How CDW Helped Scale IT for VetStrategy
As VetStrategy outgrew its IT infrastructure, CDW Canada helped secure, scale and sustain its operations.
When Giancarlo Tanti, Chief Information Officer at VetStrategy, took over IT operations in 2021, he was playing catch up. Demand for veterinary services had soared as new pet owners sought care for their pandemic pets and as an organization that operates and manages veterinary practices, VetStrategy had become one of the fastest growing companies in Canada as it acquired dozens of clinics from coast to coast.
Its IT systems, however, had not scaled alongside the business – nor had Tanti’s team.
“We had to reimagine our entire IT infrastructure and devise a technology strategy and structure that was secure, scalable and sustainable,” said Tanti. “CDW Canada was able to provide the breadth and depth of services we needed to navigate the distinct operational requirements at the local and clinic level, and power the business needs at the global level.”
Today, VetStrategy is Canada’s largest veterinary services provider, with over 360 locations and more than 7,000 staff across Canada.
Providing a holistic service set: Source, configure, deploy
When CDW Canada and VetStrategy started working together, hardware was harder to come by as the industry’s supply chain was still dealing with high demand and lockdowns during the pandemic. Tanti knew the technology he needed, but sourcing and supplying it had become a bottleneck when it came to revamping their IT infrastructure.
“CDW Canada could get hardware faster than any other service provider. They had the partner network and market leverage to make it happen,” said Tanti. “Working with CDW Canada, we went from four to six weeks to receive a laptop, down to four to six days. It doesn’t get better than that.”
Each clinic in VetStrategy’s portfolio operated with some level of autonomy – something that they wanted to preserve, while also balancing the business needs of the larger corporate umbrella. As such, each device needed to be both customized and standardized.
“CDW Canada provided a turn-key experience,” explained Tanti. “By the time devices were delivered to our doorsteps, clinics could be up and running with the click of a button.”
From image loading, to adopting new software like Microsoft Azure, to activating Rubi, CDW’s procurement portal, CDW Canada’s pre-staging services team configured each device to meet VetStrategy’s expanding needs.
According to Tanti, the impact of these efforts was felt within just 90 days, and throughout the project CDW Canada’s expertise continued to yield benefits that exceeded the expectations of the original contract.
As VetStrategy was already operating with the full Microsoft 365 stack, CDW Canada recommended they consider adding Microsoft Intune – a mobile device management and inventory tool that dramatically improved VetStrategy's visibility and troubleshooting capabilities and was a natural fit for the organization's hardware and software stack.
Once configured at CDW Canada’s offsite facilities via Windows Autopilot, each device was deployed to end users at VetStrategy. With clinics from coast to coast, VetStrategy needed a partner with boots on the ground in every corner of the country. CDW Canada was able to deliver.
At each clinic, CDW Canada’s partner, IT Mission, provided onsite support to install the hardware.
"Their service is simply superior – literally down to the wire. Not one cord or cable was out of place,” said Tanti.
“Change can be hard to embrace. At CDW Canada, we pride ourselves on creating a seamless customer experience that minimizes delays, downtime and disruptions,” said Dominique Sterling, Sales Manager at CDW Canada. “Providing a white glove IT experience end-to-end is part of the CDW way.”
How CDW set up VetStrategy for success
By standardizing and consolidating all hardware under Microsoft, each clinic had the tools they needed for their success. CDW also provided the tools to help secure their environment. Risk mitigation and troubleshooting solutions were built in and VetStrategy’s attack surface was dramatically reduced, enhancing overall security and providing better control in the event of a cyberattack.
CDW Canada’s services and solutions also enhanced the dialogue between clinics and corporate. VetStrategy’s commitment to hands-off clinic management required a high degree of visibility into each clinic’s operations – something they struggled with as they had rapidly scaled.
“We previously had little line of sight into the individual operations at each clinic. Now, we have visibility into each of our 300+ clinics through a single pane of glass and have remote access to provide additional support,” remarked Tanti. “We now have access to our clinics workstations – what’s working, and what isn’t – and we can make better business decisions as a result.”
CDW continues to support VetStrategy’s growth
Supported by CDW Canada, VetStrategy has continued to grow with 100 new clinics since the project began. CDW Canada remains VetStrategy’s Managed Service Partner of choice and is a key part of their ongoing expansion and success.
“Working with CDW Canada has dramatically improved our business – our operations are better, faster and more secure,” said Tanti. “The work doesn’t stop here. As we continue to grow, I’m thrilled to have CDW Canada by our side.”