A secure infrastructure and collaboration based on XLA

Making and keeping your IT infrastructure safe. Today, it is the largest and most important task of the organization. You don't want to respond until it's too late. You want to be able to proactively respond to possible incidents and keep your Azure secure score as high as possible. You want to limit the risks of data leaks and systems or APIs that are not up to date. As a supplier of energy facilities, Kenter knows better than anyone that their ISO certification (with regard to information security) and their secure score are the indicators for a safe and flexible work environment.

The Value

Kenter asked Bizure to support them in setting up workplaces, professionalizing the applications via the Azure portal and monitoring security management. Scheduling the technicians is one of the business-critical processes for Kenter. If we can't do that, the organization will shut down and that will have a big impact. If no tickets come in from the business, we know that the process is going well. If not, we will immediately look at possible causes and solutions together. A collaboration between IT and business in optimal form. We know how to respond quickly to vulnerabilities that (may) arise. That is the real added value for Kenter. That is the combination between IT and Modern Service Management.

The organization grew from 90 to almost 450 colleagues in six years, which automatically meant that the IT department had to scale in stability and flexibility. The developments in the cloud and also within Azure are following each other in rapid succession. Bizure's extensive Azure knowledge is therefore very valuable.

“The collaboration started with an XLA, which focuses not only on IT but also on the experience. Over the years, the collaboration continued to grow. Since we have ISO 27001 in order and are audit-proof, we have used the secure score as a measure. It is important that the core infrastructure of the Dutch energy facilities is safe”.
‍- IT Manager Kenter — Robert-Jan Suurmeijer

The Team

We know each other well by now. Sometimes there are incidents that need to be responded to quickly. Sometimes there are plans for the future. Kenter and Bizure, part of the TeamValue Group, work together on the basis of an XLA agreement. So not the standard SLA that only looks at KPIs, but also monitoring from the experience, customer feedback and dynamic control are central. Based on various activities, we have created cooperation packages, which works very nicely and conveniently. Examples include policy, process agreements, logging incidents, security issues and setting up procedures that are future-proof.

“The team really sees each other as a sparring partner and pursue goals together. I think that's the best you can achieve as an IT partner.”
‍- IT Manager Kenter — Robert-Jan Suurmeijer

The result:

1. A collaboration that not only focuses on KPIs but also on customer experience, feedback, relationships, dynamic control and the ticketing system. That's not what we call classic IT, but Modern Service Management.
2. Through smart monitoring in the field of cost management, among other things, we have saved costs several times. Think of turning off Azure components or purchasing them over a longer period of time.
3. Van Kenter's Secure Score has been increased from 55% to +80%. With the help of the recommendations, together we will continue to ensure that this percentage remains the same or increases. This is in order to continue to guarantee ISO certification.
4. The collaboration is always changing. From the reports and daily analysis, Kenter knows exactly how things are doing. Any fluctuations in, for example, the use of virtual machines are immediately detected with associated three different scenarios, so there is always a good choice to make.
5. The performance of the applications, hosting and the partner network must remain in order. Bringing people together is what happens with the help of technology. In case of performance problems, we look at the entire chain and work with all relevant parties to ensure that performance improves. We communicate openly and transparently here and ensure that, although everyone approaches the problem from their own expertise, we ensure that all components are related to each other.
6. Kenter's management/IT department can easily use Bizure's ticketing system. In addition, we also look at, for example, the rights structure within the applications and applications from other countries or devices. Alerting is set automatically.
7. With the Bizure portal, there is real-time insight into the pillars of security, quality, cost management and resiliency. With the help of the dashboarding, it is immediately clear which actions deserve priority.

Kenter & Bizure

Kenter grew out of Liander and has taken over measurement services for the large business market since 1 May 2016. And a year and a half later, energy supply services for large consumers. Providing a complete package of energy facilities, metering services and charging solutions based on the latest insights and innovative technologies. That is a serious matter. In order to allow more than 400 employees to do their work flawlessly every day, systems must be well attuned to each other. In Bizure, Kenter found a proactive IT partner who, in addition to her Azure Cloud and Modern Service Management knowledge, will also continue to work on relationship management. Together, we ensure a safe environment and a stable and flexible cloud.

“Through an acquaintance from TeamValue, we came into contact with the management branch. The main reason for choosing Bizure is the extensive cloud and specific Azure knowledge combined with proactive switching and looking ahead to the future.”
‍- IT Manager Kenter — Robert-Jan Suurmeijer

Interested?

Want to know more about how we can support your organization in the field of Modern Service Management and secure software development? Bizure | A new way of managing IT