Background:
Since 2016, Austin Technology has been a strategic partner for thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions’ Australian division, supporting more than 380 users across six key locations, including Perth, Henderson, Port Hedland, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Operating within the highly demanding engineering and mining sector, thyssenkrupp required a resilient, adaptable IT environment to support their vast infrastructure and the rigorous demands of their work, which relies on constant collaboration and seamless connectivity across multiple sites.
The Challenge:
Thyssenkrupp’s complex IT environment includes over 144 virtual servers and a variety of network configurations across multiple locations, each playing a crucial role in day-to-day operations and long-term project management. Challenges included maintaining uptime across a large-scale network with multi-vendor integrations, delivering consistent user support, and ensuring network integrity and data security, all while enabling scalability. As thyssenkrupp expanded, the need to modernise server infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity measures, and implement forward-looking cloud migration strategies became crucial.
The Solution:
Austin Technology implemented a comprehensive IT management and enhancement strategy for thyssenkrupp, involving several core components:
Advanced Cybersecurity Measures
Austin Technology prioritised security by implementing a range of sophisticated data loss prevention (DLP) solutions and deploying layered cybersecurity protocols tailored to thyssenkrupp’s unique requirements. This included configuring firewalls, advanced threat protection systems, and user authentication enhancements to ensure comprehensive security coverage.Infrastructure Modernisation and Cloud Transition
A significant project was the decommissioning of outdated server infrastructure, enabling a seamless transition to a more modern IT setup with select cloud solutions. By strategically migrating to the cloud, thyssenkrupp gained greater flexibility, improved data accessibility, and cost-efficient scalability without the dependency on legacy hardware, which was particularly valuable for locations with high operational demands.Onsite and Remote IT Support Services
Austin Technology provided ongoing helpdesk support for end users and dedicated onsite assistance to address immediate IT concerns, reduce downtime, and ensure continuous service delivery. By coordinating with thyssenkrupp’s own IT teams, we created a streamlined support system that provided both day-to-day assistance and long-term IT planning.Coordinated Multi-Vendor Management
Managing a multi-vendor environment required close collaboration with external partners to guarantee network reliability across all locations. Austin Technology took the lead in coordinating these relationships, ensuring each vendor aligned with thyssenkrupp’s objectives and performance expectations to maintain an integrated, high-performing IT network.
The Impact:
Over the course of our eight-year partnership, Austin Technology has executed more than a hundred projects for thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, each one contributing to a more streamlined, secure, and efficient IT environment. The cumulative impact has been substantial, boosting both operational resilience and agility. Our cloud migrations and server decommissions allowed thyssenkrupp to modernise its infrastructure, facilitating faster data access and reducing overheads associated with outdated hardware.
Our role became especially pivotal following thyssenkrupp’s acquisition by FLSchmidt in 2022. Austin Technology led the transition process, aligning thyssenkrupp’s IT operations with FLSchmidt’s standards and requirements. This included updating systems, adjusting support protocols, and extending IT services to additional thyssenkrupp subsidiaries like Uhde, Nucera, and Materials Services. As thyssenkrupp adapted to its new structure, Austin Technology’s support was instrumental in ensuring uninterrupted operations and maintaining alignment with FLSchmidt’s corporate vision.
Thyssenkrupp’s Australian business unit now benefits from a robust IT foundation, with fortified security measures, scalable infrastructure, and dedicated IT support that can adapt to changing demands. Austin Technology’s holistic approach and commitment to continuous improvement have positioned us as a key partner in thyssenkrupp’s journey, ensuring they remain resilient and agile in a fast-paced and demanding industry landscape.
