virtualDCS and Sentis Selected by UK Mortgage Firm

UK company Virtual Data Centre Services Limited (virtualDCS) and Sentis Managed Solutions Ltd have triumphed in a joint tender, which has seen the 2 companies win a major contract to provide a full range of IT services to a UK-based mortgage lender.

The contract win coincides with virtualDCS recently marking its 15^th year in business and the 2 companies have a relationship spanning almost 10 years, which started when Sentis was first established in 2014.

As part of the contract, channel-first cloud and DR specialist, virtualDCS is providing backup services for Microsoft 365 via its CloudCover 365 product which is powered by Veeam data protection software. This will run alongside the fully managed Microsoft 365 ecosystem that Sentis is offering.

Other services from Sentis include a full 24/7 helpdesk and a managed Security Operations Centre (SOC), complete with security information event management (SIEM), coupled with proactive advice and guidance, as well as ongoing management of the client’s Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

In addition, Sentis is supplying a complex interface solution for integrating data and systems, alongside a data loss prevention service, which will be supported by virtualDCS hosting its cloud-based IaaS solutions.

An advanced cybersecurity toolset has also been incorporated, complete with an AI-based XDR, with automated response that is pervasive across local and wide area networks and cloud services. This is supported by multi-factor authentication gateways throughout the environment and DNS filtering at the endpoint level and PDNS filtering on a network level.

The company is also providing a range of network and communications services including SDWAN as-a-service, a managed print solution and Vodafone mobile contract provision across 95 devices.

Richard May, CEO, virtualDCS, said: “As soon as we saw this tender, we knew it was an interesting opportunity where we could add significant value. However, as a channel-first cloud and DR specialist, we tend to work behind the scenes in terms of delivering the overall solution. We knew that Sentis would be the ideal partner to be the client’s main point of contact, with their expertise and front of house services. The client immediately saw the benefit of the partnership, as it gives them access to the services and experience of 2 best in class companies offering everything they needed, so it ticked every box. Together, we produced an innovative, new and bespoke solution that did everything the client required and more, complete with cutting-edge security incorporating the likes of Darktrace and Duo, which was a key reason we were awarded this contract.“

Neil Homer, sales and operations director, Sentis, said: “When we launched Sentis, we took the decision on day one to join forces with a channel partner specialising in backup and DR services, which would free us up to effectively service our clients, as well as providing a high-quality end user experience. virtualDCS supported us with our very first customer and we’ve worked with them ever since, as the products and services they offer are second to none and they always deliver. When they approached us with this opportunity, we knew it would be a good fit for both businesses, working with a client where data and information security is the utmost priority. We have now designed and implemented a solution that offers a combination of services and management processes, alongside highly secure back-end services from virtualDCS, which protects their data to an FCA regulated standard. Crucially it’s also the client’s only IT project that has been completed on time and on budget, which is largely down to the agile and responsive ethos that spans both Sentis and virtualDCS.“

This latest contract win comes on the back of Sentis recently expanding into new premises on Museum Street in Warrington town centre, in a former school building that was also previously a technical college.

Since adopting a channel-first model last year, virtualDCS has experienced growth. Most recently, it was presented with a Veeam Innovation Award.