Case Study: Scalable IT Infrastructure for International Architects Firm JSWD

Client Overview

JSWD Architects, established in 2000 through the merger of WJD Architekten and Jaspert & Steffens Architekten, is a renowned architecture firm based in Cologne, Germany, with a second office in Berlin. Known for designing large, complex buildings with a focus on sustainability and usability, JSWD has completed notable projects like the Moxy Hotel Köln Bonn Flughafen and the Thyssenkrupp Quartier. In 2024, the firm expanded internationally under the leadership of Olaf Drehsen and Frederik Jaspert, opening a new office in Tampa, Florida, to foster collaborations across the Americas.

To enable seamless collaboration for over 250 employees working on large-scale architectural projects, Dyonix developed an advanced, scalable, and high-performance IT system to replace the outdated, fragmented infrastructure. The previous system suffered from storage limitations, inconsistent performance, and security vulnerabilities, which hindered remote work and real-time collaboration. The new solution integrates next-generation technologies to seamlessly connect all three locations while enhancing stability, security, and remote access capabilities.

Challenges

Limited scalability and performance due to legacy storage systems.
Outdated server infrastructure causing system strain and lack of redundancy.
Unreliable internet connectivity leading to VPN restrictions and unstable video conferencing.
Inability to collaborate on large architecture projects remotely across offices and with external teams.
Independent project requirements for the Berlin office, necessitating local infrastructure autonomy.
Data sovereignty compliance requiring on-premises deployment.

Solution Implemented

To overcome these challenges, Dyonix implemented a cutting-edge IT infrastructure featuring:

1. Hyperconverged Infrastructure with Hyper-V and Storage Spaces Direct-
   
   - High-performance, scalable storage capabilities.
   - Fast and reliable server virtualization with Hyper-V.
   - Enhanced redundancy and seamless failover for uninterrupted operations.
   - Consolidation of multiple server systems, reducing complexity, power, and cooling requirements.
   
   
2.  Fortinet Firewalls for Secure & Efficient Connectivity
   
   - Low-latency, adaptive IPSEC-VPN routing over leased fiber optic lines for seamless inter-office connectivity.
   - Centralized security monitoring, allowing IT teams to detect threats proactively.
   - Highly available, clustered firewall solution at the heart of the network, designed with redundancy to ensure continuous operation. If a firewall fails or requires maintenance, traffic is seamlessly rerouted through backup systems, minimizing downtime and maintaining secure connectivity.
   - Stable video conferencing powered by Fortinet’s SD-WAN technology.
   
   
3. Revit Server for Collaborative Architectural Design
   
   - Hosted on internal virtualized Microsoft servers, enabling remote Revit project collaboration without costly Autodesk cloud licenses.
   - User-friendly system eliminating error-prone file-based workflows.
   - Centralized data management for BIM managers and IT staff, enhancing data security and administration.
   
   
4. Optimized VPN Performance for Remote Work
   
   - Stable, high-speed VPN connectivity for remote employees worldwide.
   - Enhanced security measures ensuring data protection.
   - Vastly improved remote access, supporting global talent recruitment and flexible work strategies.

Results & Benefits

Following the implementation of these IT solutions, JSWD Architects experienced:

Improved System Stability & Performance: Reduced downtime and bottlenecks, ensuring smooth collaboration across locations.
Enhanced Video Conferencing: High-quality, reliable communication between teams and external partners.
Optimized Remote Work Experience: Fast, stable, and secure connections for employees worldwide.
Scalable IT Infrastructure: Microsoft-based hyperconverged environment enabling seamless storage and virtualization scalability.
Autonomy and data sovereignty: The additional benefit is complete control over sensitive project data, ensuring compliance with strict confidentiality requirements while mitigating risks associated with cloud-only solutions, such as potential service outages or third-party data access concerns.
Secure & Efficient Data Access: Fortinet firewalls ensuring secure, high-speed data routing with minimal latency.

Conclusion

By leveraging Microsoft Hyper-V and Storage Spaces Direct, Fortinet Firewalls, and Revit Server, JSWD Architects successfully modernized its IT infrastructure. This transformation resulted in significantly improved system stability, enhanced remote access, and optimized collaboration across global offices.

This case study highlights how innovative IT solutions can drive efficiency, enable seamless international collaboration, and support long-term business growth.

Looking for IT Solutions? If your company faces similar IT challenges, Dyonix can design and implement a tailored solution to optimize your infrastructure. Contact us today to discuss your needs at www.dyonix.com or email us at [email protected]. Contact us today to learn more!