Gidarjil Development Corporation is an indigenous-owned enterprise that provides a reliable and reputable base for programs that benefit indigenous Australians. It was founded in 2000 by representatives from the Gurang and the Gooreng Gooreng peoples, who are the Traditional Owners of the coastal areas between Gladstone and Bundaberg in Queensland. Gidarjil hosts two Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger teams, one based in Bundaberg, and one based in Gladstone. The rangers work to protect and restore the cultural and natural values of their ancestral lands and waters, such as the Granite Creek wetlands, the Mon Repos turtle rookery, and the Great Barrier Reef. Gidarjil also operates Gidji Art, a social enterprise that showcases the artworks and stories of local indigenous artists.

Gidarjil turned to Queensland Computers for help in improving their IT systems and collaboration capabilities. With Queensland Computers’ expertise, Gidarjil was able to upgrade their existing hardware, as well as improve their networking to better serve its community.

As a non-profit organisation, Gidarjil depends on partnerships with other organisations to support its programs and services. One of Gidarjil’s recent partnerships was with Queensland Computers, a local IT solutions provider that specialises in helping small to medium-sized businesses improve their technology and security.

THE CHALLENGE FOR GIDARJIL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Before partnering with Queensland Computers, Gidarjil faced several IT challenges that impacted the organisation’s operations and collaboration. One of the major challenges was the lack of reliable and efficient communication systems among its offices in Gladstone and Bundaberg, which hindered the smooth delivery of services and programs to the community.

Another challenge was the existing IT infrastructure and systems, which exposed Gidarjil to potential cyber threats and data breaches. Gidarjil’s existing email system was vulnerable to spam and phishing attacks, posing a significant risk to the organisation’s data and privacy. Moreover, Gidarjil’s phone system was outdated, making it difficult to communicate effectively with staff and partners.

To address these challenges, Gidarjil partnered with Queensland Computers to improve its IT systems and infrastructure. Queensland Computers assessed Gidarjil’s existing IT systems and identified the areas that required improvement. The assessment revealed that Gidarjil’s Office 365 tenant needed significant improvements, including the implementation of SPF/DKIM/DMARC to enhance email security and reduce the risk of phishing and spam attacks.

Moreover, Gidarjil’s network infrastructure required upgrading to improve performance, faster internet speeds and greater stability across all three sites. The phone system also needed replacement with a more reliable and cost-effective solution.

“We knew we needed to make changes to our technology, but we weren’t sure where to start. We wanted to improve our security, upgrade our phone systems, and obtain Not-for-profit status with Microsoft. We were relieved when we found Queensland Computers, and they provided a comprehensive solution to our challenges.

– Brent McLellan, Sea Country Manager

 QUEENSLAND COMPUTERS’ SOLUTION

Queensland Computers provided Gidarjil with a comprehensive solution that addressed all its IT challenges. The team began by upgrading Gidarjil’s network infrastructure to enhance performance and stability. The Queensland Computers team also replaced the outdated phone system with a new, more reliable and cost-effective solution.

in addition, Queensland Computers reviewed Gidarjil’s existing Office 365 tenant settings and identified areas that required improvement. The team set up a new admin account for Gidarjil and configured MFA/2FA to ensure users were required to authenticate twice for logon purposes. Queensland Computers also provided user training on the use of MFA/2FA. MFA/2FA is a feature that adds an extra layer of verification to the sign-in process, such as a code sent to a phone or an app notification. It helps prevent attackers from compromising user accounts even if they have stolen or guessed the passwords.

Queensland Computers set up anti-spam and anti-phishing tools and SPF/DKIM/DMARC configuration to improve email security and protect against potential threats. This enhanced email security significantly, as Gidarjil relied extensively on email for communication and collaboration. This also increased Gidarjil’s email deliverability and reputation, as receivers will trust your messages more and less likely mark them as spam.

Queensland Computers also helped Gidarjil obtain Not-for-profit status with Microsoft, which enabled them to access a range of Microsoft products and services at significantly reduced rates, including Office 365, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.

“Queensland Computers provided excellent support throughout the engagement process. They took the time to understand our needs and provided a comprehensive solution that has improved our technology and security. We’re thrilled with the outcome.”

– Brent McLellan, Sea Country Manager

KEY OUTCOMES

Thanks to Queensland Computers’ comprehensive solution, Gidarjil Development Corporation Ltd achieved the following key outcomes:

  1. Improved Security
    • The implementation of anti-spam and anti-phishing tools, SPF/DKIM/DMARC configuration, and MFA/2FA authentication significantly improved Gidarjil’s email security and protected against potential threats. The new MFA/2FA setup also added an additional layer of security to user accounts.
  2. Enhanced Network Performance
    • The upgrades to Gidarjil’s network infrastructure resulted in improved performance, faster internet speeds, and greater stability across all three sites. This enhanced performance has significantly enhanced staff productivity and collaboration.
  3. Streamlined Communications
    • The new phone system and internet connections improved communication and collaboration across all three Gidarjil sites, making it easier for staff to communicate effectively and efficiently.
  4. Not-for-profit Status with Microsoft
    • Gidarjil was extremely satisfied with Queensland Computers’ solution, which exceeded their expectations. The solution provided by Queensland Computers has significantly improved Gidarjil’s email security, network performance, and overall communication and collaboration across all three sites. Queensland Computers took the time to understand Gidarjil’s specific needs and delivered a solution that addressed their IT challenges comprehensively.

In addition, Queensland Computers provided excellent support throughout the project, which made the whole process easy and hassle-free. Gidarjil is extremely pleased with the results achieved and would highly recommend Queensland Computers to other businesses seeking a comprehensive IT solution.

 “We are extremely satisfied with the solution provided by Queensland Computers. They took the time to understand our specific needs and delivered a solution that exceeded our expectations. We have seen a significant improvement in our email security, network performance, and overall communication and collaboration across all three sites. We would highly recommend Queensland Computers to any organization looking to enhance their IT systems and infrastructure.”

Brent McLellan, Sea Country Manager

The solution provided by Queensland Computers has helped Gidarjil Development Corporation LTD to overcome their technology challenges and improve their overall operations. The comprehensive solution included improving their Office 365 tenant, network infrastructure, and phone systems, resulting in enhanced security, network performance, and streamlined communication across all three sites. Additionally, the assistance provided by Queensland Computers in obtaining Not-for-profit status with Microsoft has enabled Gidarjil to access a range of Microsoft products and services at reduced rates. By partnering with the right technology provider, organizations can improve their IT systems and enhance collaboration, ultimately leading to improved productivity and success.

Overall, the team from Queensland Computers provided an exceptional level of service, delivering a powerful and effective IT solution that has significantly improved Gidarjil’s operations. The team went above and beyond to ensure Gidarjil received the best possible service, something for which they are very grateful. They look forward to continuing their partnership with Queensland Computers in the future.

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