Keep IT Going!

Ian Jewell - My Inspiration


As we step into April, the whirlwind pace of 2024 has reminded me to pause and reflect a little. With a couple of bank holidays providing a breather, I found myself compelled to share a personal story that might resonate with those seeking a bit of inspiration.


Over the recent holiday season, I was struck by a big loss—the passing of my father, Ian Jewell. His battle with a prolonged illness, spanning back to 2004, was a testament to his resilience and strength. Despite the countless setbacks to his health, my dad wore a smile that could light up a room. He defied medical odds time and again, earning him the moniker of a "medical marvel" in our family.


His story of courage and perseverance helped our family but also many others facing their own battles. Dads passing has made me think about my own journey.


Keep Going


I could write how dad had multiple stem cell transplants, heart valve replacements and daily chemo and how he battled through all of that, how others with their own battles took courage from Dads story, or that of recovering and doing triathlons!


OK well I have touched on that a little now, however I have chosen to mention how Dad over 25 years ago helped me start a career in IT.


Take Your Chances


I recall a moment over 25 years ago when my dad nudged me towards a career in IT. Disenchanted with formal education after a brief stint in college, I found myself a little bit adrift :) I spent a couple of weeks fishing on the River Taw for founders and playing football at weekends.


It was my dad who recognised my potential and helped me seize an opportunity in the IT industry.


With his support, I applied for an IT Junior role at a local company. Little did I know that dad knew the owner and it was a done deal! Nonetheless I applied, popped on an ill fitting suit and only went and got the job. This was a great role and I learnt a lot about basic networking and IT support. Through dad's work in engineering he heard about an apprentice scheme where you would get an NVQ but also have access to funded formal training. Dad got me on this scheme (no idea how) but I quickly got an NVQ in technical engineering and over the course of 9 months and 7 exams attained an MCSE (look it up).


My dad's foresight and encouragement opened doors that I never thought possible, and maybe even some bending of the rules!


Make it Happen


Anyway I moved between a couple of jobs and then eventually decided to apply for a 'contract' role in the summer of 2004, unable to drive a car for a role that was 90 miles away - however my grandad took me and I got the job!


Just needed to find away of getting there every day :) - I found a way.


This role was fantastic, using what I had learnt previously alongside some enterprise scale exposure to the Public and Private Sector as I was working for Hewlett Package on a government account. None of which would have been possible without Dad helping me get on the ladder and finding a loop hole for some training!


Don't Burn Bridges


This role ended up corresponding with Dads illness, and with the travel each day I wanted to be a little closer to home, as advised by Dad don't burn your bridges you might want to go back I explained the situation as mentioned I was going to look for something closer to home, Ironically i secured a role in the NHS . 14 months later - I was back at Hewlett Packard :)


Keep Going


I could bore on about a technical career that has taken in working across the UK, staying in hotels, moving to London, working for big players - however for me it was more about exposure, akin a little to my Dads sporting achievements, rugby, running, swimming, cycling, triathlon, I liked going in to environments making a difference and then doing something else.


The Birth of Integy


All of this history lead to starting INTEGY in 2019. This time Dad was like, what are you doing, you have a secure contract role what if you don't get any customers!. My response to Dad was "we will, we will make it happen, we have the skills and experience, we will keep going, take our chances, use our contacts and make a success of it" - Sat here in Easter 2024 I think Dad will be proud.


We have created a business, that has provided local and national employment, have the best possible clients that we work with closely to deliver, have made some mistakes, learnt and got on with it.


I think if James and I actually sat back and took a look would say we have created something rather special - I don't know when that step back will happen but today I am eating some chocolate for my Dad [Ian Jewell], I just wish he was eating it for me as he always did!


This post is for anyone that is 'in the moment', everything that you do leads on to the bigger picture, don't take it to seriously.

Call us today on 01392 796525 or Email us at ask@integy.co.uk

December 16, 2024
At INTEGY, we’re passionate about enabling organisations to embrace the future of work, especially when innovation and agility are at the heart of their mission. Recently, we had the privilege of supporting a client whose business serves as a launchpad for startups, providing the technology and equipment needed to kickstart their journey.  The Challenge: Outdated IT for a Growing Organisation Our client’s IT infrastructure was a traditional setup, with user accounts and devices tightly bound to Active Directory. This configuration required devices to maintain network connectivity to on-premises servers, creating operational limitations. With the facility expanding to three separate locations, this approach no longer supported their need for flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. Startups thrive on speed and adaptability, and their IT systems needed to reflect those principles. The reliance on traditional IT was slowing them down, creating unnecessary overhead, and limiting their ability to provide the seamless experience their customers expected. The Solution: A Cloud-Native Transformation We transformed their IT environment into a modern, cloud-native setup: Entra ID for Identity Management Every device is now joined to Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), shifting identity management to the cloud. This eliminates the need for on-premises servers, offering secure access from anywhere. Intune for Device Management Devices are now managed through Microsoft Intune, enabling streamlined policy enforcement, application deployment, and security updates, all delivered from the cloud. Enhanced Security with Zero Trust Principles We implemented a Zero Trust security model, ensuring that devices and users are authenticated and compliant before accessing resources. Defender for Endpoint provides enhanced threat protection and visibility across their environment. Simplified User Experience By decoupling devices from on-premises dependencies, we empowered their users to work from any location with a secure, seamless experience. Scalability and Agility With their new cloud-native IT framework, our client is no longer constrained by physical infrastructure. They can now scale operations effortlessly as they open new locations and onboard new startups. The Results: Flexibility, Efficiency, and Growth The move to a cloud-native configuration has been a game-changer for our client. They’ve gained: Operational Efficiency : IT management is simpler and faster, reducing administrative overhead. Improved User Experience : Users now enjoy consistent and reliable access to systems, regardless of location. Scalability : Expansion to new sites no longer requires complex IT overhauls. Security : Advanced cloud security tools ensure their data and devices remain protected. By embracing modern IT, our client is better positioned to serve their customers and focus on what matters most: empowering innovation for startups. Helping You Move Forward If your organisation is grappling with the limitations of traditional IT and looking to make the leap to a cloud-native future, we’re here to help. Let’s transform your IT and unlock your potential.
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