The Consultant
macVolks, Inc
• Apple Certified Technical Coordinator
• Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist
• Apple Certified Desktop Technician
• Apple Certified Portable Technician
The Client
24 Hour Fitness is a large fitness center chain offering integrated health and fitness services to more than three million members in the United States and Asia. To manage their ever-growing global business, the company has relied on a cross-platform environment that’s predominantly Windows based. With a large infrastructure and varied user requirements, their priority is to provide an efficient and secure network that’s easily accessible by staff, clients, and vendors. macVolks primarily serves 24 Hour Fitness’ vibrant Macintosh community.
The Assignment
24 Hour Fitness has a large network of users that require different levels of permission to use the company’s data and resources. Clients, vendors, and staff need easy access to their assigned files without jeopardizing the security of the company’s large infrastructure. With so many users accessing and updating information on a continual basis, secure dependable backup of data is crucial. 24 Hour Fitness needed to improve security and usability for all their users exchanging confidential files over the Internet via FTP (File Transfer Protocol). At the same time, they wanted to provide faster upload speeds and larger storage capacity for their network. Lastly, they wanted to expand their archiving capabilities with a more reliable automated backup system.
The Solution
macVolks provided a straightforward, effective solution that addressed the company’s accessibility, storage, and security concerns—incorporating new technology as well as reconfiguring existing systems for cost-effectiveness. Their solution included:
- • Converting an existing Xserve G4 to an SFTP server for secure file transfers, using Mac OS X Server. This provided easily-restricted access and authentication for the wide array of users on the system.
- • Setting up a new Xserve G5 as an internal file server. This provided enhanced security and storage for the company’s large data infrastructure.
- • Implementing TOLIS’ BRU (Backup and Recovery Utility) solution ensuring all data would be archived properly, and installing an AIT library on an existing Power Mac G4 for added storage capacity.
- • Installing Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X on the company’s desktop computers to protect against external security threats such as viruses and spyware.
“By working with 24 Hour Fitness to improve how they use their network, we have enabled a predominantly PC company to incorporate cutting-edge Apple technologies to solve their most pressing accessibility and security challenges. Because of our recommendations, they are already looking to invest in Xsan and Xserve RAID storage solutions in the future.”
— Sharman Corleto, CFO, macVolks, Inc.
The Benefits and Results
As a result of their reconfigured servers, enhanced storage space, and improved backup system:
- • 24 Hour Fitness’ clients, staff, and vendors can easily access their assigned files, using code names for additional confidentiality.
- • File transfer uptimes have been significantly increased.
- • Account management and system maintenance are easier, with centralized user information.
- • Employees can work with confidence that vital data is being backed up regularly and protected from unauthorized access or external infection.
- • The company is well on its way to realizing their projected three-year maximization on their ROI.
Thanks to the solution delivered by macVolks, 24 Hour Fitness is able to work effectively with many users on a single cross-platform network without risking security or productivity. They are so pleased with the results of this Xserve solution that they’re already looking ahead at Xsan and Xserve RAID solutions for their future storage needs.
