IT infrastructure is a vital part of public service operations, with unique challenges in large institutions and public safety organizations. Recently, Syracuse University and Kingston Police highlighted their experiences in a live panel discussion, sharing insights on leveraging Scale Computing's technology to meet their diverse IT demands.
At our Platform 2024 event in Las Vegas, Scale Computing’s VP of Marketing, Marlena Fernandez alongside Hannah Stevens, Lead Customer Success Coordinator, led the “The Many Use Cases for SC//Platform: A Customer Panel Discussion” featuring Tony Horzempa, Senior IT Systems Engineer at Syracuse University and Tim Bramham, Director of IT at Kingston Police. What follows is a brief recap of their discussion and some of the key lessons they learned following their IT modernization journeys.
Meeting IT Demands with Limited Resources
While Syracuse University and Kingston Police represent very different types of public entities, they both face the typical constraints of tight budgets and limited personnel. As Senior IT Systems Engineer at Syracuse University, Horzempa describes his struggle to keep production systems running smoothly while rolling out new ones: “Obviously, budget is a huge thing. As a publicly funded institution, we really need to make sure every last dollar is accounted for and that we’re doing the best with the money we have."
Syracuse’s infrastructure demands meanwhile are as diverse as they are persistent, including managing building automation and energy systems across a sprawling campus with just a two-person team. Scale Computing’s solutions offered a near plug-and-play experience, freeing up time and resources that Horzempa’s team could then dedicate to other pressing needs. “It was almost an out-of-the-box solution,” he said, noting how quickly he was able to successfully deploy and manage Scale Computing Platform.
Similarly, Bramham at Kingston Police, is responsible for managing the technical stack that keeps 9-1-1 and emergency response systems operational. With only four IT team members, his team ensures officers have continuous access to critical information, whether they’re in a command post or on the road. For Bramham, the appeal of Scale Computing was clear: simplicity and reliability, both critical requirements for public safety operations.
Kingston Police also exemplifies the need for reliable technology out in the field where connectivity is never a sure thing. Their “connected officer” concept ensures officers can access full resources while on duty, from accessing databases to viewing real-time information, as if they were in the office. This system runs seamlessly on Scale Computing, allowing for reliable access, meaning their officers can make data-informed decisions whether at their desk or in their patrol cars, enhancing their ability to serve the community.
Bramham also discussed the increasing role of data-driven policing, where data aggregation and analysis inform decisions at the Kingston Police. This approach requires robust data storage and quick processing capabilities, both areas where the SC//Platform excels. With video data from body cams, 9-1-1 calls, and mobile devices rapidly growing, Kingston Police relies on Scale Computing’s NVMe-powered platform to manage these resources efficiently.
Of course, security is also paramount. Public safety organizations are prime targets for ransomware attacks, and with Kingston Police being responsible for critical public systems, they must ensure their infrastructure can withstand any system outage. The SC//Platform provides a seamless disaster recovery (DR) solution, enabling rapid failover to a secondary site in the event primary systems are disrupted. This DR setup ensures that, even in worst-case scenarios, Kingston Police can maintain critical operations without interruption.
Horzempa and Bramham both described the implementation of the SC//Platform as “surprisingly smooth”. Any initial concerns about migrating essential systems were quickly alleviated, with Scale Computing’s customer success team offering comprehensive support throughout the setup and deployment process. “It’s almost idiot-proof,” Bramham noted, emphasizing that the straightforward setup of the SC//Platform mitigates many of the common risks associated with complex IT infrastructures.
The Road Ahead: Flexible and Scalable Solutions
The journey of Syracuse University and Kingston Police underscores the transformative role of adaptable IT infrastructure. Whether for an expansive university campus or a police department managing critical public safety systems, Scale Computing empowers organizations to handle growing data, increase efficiency, and ensure security with minimal friction.
As Bramham thinks about what the future might hold, he’s confident that the SC//Platform can handle it. "We knew we were going to grow, and Scale Computing gave us a solid platform for the future. We’re already expanding with another cluster just a year in – it’s definitely a game-changer for what we can do.”
For institutions facing similar challenges, exploring Scale Computing’s comprehensive solutions might be the next step toward achieving a future-ready IT foundation.
To learn more, watch the entire panel discussion on our YouTube channel, or visit our Resources page to read the Kingston Police case study.