Hobin Architecture
Building a Future with NeoLore
“I would definitely recommend NeoLore. They knew our requirements and industry, the planning was great, and the support was in place.”
“NeoLore came out on top, and a big reason was referrals. NeoLore has a strong reputation. Recommendations came from both people we trust along with other firms that Neolore had referenced to us who are in our industry.”
Architecture firms have a well-earned reputation for placing high demands on information technology: from computer-aided drafting and design to elaborate client presentations, IT has a significant, critical role. When Hobin Architecture, a major Ottawa-based firm, decided to upgrade their IT systems, they searched for a reliable network support group with an established track record, a long roster of client references, and experience in their specific industry, who could deliver the latest technology and best practices. Following much research, they selected NeoLore Networks.
Striving for IT Efficiency
Steve Clifford, Hobin’s Marketing & Communications / IT Co-ordinator, reflects on the role of IT in architecture. “With an architecture firm, the size and quantity of the files alone can get really large. For example, with a design project, you may have 3-D files of a massive urban plan where you’re not only drawing the proposed building, but have to place it in context with the neighborhood, people, trees, and cars. Then, on top of that, you have multiple versions to represent various design options. As a result, we really rely on our servers and support.”
That striving for IT efficiency brought a focus to Hobin’s mail systems. “Our server room is based on Linux,” Steve explains. “And it can be challenging to find Linux support. Fortunately, we do have that support at the moment, but we are always looking to the future. There’s a succession plan in place. We’re trying to develop an IT backbone with a company that we trust. That’s where NeoLore comes in. It’s a smart way to go. It means lowering our reliance on Linux.
“The first step was deciding to use Outlook (Office 365) for email as opposed to Thunderbird (Linux) email. It represents the initial stage of our evolution away from Linux.”
NeoLore Came Out on Top
To begin, Hobin searched for an IT support firm that could handle the challenges of an architecture company and offer creative solutions. “We received suggestions from people, who we trust in our industry, to take a look at NeoLore,” Steve says. “We also had some meetings with other IT groups and gathered quotes.
“NeoLore came out on top, and a big reason was referrals. NeoLore has a strong reputation. Recommendations came from both people we trust along with other firms that Neolore had referenced to us who are in our industry. Neolore really understands our requirements. For instance, they know that we have non-standard IT obligations that often have a legal background to them.”
For an industry that places such a high importance on IT efficiency, a recommendation like that acquires a special significance.
We couldn’t have any downtime and NeoLore worked with that.
Step one with a mail migration involves comprehensive planning to ensure a seamless transition. Project planning commenced in the fall, and the actual migration took place the following April. “There was a lot of strategy,” Steve explains. “Hobin sat down with NeoLore and we went through the minutiae of what was going to happen. We couldn’t have any downtime and NeoLore worked with that. Plus, you have to take into account that some files were twenty years old.
“At Hobin, often people work over the weekend and in the evening, so it’s really challenging to find a time to shut down. We settled on a weekend, just twenty-four hours, to get it done. When it was all in place, we pulled the plug on the old system – and plugged in the new one. Things went really well.”
“I would definitely recommend NeoLore”
The challenges of migrating twenty-year-old files are significant. “Hobin had to convert their archives— which in this case meant moving archived emails to the new system where everyone continues to have access to them,” says Steve. “As architects we are legally obliged to save our project-related communications. Getting that email converted so that it was accessible in our new Office 365 environment was quite a manual chore.”
NeoLore continues to manage Hobin’s Office 365 environment, a further endorsement of their services. Looking back at the mail migration, Steve says, “I would definitely recommend NeoLore. They knew our requirements and industry, the planning was great, and the support was in place.”
For an industry that places such a high importance on IT efficiency, a recommendation like that acquires a special significance.
