IS People helped a multinational company to extend the life of their ERP application

"Originally it was going to be used by people as an in house solution just so they could access Fourth Shift from Windows machines. But the remote access is a feature that I'm promoting now as the sole means of people connecting in. That's made life a lot easier."
KB, IT Manager Mirion IST

Project name:

NetConnect remote access

Project description:

The Business Need

Mirion Technologies had a problem with their ERP application. They were using an older version of the software because it was in the process of being replaced. In the meantime, their newest Windows clients couldn’t run it.

Solving the problem by upgrading to a more recent version wasn’t an option. They had already tried using Windows Virtual PC and a Terminal Services installation to get around the issue but there were problems with both those approaches. So they asked IS People if we could come up with a better solution.

Our Solution

We thought the application publishing features of the NetConnect SSL VPN from Northbridge Secure would get around this problem. We structured a no risk trial to demonstrate the solution, installed the platform onto their VMware infrastructure and assisted with the configuration to get it working. When it was shown to work, we helped with the rollout to affected users.

The Benefits

The main benefit is the ability to run their ERP application on the newest operating systems. Mirion have also gained a robust remote access solution which supports mobile devices like the iPad while being much simpler to administer than a traditional VPN. And our knowledge of the platform will allow us to assist them to configure NetConnect to aid integration with other remote services.

The full story

After many years’ experience installing and maintaining the NetConnect SSL VPN, the consultants at IS People are very familiar with the capabilities of the underlying platform. NetConnect is a flexible “one box” solution which can be multi-homed, provides its own SSL termination and firewall, and will integrate with your directory services for user authentication.

While it is marketed and generally used as a remote access solution, we knew that it includes a publishing engine which can manage remote access to Windows Remote Desktop Services applications. There was no reason why those applications couldn’t also be accessed on the internal network as well. By acting as a bridge between the user and application, we thought this might resolve Mirion’s problem so we proposed a trial implementation.

NetConnect is available as a virtual appliance with a month’s trial license. IS People had recently completed a project to virtualise the server infrastructure at Mirion. We suggested installing the appliance on the new VMware platform. We could try publishing the ERP application and they could test the platform’s other features. This was a simple, no-risk proposal which Mirion were happy to accept.

The installation and configuration was carried out successfully using pre-paid support time and then handed over to Mirion IT staff for testing. The ERP application was rolled out to the affected users, with more licenses being added as the platform proved itself, all backed by continuing support from IS People.

Company Background

Mirion Technologies has a long history of providing mission critical products to detect, monitor and identify radiation. Mirion operates thirteen production facilities around the world including an Imaging Systems Division facility in Hampshire. Like many multinational companies, Mirion understands the value of utilising local professional IT support, benefiting from compact lines of communication and speedy onsite support when needed.

Key Facts

Customer profile

Mirion Technologies IST is a world leader in the field of radiation monitoring and imaging systems

Business needs

Mirion needed a solution to allow users to access a legacy ERP application from recent operating systems

Solution

IS People made creative use of a remote access platform to act as a bridge to the application

Benefits

  • Users can access application
  • New remote access options
  • New system integration options

Products and services

  • NetConnect VPN by Northbridge Secure
  • Retained support