No more running around
Gotlands Energi (GEAB) has approx. 50 servers monitoring the power grid and managing the heat and power production. Furthermore, about 150 employees make use of 200–250 computers. “Our question remains the same: What does this computer look like and what do we do to rebuild it?”, Bernt Jakobsson says.
To be able to answer that question, and many more, GEAB decided to invest in some kind of quality management system. “We decided to establish a system with which we could register the computers and collect information on servers and workstations instead of running around like headless chickens doing the job by hand”, Bernt Jakobsson continues.
Keeps track of the service contract
When Gotlands Energi’s needs reached a peak, the solution was obvious. Luckily, our sales representative Tobias Andersson called GEAB’s main office in Slite at just that time. If he had not, our infrastructure documentation tool, Qondoc Infrastructure, would have slipped the attention of Bernt Jakobsson. “I must say the timing was right. If he had not called me, I might have missed this product”, Bernt Jakobsson admits.
What where you looking for? “I wanted a tool which I could use to register the computers, not only the hardware but also the software and the product versions on each computer. At the same time we also wanted to be able to register the service contracts on the computers”, explains Bernt Jakobsson. “It is more or less a fulltime job to keep track of when the agreements expire. With Qondoc we have a more complete documentation of all parts.”
Routers and switches – pure bonus
The IT manager and his employees tried a product demo from us for a while. Bernt Jakobsson explains: “We decided on Qondoc Infrastructure and the installation was finalised by the end of April”. And this should give a better overview? “It’s better already”, he states with satisfaction.
Bernt Jakobsson continues his praise of the benefits of Qondoc Infrastructure. “As an extra bonus we have these routers and switches. All equipment which can be monitored by SNMP is included in the system”. But surely there must be drawbacks of Qondoc, too? “That would be that we have to install a client on each computer. However, Qondoc is in the process of developing a system without clients which I hope will be released this autumn.”
Meets security demands
Before Bernt Jakobsson rushes on to his next meeting, he takes the time to talk about the demands of the Swedish Emergency Management Agency to energy companies. Soon we understand the connection between our products and regulatory demands. “Qondoc Infrastructure meets the recommendation of the Swedish Emergency Management Agency for BITS (Basic level of IT Security). That is another bonus – definitely. We have an important function since we are monitoring power grids and it is valuable to have a tool which meets regulatory demands.”
Gotlands Energi (GEAB) has approx. 150 employees and is owned by Vattenfall (75%) and the municipality of Gotland (25%). The company distributes electricity to around 37,000 customers on Gotland. Furthermore, GEAB delivers district heating and broadband to the Gotland households.