The company is exploiting Vialtus Solutions expertise in the security market and now has a managed firewall, server and a 2Mbps leased line to provide a powerful communications backbone.
Benefits of the Vialtus solution include:
- Increased security – the data on Nichols' server is constantly monitored for cyber threats, while the managed firewall alerts Vialtus Solutions Security Operations Centre to possible security breaches.
- Reliable, knowledgeable support from a team of experts.
- Leased line technology is highly resilient.
- Joined up communication across Nichols' eight subsidiaries.
ABOUT NICHOLS PLC
Founded in 1908, Nichols plc specialises in soft drinks and beverage ingredients and systems. It sells, markets and licenses products within the Vimto, Panda and Sunkist brands. Through its Balmoral Dispense arm, it supplies coffee to leisure and catering outfits, while its Cabana Soft Drinks brand is supplied to more than 5,000 outlets in the licensed trade, leisure and catering markets. The company is responsible for numerous product and packaging innovations in the UK soft drink and hot beverage dispense market. These include Indigo Energy drink, Vivo-Tec fruit juice-based dispense machines and a 250ml ready to drink Vimto in a handy bulb shaped bottle.
SECURITY UNDER PRESSURE
Nichols plc employs more than 200 people at its head office in Newton in the Willows and eight other sites across the UK. It also has partners throughout the world, including China, India, the Middle East and South Africa. This presents a challenge in terms of ensuring secure communication across all its operations. Martin Eaves, IT Services Manager, explains, "As a company with multi-sites, communication between our sister companies and our head office was typically slow and disjointed. Each division looked after their own IT and were being billed separately by the service providers, which made things even more complicated." In addition, Nichols was being targeted by hackers and spam on a daily basis. The level of spam emails being received each day was severely hampering the productivity of all staff and viruses were attacking the IT infrastructure and the network's contents. “There has always been a culture of ‘it won’t happen to me’ and like so many other British businesses, we had exactly the same sentiments.” Martin Eaves, IT Services Manager Nichols plc.
SOLUTION SELECTION
Having spoken to its existing service provider for quotes on upgrades and new solutions, Nichols invited other suppliers to submit a tender. They received several competitive bids for their business. "We chose Vialtus Solutions as they have a great reputation in the marketplace, with many examples of where they have helped other large organisations. Vialtus could deliver a range of solutions, applications and services on a relatively tight IT budget," Martin Eaves. Vialtus Solutions is a total communications provider, with a reputation for supplying SMEs and blue-chip corporations alike with cutting-edge yet proven technologies. Vialtus Solutions, provides integrated communications to midmarket companies and large organisations. With a focus on using IP based solutions to solve complex business communications problems, Vialtus Solutions helps organisations to enhance business performance, enable mobile working and keep data secure. "We knew that we wanted and needed to improve our security and so we discussed all the options and possible solutions with a team from Vialtus. They were incredibly knowledgeable and were able to demonstrate their understanding of our requirements by suggesting products and services that would help to solve our problems.” Martin Eaves. "After careful consideration, we chose to implement a managed firewall from the WatchGuard range and to have our server hosted and managed by Vialtus Solutions. We also chose a 2Mbps leased line Internet service, which would give us resilience if the broadband access was cut for any reason. Having these products and services working together, we felt that we would be better protected against all eventualities." Martin Eaves.
BUCKLING UP
Vialtus Solutions operates two main data centres located across the UK. These centres house thousands of servers, all constantly storing and protecting their owners' data. Temperatures are strictly monitored to ensure the servers are kept cool and access to the centres themselves is limited to only authorised personnel. In case of natural or man-made disasters, such as a power cut, terrorist attack or flood, data can easily be switched to the other Vialtus Solutions centre for safe-keeping. By having their server hosted and managed by Vialtus Solutions Manchester data centre Server Bank™ - the site of the former Bank of England bullion vault - Nichols does not have to spend time, effort and vital resource on checking and updating their security settings. It also means that should any of their offices be affected by flooding, fire or a power cut, their data will not be harmed.
LESS STRESS, MORE FOCUS
"Since we've implemented and arranged these security measures with Vialtus, we no longer have the problems we were once plagued with," comments Eaves. "We don't have a daily fight with the deluge of spam and viruses and we feel much more secure." "Much of my time before was taken up with resolving problems with the server or email. While troubleshooting always has been and will be a part of my job, there were too many issues with the old system.“ Martin Eaves. “Since we've implemented and activated the Vialtus solutions, though, I hardly ever spend time on these types of problems – Vialtus Solutions has taken that worry and stress away from me." Martin Eaves. Also as a result of implementing the Vialtus range of solutions, Nichols has joined-up its communications across its group of nine companies. It means that all employees - regardless of division and location - are able to access the company's network, Internet and email facilities. “Since the implementation, we have upgraded our broadband connection with Vialtus." comments Eaves. "Even though we should be used to the speedy and professional response from Vialtus Solutions, we were amazed to order the upgrade on Wednesday and have it up and running by the following Tuesday, with absolutely no downtime." Eaves concludes, "It has been very refreshing to work with a supplier who genuinely understands the pressures we're under and how our requirements can change quickly.” “Our account manager at Vialtus Solutions works tirelessly to ensure we are getting the best value from our services and resolves any issues immediately. I consider Vialtus Solutions to be a great partner organisation.” Martin Eaves, IT Services Manager Nichols plc.