Discover how Summit IT Solutions helped a critical mental health nonprofit revamp its IT infrastructure and and modernize day-to-day operations, delivering:
- Better cost efficiency
- Higher productivity
- Stronger security
- More seamless communications
- Boosted morale and peace of mind
Executive Summary
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Wayne and Holmes Counties reached out to Summit IT Solutions in 2022 to overhaul its outdated and vulnerable IT infrastructure. With Summit IT, NAMI was able to skyrocket its productivity, improve cost efficiency, and enjoy world-class security.
IT Solutions That Work
Client Background
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Wayne and Holmes Counties is a mental health community-based organization serving the greater Wooster area. Its chief aim is to provide a safe environment to people with mental health concerns. NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties also offers education, suicide prevention resources, and community support.
The Challenge
NAMI’s outdated and underresourced technology infrastructure was struggling to keep pace with its mission and operations. Because a dedicated IT support contract historically didn’t fit into the budget, NAMI was left to figure things out on its own, which often meant wasting money on redundant or unnecessary software.
One of the biggest issues was security. The organization was storing its data on a single network-attached storage (NAS) device with no off-site backups, which left files vulnerable to ransomware attacks or accidental loss. And if something went wrong, NAMI had no way to recover the data. The team also lacked multi-factor authentication and centralized user management, which left systems open to potential security breaches.
NAMI’s file management issues extended to its day-to-day operations. There was no robust file-sharing system in place, so remote team members couldn’t easily access files from home. Employees also had to back up files manually, which often led to duplication errors and confusion.
NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties was sorely missing IT support. The organization had a hard time finding an IT provider that could work with its budget, so NAMI team members were stretched thin trying to troubleshoot technical issues on top of their daily workloads.
How Summit IT Found Solutions
NAMI desperately needed a strong, modernized infrastructure that could keep critical data secure and enhance day-to-day operations. Our team at Summit IT set out to quickly remedy the organization’s most pressing problems and provide long-term custom solutions for productivity, security, and stability.
The Plan
Summit IT’s first priority was to update NAMI’s technology. First, we migrated its data from the outdated NAS device to Microsoft SharePoint, providing secure cloud-based storage that both in-office and remote employees could easily access. We also leveraged Microsoft’s nonprofit licensing to upgrade NAMI’s email platform to Microsoft 365.
Next, we tackled organization-wide security by implementing multi-factor authentication and centralized user management through Azure Active Directory. For file backups, we installed an endpoint backup for critical systems like QuickBooks and a cloud-based backup for SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams.
Lastly, we provided the kind of IT support that NAMI had needed for years. By offering personalized support, training employees, and helping meet business and financial goals, Summit IT was able to transform NAMI’s technology environment and allow the team to once again focus on its mission of helping people struggling with mental health.
The Results
Since partnering with Summit IT, NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties has experienced immediate and far-reaching improvements, including:
- Better cost efficiency: Thanks to nonprofit licensing and smart financial collaboration, NAMI now has access to enterprise-grade tools at a fraction of the cost.
- Higher productivity: With data securely stored in SharePoint, all employees can now easily access any file from anywhere without worrying about duplication or errors.
- Stronger security: Robust backup solutions and multi-factor authentication provide peace of mind.
- More seamless communications: Team members can now easily communicate with each other from within the Microsoft ecosystem.
- Boosted morale and peace of mind: With its technology problems solved, NAMI can now fully and confidently focus on its mission.
Find The Summit IT Solution That Works For You
Summit IT Solutions was founded in 2000 and is a leading provider of IT-based solutions in Northeast Ohio. We partner with major IT vendors including Fortinet, Cisco, Lenovo, Datto, and Dell.
As a company with a big heart for nonprofits, we’re proud to serve NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties, and we’re honored to have been chosen to help such a wonderful team carry out such important community services.
Is your organization also facing overwhelming IT problems? Reach out to us today for a free consultation.