Mediahuis is a leading media group with titles in Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and beyond. Editorial offices, printing plants and offices all run on infrastructure that has to work at all times, because news doesn't wait. Xylos works with them across four domains at once.
:focal())
4
domains (network, backup, cloud and workplace)
3-2-1-1
backup rule with immutable storage
Zero Trust
as the framework for governance and security in Azure
Multisite
network management across several countries
The challenge
Mediahuis runs around the clock on reliable data and on a workplace that connects people across titles and countries. The network underneath spans multiple locations and naturally grows into a complex whole: LAN, WAN and WLAN, firewalls, load balancers and monitoring platforms, each requiring its own expertise.
Mediahuis also wanted to strengthen data protection and become more resilient against ransomware, get more out of its existing Microsoft 365 investment with a central intranet, and gain better visibility into the governance, security and networks of its Azure environment.
The approach
Xylos works as a partner across those domains, with an approach that starts with assessment and design and continues through implementation and knowledge transfer.
For the network, a Xylos consultant provides the expertise and works alongside Mediahuis's team: analysis, design, implementation, configuration, monitoring and optimization. Operational management of the environment sits with the same hands.
For the intranet, the team started with workshops on the possibilities of SharePoint Online, followed by a build-out according to Microsoft best practices. For the cloud, Xylos follows Microsoft's Well-Architected and Zero Trust frameworks.
The solution
The network platform runs on Aruba and Cisco technology, across LAN, WAN and WLAN at the different sites, supported by firewalls, load balancers and monitoring platforms.
For backup, Xylos implemented Veeam Backup & Replication, with HPE Apollo servers as the proxy and performance tier. Through scale-out backup repositories, a copy of the data goes to a Scality archive tier with immutable buckets as a second storage location. This way, the solution meets the 3-2-1-1 rule, with deduplication, compression and protection for virtual machines, databases and physical servers.
On the workplace side, a central intranet was built on SharePoint Online, with hub navigation, a flat architecture, a Who's Who based on Entra ID groups, and a news carousel with audience-targeted content. For the cloud, an Azure assessment mapped out governance, security and networks, with a governance framework and a security audit based on Zero Trust.
The result
Mediahuis now has an infrastructure that evolves across four domains at once, with the same partner for both design and day-to-day management.
A network platform on Aruba and Cisco that is performant, scalable and secure, and supports business continuity.
A backup environment following the 3-2-1-1 rule with immutable storage, resilient against data loss and ransomware.
A central intranet on SharePoint Online that makes better use of the Microsoft 365 investment.
An Azure environment with a governance framework and a security audit based on Zero Trust, plus a clear roadmap.
IT staff and site owners received training so they can continue independently, and the partnership continues with the next steps.
Ready for a conversation?
Looking for a partner who tackles network, backup, cloud and workplace together? We keep them running and train your people to carry on independently.