New Jersey–based eMazzanti Technologies, which offers IT services to customers worldwide, wanted to give remote workers easier network access and faster file download speeds. It also sought to improve video performance internally and externally. The company chose Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard for its solution. Employees now have better remote access to customer files and can transfer them faster. As a result, productivity has risen by 12 percent, which helps eMazzanti complete more customer projects and deliver them more quickly.
Business Needs
Located across the Hudson River from lower Manhattan, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner eMazzanti Technologies has been providing cutting-edge, high-tech solutions to more than 400 small and midsize businesses worldwide since 2001. The organization’s solutions and services help customers lower costs, drive revenue, and increase productivity.
Many of the company’s engineers often work at customer sites, but they still need to access critical customer data on the corporate network. However, that was sometimes difficult given the occasionally unreliable virtual private network (VPN) connection that employees used. Off-site staff also struggled to access diagrams and other important files because of bandwidth limitations. “Our employees need to be able to access files quickly wherever they are in the world, even if their connection isn’t great,” says Jennifer Mazzanti, President, eMazzanti Technologies.
The company also needed improved audio and video capabilities. “We create several internal training videos every week for our employees, and we wanted our staff to have the highest quality versions to view,” says Mazzanti. “It’s also essential because we use videos in our headquarters to demonstrate our products and services to customers.”
Increased employee productivity was another goal. “We work in a business where speed is essential,” says Mazzanti. “Our customers depend on us to help them solve business problems faster, and we need to work smarter and more efficiently to help them accomplish that.”
Solution
In late 2007, eMazzanti had implemented the Windows Server 2008 operating system, along with the Windows 7 client operating system. Always an early adopter of Microsoft technologies, the company decided to upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows Server 2008 R2 includes new remote access features and improved audio and video functionality, which eMazzanti knew could help solve its business challenges.
For example, the solution’s Remote Desktop Services feature makes it possible to install and manage session-based desktops and applications or virtual machine–based desktops on centralized servers in a data center. As a result, staff members can work in an entire desktop environment or on individual applications. They can also take advantage of bidirectional audio and video functionality in Windows Server 2008 R2, which decodes a compressed audio or video stream and renders it on a client computer.
BranchCache, another Windows Server 2008 R2 feature, caches wide area network file and Web server content on computers at a local branch office. This gives remote employees the experience of working on the company’s local area network. Also new is the DirectAccess feature, which employees can use to connect directly to the network without having to use a VPN connection.
The company implemented Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard in July 2009, deploying the software on six HP server computers.
Benefits
Windows Server 2008 R2 gives remote eMazzanti employees improved access, faster file downloads, and much better video performance—all of which make eMazzanti more productive.
Improves Remote Connectivity
Now off-site staff can easily connect to the company’s network from their laptop computers. “Using the DirectAccess and Remote Desktop Services features in Windows Server 2008 R2, our network engineers and project managers working in other locations can easily access the applications they need,” says Mazzanti. “They can work anywhere in the world, at any time.”
Speeds Access to Files
Remote employees can also download critical customer files faster. Since files are available locally, data lines are not needed to transfer them. “Our engineers working at customer locations can download files locally, at fast speeds, because of the Windows Server 2008 R2 BranchCache feature,” says Mazzanti. “Whether they need a logo or a network diagram, they can get it fast, without worrying about backing up the file.”
Offers New Video, Audio Capabilities
Using bidirectional audio and video in Windows Server 2008 R2, eMazzanti and its customers can watch videos such as testimonials and training sessions more easily. Customers with satellite offices that use Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services also benefit from bidirectional audio and video. “Our customers using Windows Server 2008 R2 can get screen pops and handle voice conversations from a remote desktop session, without running a full desktop or offloading the video,” says Mazzanti.
Boosts Productivity by 12 Percent
With easier network connectivity and faster access to customer files, eMazzanti engineers working at customer sites are more productive than ever. “Each of our employees probably has an extra hour of time a day as the result of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7,” says Mazzanti. “That represents a 12 percent productivity improvement for us over the course of a year, and that means we can deliver projects faster to our customers.”
Helps Satisfy Customer Demand
The solution also helped eMazzanti better meet customer demands for higher system memory and performance. “Windows Server 2008 R2 gave us a reason to go back to existing customers with a new solution that doesn’t require new hardware,” says Mazzanti. “It gives them more memory and better performance on their existing equipment, and it offers new features like improved video compression to help them solve problems that were impacting their business.”
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 is the latest version of the Windows Server operating system from Microsoft. With Windows Server 2008 R2, you can create solutions that are easier to plan, deploy, and manage than with previous versions of Windows Server. Building on the features, security, reliability, and performance provided by Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 extends connectivity and control to local and remote resources. This means that your organization can benefit from reduced costs and increased efficiencies gained through enhanced management and control over resources across the enterprise.
Case Study is Available for Download in: MS WORD and .PDF FORMAT
Carl Mazzanti is Co-Founder and President of eMazzanti Technologies, Microsoft’s four time Partner of the Year and one of the premier IT consulting services for businesses throughout the New York metropolitan area and internationally. Carl and his company manage over 400 active accounts ranging from professional services firms to high-end global retailers.
eMazzanti is all about delivering powerful, efficient outsourced IT services, such as computer network management and troubleshooting, managed print, PCI DSS compliance, green computing, mobile workforce technology, information security, cloud computing, and business continuity and disaster recovery.
Carl Mazzanti is also a frequent business conference speaker and technology talk show guest and contributor at Microsoft-focused events, including frequent prominent roles at the Microsoft Inspire (Worldwide Partner Conference / WPC).
Carl, a serial Entrepreneur, gives back to the community through Entrepreneur teaching engagements at Georgetown University, the company’s ocean wildlife conservation effort, the Blue Project, and Tree Mazzanti.
