Success Story: Spitex Nidwalden
Digitally supported, personally looked after
Spitex Nidwalden is aimed at older people, rehabilitating clients, the chronically ill and people with disabilities. Around 160 health, care and housekeeping specialists look after clients throughout Nidwalden on a daily basis. In doing so, they cover the service mandate of the canton and the municipalities and ensure an important part of the basic care of the population.
Challenges for Spitex Nidwalden
- Missing IT department: No dedicated support made IT management and maintenance processes more difficult.
- Rigid IT infrastructure: Local servers and various dependencies on Spitex-specific tools limited flexibility.
- Complex maintenance: Monthly on-site checks for server updates were required.
- No central device management: Inconsistent configurations, which subsequently led to high administrative costs.
- Unstable network: Impaired daily work processes and communication.
- Different user needs: The requirements of office and first-line employees could not be taken into account in a differentiated manner, which slowed down work processes.
- Stationary workstations: Desktop PCs and thin clients were used as fixed workstations; laptops and mobile devices were only available to a limited extent, which made mobile working difficult.
- Obstacles to working from home: Private devices, VPN access and a lack of Microsoft licenses made mobile working difficult.
- Need for modern tools: The introduction of Microsoft Teams and SharePoint failed because the previous IT provider lacked the necessary Microsoft cloud expertise.
Joint solution with itnetX
- Migration of local servers to the Microsoft Azure Cloud
- Backing up data using a cloud backup solution
- Increased security through centralized identity access management and conditional access policies
- Implementation of central device management using Intune
- Optimized network for better WLAN coverage
- Procurement of new hardware (headsets, laptops) for a modern and flexible way of working
- Setting up the cloud-based Printix printer solution
- Integration of Spitex's industry-specific applications via Azure Virtual Desktop
- Provision of different licenses for office and first-line employees
- Roll-out of Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint
- Customized M365 training for all end users
Technologies used
Microsoft 365, Azure, OneDrive, SharePoint, M365 & Azure Backup, Microsoft Teams incl. telephony, Intune
Added value for Spitex Nidwalden
- Increased efficiency and cost savings: Migration to the cloud reduces the costs and complexity of the IT infrastructure. Only the resources that are used are paid for. It also eliminates the need for time-consuming maintenance work and expensive investments in local servers.
- Increased security: With the highest security standards and centralized device management, itnetX ensures that data is protected and compliance requirements are met.
- Flexible implementation of new solutions: Thanks to the scalability of the IT infrastructure, Spitex can react agilely to changes and implement modernization projects flexibly.
- Tailor-made solutions for different user needs: Thanks to differentiated license models and adapted working environments, office and first-line employees can work more efficiently and have targeted access to the tools they need.
- Promotion of modern working methods: Thanks to new hardware and the introduction of Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, collaboration has been simplified.
- Customized training and change management: End users were comprehensively prepared for the new tools and processes through training programs. Super users have received intensive training and are on hand to answer employees' questions.
- itnetX as a central IT partner: The comprehensive support provided by itnetX reduces the coordination effort. The experts know the challenges and processes of Spitex and ensure ongoing optimization of the IT environment.
"The migration to the Microsoft Cloud and the associated changes presented us with a number of challenges. Given our tight schedules and our focus on the needs of our clients, it was crucial that the introduction of new technologies went smoothly. Thanks to itnetX's expertise and close support, we were able to successfully implement the Microsoft Cloud solution while ensuring that our customers were supplied at all times. itnetX understands our needs and regularly provides us with input on optimization options. We look forward to continuing our collaboration!"
Thomas Lauterburg, IT Manager, Spitex Nidwalden
The challenge of mobility: from local server restrictions to digital flexibility
Spitex Nidwalden's mobile way of working requires a reliable and modern IT solution. However, the dependence on local servers and various Spitex tools limited the flexibility of employees and led to inefficient work processes. For example, the different user needs of office and first-line employees could not be handled in a differentiated manner. The local servers also required a monthly check-up by an external service provider on site at Spitex to carry out updates and maintenance on the servers and devices.
There were also some challenges with the hardware. Only desktop PCs and thin clients were available as workstations, while laptops and mobile devices were only available sporadically. Flexible working on the move was therefore not possible. Working from home was possible in principle, but time-consuming and cumbersome, as private devices, VPN access and private Microsoft licenses were required.
Another obstacle was the lack of central device management. Security standards could not be implemented uniformly, which led to security gaps. Each device had to be updated manually, which was time-consuming and increased the risk of errors. It was also difficult to provide support in the event of technical problems, as each device had to be checked and adjusted individually.
Journey to the cloud: the path to a flexible IT infrastructure
Together with itnetX, a detailed transformation plan was developed for Spitex's requirements. This included the migration of the local servers to the Microsoft Azure cloud, the integration of industry-specific tools and the implementation of state-of-the-art security measures. The data is now backed up by a Microsoft backup solution, which ensures data security and recoverability. Throughout the migration, care was taken not to disrupt Spitex's ongoing business operations in order to ensure a seamless transition.
itnetX developed a flexible and scalable IT infrastructure that meets the requirements of Spitex's mobile working methods and can be continuously optimized without high initial investments. Monthly maintenance work by external service providers for the servers is also no longer necessary, which leads to a significant reduction in costs.
Efficient collaboration and seamless data exchange from anywhere
The introduction of Microsoft Teams and SharePoint has significantly simplified collaboration and the flow of information within the organization. Employees can access data from anywhere and with any device. Work processes have been made considerably easier, especially for employees who are on site with clients. They can now communicate quickly and easily with their colleagues in the office and edit data without having to wait to return to a workstation in the office.
Furthermore, SharePoint enables efficient document management by supporting simultaneous working and thus avoiding countless separate document versions. SharePoint's search function also improves the findability of documents and thus further optimizes work processes.
Centrally controlled device management by itnetX
The itnetX team of experts takes over the IT management tasks (Managed Workplace OneX) for Spitex so that it can concentrate on its core business. In close cooperation with Spitex, itnetX ensures that the IT infrastructure meets the specific requirements of the organization. With Microsoft Intune, itnetX employees can manage devices centrally, regardless of their location. This includes the automatic installation of security updates and the ability to remotely reset devices if required. itnetX also performs software updates on the devices, ensuring that all devices meet security and compliance requirements.
Modernization of hardware and software as well as differentiated license management
itnetX has optimized the working environment at Spitex Nidwalden by comprehensively modernizing the hardware and software. For example, laptops and headsets were procured for modern, location-independent working and the latest software was provided. When procuring hardware, itnetX worked together with its partner Swisscom to ensure the best possible solution for Spitex. In addition, different license models are now provided for office and first-line employees in order to meet their specific requirements. This differentiated license management enables tailored use of software, which increases efficiency and further optimizes work processes.
Customized training and change management measures
The introduction of a new IT environment required targeted training for employees. itnetX supported Spitex Nidwalden in making the transition to the modernized IT infrastructure as easy as possible for all users. Customized training programs were used to prepare employees for the new tools and processes, including Microsoft Teams (including Teams Telephony), SharePoint, OneDrive and Exchange Online.
The training courses not only focused on teaching technical skills, but also on understanding the benefits and possibilities of the new IT landscape. This ensured a high level of acceptance and readiness for a modern IT environment. The training courses are an integral part of Spitex Nidwalden and are continuously adapted by itnetX to the latest developments in the cloud environment. This ensures that the working environment can always be used securely and efficiently by employees.
Strategic partnership and comprehensive advice
The clients are the focus of Spitex Nidwalden. In order to maintain this focus, itnetX continues to provide support through the comprehensive management of IT with the Service Managed Workplace OneX and a central contact person who closely supports the project.
The collaboration with itnetX offers the opportunity to draw on comprehensive IT expertise. If there are any questions or concerns, the itnetX team of experts is ready to provide support and develop customized solutions. Thanks to this continuous exchange and partnership-based collaboration, Spitex Nidwalden can ensure that its IT infrastructure meets current requirements and that future developments can be proactively addressed to ensure the best possible care for its clients.
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