“We worked together extremely closely, with clear pragmatism and on an equal footing.”
Too many systems, too little clarity: the Marco Dätwyler Gruppe has worked with Swisscom to completely overhaul its IT infrastructure and create the basis for future digitalisation projects and greater efficiency when working.
Integrated IT solution for an SME with 20 sites 3 min.
- A leader in the construction sub-industry
- 450 employees at 20 sites
- 15 group companies
- Migration to the Swisscom cloud solution
- Centralisation and future-proofing of the entire IT landscape
- Modernisation of the IT infrastructure at all sites
The Marco Dätwyler Gruppe grew dynamically – servers here, software there, multiple individual solutions. As it became clear that the IT landscape was no longer keeping pace with growth, the company management decided to overhaul it completely. “IT simply has to work. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” Owner Marcel Dätwyler sums up his requirements. But it was becoming apparent that this was no longer guaranteed.
Poor IT slowed progress
With its different systems, outdated servers and unclear responsibilities, the IT landscape was as heterogeneous as the company’s structure. “Each of our 15 companies worked with its own tools and datasets. It was confusing and slowed us down.” One particular issue was the dependency on local servers. The collaboration with the IT partner was also far from ideal. “I had to deal with IT issues on Saturdays and Sundays. It just wasn’t sustainable.”
Swisscom as a solution partner: approachable and dedicated
Marcel Dätwyler deliberately chose Swisscom for the modernisation project. “I’m a Swisscom child. I knew what to expect – and that it would work”, he says with a wink. The decision wasn’t just based on the products, but also, and above all, on the people: “The trust was there from the very first minute. There was a clear contact person, who we could easily reach and who found solutions.” The client was impressed that, despite being a large service provider, Swisscom still offered a personal touch and remained approachable: “Even though our group isn’t an enterprise customer, I still felt like we were always in good hands. We worked together extremely closely, with clear pragmatism and on an equal footing.”
The chemistry is right – as is the IT: Michael Kamber (Senior Solution & System Engineer at Swisscom) and Marcel Dätwyler.
Firmly in the fast lane thanks to migration
The project began with a comprehensive IT assessment. It then progressed at speed. Swisscom planned, coordinated and implemented the migration with impressive foresight and regular contact so as to minimise the workload for the company. “They always thought two steps ahead, which was really helpful”, recalls Dätwyler. One particularly challenging factor was that the migration had to take place three weeks earlier than planned. “Thanks to parallel operations and impressive coordination, everything went seamlessly.”
From a technical perspective, there was no stone left unturned: Swisscom technicians equipped all sites with a new network infrastructure and secure SD-WAN connections. They migrated eight terabytes of data to the central cloud and made them available on SharePoint. The workstations were given Azure Virtual Desktop and modern telephony services. As it was clear to the owner that technology is only ever as good as the people who use it, particular focus was also placed on training: Swisscom specialists brought the employees up to date, gave them training and supplied them with easy-to-understand videos.
Speeding unencumbered into the future
The Marco Dätwyler Gruppe now enjoys a stable IT landscape. “I’ve got peace of mind – which should last for at least the next four years”, comments the owner. “We no longer have to think about servers or updates. And if anything does ever go wrong, the escalation system will take effect quickly and reliably.” Financially, the project pays off as the company is receiving far greater IT power for its money than previously.
The solution provides a solid basis for further growth. New sites can be connected in a matter of hours and the infrastructure required for the planned digital work reports is already in place. “We work more efficiently”, comments a happy Marcel Dätwyler. “Only the latest file versions are now available on SharePoint, making collaboration far simpler. New employees are onboarded almost automatically, saving us a great deal of time.” His conclusion: “A smaller IT provider would have struggled to implement this project. With Swisscom, I’ve found a partner that offers the necessary expertise, resources and, not least, close personal support.”
Swisscom’s recipe for efficient processes and productive working.