01732 759725 25 magazine INFRASTRUCTURE Choosing the best Abzorb transforms network infrastructure at Norfolk County Council with a £1.2 million unified SD-WAN project of NCC’s networking environment via a single support helpdesk, simplifies network management with automated ticketing and strengthens network security with protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Kurt Fray, Head of IT at Norfolk County Council, said: “Abzorb provided us with a flexible foundation for connecting more than 200 sites with the best networking option at each site. Its technology and provideragnostic approach has enabled the Authority to improve security, reduce complexity and deliver savings, benefiting the council and the communities we serve. The Abzorb team understands public sector and its challenges which helps us to develop a solution that is easy to manage with a small team but delivers trusted and reliable connectivity.” He adds that cost efficiencies will enable the council to explore emerging technologies and strategies to improve digital service delivery in Norfolk. Abzorb, a provider of public sector and business networking, has delivered a £1.2 million network transformation project for Norfolk County Council (NCC) that reduces costs while optimising connectivity and security across 221 sites with 8,500 users. The bespoke, unified SD-WAN (software-defined wide-area networking) solution enables NCC to leverage the best networking technologies at each of its sites, including FTTP, SoGEA and Fibre Ethernet, and select the best and most cost-efficient provider for long-term cost reductions. Since the deployment, 90% of end users say they have experienced improved network performance. The SD-WAN solution has also made life easier for the internal IT team as they no longer need to monitor and manage multiple solutions and providers but can gain the visibility they need from a single platform. Abzorb’s solution, which includes the monitoring and management Dean Al-Sened, Head of Public Sector and Enterprise at Abzorb, said: “Public sector networking doesn’t have to be complicated. We worked in collaboration with Norfolk County Council to understand their ambition, strategy, IT estate and investments, then developed a solution that wouldn’t require ‘ripping and replacing’ existing investments in technology. Instead, we simplified operations and found ways to maximise the value of existing equipment within a solution that leverages cloud, automation and cybersecurity. We’ve proven that network transformation can deliver simplicity, flexibility and agility for local councils.” Headquartered in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, Abzorb Systems has over 20 years’ experience as a network solutions provider. Partnering exclusively with top-tier providers, it offers a comprehensive suite of telecom services tailored to each customer’s unique needs, managed via one centralised platform. https://www.abzorb.co.uk/ Halo ITSM platform chosen to transform IT service management at WCG Circle of trust reporting capabilities will enable the IT team to make ongoing enhancements to service delivery in alignment with WCG’s strategic goals. WCG IT Director Matt Tennant says he chose to work with CIH Solutions because of the consultancy's track record in ITSM system design and delivery, with over 200 successful ITSM implementations across the UK and mainland Europe, as well as its strong relationship with Halo and its experience in the education sector. “Talking to Chris Hodder [CIH Solutions’ CEO], it became clear he had a very good working CIH Solutions is helping to transform IT support at WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) by replacing the IT team’s existing call-logging system with the Halo ITSM platform, aligned with ITIL standards. The further education group’s IT team serves over 1,300 staff and 10,000 students across six diverse campuses in Warwickshire and Worcestershire and the move to Halo, including seamless integration with WCG’s existing Google Workspace systems, is expected to improve both the speed and quality of IT service delivery. In addition, advanced data relationship with Halo,” he said. “What’s more, he and his team fully understand the context of what we’re trying to do and the hurdles we may have to face, as well as some of the rather more unusual requirements we might have. It’s also obvious that CIH Solutions have lots of experience in ITIL implementations and new process delivery, which is exactly what we’re trying to do. But, above all, it’s the focus on delivering value for us. It isn’t solely about the money; there’s a wide range of other business benefits that will help to drive the implementation.” www.itsmconsultancy.co.uk Matt Tennant
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