SUDOP PRAHA modernizes its IT infrastructure: Faster data transfer and improved document availability

We have had a very positive experience with both NetApp disk arrays and the support provided by Soitron colleagues over the long term. They are reliable, fast, and as far as maintenance is concerned, we could basically forget that we have them.

Ondrej Veselý, Head of IT Department

Background

SUDOP PRAHA a. s. as a design, consulting and engineering company works with vast numbers of documents. To store and manage them, they require sufficient storage capacity provided by disk arrays. As the existing solution no longer met their needs, the company decided to invite tenders. Through this process, they sought a reliable IT partner to oversee the renewal of their disk arrays and expand their capacity. With our extensive experience we won the tender and took responsibility for the project.

Project implementation process

At the beginning of the project, we mapped the existing configuration of the disk arrays. This was followed by an analysis of the necessary next steps. We reviewed all the details and proposed the best possible solution. As part of the project, we created a separate backup link between the server rooms to ensure higher reliability. We connected the disk arrays to two server rooms to achieve redundancy. This means that if one server were to fail, the data would still be available from the other location, enhancing the system security.

Next, we integrated the arrays into the network infrastructure and, in collaboration with the NetApp technology distributor, configured the solution in line with the customer’s requirements. The result was upgraded disk arrays with new functionalities, expanded capacity, and fivefold increase in data transfer speed.

Results and benefits

efficient expansion of storage capacity

higher data transfer speeds

fast availability of stored data

array connection redundancy

Customer Profile

SUDOP PRAHA a.s. is a design, consulting, and engineering company specializing in comprehensive solutions for transportation infrastructure, particularly railway, road, and highway construction, as well as urban public transport systems. Other areas of expertise of SUDOP PRAHA a.s. include designing residential and industrial buildings, utility networks, telecommunications, and energy systems. The company also provides consulting services focused on regional development, transport system services, and project financing.

Technologies used

NetApp

State Scientific Library acquires new space for cultural heritage

We have long strived to be an innovative, modern, and forward-thinking library. In addition to utilizing modern RFID technology, we are also creating digital content that we wish to preserve for future generations. We started developing the solution for processing, storing, and presenting this content on our library portal, in collaboration with Soitron, over 10 years ago. The creativity, professionalism, and timelessness of their proposed solution convinced us to continue our partnership when we needed to expand our storage due to the increase in digital content volume.

Mária Halienová, Head of the Information Technology Department

Background

As part of its contract with the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic to provide public services and carry out specialized library activities, the State Scientific Library also focuses on the digitization and preservation of cultural heritage. It aims at providing high-quality library and information services by using modern information and communication technologies. The library has its own YouTube channel, organizes online scientific conferences, and makes electronic books available through the BOOKPORT service.

The library also provides various other modern data services, such as the collection and processing of a large volume of data in the form of audiovisual recordings, audio files, or photographic documentation. This ever-growing digital content requires space for storage, processing, and preservation. Having had a long history of working together, the customer approached us to resolve the issue of data storage and expand the capacity of their current storage arrays.

Project implementation process

After the initial consultation with the customer, we began exploring storage solutions from various manufacturers. We considered different methods of data storage and access, including archiving with a special emphasis on the data use, day-to-day handling of films, photographs, and other elements of digitized culture.

The key was to find a reasonable balance between storage capacity, functionality, and cost. Quick access to data and responsiveness during data handling were also an important factor. For this reason, we decided to add a few fast NVMe drives to the disk array for quicker processing of specific data types. The disk arrays were connected via aggregated 2x10Gb Ethernet connections.

The installation and deployment of the new NAS disk array went smoothly, thanks to our extensive experience with the customer’s infrastructure.

After a few months of positive experience with the disk array, the customer decided to further expand the storage capacity with the same solution from the same manufacturer. In the second project, we took advantage of the lessons learned in the first installation and connected the second disk array, along with additional disk trays, to the existing infrastructure.

This way we simply and effectively created space for several more years of data storage. The customer now has the ability to work with larger volumes of data, and smartly design the storage structure, as well as process recordings with a focus on archiving or potential data recovery.

Results and benefits

efficient storage capacity expansion

fast access to stored data

cost-effective solution

quick installation and storage system availability

Customer Profile

The State Scientific Library in Prešov is a governmental budgetary organisation established and managed by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. As a public cultural, informational, scientific, and educational institution providing librarian, bibliographic, scientific research, and publishing activities, it systematically builds and provides access to its library collection while also offering library and information services. It serves the citizens of the Prešov region, primarily professionals, scientists, educators, and students, as well as state and local government bodies, and the business sector.

Customer Profile

Synology disk arrays
Cisco Nexus technology

We deployed a software-defined architecture in our network

BY DEPLOYING SOFTWARE-DEFINED ARCHITECTURE, WE HAVE CONFIRMED OUR POSITION AS A NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY PIONEER

As a progressive IT company, we recognize the need for technological change in the world of networking technologies. That is why we decided to switch to software-defined networking, being one of the first companies in Slovakia and the Czech Republic to do so. We tested the transition to SDA on our own infrastructure so that we could later capitalize on this experience with our clients. We are now looking back and evaluating the benefits brought to us by this change.

Case study was published 02.09.2022

REQUIREMENTS

The update of Soitron’s network infrastructure after the end of its life cycle
Testing the new architecture of software-defined networks for themselves in order to acquire necessary competencies and be able to use it for their customers
One of the objectives was to increase security and simplify network management at a time when the nature of work and the working habits of users were changing

SOLUTION

The complete modernization of Cisco network technologies in three countries and on four separate sites
The deployment of the Cisco DNA orchestrator to make the infrastructure management easier and more efficient

RESULTS AND BENEFITS

Streamlined infrastructure deployment

More effective troubleshooting and resolving of technical problems

Simplified infrastructure management

Saving administrators’ time by up to 60 and even 80 %.

Help with issue prediction and outage prevention

Soitron proves to be crucial partner for setting the right course for nearshoring

Since improving efficiency is a neverending process, Soitron’s collaboration with HPE transformed overtime to managed service with clearly defined measurable parameters.

Case study was published 18.06.2020

Requirements

Create location strategy, and set the right operating model
Create a near-shore competence centre with aim to pursuit sales opportunities
Address fast ramp-up requirements for the Centre of Excellence
Transfer knowledge from on-shore locations to nearshore competence centre
Introduce synergies by collocating business functions that were initially geographically fragmented
Save costs and increase team efficiency

Solution

Offering complex T&T (Transform and Transition) partnership model
Providing advisory services for setting-up ultimate location strategy
Agile approach to operations ramp-up
Relocating and consolidating processes from on-shore locations to the single
competence centre
Assistance with shaping the service delivery to enable performance driven (KPI) as opposed to Time & Material driven solution

Outcomes

Fast transfer and launching of processes in the new location

Enabling better collaboration by collocating several functions into single Centre location

At least 30% staffing cost savings compared to the previous solution

Subsequent transition to managed service model with set Key Performance Indicators driving further service excellence for the centre.

IN SOITRON, WE “EMPLOYED” A ROBOT THAT CAN HANDLE A HALF-HOUR PROCESS IN 30 SECONDS, ON ITS OWN

To do their job, new employees needed various access rights, which often was not prepared for them on their first day at work. They dealt with it on ad-hoc bases across multiple departments, which was often time consuming for them, but also for other colleagues. That is why we decided to have a closer look on the onboarding process.

Case study was published 10.03.2019

Requirements

Speed up, facilitate and refine the onboarding process (new employee integration) associated with lots of administrative work.
Relieve this administrative burden from as many people as possible.
Minimize process error rate (incorrectly entered data, etc.).

Solution

Automate the onboarding process through RPA (Robotic Process Automation).
Map all actions that people have to do as part of onboarding a newly hired employee.
Optimize weaknesses in internal processes.
Define automation rules, program the software, test and deploy it to productive operation.

Outcome

The onboarding process was shortened from half an hour to 23 seconds.

Routine agenda formerly done by 5 people can now be handled by a single robot. Those people have now time for more important tasks.

We have streamlined our internal processes, cleaned databases and eliminated errors.

SAZKABOT FROM SOITRON HANDLES ALMOST ONE FIFTH OF SAZKA’S ALL INCOMING CHATS

The contact centre of the Czech lottery company Sazka is contacted by about 700 existing and prospective customers a day. A great many of them ask relatively simple questions. For example, they ask about registration or inquire about ongoing promotions, products and services. So, when Soitron was building a new contact centre for Sazka, logically it proposed to implement a chatbot that could automatically and autonomously handle requests of at least part of the website visitors.

Case study was published 18.02.2019

Assignment

Unburden contact centre agents from handling simple and frequently recurring questions.
Streamline contact centre activities and free up capacity to handle more complex customer issues.
Strengthen the proactive communication of the lottery company.

Solution

Analyse Sazka’s historical communication and extraction of key topics.
Design chatbot response and communication logic.
Implement SOITRON*bot to automate the communication.
Integrate it with Avaya Contact Center and PoolParty semantic software.
Technical support, consultations and training to help Sazka create their own new conversation scenarios and expand chatbot’s abilities.

Results

Automated handling of simple and often recurring questions at the key and ever-growing communication channel – chat on Sazka’s website.

Option to extend the SOITRON*bot solution to email communication, web forms, online environments and social networks.

More effective use of human resources, including the development of online business activities, in which Sazka’s bot can play an important role.

Return on investment within one year.

Migration from proprietary monitoring solution to “monitoring as a service”

MIGRATION FROM PROPRIETARY MONITORING SOLUTION TO “MONITORING AS A SERVICE”

A few months ago, Soitron faced a difficult situation with a need for smart decision at the end – continue with our own proprietary monitoring solutions or switch to monitoring as a service. The first option represented a significantly more expensive and complex approach because of the need for certified specialists as well as additional costs in a form of license fees. After several discussions, we have chosen the second alternative having many advantages we can benefit from.

Case study was published 29.09.2016

Before migration

Expensive enterprise system based on costs calculation per server, per application
Service payments during the whole period of contract
Unclear licensing model and the associated high costs
Additional payments for extra features and modules
Specific requirements for trained and certified people

After migration

Clear system with no license fees or additional costs per application, per server
Significant savings in total costs
OpenSource software
Extra features and modules available for free
Increased level of flexibility, scalability and availability

Results

Transparent and fixed price model during the whole contract period.

Flexibility in solution modification with no relation to specific life cycle.

SLA with conditions tailored to customer needs. Service Desk and Incident management as a part of SLA.

Payments according to used features and services.

IVAN KOLLÁR

Senior Monitoring Consultant (Soitron, s.r.o.)

Thanks to new solution, modified according to our need and requirements, we managed to decrease total costs by 80%. Migration process took 3 months and was carried out seamlessly and with no outage of our services.

IMPLEMENTATION OF VIDEO CONFERENCING SOLUTION IN FORBES SLOVAKIA

The Forbes story in Slovakia started to be written in 2010. The owners have a license for 4 countries, which is actually the highest number of countries assigned to a single company in the world. They had and still have a company with offices in Bratislava, Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Imagine that you are in the shoes of owners and that you would have to travel and visit all these destinations every week. So, they had a natural need to look for another solution to save their money and time.

Case study was published 15.08.2016

Video solutions for Forbes