Critical IT Transformation Paves Way for Sustained Efficiency

"The scale and resources C1 offers have enabled us to punch above our weight.” 

Christopher Bethel | IT Director, County of Madison, Illinois

The Challenge:

Critical IT Transformation Paves Way for Sustained Efficiency   

Madison County was relying on an outdated on-premises Microsoft Exchange infrastructure, which presented escalating maintenance costs and staffing challenges. “The codebase of Microsoft Exchange became overly complex, and retaining staff with the expertise to manage it was nearly impossible,” says Christopher Bethel, IT Director.  

The county also faced unexpected hurdles, like database corruption within its legacy email environment. Additionally, with many local governments already making the shift to cloud solutions, staying competitive meant modernizing critical IT systems like Office 365 while keeping public safety networks running reliably. 

On top of email migration, the county’s aging wireless infrastructure posed significant challenges. Madison County’s reliance on Cisco wireless controllers created unpredictable downtimes that impacted connectivity for critical entities, such as police departments. Bethel underscores, “When controllers failed, the entire Wi-Fi network followed, leaving us exposed.”  

Lastly, with firewalls nearing the end of their lifecycle, Madison County required a Palo Alto refresh. Balancing modernization with budget constraints was crucial, requiring both strategic planning and reliable execution. 

The Solution:

Scalable Solutions, Seamless Execution   

Madison County partnered with C1 to migrate from on-premises Exchange servers to Office 365, leveraging C1’s expertise in scoping, planning, and execution. Even when faced with unexpected database corruption challenges during the migration, C1 provided timely guidance and tools to restore and inject emails directly back into new systems. “What could’ve been a catastrophic setback was managed seamlessly, thanks to C1’s support and responsiveness,” Bethel emphasizes.  

For the wireless network overhaul, C1 worked alongside Madison County to deploy Aruba’s cloud-hosted wireless solutions. With a more intuitive interface and lower costs compared to older Cisco systems, the transition to Aruba significantly improved network reliability while retiring underperforming controllers.  

Finally, Madison County launched a Palo Alto firewall refresh project with the help of C1. Leveraging C1’s resources, Bethel’s team ensured their new firewalls were appropriately scoped for peak performance, avoiding overpayment for unneeded high-end equipment.  

Across all projects, C1's ability to provide scalable solutions while working collaboratively with Bethel’s small but mighty IT team ensured success. “The scale and resources C1 offers have enabled us to punch above our weight,” Bethel adds. 

The Result:

Modern Infrastructure, Maximum Uptime      

By eliminating the need for routine maintenance on legacy Exchange servers, IT teams can now dedicate valuable time to strategic initiatives rather than focusing on reactive troubleshooting. This shift has significantly enhanced their ability to address pressing organizational priorities with agility and focus.  

Furthermore, the county’s network infrastructure has achieved newfound reliability, with reduced downtime and streamlined system upkeep. The robust connectivity brought by the Aruba deployment ensures seamless communication and uninterrupted access to critical resources across departments. IT administrators also report greater peace of mind, as the modernized system provides enhanced protection against cyber threats, reducing the risk of email-related outages or disruptions.  

“Knowing that our email infrastructure is secure and doesn’t require constant oversight is a burden lifted from our team,” says Bethel. This innovative approach to IT management has not only fortified cybersecurity but also empowered the staff with tools to work more efficiently and collaboratively. The county’s investment in Aruba technology demonstrates the potential of advanced solutions to simplify complex systems while fostering growth, resilience, and sustainability.