Case Study —
Sifton Properties

A Supporting Role

For more than a decade, Sifton Properties has relied on Protek to enhance its technology requirements

Sifton Properties is a diverse organization operating in 15 locations across Southwestern Ontario and Mississauga. They develop and build communities; own and operate numerous commercial properties; rent to thousands of families, including seniors living in retirement residences and long-term care facilities.

As you might expect, they have their own highly qualified IT department to look after the daily computer requirements of its 1,100 employees. Sifton has also been a client of Protek for the last 12 years, relying on the London technology company to supplement the work of its IT department with a variety of tasks and projects.

"We have a talented IT department, and they do a great job of looking after our day-to-day requirements," says company president Richard Sifton. "We rely on Protek to help us with things that fall outside the day-to-day operations. They provide a valuable service for us, which is why our first 12 years have been such a great relationship."

Sifton's 15 offices are connected on a Wide Area Network, a system Protek runs and maintains. "We rely on our WAN to do business every day, and Protek looks after it for us," Sifton says. In addition, Protek looks after any installations or special projects Sifton requires. Recently, Sifton wanted to install a full building secure wireless communication system in its three long-term care facilities, in London, Kitchener, and Mississauga.

"It's an important system for our doctors, nurses, and other staff. They communicate with each other and update our residents' charts. It saves time, which translates into better care for our residents," Sifton says. "However, it has to be absolutely secure, and that's where Protek helped out with an installation that works smoothly and protects the sensitive information on the system."

Such a wireless system is not yet required by the Ministry of Health, but Sifton believes it will be in the near future and wanted to be ahead of the curve. "Sifton is committed to using technology to be more efficient and provide better service," says Protek president Harvey Schilke. "We are able to assist them, working with their IT department to choose the right products and make sure they're working properly."

Sifton relies on Protek to source and supply virtually all its computing and technology needs. "We don't always have as much time as we would like to source new products that might help us," Sifton says. "Protek is very good at keeping us up to date without pushing every new technology on us. They know our philosophy, and they recommend products and technology that fit with that philosophy."

At least once a year, Protek technicians review Sifton's entire computer and communications system to make sure it's secure and functioning at maximum efficiency. "Our team relies on Protek to keep our network running smoothly." Sifton says, "it is a very good partnership."

Article and photography originally appeared in London Business Magazine