Zen Internet supports Fostering Solutions growth with IP VPN solution

Zen Internet

Fostering Solutions, one of the leading independent fostering agencies in the UK, has deployed an IP Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) solution from Zen Internet, one of the UK’s leading independent Internet Service Providers (ISP).

Fostering Solutions had limited bandwidth at its head office which was affecting the performance of the entire network. Slow applications and long delays led to complaints from staff and nightmares for the ICT team. The company was actively growing, yet the network was struggling to meet current demand, and securing the network was proving time consuming and expensive, while the existing solution wasn’t easily scalable.

During the consultation process Zen’s engineers identified bottlenecks within the existing network infrastructure, where it became clear that Zen’s IP VPN would deliver additional benefits to meet Fostering Solutions’ current and future requirements, particularly when it came to network security and scalability.

Zen’s IP VPN equipped Fostering Solutions with a private, fully managed Wide Area Network (WAN) with complete visibility, advanced security and complete control over performance for specific applications. Running over Zen’s MPLS Next Generation Network, high performance and reliability are givens, together with 24/7 monitoring and support. The new solution incorporates IP VPN with a mixture of Ethernet and ADSL connectivity services plus, centralised Network Security. Zen project managed and handled the migration from start to finish.

Zen’s simplified network design has created new efficiencies for Fostering Solutions in-house team, freeing them up to focus on other opportunities and challenges, rather than troubleshooting network issues. With Ethernet circuits backed up by SLAs at mission-critical sites, they can now rely on sufficient bandwidth and 24/7 availability. In turn this has led to happier staff, who can get their work done speedily without the stress of a poor connection.

The solution has made the work of managing and securing the network much easier. With Zen’s Managed Support team providing backup, Fostering Solutions can implement new security policies swiftly and confidently through a centrally managed security platform that now provides enterprise-grade protection, network wide. Branch offices are supported remotely, while the need to travel to set-up new user accounts has been eliminated, as the work can be done over the IP VPN.

“With Zen on board, we are able to utilise expertise we don’t have in-house. If we have any ideas, we know we can run them by Zen and get expert help and advice,” said Lesley Davidson, ICT Manager, Fostering Solutions.

The new solution also provides Fostering Solutions with the confidence to investigate and implement new initiatives, such as video conferencing. They may also consider moving to IP-based telephony at a later stage. Both of these moves could realise further substantial cost savings.

Fostering Solutions now has a fast, reliable and secure network that its staff and carers can rely on, plus they’ve also got the ability to expand. It’s a win for Fostering Solutions, the carers, children and young people it supports.