The Geneva-based subsidiary of a major international automotive group entrusts Qim info with the modernization of itsinformation system, which had become unstable. This initiative aims to reinforce security, make the network more reliable and ensure business continuity in an environment subject to severe technical constraints.
A preliminary audit reveals several critical points:
- Servers out of warranty.
- Obsolete firewalls.
- Lack of reliable backup.
Find out how Qim info designed and deployed a modernized, secure and sustainable infrastructure to support the Geneva site’s activities.
Read also: how Qim info stabilized and secured the IT infrastructure of a Geneva-based accounting firm after a critical outage.
IT project context: takeoverof a complex environment andan independent network
For the past three years, Qim info has been supporting the Geneva subsidiary, which employs around forty people. Initially assigned to provide
To modernize the environment, Qim info was entrusted with the complete restructuring of theIT infrastructure and the integration of new security solutions. The 20-day consulting mission was led by two systems and network consultants, responsible for coordinating on-site operations and ensuring business continuity throughout the project.
Their expertise combines mastery of server infrastructures, virtualized environments and secure networks, guaranteeing a comprehensive, reliable and scalable approach to infrastructure modernization.
These skills are similar to those of a network engineer, a key profession in the design and securing of IT infrastructures, presented in greater detail here. here.
IT modernization challenges: standardizing and securingan infrastructure
As in many international groups, the Geneva subsidiary has a fragmented and heterogeneous IT infrastructure, made up of equipment from different generations and non-standardized local solutions. This configuration limits technical consistency and overall visibility of critical environments.
To remedy this situation, the project has two priorities:
- Align Geneva’s infrastructure with the automotive group’s technical standards,
- Guarantee the stability and security needed for local activities.
Before embarking on any modernization project, Qim info offers to carry out a complete audit. The aim is to gain a precise understanding of the existing situation, identify material and organizational risks, and define a clear roadmap to make the whole system more reliable. This preliminary analysis provides a clear vision of the infrastructure and guides the actions to be taken to reinforce site stability and security.
IT infrastructurediagnostics: technical audit and vulnerability identification
The technical audit carried out by the Qim info teams highlighted several critical vulnerabilities:
- Servers not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Obsolete firewalls.
- The absence of a supervised backup system.
These findings confirm the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the IT infrastructure to restore system stability and secure critical data.
Find out all about IT security audits here.
Qim info solution: complete overhaul and securing ofan IT infrastructure
To make the infrastructure more reliable and enhance safety, Qim info designed a new technical architecture in line with the automotive group’s standards, while building on the already high-performance elements of the environment.
The audit revealed that the main servers were no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, so two servers, several network switches and two firewalls were replaced. These hardware interventions, carried out as part of a complete overhaul, put the entire infrastructure back under warranty and ensure the long-term stability of the information system.
The aim is to modernize the whole system without disrupting operations or service continuity. To achieve this, components that are still operational are reintegrated into a unified infrastructure, built around reliable, proven technologies:
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| FortiGate (Fortinet) | New-generation firewalls to protect the network against intrusions and control traffic between different environments. |
| Aruba switches | Network equipment configured to guarantee stable, secure connectivity between servers and user workstations. |
| HP servers | Preserved and optimized to host a virtualized environment, more flexible and easier to administer. |
| VMware | Virtualization solution for pooling hardware resources, simplifying server management and improving service availability. |
| Veeam | Automated, supervised backup tool designed to rapidly restore data in the event of an incident and ensure business continuity. |
| Windows Server | Central operating system for administration of network services, user management and access security. |
This gradual, structured approach, combining the recovery of existing systems with targeted modernization, enabled the subsidiary to benefit from a homogeneous, secure and scalable environment, while maintaining the stability of its operations.
Qim info methodology: rigor, planning and technical support
Beyond technical expertise, Qim info relies on a proven methodology, combining rigor, clarity and operational support.
Each intervention follows a precise framework, structured around four complementary stages:
- Analysis ofexistingsystemsto identify technical vulnerabilities, application dependencies and priorities for action.
- Progressive planning, designed to limit the impact on users and guarantee continuity of service.
- Step-by-step validation, to check the compatibility of new configurations with business tools and ensure the stability of environments.
- Complete documentation, guaranteeing traceability of operations and facilitating future maintenance.
This structured approach ensures a controlled and transparent migration, while reinforcing the autonomy of internal teams in the day-to-day management of the information system.
IT project results: performance, stability and sustainable support
At the end of the project, the Geneva subsidiary has a homogeneous, secure and backed-up infrastructure, now fully under warranty, aligned with the automotive group’s technical standards.
Visit Fortinet firewalls firewalls provide advanced protection against network threats, while supervised backups guarantee data traceability and business continuity, even in the event of an incident.
The renewal of servers and network equipment brings increased hardware reliability and optimized reactivity in the event of breakdown, considerably reducing the risk of service interruption.
Since the start of production, Qim info has provided regular on-site support, including maintenance, updates and monitoring of critical environments. This local presence consolidates system stability and strengthens user confidence.
Thanks to this modernization, the subsidiary now has a reliable, high-performance and scalable environment, ready for future technological innovations.
Qim info, your trusted partner for IT modernization and digital transformation
This project illustrates Qim info’s ability to operate in complex environments, secure critical systems and support companies in their IT transformation.
Thanks to a combination of technical expertise, proximity and human support, Qim info helps its customers transform their infrastructures into real levers of performance and security.
Are you looking to modernize or secure your IT infrastructure? Qim info’s teams are with you every step of the way, from audit to go-live. Contact us today to talk to our experts.
