How does Moderna Försäkringar use Qondoc Application?
First and foremost, we use Qondoc as a giant data storage. We accumulate as much information on our computer as possible to simplify our searches and comparisons on what IT equipment we have. Which upgrades and licenses we are using, where they are located and who owns them. We can make all kinds of cross related queries and get results which we never imagined earlier. We have fixed Excel sheets for our permanent network, although it is difficult to find time for these. However, Qondoc handles this as well and there are ways to create your own IP networks and keep track of them in Qondoc.
Cross related queries?
Above all we use their search tool to point and click and create SQL queries directly in the database. You may extend the queries to make it easier to answer the company’s questions on their equipment and find out who has which licenses and how they are all connected to different switches. Most questions relate to licenses and which licenses need upgrade, which are the programs available, and how much memory and which harddisk is in use.
What do you do, more specifically?
I organise the logical conditions, press search and get the answer. I also get it in an Excel sheet. Furthermore, the query is saved and you can organise your own data source directly in another program and know that you can get this information. For instance, when we work on updates of programs we set up a dynamic group which searches the information from the old program, and as the computers are reinstalled they are automatically deleted from the list.
It simplifies the overview, you mean?
We are not finical about this. We do not visualise to any great extent, but has decided to stay at this level. We have created a number of physical locations at our offices where we have placed our business areas in the rooms. In each business area we have departments where we have located the computers so that we know where they are.
Is an approximate location enough?
We had a dream when we purchased this system, that we would be able to import fine bitmaps in the background and distribute these to each workplace. Today, we are content to distribute a new pc, a screen and a printer to the business area which owns it. And with Qondoc’s new service release, which was launched in January, we are now working with organisational location which makes it easier for someone like us who just want to state affiliation. It is better for us now.
Why is organisational location better?
The company has grown tremendously during the past few years. As we are more persons working with operation and support, it is important to have the right tools to keep track of computers, programs etc. When I started to work here, we were 50 employees; that was four years ago and now, we are almost 250.
The server stock and the system complexity have been raised almost to the second power of the number of new employees. From 10–15 servers before we now have about 50, even if not all of these are registered in Qondoc. We also have 282 client computers registered.
What are you working with right now?
We have approx. 500–600 network outlets in Stockholm and are in the process of registering all switches. We can see which computer is located where in the network and if something happens we can isolate the computers from the network or see who is causing a possible disturbance.
You are chasing costs?
After all, bying IT equipment costs a lot of money. The purchase price of a normal laptop or computer is just a small part of it. Support, licenses, communication etc cost a lot more. If we can avoid oversizing the system because we are not sure of the infrastructure, we can save quite a lot.
Do you use Qondoc in more ways?
We have another tool working with Qondoc, CHiP Case Manager. The CHiP is integrated directly into Qondoc and we can check any event and all information on a specific computer. Each time I log on to Qondoc the registering agent collects information for us and also records serial numbers and product numbers which is important information to us. When the computer is fully registered we can see which gate and which switch it is on.
But everything can be improved. Even Qondoc?
Qondoc has promised to launch a product which reads the switches and takes out MAC addresses and connects the computer’s MAC address to the switch gate. When this product is launched, Qondoc is complete. Then we will get all the information we need and can print the entire network by pressing a button in Qondoc and see the logical location of everybody in the network.
If you were to sum up Qondoc, what would the benefits to Moderna Försäkringar be…?
That we know everything about all clients at all times and that we can see when a computer was last connected to the network. We also get much extra information which we would not get, if we did not have Qondoc. Surely, there are other programs like Qondoc but they provide too much information and it is quite difficult to learn these systems. Qondoc is installed on a server, then the database is created and the agents added. At the same time you can make physical and organisational views and get all the information you need.
What are your wishes as the person in charge of the IT environment and operation?
We hope to have a new functionality which notifies us of who will be affected by a system breakdown. If we have to take out a server next week we want to be able to use Qondoc to make a list of the components which will be influenced by this. Not only a list but also phone numbers and e-mail addresses to be able to notify the users. This is what we hope Qondoc will do.
The group Moderna Försäkringar comprises Moderna Försäkringar Sak, Moderna Försäkringar Liv, Atlantica and Bilsport & MC. The group has approx. 250 employees, is owned by Invik & Co and is part of the Stenbeck sphere. 2006 was the best year ever in the history of the group.