Challenge
The task was to expand mobile working options based on the existing HCL Domino infrastructure—with optimal configuration and integration of BlackBerry® UEM, BlackBerry® Dynamics, and other technologies, with the best possible alignment with iOS devices and high data protection and security standards.
Our solution
Thanks to our in-depth knowledge and close contact with manufacturers, we have better structured the technologies used and the app landscape, optimized and further developed the configurations, and ensured smooth operation—with simplified administration, greater automation, and faster processes.
The result
The functionality of the various solutions was significantly expanded, enabling optimal interaction between the technologies and resolving the insurer’s pain points. The insurer is now well prepared for the requirements of a digital workplace and can enable both secure and productive work.
Challenges at Provinzial Rheinland
The employees of one of Germany’s leading insurance companies, Provinzial Rheinland Versicherung AG, work with highly sensitive data on a daily basis. The devices, tools, and solutions used must therefore meet the highest data protection standards and strict IT security guidelines.
In 2017, the company wanted to expand its employees’ mobile working options and equip additional office staff with mobile devices. At that time, the insurance group was using an HCL (formerly IBM) Domino server environment. Provinzial had already tested and compared several device management solutions based on its requirements and how well they fit into its IT environment. It ultimately chose BlackBerry® UEM to manage its approximately 600 BlackBerry devices at the time, combined with the BlackBerry® Dynamics container solution.
At that time, BlackBerry’s discontinuation of hardware production was foreseeable, so the insurer decided to switch to devices with a different operating system. Due to enhanced security features, reliable hardware, and the associated low support costs, Apple devices were chosen.
At the same time, challenges had to be overcome. Problems arose with the BlackBerry® Dynamics container solution, as this solution is natively designed for an Exchange connection and geared towards its functions and interfaces. A third-party solution was therefore required to connect to Provinzial’s HCL Domino servers. However, complications repeatedly arose in the interaction between the GENOA (Transformer) solution used at the time and the BlackBerry configuration used at Provinzial.
The BlackBerry® Work app, which handles PIM synchronization, also caused repeated problems in practice: the container app was unavailable, synchronization errors occurred, and user accounts were blocked.
The task was to align the management functions of BlackBerry® UEM in combination with the Dynamics Container solution in an HCL Domino infrastructure as closely as possible with the specific features of iOS devices. The imminent entry into force of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and industry-specific security standards brought additional requirements.
Our approach at Provinzial Rheinland
EBF and Provinzial Rheinland look back on a long, joint partnership spanning several decades, during which EBF was continuously responsible for operating the HCL Domino server environment. As a result, EBF already had many years of experience with the specifics of Provinzial’s IT infrastructure and had also demonstrated its in-depth expertise in the area of HCL Domino. Since EBF also has extensive know-how in the area of BlackBerry infrastructure and is very familiar with Apple technologies, it was also the ideal partner for Provinzial Rheinland for this project.
In the first step, EBF colleagues analyzed the installation of BlackBerry® UEM in detail and identified various areas for optimization.
In addition, EBF consultants identified additional UEM functions that had not yet been used but could deliver significant added value to the insurer in terms of user comfort and IT relief, for example.
At the customer’s request, a staging environment was also set up so that various configuration parameters and their effects could be tested in advance.
The EBF team restructured the company’s app landscape. This made app configuration and subsequent distribution to authorized users significantly more automated and faster. The administration of complex employee and device groups was also greatly simplified, which also optimized the onboarding process for new users.
In addition, the standard company apps and the container solution were designed in line with Provinzial Rheinland’s corporate design. In addition to productivity, this also increased user acceptance.
In addition, the configurations of the single sign-on options in the backend were fundamentally revised. This was necessary because the previous settings caused recurring user account lockouts. Furthermore, login to the user self-service and also to the admin console was automated and personalized.
The systems used (BlackBerry® UEM, the BlackBerry Enterprise Mobility Server, and the Domino & Traveler servers) were also adapted to the number of devices and users. This adaptation significantly stabilized operations. In addition, EBF experts introduced the “Direct Connect” function into the existing security infrastructure. This helped to increase the performance of the container solution and optimize its synchronization. Users can now access files again without delays.
Furthermore, the customer’s public key infrastructure was connected at all relevant points. These replaced the certificates of the BlackBerry standard installation and were sent to the end devices. This enables a uniform configuration of the server components and devices with regard to the connection to the company network.
First, the EBF colleagues conducted a detailed analysis of the existing configurations of BlackBerry® Dynamics and the associated GENOA Transformer.
Based on the results, the EBF consultants optimized the settings of the Kerberos authentication service and the interfaces of the HCL Domino server. This ensured reliable synchronization of the BlackBerry® Work app and stabilized the connections.
The EBF team also shared the results of the analysis with the manufacturer of the third-party solution so that they could be incorporated into improvements to the product.
EBF ensures the smooth operation of the solutions and supports Provinzial Rheinland by telephone with 2nd and 3rd level support. EBF’s services relieve the burden on Provinzial’s IT department, allowing it to concentrate on its core tasks.
In addition, EBF provides Provinzial with ongoing strategic advice with a dedicated team of consultants. Together with Provinzial’s IT team, EBF colleagues work to continuously optimize the use of BlackBerry® UEM and implement new features. For example, the new iPhones SE with Apple DEP are currently being rolled out to employees automatically.
Provinzial particularly appreciates EBF’s flexibility. The Provinzial team can rely on EBF colleagues to respond competently and quickly to even short-notice requests. This is a major added value that allows the insurer to act with agility.
The result
By optimizing and further developing BlackBerry® UEM for managing Apple devices and ensuring the smooth operation of the BlackBerry® Dynamics container solution in conjunction with the HCL Domino environment, EBF has successfully implemented the insurer’s requirements. Thanks to EBF’s close contact with the manufacturers, the functionality of the solutions has been significantly expanded and the insurer’s pain points have been resolved.
With around 1,300 devices, Provinzial employees are now well prepared for the demands of a digital workplace and can work both securely and productively.
A long-standing trusting cooperation
“They responded quickly and competently to a wide range of challenges. Even after the project was completed, EBF remains a reliable partner in our day-to-day work.”
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