Inlumi

Staying ahead of the curve is a challenge for many MSPs, especially when it comes to ensuring security and continuity in our increasingly digital world. Inlumi, a full-service provider of Enterprise Performance Management Analytics services based in Utrecht, sought the expertise of Fundaments. Frank Wessels, Chief Operating Officer, and Christian Hoekstra Yuzbashian, Commercial Business Development Manager, discuss how Fundaments has strategically prepared them for future success.

Frank, in your view, what does the organization of the future look like?

Frank: "In our EPM domain, I see technology shifting from a limitation to a driving force. With the integration of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), data analytics, and artificial intelligence, our customers are empowered to make more precise and faster decisions, driven by accurate data—something that was previously out of reach."

Christian, what are the key components needed to realize this vision of the future?

Our customers' systems manage critical financial and sensitive data, which drives a growing demand for robust digital security, data integrity, auditing, compliance, and certifications.

What challenges did you face in meeting these escalating demands?

In the past, managing the entire IT ecosystem in-house was our core strength. This provided us with the flexibility to adapt to new developments and meet the unique and specialized needs of our customers. However, the widespread shift to cloud technology, the globalization of business operations, and the need for ubiquitous, real-time data access required a new approach. We recognized that maintaining everything internally was not sustainable and would detract from our core business focus. Consequently, we chose to partner with a strategic provider for our infrastructure, data center management, and IT requirements, allowing us to efficiently meet the growing demands and expectations of our customers.

Given this insight, what were the key criteria guiding your search for a solution?

We searched for a strategic partner, not just an IaaS provider. We wanted to avoid micromanaging and needed a partner capable of addressing our customers' bespoke needs, guiding us toward future innovations, sharing insights on cutting-edge technologies, and managing certifications seamlessly. This allowed us to focus on our core competencies

Frank, what made Fundaments stand out as the ideal strategic partner for addressing your challenges?

Reliability, scalability, and a keen sense of urgency are essential for us and our customers. Fundaments excelled in these areas with their technical expertise and high-quality services. However, what truly set them apart was the cultural fit. Fundaments shares our commitment to proactive problem-solving and collaborative innovation. This synergy enables us to craft exceptional solutions that deliver significant value to both our organization and our customers.

Christian, how does Fundaments guarantee security and continuity in our partnership?

One of our primary criteria for selecting a partner was their ability to ensure security, continuity, availability, and redundancy. Fundaments distinguished itself by seamlessly integrating these core principles into their design and operations. Their approach offered us diverse options for physical hosting locations and robust backup and recovery solutions. A key challenge for us was ensuring reliable off-site backups at all times. Fundaments addressed this challenge with their Cohesity -solution, providing a comprehensive backup strategy that guarantees our data is safely off-site, irrespective of our customer environments or operational scenarios.

What role does VMware play in solving your challenges?

VMware is integral to Fundaments' platform, providing the essential technologies for continuity, security, availability, and redundancy. With VMware’s vCloud Director and virtual datacenter solutions, we can offer each customer their own isolated virtual environment. This ensures full separation while still benefiting from shared infrastructure efficiencies. VMware's solutions have been key in meeting our customers' high standards and specific needs.

Frank, how does the partnership with Fundaments enhance your operations on a day-to-day basis?

Our collaboration with Fundaments has proven to be exceptionally valuable. They provide actionable and innovative solutions to our unique customer challenges, whether it's optimizing connectivity or managing processes that demand high computing power. Fundaments works closely with us to evaluate both the technical and practical aspects of implementation. This partnership not only enhances our ability to serve customers effectively but also helps us refine and optimize our internal operations.

Christian, what makes your collaboration with Fundaments so effective?

The strength of our partnership lies in our close collaboration. We don’t view it as ‘us’ and ‘them’; instead, we work hand-in-hand to address the challenges our clients face. Fundaments integrates seamlessly into our operations, feeling more like an extension of our own team than a separate entity. This cohesive approach is a key driver of our successful partnership.

Frank, how is your organization positioning itself for future success?

Partnering with Fundaments has enabled us to address our customers' increasingly complex needs with greater speed and precision. The advanced scalability and flexibility of our new environment allow us to accelerate innovation and provide enhanced service to our customers.

How does achieving future-proof status enhance your confidence and strategic readiness?

The sense of empowerment is profound. By aligning with Fundaments' forward-thinking approach and their dedication to technological innovation, we ensure our services remain cutting-edge. This strategic partnership allows us to concentrate fully on leveraging our strengths to deliver exceptional value to our customers.

What is your outlook on the future with Fundaments as your partner?

Our partnership with Fundaments positions us for ongoing success. Their commitment to growth and innovation directly supports our own advancement, empowering us to deliver exceptional value to our clients now and in the future.

‍