The Company

• A prominent law firm in downtown Toronto with about 50 computer users
•  Computing technology is crucial to the firm’s operations and service delivey
• The firm has no in-house computing expertise and relies on DSM for all IT service
•  DSM has been providing full service and support for all IT functions for over 16 years

The Requirement

• Convert from legacy Novell network system with Groupwise email to current Windows technology
• Configure new environment for all computing requirements
• Ensure all application software will work in new environment
• Convert Groupwise email history into new Microsoft Exchange / Outlook email system
• Install new file servers and update many workstations for compatibility with new environment
• Ensure users are able to function with new system upon conversion
• Add deeper Internet based capabilities within the system such as remote access, controlled web access and on-line email access

The Challenges

• Test and ensure all applications will work without interruption for the firms users upon conversion
• Avoid any downtime where productivity costs are enormous on an hourly basis
• Ensure the users are comfortable with the new system upon conversion without detracting from productivity
• Provide intimate support after the implementation within the budget that the firm has approved

The Solution

• DSM designed a plan to prepare and pre-train users for the new system conversion
• DSM engineered the implementation with ZERO downtime through pre-installation planning and testing
• The conversion was designed to take place in tandem with the existing system
• The environment switchover was done after hours through a weekend without disrupting user productivity at any time
• DSM technicians remained on site to provide desk-side training and support for users that required any post conversion support
• DSM help desk provided 24 hour – 7 day per week support in case of any issues
• DSM sophisticated help desk technology provided immediate solutions if required with remote support

The Results

• The conversion was performed without impact on the productivity of the users
• All applications and system functions were up and running upon conversion
• New advanced technology was introduced to the operation of the business to increase productivity and user effectiveness
• All aspects of the project were completed 10 % under the budget that was designed with DSM and the client
• The new environment is positioned to provide as much as 5 years of operational productivity with few upgrades and additional costs along the way