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Creative Production Company Streamlining Cloud Storage with Azure NetApp
Company Situation
The company operates within the creative production industry, focusing on 3D modeling and rendering projects. Their team is approximately 100 users strong, working in a hybrid environment with a significant portion (about 10 users) fully remote. The organization is transitioning IT management from third-party MSPs to an in-house IT team, aiming to modernize workflows and improve cloud capabilities.
Existing Workflow
Currently, the company relies heavily on an Azure NetApp file server setup managed by MSPs to store and manage project files. Their workflows involve frequent handling of large 3D rendering files, which require fast and reliable access. For collaboration, they use various tools for communication and feedback, though no centralized platform for asset review is clearly defined. Authentication depends on a mix of cloud and local domain accounts, creating complexity.
Issues with the Existing Workflow
Azure NetApp file server is not fully cloud-native and requires local domain authentication, which conflicts with their largely cloud-based user environment.
Users face frequent lockouts due to mismatched password syncing between cloud and local accounts, causing downtime and frustration.
Large file sizes and reliance on internet speeds hinder efficient remote work and file accessibility.
Lack of file pinning or caching capabilities means users cannot work seamlessly offline or with poor connectivity.
Transitioning away from MSPs means the IT team needs a solution that reduces overhead and supports a fully remote or hybrid workforce.
How Shade Would Change Their Workflow
Shade would provide a cloud-native file management and collaboration platform tailored for creative teams handling large files. It would enable seamless authentication integrated with cloud identity providers, eliminating local domain dependency. Shade’s technology supports caching and pinning of files locally, allowing users to work efficiently with large assets even when offline or on slower connections. The platform would centralize asset management and collaboration, enabling smoother workflows, reducing IT overhead, and accelerating the company’s move to fully in-house IT management and cloud-first operations.
Benefits
- Elimination of local domain authentication issues by supporting cloud identity management.
- Reduced user lockouts and IT support tickets related to password syncing.
- Improved remote work productivity through local file caching and pinning.
- Enhanced collaboration with centralized asset access and review workflows.
- Streamlined IT operations by moving away from third-party MSPs to a manageable in-house solution.
- Scalable platform supporting a hybrid workforce with flexible access options.
Technologies Used
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