About Us - Case Studies

Primary Issues to Resolve

• All credit card terminals will need to be replaced

  SOLUTION - Deployed structured cabling technicians to all location to install new category 6 data cables for new credit card terminals. During our site survey, we observed that the customer had several ethernet hubs or small unmanaged switches in some of the locations. This is not only poor design, but also a security risk. Technicians located all of these devices, removed them from the network and installed new data cables as needed.

• Network hardware such as router, switch, servers and battery backup need to be replaced

  SOLUTION - Based on our survey notes, VCT observed that many of the network closets were not secure. Many locations were not behind a locked door. If they were, they were in a common space where multiple personnel had unabated access. Vision suggested locksets on all doors as well as lockable network cabinets. We also observed that the existing open network cabinets were not hung on fire resistant backer boards. All findings were discussed with the client and the decision was made to replace the existing backboards with fireboard, lockable network enclosures and locksets for entry to the room.

• Any security risks identified in our site survey's need to be discussed and addressed

  SOLUTION - We managed all the moving parts and kept the store up and running for business. VCT determined that we could, with very little impact, install the new category 6 data cabling, credit card terminals and remove all the unmanaged ethernet switches during business hours. This became phase 1 of the project. Vision deployed structured cabling technicians to the stores in logistical order so that we could do two to four locations per day. In three weeks time, we completed phase 1. Next, we scheduled the network upgrades for after-hours. Since the network upgrade was going to be very disruptive phase 2 was an after-hours effort. We arrived to the locations one hour before closing and performed prep work and documentation. Once the store was closed, we removed all the network hardware, equipment and the backboards. This was a major undertaking and required several technicians working in concert to accomplish. New backerboard was installed, lockable equipment cabinet was hung and network equipment was installed. In this case, we did not provide the internet access nor do the network configuration, so we contacted the customer's internal support so they could do testing and verification with us. We repeated this process - doing two to 3 locations per week - until finished.