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shoff darby - virtualization

  • Writer: Synergy Team
    Synergy Team
  • Jan 12, 2021
  • 2 min read

Updated: 4 days ago


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How Synergy Helped Shoff Darby Modernize Their Infrastructure with Hyper-V Virtualization




HSPLS provides library services across 7 islands in the State of Hawaii.


OVERVIEW:

From personal insurance to business insurance, Shoff Darby strives to tailor your insurance to meet your needs.


Goals / Challenges:

Shoff Darby, a specialized insurance provider, was operating on five aging, end-of-life servers that no longer supported the performance, storage, and reliability their growing business required. Critical applications needed to remain online during any infrastructure upgrade, and there was minimal tolerance for downtime.


With increasing data volumes—especially from PDF document imaging—and a server room with limited cooling capacity, the company needed a cost-effective, low-footprint, and scalable solution. Simplifying backup and recovery processes was also essential due to the sensitive and structured nature of the firm’s data.



Key goals included:
  • Replacing outdated servers while minimizing downtime

  • Increasing storage capacity to support current and future data needs

  • Reducing heat output and cooling requirements in the server room

  • Improving and simplifying backup and disaster recovery processes


Solution/Approach:

After conducting a thorough review of Shoff Darby’s infrastructure, Synergy proposed consolidating all five physical servers into a single high-performance server with substantial storage capacity. Using Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V, Synergy virtualized all existing servers, drastically improving performance while reducing the number of physical machines—and therefore heat output and electrical consumption.


The solution also eliminated the need for expensive third-party backup tools. Instead, Synergy implemented Windows Server Backup, allowing Shoff Darby to back up critical data using inexpensive removable hard drives and simplified recovery workflows.


Key solution components included:
  • A single high-capacity physical server to replace five aging systems

  • Deployment of Windows Server and Hyper-V to virtualize core infrastructure

  • Replacement of third-party backup software with built-in Windows Backup tools

  • Optimization of virtual machines to ensure long-term performance and scalability


Shoff Darby needed a flexible, secure IT environment, and we were thrilled to implement a solution that supports their unique business requirements. Our collaborative approach ensures their IT systems remain robust and adaptable.”

Michael Ferro, Senior Engineer, Synergy


The Results:

The project was completed with zero disruption to Shoff Darby’s daily operations—all virtualizations were performed outside of business hours, with no reconfiguration required on end-user workstations. The result was a significant reduction in heat and energy usage, allowing the team to avoid costly upgrades to server room cooling.


Additional outcomes included:
  • A 10x increase in available storage capacity, enabling data growth

  • Simplified backup and recovery, replacing outdated tape systems

  • Reduced monthly operating costs due to lower electrical and licensing needs

  • Future-ready infrastructure with improved system performance and manageability


With a modern, efficient IT foundation in place, Shoff Darby can focus on growing their business—knowing their systems are secure, scalable, and easier to maintain.

INDUSTRY

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CONSULTING

software

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Insurance

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Support & Project Services

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Windows Server Hyper-V

Ready to Modernize Your Infrastructure Without Disrupting Business?


At Synergy, we help organizations like Shoff Darby upgrade aging infrastructure with virtualization strategies that reduce costs, increase resilience, and eliminate downtime. If you're ready to consolidate, simplify, and scale your IT systems, we’ll help you get there—without the headaches.



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