Phoenix manages the successful consolidation of Autonomy iManage WorkSites following the Gilbert + Tobin & Blakiston Crabb merger
17 August 2011
Top Australian law firm Gilbert + Tobin recently completed a merger with Perth law firms Blakiston Crabb which involved the complete consolidation of all IT infrastructure for both of the firms. As part of this merger, Phoenix, a leading global provider of software solutions, performed and managed the consolidation of two separate Autonomy iManage WorkSite deployments into a single system within two weeks. Phoenix are experts in WorkSite consolidations having performed them for many European firms as part of IT centralisation strategies.
We chose Phoenix for their extensive global experience of WorkSite consolidations and to draw upon their 24/7 support to ensure the iManage consolidation went as smoothly and timely as possible. Phoenix exceeded expectations on all accounts. - Andrew Mitchell, CIO, Gilbert + Tobin
For Gilbert + Tobin, the consolidation was under significant time pressure as the merger had to be completed within one month of its announcement. Phoenix established a consolidated WorkSite system in parallel to their two separate production WorkSite deployments within two weeks. This was updated with a delta content migration from the two production systems every day, keeping it up to date and accurate. The parallel system enabled full system testing in advance of the rollout date and almost completely eliminated the risk of unforseen, undetected incidents that commonly occur with the alternative “big bang” style approach.
Phoenix also utilised their Workspace Lifecycle Management product, Workspace Assist, to manage the specific security requirements associated with the merger. Sensitive matters exposed as a security concern as a result of the merger were protected by the application of Information Barriers using Workspace Assist as part of the consolidation process. Workspace Assist was also used to remove these Information Barriers when due diligence processes alleviated any security concerns. Workspace Assist was also used to provide a common maintained Workspace management platform, which replaced the two custom processes previously in place in the two firms.
The end result of the consolidation process was a stable, completely merged WorkSite deployment that was deployed with less than 8 hours system offline time. This successful result had zero impact on the functioning of the businesses of both G+T and Blakiston Crabb prior to and after the merger and allowed the firm to focus on the important aspects of its business.
About Gilbert + Tobin
Gilbert + Tobin is an Australian specialist corporate law firm. Established in 1988, our lawyers are preferred by clients operating in all sectors of the economy. We advise on large-scale commercial and government transactions that shape the future of Australia and the Asia Pacific region. We are also community lawyers. We provide high-quality advice to organisations and individuals throughout Australian society, and for those in need we provide it pro bono.
We have a highly professional team of around 200 lawyers working in a stimulating, egalitarian environment. We are a firm open to talent and ideas. The people who join Gilbert + Tobin want to work for an enlightened, contemporary firm willing to challenge the status quo. Clients engage us as their lawyers for the same reasons. For further information on Gilbert + Tobin, please visit www.gtlaw.com.
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