NCRC enhances its IT operational efficiency by partnering with OSIbeyond
NCRC restructured its IT operations by moving from an on-premise to a managed dedicated cloud solution hosted by OSIbeyond. The IT leadership at NCRC recognized the benefits of hosting systems in the cloud, and sought a partner that would provide a customizable and cost effective cloud services solution in Washington D.C. In addition, NCRC desired a true technology strategy partner that would provide high levels of ongoing technical support and strategic advice. OSIbeyond designed and implemented a customized solution. As a result, NCRC realized several key benefits:
- Implemented a cloud hosted solution that is cost effective, efficient, and customizable
- Support a new telecommuting policy launched by the organization
- Established a partnership that provides flexibility and reliability
“OSIbeyond’s willingness to work with organizations to provide the services they need is one of their strengths. It’s not a one size fits all approach. They really come in to learn what people are looking for and provide them that type of service.”
–Kevin Sall, Director Information Technology
Lack of Quality Support and Aging Infrastructure Caused Challenges for NCRC
Mr. Kevin Sall, Director of Information Technology at NCRC, was hired as the first in house IT professional for the organization. Prior to Mr. Sall’s arrival, all IT support was outsourced to a vendor and all infrastructure was on-premise. Mr. Sall intended to help NCRC reshape some of the outside support services to be more economical, while at the same time significantly improving the infrastructure. He required an organization that would be a technology partner rather than just a service provider.
“I was looking for a solution that would fit our needs, provide the infrastructure and getting it all done cost effectively. A partner that would work with us and take a team approach. Since I was a new position and onsite, I could be the first level of support but I also knew I needed back up because we have a staff of 70 people. I was looking for a partner to help support me because I really felt that the staff at NCRC needed quality.”
–Kevin Sall, Director Information Technology
Decision to Partner with OSIbeyond
Mr. Sall selected OSIbeyond for its customer support and its technical acuity. In addition, OSIbeyond’s transparency in pricing a turnkey, flexible solution appealed to the NCRC. OSIbeyond’s intuitive online configurator allowed customers to easily configure their own solution and receive instant pricing. This transparency eliminated the complexity in identifying the right provider and allowed for more focus on choosing an appropriate solution for the NCRC.
“What I like about OSIbeyond’s website is that you can go and configure everything that you need and get the pricing right there. It was very transparent… other providers pricing is more gated. OSIbeyond had, what I thought a key setup for our needs. I knew I could get that solution anywhere else but they have it off the shelf which gave me a better feeling because I knew they can customize things to our needs.
–Kevin Sall, Director Information Technology
The Solution
NCRC required a technology partner with demonstrated experience and a deep understanding of managing a wide range of IT operations, including cloud solutions, to high level support and strategic advice. OSIbeyond designed a private cloud solution for the NCRC that would eliminate the hosting of any production systems on premises. OSIbeyond then provided complete project management and oversight of the migration to the cloud.
“One of my goals when I selected a technology partner was to upgrade our hardware because our existing system was 5-6 years old and we had one host running all our server’s onsite. It concerned me because it was one box and I was looking to do a much better robust system for us and having it in the cloud with the redundancy helps me sleep a bit better at night.”
–Kevin Sall, Director Information Technology
NCRC Has Enjoyed Rock Solid Reliably with OSIbeyond’s eXos Cloud
Since engaging with OSIbeyond and transitioning to the cloud, NCRC has enjoyed the reliability of an enterprise grade infrastructure and the many benefits gained from cloud hosted solutions.
“Reliability has been rock solid. It just works all the time. I’m doing a lot less maintenance on servers which allows me to shift my focus more on the staff and help them better and more efficiently use technology to accomplish their jobs and tasks.”
–Kevin Sall, Director Information Technology
In addition, as a Managed Technology Partner for NCRC, OSIbeyond has conducted routine technology assessments to offer ongoing recommendations, a technology roadmap, and quarterly strategic consultations to ensure that NCRC’s technology plans fit its changing needs.
“The technology assessments are helpful to me because someone else looks at our system and advises on the direction of where we need to be going. Our strategic quarterly calls are beneficial because it allows us to touch base on new products and initiatives. IT is ever changing, and it allows me to find out what OSIbeyond is looking at and what other organizations are doing, and that helps me drive our direction here at NCRC. One of the issues we are facing is that a lot of the policies and procures are not in place and I am using our strategic plan to help me show that there is a need for certain things.”
–Kevin Sall, Director Information Technology
NCRC’s Experience with OSIbeyond as a Strategic Technology Partner
Throughout the engagement with OSIbeyond, NCRC received world-class customer service and technical competence. Having a partner that assisted with the organization’s technology challenges while offering efficient, cost-effective solutions was critical to the partnership.
“I’m happy with our relationship. My organization keeps throwing me a lot of curve balls. You guys are always there to help me figure things out. OSIbeyond seems to have the same staff throughout the whole process and I’ve been here for a year and a half now. They get to know us and what our needs are.”
–Kevin Sall, Director Information Technology
About NCRC
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) was formed in 1990 by national, regional, and local organizations to develop and harness the collective energies of community reinvestment organizations from across the country so as to increase the flow of private capital into traditionally underserved communities. NCRC has grown to an association of more than 600 community-based organizations that promote access to basic banking services, including credit and savings, to create and sustain affordable housing, job development and vibrant communities for America’s working families.
Learn More About Partnering with OSIbeyond
Contact OSIbeyond
301-312-8908