By John Sikaras, Fulton May Solutions
Blue Plate Catering, Chicago’s premier award-winning catering company, has set the standard in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. As Chicago’s first Green Certified Caterer, Blue Plate needed an IT partner that could support its rapid expansion while ensuring business continuity. When the company moved to its 80,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in the West Loop’s Fulton Market District, it turned to Fulton May Solutions for a smooth and secure IT infrastructure transition.
A Trusted IT Partner for a High-Stakes Move
With over three years of managed IT support from Fulton May, Blue Plate knew they could count on our expert IT services to maintain uptime during its busiest season. The transition involved moving 200 employees while ensuring uninterrupted operations. Fulton May’s expertise in managed IT services, infrastructure planning, and cybersecurity proved crucial in executing the move with minimal downtime.
Strategic IT Planning and Future-Proofing
Fulton May’s senior engineers collaborated with Cisco to design a powerful technology infrastructure, ensuring best-in-class network performance and scalability. Key initiatives included:
- Designing optimal network layouts with dedicated MDF and IDF network closets.
- Implementing low-voltage cabling for enhanced connectivity.
- Constructing a highly secure and scalable server room with redundant power solutions.
- Replacing outdated network hardware with cloud-based technology for greater flexibility and security.
By prioritizing a future-proofed IT environment, Blue Plate gained a scalable infrastructure ready to support its continued growth.
Ensuring Reliable Wireless Coverage
One of Blue Plate’s primary concerns was wireless coverage across its massive new facility, including areas with walk-in freezers reaching 20°F. Fulton May deployed enterprise-grade wireless solutions, eliminating dead zones and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity throughout the entire space.
Minimizing Downtime During the Transition
Construction delays forced Blue Plate to relocate 20% of its staff to the new facility before it was fully operational. Fulton May quickly:
- Established a temporary network to maintain communication between the old and new locations.
- Coordinated with internet providers to accelerate fiber installation.
- Migrated server infrastructure overnight, ensuring the system was fully operational by the next business day.
- Upgraded to a VoIP phone system, enhancing customer service and employee flexibility.
Ongoing IT Support for Continued Success
Beyond the move, Fulton May remains Blue Plate’s dedicated IT partner, providing:
- 24/7/365 monitoring and support to prevent downtime.
- Proactive maintenance for optimal system performance.
- Continuous cybersecurity enhancements to protect sensitive data.
Thanks to Fulton May’s expert IT solutions, Blue Plate Catering now operates at peak efficiency with a reliable, secure, and scalable IT infrastructure.
Partner with Fulton May for Seamless IT Solutions
Fulton May Solutions is the trusted technology partner for growing businesses, including those in the hospitality and professional services industry. Whether you’re relocating your IT infrastructure or need ongoing IT support, we have the expertise to keep your business running smoothly. Contact us today to learn how we can future-proof your IT infrastructure.
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