A Proactive Technology Plan Keeps the Animal Health Institute in Touch with Its Members

See How RelianceNet is Helping

The Animal Health Institute (AHI) is a Washington, DC-based trade association that works with the nation's major research-based animal health product manufacturers - the companies that make medicines for pets and farm animals. As an advocate for its industry, one of AHI's major roles is to maintain and share industry information with constituents nationwide.

AHI's network is the backbone of the mission-critical data that drives the organization. Maintaining a stable network environment is crucial to its success. So when AHI decided to implement a proactive technology management program and put in place an infrastructure that would ensure that issues such as virus protection and backup were managed, they turned to Reliance Network Solutions, Inc. (RelianceNet) for help.

The Solution

"I've contracted RelianceNet through an annual service agreement since 1998." said Diana Stackhouse, AHI's Director of Systems and Finance. "We have an assigned engineer who comes in monthly to assist me with monthly checkups and projects such as hardware and software upgrades, backup solutions, and firewall implementation. In some cases, RelianceNet has assigned other team members to help with special projects. They have been a fantastic resource and asset to AHI."

The proactive support that RelianceNet has provided AHI encompasses the integration of numerous technology products. From server upgrades to implementing a virus protection plan, RelianceNet has assisted AHI in creating a proactive technology plan that works.

"We've been hit with numerous attempted virus attacks, most of which were caught and stopped by our anti-virus software. In one case when we did get a virus, we lost almost 5,000 files. Thanks to the backup technology put in place by RelianceNet and our own nightly backup schedule, we were able to recover all of those files almost immediately," said Ms. Stackhouse.

Throughout its four years in serving AHI, RelianceNet has assisted AHI with:

In its tenure with AHI, RelianceNet has provided ongoing, proactive service that has allowed AHI to maintain its business operations with little to no server downtime. In keeping with its philosophy of a team approach, AHI has had access to RelianceNet's full staff of certified professionals. AHI's designated Network Engineer has provided consistent service with the backing of RelianceNet's other team members when special projects dictated the need for other areas of expertise.

"RelianceNet has assigned a primary engineer to AHI and our staff really likes him. Jack has great technical expertise but can talk to anybody at any level without overwhelming them. His '101 Skills' are very good, which makes me comfortable having him deal with our staff one-on-one," said Ms. Stackhouse.

About Animal Health Institute

The Animal Health Institute works with the nation's major research-based animal health product manufacturers - the companies that make medicines for pets and farm animals. All animal health products on the market are approved by the government. AHI member companies work with federal government agencies to assure that products are safe, effective, and beneficial to the health of animals.

AHI interacts with the three federal agencies regulating animal health products: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Through AHI, the animal health industry collectively reviews and responds to regulatory issues.

About RelianceNet

Since 1994, RelianceNet has focused on serving small to mid-sized organizations in the local Washington, Annapolis and Baltimore metro area. RelianceNet assists its clients in using technology to its fullest potential through customized IT management programs, project support and product consulting and acquisition.