Beyond the Cloud: SupraNet’s Data Center Empowers Schilling Consulting to Grow
Client Overview
- Client Name: Schilling Consulting
- Industry: Records and Scheduling Software
- Location: Madison, WI
- Client Since: August 2022
Background
In the mid-1990s, Paul Schilling was a student programmer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s medical school. Faced with the daunting task of manually scheduling courses for medical students, Paul saw an opportunity to streamline the process. In just a few months, he developed a custom scheduling program that revolutionized how the school managed its students.
This innovative software gained traction, and its potential was clear. Over time, Paul refined and rebuilt the system, eventually licensing it through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).
In 2008, Paul formed Schilling Consulting and tripled the client base. With the company’s growth, Schilling Consulting’s infrastructure was becoming convoluted and needed a reset.
When large cloud providers offered impersonal, one-size-fits-all solutions, Paul knew he needed something different—he needed a partner who could deliver the personalized, hands-on service that would support his business and clients. That’s when he turned to SupraNet for a tailored, scalable solution.
Challenges and Solutions
Challenge 1: An Expanding Infrastructure in Need of Hands-On Expertise
As Schilling Consulting’s infrastructure expanded, it became fragmented and inefficient. They needed a VPN, and their previous provider was unable to provide the hosting support they needed. While large cloud providers offered services like Azure, Paul needed more than a basic solution—he needed a partner who understood his business on a personal level and could deliver something tailored to his needs.
Solution: Customized, Secure Server Setup with VPN and MFA
SupraNet stepped in with a customized infrastructure solution. We implemented a VPN with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to ensure secure access. The hardware was custom-configured and overbuilt to guarantee scalability, ensuring Schilling Consulting wouldn’t face bottlenecks as they took on more clients.
Impact on Business: The secure, custom-built infrastructure not only streamlined Schilling Consulting’s operations but gave Paul peace of mind that the system was scalable and reliable. The new setup improved system stability, reduced security risks, and provided a much more efficient way to manage Schilling’s growing client base without having to worry about backend performance issues.
Challenge 2: Security and Compliance Concerns
As Schilling Consulting grew, so did their need to meet rigorous security and compliance standards required by their higher education clients. Managing these on their own or through a large provider proved challenging, and they needed a partner who could help them navigate these processes effectively.
Schilling Consulting needed more than just technology—they needed a partner that could provide hands-on support and an understanding of their business. Larger cloud providers treated them as just another customer, offering limited assistance and a lack of clear, customized solutions or assistance navigating the complexities of unique certifications and standards.
“I wasn’t a fan of moving into a large hosting platform like Azure or AWS. I’m not going to get the personalized service and clear technical support from them, especially as a small company. If something went wrong, I would have to hire or contract someone to fix it.”
Paul Shilling, President, Schilling Consulting
Solution 1: One-on-One Support for Industry-Specific Security Certifications and Standards
SupraNet provided a high level of personalized service, helping Schilling Consulting navigate complex security certifications that universities required. Beyond offering secure infrastructure, we worked directly with Paul to answer client-specific security questions and ensure compliance with higher education standards.
Impact on Business: SupraNet’s hands-on approach made it easier for Schilling Consulting to meet the stringent security requirements of their university clients, strengthening their relationships and ensuring trust in their services. The focused support also helped streamline onboarding processes, allowing Paul to focus on getting clients up to speed on using his software rather than worrying about complex compliance issues.
Solution 2: Tailored Infrastructure for Multi-Time Zone Scheduling
SupraNet worked closely with Schilling Consulting to implement a two-tier system tailored for their multi-time zone clients. We developed a template that could easily be cloned and customized for each university client, ensuring that their unique needs were met without compromising security or performance.
Impact on Business: With the tailored infrastructure in place, Schilling Consulting was able to efficiently manage the complex needs of its clients, improving service delivery across multiple time zones. The customized approach meant they could onboard new clients faster and with greater confidence, knowing their system could handle growth without compromising on security or performance.
“It’s a really nice set up now. It’s clean and it makes answering security questions for clients a lot easier,” said Schilling.
Data Migration Process and Timeline
Duration: Approximately 9 months to a year of detailed planning, followed by 6 months of careful preparation for the switchover.
Phase 1: Building Infrastructure with Growth in Mind
SupraNet didn’t just build an infrastructure for today—we overbuilt it to ensure scalability. This included configuring a custom server setup with a secure backend, over-provisioning the hardware, and establishing redundancy to eliminate bottlenecks.
Impact on Business: By investing in future-proof infrastructure, Schilling Consulting now has the capacity to grow without worrying about outgrowing their technology. The system’s reliability means fewer disruptions, better performance, and more confidence in their ability to serve an expanding client base.
Phase 2: Customizing Virtual Machines (VMs) for Seamless Client Integration
Once the infrastructure was in place, SupraNet helped Schilling Consulting set up virtual machines (VMs) that could serve as templates for all clients. These VMs were customizable, allowing Paul to quickly clone and adapt them for each university.
Impact on Business: The flexible VM setup streamlined client onboarding, reducing the time and effort it took to set up new clients. This allowed Schilling Consulting to scale their business without compromising the personalized service that set them apart in the higher education market.
Phase 3: Ongoing Support with Hands-On Assistance
SupraNet continued to provide proactive support, setting up additional support VMs and a dedicated mail server to ensure smooth operations. We monitored the system, alerting Schilling Consulting to any potential issues before they became critical.
Impact on Business: SupraNet’s proactive support allows Paul and his team to focus on what they do best—delivering their scheduling software to clients—without having to worry about infrastructure management. The peace of mind provided by knowing that any potential problems will be addressed quickly has been instrumental in Schilling Consulting’s ability to serve its clients with confidence and reliability.
Overall Impact: Personalized Service that Provides Confidence
The combination of a custom-built, scalable infrastructure and personalized technical support ensured that Schilling Consulting could meet the needs of their clients with confidence. Instead of being treated as just another anonymous set of flashing buttons in a sea of racks, Paul Schilling found a trusted partner in SupraNet—one that took the time and did the research to understand their unique challenges and worked closely with him to deliver solutions that exceeded expectations.
