A veterinary college in Michigan wished to explore whether it could significantly cut IT costs while maintaining high standards of patient care. Despite believing it was using state-of-the-art technology, persistent network issues were causing unnecessary expenses and negatively impacting the quality of patient care.
Our Approach
To tackle this problem, a comprehensive technology assessment was conducted across the College of Veterinary Medicine. This comprehensive evaluation scrutinized the college’s infrastructure, clinical and laboratory systems, educational technologies, as well as its database and research systems. It identified key areas where redundant systems and data centers could be streamlined, as well as outdated technologies—including the college’s network—that needed modernization. The assessment also explored opportunities to utilize commonly available university resources, such as the University help desk system, to cut the college's overhead costs for employees and their benefits.
Results Delivered
The impact of these strategic changes was substantial: their IT budget was reduced from $1.34 million to just $331,400. Furthermore, efficiency and IT security experienced an impressive 64% increase in just nine months, highlighting a strong commitment to both fiscal responsibility and high-quality patient care.
Outcome
The savings were directed into a scholarship fund to assist students with their veterinary school expenses.
Challenge
A top-five mechanical engineering department at a university in Michigan aimed to reduce costs and improve IT efficiency.
Our Approach
A thorough technology assessment was performed throughout the college due to the unknown root cause of high costs and inefficiencies.
Results Delivered
Through a strategic technology alignment assessment, we identified unused tech assets and recovered $304,000 in savings by leveraging warranties, utilizing existing equipment, automating service desk operations across the department, and virtualizing systems to streamline operations, reduce physical infrastructure redundancy, and enhance efficiency.
Outcome
The insights gained from the assessment supported a $56 million renovation to implement technology and network enhancements across seven buildings. Our assessment was crucial in facilitating this network upgrade, helping to mitigate potential expenses and security risks while ensuring a smooth and secure implementation.
Challenge
A healthcare service provider was facing numerous vulnerabilities across multiple systems in all of their data centers. The Information Security team identified and mitigated vulnerabilities one at a time. This approach had not reduced security risks by more than 2% despite their efforts over six months.
Our Approach
I conducted a comprehensive strategic technology alignment assessment and a data readiness evaluation for a Fortune 100 solution provider.
Results Delivered
This process revealed significant opportunities for optimization and cost savings. The assessment identified duplicate systems and subscriptions, which allowed us to eliminate waste and reclaim over $1.2 million through systems consolidation. We securely migrated essential data by identifying and removing 104 duplicate or outdated applications that resulted from multiple mergers and acquisitions. By decommissioning unnecessary systems, we recouped $1.2 million in costs associated with data centers, maintenance, software licenses, and hardware.
Outcome
As a result of our assessment, the client successfully streamlined their IT infrastructure, reduced costs, and significantly lowered their technology risk by 74% within six months.
Challenge
The agency faced rising security certification costs, performance inefficiencies, and mounting compliance challenges across a complex network of legacy and custom-built systems. Without a unified strategy, redundant and outdated technologies introduced security vulnerabilities and escalated operational risk.
Our Approach
Using the S.T.R.A.T.E.G.I.C.™ Framework to perform a comprehensive technology assessment, we focused on:
Identifying and mitigating system security vulnerabilities
Detecting and addressing custom code weaknesses
Streamlining redundant or outdated systems
Evaluating certification readiness and compliance gaps
Recommending modernization or decommissioning pathways
Results Delivered
Our audit and the execution of the roadmap resulted in a significant and measurable impact:
Improved overall system security by 60% by identifying outdated and insecure systems.
Reduced security certification costs by over 75% by consolidating systems and decommissioning legacy systems no longer in use, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations and certification requirements.
Improver user satisfaction by enhancing system performance in mission-critical operations.
Outcome
This engagement fortified the agency’s cybersecurity posture and unlocked operational and budgetary efficiency. I transformed a high-risk, high-cost environment into a streamlined, secure, and certifiable ecosystem by merging strategic vision with technical precision.
Why It Matters
In today’s digital era, federal systems must meet compliance and drive performance. Our approach proves that security and efficiency can go hand in hand with the proper framework.
We refer to our Kopjoe Consulting Assessment daily. It documents our infrastructure, servers, operating systems, patching, and all the critical details necessary to keep our technology running smoothly.
Benefits
One of the most incredible benefits of having this documentation was when one of our two Technology Specialist team members unexpectedly went on medical leave. Thanks to this assessment, we were able to quickly bring in temporary help, ensuring there was no disruption in our operations. The document included vital knowledge transfer information, enabling the temporary contractor to seamlessly take over and keep everything on track without a hitch.
Results
This proactive approach saved our business over $45,000! We conduct annual assessments and rely on this documentation regularly, solidifying our commitment to maintaining a strong tech foundation.
