AppSmart

Meet AppSmart, a pioneer in IT buying and reselling, founded in 2009. The company has established itself as the industry-leading standard by providing innovative solutions tailored to the needs of its diverse clientele.

This customer story delves into Belmont Sayre’s journey toward operational agility and enhanced data security through its partnership with V2 Cloud. Belmont Sayre, a privately held real estate investment and development company based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, faced significant challenges with accessing and managing legacy applications critical to their daily operations.

The results? A seamless transition to a cloud-based solution that not only improved remote accessibility but also ensured robust data security. This shift has streamlined IT management, reduced costs, and enabled Belmont Sayre to focus on its core business activities with greater efficiency and flexibility.

The Challenge: Addressing Legacy App Usage

Businesses like Belmont Sayre often struggle with legacy apps that are crucial to their daily operations. These applications typically aren’t available as cloud-based versions or, if they are, they lack the power of their on-premise counterparts.

Belmont Sayre faced several critical challenges:

• Legacy Software Dependency: Belmont Sayre’s business operations depended on legacy applications that were not available in the cloud or had less powerful cloud versions.
• Remote Access Issues: The need for unrestricted access to these critical applications from anywhere, using any device (tablets, laptops, smartphones, and desktops).
• High Costs and Effort: Attempts to rewrite the source code for cloud compatibility involved years of effort and substantial financial resources, often ending in disappointment due to subpar performance and high costs.
• Data Security Concerns: Ensuring business data remained secure even when accessed from employees’ personal devices.

In summary, Belmont Sayre needed a comprehensive solution that could provide unrestricted access to their critical applications, ensure robust data security, reduce costs, enhance performance, offer scalability, and support remote work—all without the need for costly and time-consuming code rewrites.

The Solution: Application Virtualization

To address Belmont Sayre’s challenges and provide a robust solution for their legacy application issues, AppSmart sought a cloud partner capable of delivering seamless remote access while maintaining high performance and security standards.

Finding the Right Partner

After a thorough evaluation, V2 Cloud emerged as the ideal choice for several key reasons:

• Superior User Experience: V2 Cloud’s solution was designed with ease of use in mind. It addressed complex issues like RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) and VPN (Virtual Private Network) integration directly out of the box, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience.
• Advanced Development: V2 Cloud’s cloud infrastructure was ahead of the competition in terms of technology and features. Their platform offered advanced capabilities that ensured a smooth and efficient transition from on-premise to cloud-based operations.

Implementation

To effectively meet Belmont Sayre’s needs, the implementation of V2 Cloud’s solution involved several strategic steps:

• Virtual Private Windows Server: We deployed Belmont Sayre’s legacy application on a secure virtual private Windows server. This setup allowed users to access their critical applications from any device with an internet connection, anywhere in the world. The virtual private server (VPS) environment eliminated the need for additional remote access software or complex VPN configurations, simplifying the user experience and reducing setup time.
• Browser-Based Access: The legacy application was made accessible directly through web browsers. This approach streamlined the process for end-users, who could now interact with their applications as if they were using a standard webpage. The web-based access removed barriers associated with installing and configuring remote access software, enhancing usability and reducing IT support needs.
• Comprehensive Support: V2 Cloud’s solution included robust support features that ensured ongoing reliability and security. This support encompassed:
  • Daily Backups: Automatic daily backups are safeguarded against data loss, providing peace of mind that critical business information is consistently protected.
  • Live Monitoring: Real-time server monitoring enabled proactive management of the virtual environment, identifying and addressing potential issues before they impacted performance.
  • Timely Activity Reports: Regular activity reports provided insights into server performance and usage, allowing AppSmart and Belmont Sayre to stay informed about system health and operational efficiency.

Key Achievements

Partnering with V2 Cloud has yielded significant benefits for AppSmart and its clients:

• Operational Agility: Clients can quickly scale their operations up or down based on the number of users, providing flexibility to adapt to changing business needs.
• Cost Savings: The pay-as-you-go subscription model reduces the high costs associated with purchasing and maintaining on-premise hardware, improving cash flow.
• Enhanced Work Flexibility: Employees can work from any location using any device with an internet connection. This flexibility allows clients to offer more accommodating working hours, promoting a better work-life balance.
• Improved Security: With all data stored in the cloud and not on end-user devices, the risk of data loss due to lost or stolen devices is mitigated. This ensures higher data security and peace of mind for clients.

Why AppSmart Chose V2 Cloud

AppSmart selected V2 Cloud as its preferred partner for several compelling reasons, each addressing key aspects of legacy application management and remote access challenges:

Advanced Features

• Seamless Remote Desktop Integration: V2 Cloud’s solution effectively resolves common RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) issues. Their platform supports seamless remote desktop experiences, allowing users to connect to their applications without latency or connectivity problems that are often associated with other solutions.
• Built-In VPN Alternatives: Unlike traditional cloud solutions that require separate VPN setups, V2 Cloud integrates VPN-like security features directly into its platform. This eliminates the need for additional configuration and minimizes security vulnerabilities, ensuring a secure and straightforward remote access experience.
• High Performance: V2 Cloud’s infrastructure was designed to deliver high performance, even for resource-intensive applications. The platform’s robust capabilities ensure that legacy applications run efficiently in the cloud, matching or surpassing their on-premise performance.

Superior Development

• Cutting-Edge Technology: V2 Cloud’s cloud solutions incorporate the latest advancements in technology, including optimized server performance, advanced data encryption, and scalable infrastructure. This forward-thinking development ensures that the platform remains competitive and capable of handling evolving business needs.
• Enhanced Scalability: V2 Cloud offers superior scalability features, allowing AppSmart and its clients to adjust their resources dynamically based on demand. This flexibility supports both short-term project needs and long-term growth, ensuring that the solution can grow with Belmont Sayre’s requirements.
• User-Centric Design: The platform’s user interface and experience are designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. This user-centric approach reduces the learning curve and enhances productivity, making it easier for clients to integrate and use the cloud solution effectively.

Excellent Support

• Comprehensive Support Structure: V2 Cloud provides a multi-tiered support structure that includes direct access to their CEO and dedicated support staff. This structure ensures that AppSmart receives prompt and knowledgeable assistance for any issues or custom requirements.
• Custom Solutions and Flexibility: V2 Cloud is committed to offering custom solutions tailored to specific client needs. Whether it involves advanced backup options, integration with other systems, or unique configuration requests, V2 Cloud is willing to collaborate and deliver bespoke solutions.
• Focus on Continuous Improvement: V2 Cloud’s strategic emphasis is on continuous product enhancement rather than aggressive sales tactics. This commitment aligns with AppSmart’s values, ensuring that the partnership remains focused on delivering the best possible solution and adapting to changing requirements.

How MSPs Can Succeed Like AppSmart

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can achieve similar success to AppSmart by adopting several key strategies:

1. Choosing the Right Partner

• Evaluate Vendor Capabilities: Look for cloud vendors with a proven track record in delivering high-performance solutions and innovative technologies. Ensure they offer features that address the specific challenges faced by your clients, such as seamless remote access and robust security.
• Prioritize Customer Support: Select a partner that provides exceptional customer service, including responsive support teams and direct access to senior leadership. This level of support is crucial for resolving issues promptly and customizing solutions to fit client needs.
• Assess Future-Proof Solutions: Choose vendors that are committed to continuous product improvement and technological advancement. This ensures that the solutions you offer will remain competitive and adaptable to future changes in technology and business requirements.

2. Focusing on Client Needs

• Tailor Solutions to Specific Challenges: Ensure that the cloud solutions you offer address the unique needs and pain points of your clients. This includes providing flexibility for remote work, scalability to accommodate business growth, and cost-effective options to manage budgets effectively.
• Enhance Operational Agility: Offer solutions that enable clients to quickly adapt to changing business conditions. Look for features that support dynamic scaling, real-time data access, and efficient resource management.
• Promote Work-Life Balance: Provide tools that allow employees to work from any location and on any device, fostering a better work-life balance and improving overall productivity.

3. Valuing Feedback

• Create a Feedback Loop: Establish regular communication channels with your clients to gather feedback on their experiences with your solutions. This feedback loop helps identify areas for improvement and ensures that the solutions you provide continue to meet their evolving needs.
• Incorporate Lessons Learned: Use insights gained from client feedback to refine your service offerings and improve the overall client experience. This continuous improvement approach helps build stronger relationships and enhances client satisfaction.
• Stay Adaptable: Be prepared to make adjustments based on feedback and changing market conditions. Flexibility and responsiveness are key to maintaining client trust and delivering high-quality solutions.