New laptops and modern workspace for Goudsmit Magnetics

Goudsmit Magnetics' modern workplace runs based on Azure and the new laptops are fully managed via Intune. Acknowledge has helped Goudsmit Magnetics to make the transition to the new way of working with Microsoft 365 in a short time. Goudsmit Magnetics has been designing, manufacturing and supplying magnets and magnet systems for 65 years, which find their application in various industries worldwide.

As a manufacturer of high-quality magnet components and industrial magnet systems, Goudsmit Magnetics depends on a well-functioning and secure workplace. To modernize the digital work environment, they decided to make the switch to Microsoft 365 and the Azure platform. IT Prosper Thaels says, "When I joined Goudsmit, many custom solutions were used. I wanted to take a big step forward and start using Microsoft's reliable products. To achieve this, I had to start from scratch and work according to Microsoft's best practices. By following the Microsoft standard as much as possible, any new employee or external party with the right certifications could work with it. Acknowledge , as a reliable Microsoft partner, was a logical choice."

Azure landing zone

Acknowledge implemented an Azure landing zone for Goudsmit. "This is the basic setup where building blocks such as scalability, security, governance, network and identity management come together. We use the Microsoft standard for this landing zone, with proven techniques and modern tooling," explains technical consultant André Muller von Czernicki. At the same time, Intune Mobile Device Management set up the policies that manage all of Goudsmit's devices and applications. "Initially, we were still making full use of our own environment, including VMware, Windows Server and desktop computers," shares Prosper. "Because we ran the connectivity through Azure, employees could now work remotely via a VPN connection." All office staff also received a new personal work laptop.

Engaging in change

After the testing phase, everything could be quickly converted. Prosper: "By now, we no longer use the old remote desktop environment at all. All offices - including those abroad - now work via the modern workplace. That was the idea: that we could work anywhere." That change did not go without a hitch within the family business. "Many colleagues have been employed for a long time and are used to the old way of working," explains Prosper. "So it was important to bring them along from the beginning why the change is so important and what is expected of them. Moreover, in the first week after the laptops were handed out, a support engineer seconded from Acknowledge went to work with us to help with all questions and problems. That really helped! By now, most employees don't want anything else."

Cybersecurity

An indispensable step in the transition to the new modern workplace was conducting a security assessment. "The security of the entire environment is so connected to the Azure landing zone that we couldn't wait with it," Prosper says. A security expert from Acknowledge performed the security assessment. Prosper then engaged an outside vendor to monitor the security of the environment. "I deliberately chose another party for this, so we avoided a case of 'butcher inspects his own meat,'" he says. Hackers also customize their attacks, so you have to be constantly alert. Prosper will therefore soon start using a SIEM SOC for day-and-night monitoring of the IT.

Acknowledge states

The entire office staff was transferred to the new modern workplace within three weeks. Goudsmit's IT is now completely secure in the basics. The next step is to transfer the entire old environment to Azure piece by piece. "I am really proud that we have achieved so much in such a short time. Our application administrators worked hard and the cooperation with Acknowledge's engineers went very well," says Prosper. He doesn't have to think long about whether he will invite us again for the next project. "Acknowledge is a fine and reliable party to work with. When shit hits the fan, Acknowledge is there. Many companies promise, but few actually do it.