Novus Capital Markets is a 30 manbrokerage firm with a Corporate Finance arm located in the City of London and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Novus acquired the services of Sentronex to provide:

• stability to their current I.T infrastructure
• ensure the smooth running of their I.T environment
• increased performance and security in the event of a disaster

THE CHALLENGE

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Being an FSA regulated firm, Novus was required to have an ‘appropriate’ Disaster Recovery solution.  Having had no prior experience in this field, Sentronex were brought in to provide guidance on the entire process, incorporating the following, to form a cost effective yet reliable solution:

• Remote access
• Alternative office seating
• Email/File Data Replication

“With the recent problems that have arisen in London in the past few months, from the freak snow storm to the G20 protests, has made us realise that DR is a necessary part for the functioning of any business and we’re glad to have Sentronex by our side.”

Rob Carney, Head of Operations

Vertical Slide 1

THE SOLUTION

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sentronex began with an in-depth analysis of the business, including interviewing all key staff.  A comprehensive Business Continuity Plan was formed, taking into account which personnel required access to which data, how they would need it and when.Sentronex implemented a resilient and managed Disaster Recovery solution.

By setting up three key servers in DR, it allowed Novus staff to work from home, replicate both email and file data on a real time basis and improve resilience on their production environment.

A Disaster Recvoery Exchange server was introduced to allow for real time email replication using some of the latest industry technology (DoubleTake software).  This allowed for instant access to email in the event of an invocation.  By making enhancements to the Client’s Windows Active Directory, Sentronex were able to take advantage of using Microsoft DFS real time replication at a minimal cost for file data.

Vertical Slide 2

 

Finally, by putting into operation a Terminal Server at Novus Disaster Recovery site with secure authentication using RSA, they were able to use remote access  to gain access to their necessary data and applications in the case of disruption. This solution also proved beneficial in the production environment, by offering flexible working to employees with a long commute, families or the disabled, thus helping to reduce costs on multiple terminal servers.

In preparation for a disaster rendering the main office and systems of Novus inoperative, Sentronex also provided Disaster Recvoery office space and an alternative dealing room to allow operations to be resumed as normal within one hour.

 

 

Get in Touch »

THE RESULT

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Novus have now got a Disaster Recovery set up, which fully complies with FSA regulation and provides staff with total confidence to ensure that they can continue trading in the event of a disruption.

The Disaster Recovery solution also significantly benefitted the production environment by providing all round resilience, including server failure, allowing Novus to continue operating without having to move office. Successful tests have shown that the solution is fully operational when required and the client is pleased with the result.

“Sentronex spent a lot of time examining our business model and the day to day operations of the company, resulting in a BCP. This, for us, eliminated the need for in-house Business Continuity consultants, resulting in considerable cost savings.”

Rob Carney, Head of Operations