Proact to build virtual IT infrastructure for SMÅA

This initiative in a completely new technical infrastructure will give SMÅA – which numbers around 120 000 small businesses among its members – a strong platform for further development of its IT-based business support. SMÅA has already been working with Proact as its advisors and consultants in respect of IT strategy. The partnership is being extended now that Proact has been asked to supply their new IT infrastructure including support.

“We realised that Proact offers the best solution for our new IT infrastructure, which will provide more effective support to our business and users. We also set great store by Proact’s support services, and we are really pleased that we will have access to top experts working with the technology and products that we have chosen,” says Hans Öström, IT manager at SMÅA.

SMÅA already has a virtualised servers and desktops (VDI) for all its users, and is now adding virtualisation for data storage. This will make it possible for SMÅA to execute system changes without interference in uptime.

“Of course, we are very pleased that SMÅA has increased the trust placed in us as their supplier and partner. Their ambitious initiative, which aims to create a state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, can certainly act as an inspiration to many other businesses with similar needs,” says Lena Eskilsson, regional manager at Proact.

The new infrastructure is based on the so called Flexpod concept. This is a reference architecture for servers, storage and networks, with components from different suppliers which have been pretested to make sure they all work together in an integrated IT infrastructure. The well-defined concept will make planning, installation and commissioning considerably simpler and more cost-effecitve.

Proact’s solution for SMÅA includes a storage cluster and backup system from NetApp, Cisco UCS blade servers, network switches and wireless access points from Cisco.