Our client, a leading bank in the UAE, faced disruptions and inefficiencies while using SCCM for patching end-user systems. The need for multiple batches and manual monitoring resulted in business downtime. Intertec developed and implemented a robust solution to seamlessly push patches during business hours, optimizing bandwidth usage and significantly reducing planning efforts. This intervention improved overall patching efficiency and minimized disruptions.
Business Problem
The client encountered the following challenges:
- Bandwidth Limitations: Large patch downloads caused slow system performance, leading to disruption during business hours.
- Multiple Batches: Patches had to be deployed in smaller batches, requiring manual observation and constant monitoring of bandwidth usage.
- Time-Consuming Planning: Planning for multiple patch batches was labor-intensive and required frequent adjustments.
- Inability to Patch During Business Hours: The client struggled to deploy patches during working hours without causing business interruptions.
How Intertec Helped
Intertec helped the client by implementing several technical measures to optimize patch deployment:
- QoS Implementation: We introduced Quality of Service (QoS) to schedule and manage bandwidth effectively, ensuring smooth patch delivery during business hours.
- Policy-Based Bandwidth Control: We configured a class-map and policy-map under the DR MPLS router to define and control bandwidth usage dynamically.
- Time-Based Bandwidth Adjustment: We created time-based ACLs to increase bandwidth during off-peak hours and reduce it during business hours, ensuring a balanced, uninterrupted patching process.
Business Outcomes Delivered
Our intervention produced significant improvements, including:
- Reduced Patch Completion Time: The patching window was reduced by approximately 10 days, as patches could be pushed more efficiently without disrupting daily operations.
- Optimized Bandwidth Utilization: Bandwidth was used more effectively, with zero disruption during business hours due to automated bandwidth adjustments.
- Minimal Planning Required: The need for manual intervention and close monitoring was significantly reduced. We decreased the number of batches from 13 to 4, ensuring smoother patch deployments with less oversight.
- By addressing the client’s bandwidth issues and streamlining the patching process, Intertec ensured a seamless, efficient solution that reduced downtime and business disruptions.
