME has a small team of employees, and traditionally IT issues were handled in-house. With priority given to customer-facing operational tasks, the team had limited time to deal with IT issues and the back-office IT processes were not growing with the business. Legacy hardware and security protocols sometimes slowed down the system and caused network downtime. The owner approached MCS Integrated Solutions to update and secure their IT system.
STRATEGY
MCS proposed a cost-effective plan to overhaul the legacy IT system to make it more efficient and secure against internet threats, reinforced by MCS’s remote support service.
IMPLEMENTATION
The MCS team fully reviewed the customer’s workflows and interviewed key staff to determine the most significant issues for the business.
MCS mapped out the current system and inspected the existing hardware. The back-office system and the security system had not been adequately upgraded over time; this was permitting virus access and causing regular network downtime. In addition, the legacy switch was slowing network communication down and causing productivity issues.
MCS discussed the problems with the owner and proposed a plan to overhaul the system which was aligned with the owner’s priorities and budget. This included the following:
- Upgrade of all office PCs and firewalls
- Implementation of a server for easy file-sharing
- Installation of intrusion detection and antimalware prevention software
- Set-up of a multifunctional printer with scanner
- Installation of a next generation firewall
- Implementation of an automated cloud backup solution
- Provision of email addresses to key office staff
In addition to on-call support, MCS implemented a remote systems management tool. Now, if problems arise, the employees know that the MCS team can access their systems remotely and promptly resolve IT issues.
RESULTS
The upgraded system has resulted in reduced downtime and increased productivity and performance. The new servers now enable easy file-sharing of accounts and business information, making business tasks more efficient and processes more reliable.
The security measures prevent unwanted traffic on the computer network, improving system stability. Office staff can now scan all post and maintain digital records of all correspondence, while automated cloud back-up facilitates business continuity should a crisis occur.
Remote access to the system has allowed before problems occur. MCS enabled remote management access during Covid-19 lockdowns and plans to implement a cloud server for greater resilience for the accounts team.
MCS Systems Engineer, John Anderson, said “Traditional businesses often don’t have the time to streamline their IT systems, and sometimes people think bringing in an IT support service is too expensive. That is why a good relationship is so important—the client understands how much time, effort, and money we can save them before committing to big changes.”
MCS continues to work closely with Feeney’s Dromore West in a support and consultancy role. MCS has recently advised the best layout and communications systems for the business’s new offices, including recommending an IP telephone system that will be more flexible, cost-effective, and easily managed. MCS regularly communicates with Feeney’s to ensure that the system is running optimally. MCS also monitors the life cycle of the system, advising Feeney’s if and when upgrades are needed, to ensure smooth operations and customer confidence.
WHY COMPANIES CHOOSE MCS INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
Individual businesses have individual technology needs; our strength comes from our close attention to customer requirements, combined with 50 years’ experience and expertise in technology design, selection, and implementation. MCS offers managed services solutions to help futureproof clients’ IT networks within their budgets, so that their secure IT system grows with their businesses.