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Case Study – Why A Law Firm Moved to the Cloud from On-premises Servers

Movin’ on up with the Cloud: A Law Firm’s Success Story

  As a law firm dealing with patent applications for prominent Silicon Valley clientele, a Palo Alto-based “Firm” maintained a high class image and reputation for delivering the best service for their clients.
As their business grew, however, delivering the quality of service they desired became harder and harder. The Firm called eSudo for help. In the initial meeting, the company owner and senior attorney discussed several problems. First, the attorneys’ efficiency was compromised because they had difficulty finding the necessary files they needed, particularly when an attorney on the team was not available. Sometimes the required file would be on the public drive on the company server, sometimes it would reside on an attorney’s desktop computer – often attorneys would spend half an hour or more hunting down the file, going desktop to desktop. Another issue – especially with their more prestigious clients, for discussions over intellectual property, it was better to have meetings at the client location. The Firm had no provision for remote access to files and this not only would cause delays in service but would also make the firm look behind the times to the high clients. Recently, one client left the Firm after years of service for an upstart firm. Often the network ran slow and attorneys had to wait for actions to complete. In a joking manner, but all too true, attorneys would joke to each other at the coffee pot that they were on break waiting for the hourglass on their monitor to go away. Equipment repair issues further exacerbated the situation. Network downtime happened monthly and it always seemed to come at the most inopportune times. When this happened, tensions would run high, making the working environment all the more stressful. The owner was concerned about attorney dissatisfaction, burnout, and attrition because of the workplace pressure. He was concerned about Cloud technology because of data security and reliability.

Tackling the Problem, the eSudo Way

With these issues in mind, eSudo started to tackle the issues and initially conducted a technology assessment — talking with the management team about the business operations and workflow.

Understanding the business processes and flow was an important first step because the ultimate Information Technology solution had to fit the Firm’s business operations – there is no one-size-fits-all way to make the necessary changes.

eSudo then took stock of the present situation and reviewed the network setup, security and applications.  The discovery from the assessment revealed that the existing infrastructure did not have capability to support the Firm’s need for mobile work.

Lastly, the assessment uncovered that most of the Firm’s hardware and software were out of warranty and servers were running operating systems that the manufacturer no longer supported, contributing to the network downtime. Further, the network had insufficient bandwidth and storage capacity, causing slow response time. eSudo advised the Firm to renovate their network infrastructure to protect sensitive data, provide a solid foundation for a new IT infrastructure, and move them to a Cloud solution built for today’s mobile workforce.

eSudo worked with the Firm’s IT Manager to design a network upgrade plan based on the Firm’s primary objectives. Using a combination of cloud services technology and eSudo expertise in the industry, we provided a comprehensive and customized solution that would support the Firm’s growing IT needs –not just for the short term, but for many years to come.

Some of the biggest changes for the Law Firm’s management:
1. Eliminate Cost and Complexity – one of the biggest challenges for the Firm was to tackle on-going cost for the upkeep of new servers, software licensing, maintenance, and upgrades. The Law Firm is in the business of providing legal services to their customers and want to get out of the business of IT infrastructure such as purchasing, hardware depreciation, and the cycle of retiring physical IT infrastructure as it becomes outdated.
2. File Sharing and Storage Challenges – like most law firms, they have many documents and files that need to be stored, filed, and securely shared with their customers, staff, and outside consultants. With the current environment, files were saved, sometimes locally on desktops or sometimes on the office server. Next, the files would be emailed to the customer or consultants, who might be helping a particular case. This creates issues with security, backup for the files, and the ability to track where documents are going.
3. Business Email – the customer was using an in-house Exchange mail server and some of the challenges were keeping the server/client software always updated and current. Managing backup and disaster recovery against fire, theft, or hardware failure. Constantly updating software protection against spam and viruses. Mitigating the risk against Internet failure and power outages.
4. Non-Standardized Workstation Platform – the Law Firm was running different operating systems ( Windows 7 and Windows 8) including mix-matched application software versions. The operating system type and application software depended on when the computer was purchased and what pre-loaded software was included. For example, some computers had Office 2007 with Acrobat 7; while others had Office 2010 or Office 2013 with Acrobat 8. With the current non-standard setup, compatibility issues ensued when trying to share files, creating additional challenges for the support staff. Also, employee new hires took longer to on-board because all the workstations all had different setups.
5. Voice and Video Calling – the Law Firm had a traditional in-house PBX system. The challenges with the current PBX are expensive to support, cannot receive and make audio calls remotely when outside the office. Phone and video conferencing were cumbersome and not easy to setup or use.

6. Remote Access – when an employee, consultant or a Law Firm partner wanted to work from home or a remote location, they had to use a VPN (virtual private network). This required them to use a home PC or company-provided PC to login, connect to the server, access the file, and then save the file back to the server. This was a lot of network traffic over multiple devices that would lead to increased connection issues and software maintenance.

Traditional VPN technology works but not well or fast, because it requires the VPN software to be installed and updated on a regular basis to stay current and secure. Files transferred to an employee’s computer may not be secure and backed up. If the employee’s computer is not company-provided, there is a security risks because the PC may not be protected by antivirus software. The PC operating system and application software may not be updated or patched. Some Internet providers or hotels also block VPN access, thus causing more challenges to employee productivity.

7. Cloud Security and Data Protection – like many businesses, the law firm had many concerns if the cloud was safe, reliable, and secure.  The security of their client information and data files is important and critical to their operations and reputation.

When we moved them to the Cloud, the Law Firm had the following concerns: are my data files safe, how can we securely access files over Internet and what happens if we have Internet outage.

Upgrade: 100% Complete? 100% Upgraded?

The project was a success! The new network design and subsequent overhaul enhanced the Firm’s operational productivity by creating a highly adaptable (and now reliable) foundation to work on.

Choosing eSudo and moving to Hybrid Cloud Solutions allowed the Firm to have easier remote access, lower overall technology costs, better response time, and more productive employees.
eSudo’s work was met with rave reviews from many, especially the Firm’s partners;

The migration to the Cloud has paid off in other ways. To me, the real value is the flexibility, scalability, and peace of mind. We don’t have to constantly worry about the server failing or whether backup of our files are done on a regular basis. We selected eSudo not only as our implementation partner, but also as our managed services provider because we view eSudo as a long- term partner. Any relationship begins and ends with trust, and eSudo has proven themselves time and again.

eSudo Can Help You Too

If your firm or business is considering an upgrade, please contact us for a complimentary assessment and boost productivity and security with eSudo’s modern technology solutions, wherever you work from – whether you need local San Jose IT services, or comprehensive managed IT services.

Related Post: Is your law firm’s technology holding you back? – eSudo.com

Frequently Asked Questions

eSudo is a local managed IT & Cybersecurity services (MSP/MSSP) company that helps businesses make technology seamlessly work over the last 22+ years in Silicon Valley. What sets eSudo apart is we focus on security first, and IT support happens to be part of the security services.

Our team of experienced and certified computer engineers understands that no two businesses are alike, that’s why we partner with our clients to develop efficient and cost effective computer networks, cloud solutions, network security, and phone solutions that help you run your business.

As a local Microsoft Partner and Cloud Technology Specialist, eSudo has the knowledge, skills, and commitment to help you implement modern technology solutions that match your exact business needs.

Our goal is to Keep your IT Systems running and data Secure (KISS) so you can focus on running your business safely!

We specialize in working with professional service organizations like law firms, accounting firms (CPAs), and wealth management. However, eSudo have helped other business such as non-profit organizations, manufacturing and other small businesses after we have reviewed their needs and determined if they are good fit for our services.

eSudo is not a traditional IT support company; we focus on security first, and IT support happens to be part of the security services.  In the dynamic landscape of network security, a proactive approach is key to safeguarding your business. It’s not a one-time event but an ongoing commitment to keep your systems resilient against evolving threats. With the rise of a mobile workforce and the omnipresence of phishing attempts or social engineering or AI, educating your employees, continuous monitoring and proactive support are vital to prevent data breaches.

If your business is looking for break-fix support or hourly IT services, we may not be for you because we cannot fully manage your risks and more importantly, it creates a trust issue in our relationship. Under a “break-fix” model, there is a fundamental conflict of interest between your business and eSudo.

“Over 97% of American businesses in 2023, operating in a digitally-driven landscape, heavily rely on the Internet for essential functions such as productivity, performance optimization, streamlined communication, bolstered sales, and various other facets of their daily operations. This heightened dependence on digital infrastructure, however, comes with a notable caveat: more than 87% of small businesses are entrusted with customer data that could be potentially compromised in the event of a cyberattack.”

We keep your IT Systems  running and data secure with our proven  IT Strategy, Managed Security, and Proactive Support & End User Management.  Our Strategy focuses on identifying, prioritizing, and recommending the right technology for your organization.  Our Managed Security includes data backup, device encryption, zero-trust access management, and policies & procedures. Our Support includes a live phone help desk, 24/7 monitoring, on-site support as needed, employee onboarding, and asset procurement. 

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  • Proven track record: We have been building our loyal customer base since 2001 in an industry where IT consulting firms come and go. Our customers, vendors, and employees stay with us because we build and value long term relationships with them. With operations all over the San Francisco Bay Area, eSudo provides reliable IT support to Northern CA-based businesses and beyond. We’re big enough to offer the facilities, services, and expertise you expect and small enough to provide the support and attention you deserve. 

  • People & Process:  Over the last 22+ years, we have created and adopted a proven process to ensure success in our operations and have trained our people to follow our proven process to provide consistent results for our customers.

  • Quality: We do not sell what we have not used or have tested. We recommend industrial and commercial-grade products for small businesses to provide uptime and reliability for our customers.

  • Responsiveness: A live person will answer your call, and emergency response time is one hour or less guaranteed. We use the most current remote support technology which lets us log in to your computers remotely to address many issues without the need to wait for a technician to come on-site.

CLIENT REVIEWS:

Sue Lompico
Sue Lompico
2023-07-11
eSudo has always been responsive and on time. They are knowledgeable
Ma. Guadalupe Garduno
Ma. Guadalupe Garduno
2023-06-22
Excellent customer service, very diligent
M.R. SCHURR
M.R. SCHURR
2023-01-30
I don't always write a review, but when I do.... it's a good one. Good partners in developing and supporting long-term performance, in-office and remote needs, cybersecurity safety and virtual workspace to take any office to the next level.
Matusich Raich Property MGMT
Matusich Raich Property MGMT
2023-01-27
eSudo is always friendly, helpful, and quick to respond! They are always there when I need them!
Anirudh Muralidhar
Anirudh Muralidhar
2023-01-11
Smooth interaction and support round the clock
Stacy Levy
Stacy Levy
2022-12-01
Matthew was so helpful and patient: he untangled a multi- layered knots made by years of jury-rigged email systems. And he did it all with deep knowledge and good humor
Gwen Vasquez
Gwen Vasquez
2022-11-23
Great customer service, fast response, always willing to help! Loved it!
Robert Liu
Robert Liu
2022-08-26
There are hundreds of companies in Silicon Valley that offer computer support; it's a commodity service that every IT provider does for small business. What sets Matthew and his team at eSudo apart is they focus on security first, and IT support happens to be part of the security services. He helps small businesses like ours to keep systems up and running, ensure the data is available and the information accessible only by authorized individuals. If you are a small business owner or IT manager concerned with the security of your organization or need reliable, IT support, consider giving Matthew a call or message him.
Robbie Starks
Robbie Starks
2021-11-29
Matthew and his team are fantastic. They are responsive, ask good questions, and make a strong effort to keep in touch when helping with IT issues. Would definitely recommend them to anyone shopping around for their business.
360Medical Supply
360Medical Supply
2021-10-22
Very professional team. Will use again. Thanks.