The Challenge: From Trusted Partnership to Crisis Response
For over eight years, the client had relied on Suite Engine's RPM solution, alongside Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, to manage its operations. They had maintained their Business Central instance with on-premise servers.
That trust was put to the ultimate test when cybercriminals targeted their infrastructure, compromising their on-premise environment and threatening years of critical business data. With operations at risk and time running out, they turned to Suite Engine for emergency intervention.
The stakes were clear:
- Critical business data at risk of permanent loss
- Operations severely disrupted
- Potential regulatory and compliance implications
- Customer trust and business continuity on the line
'When we realized the extent of the cyber-attack, we honestly feared we might lose everything. Suite Engine's response was nothing short of exceptional. They recreated our entire infrastructure into something more secure and resilient than we'd ever had before. What could have been a business-ending disaster became our catalyst for modernization.'
— IT Director, Client Company
The Transformation: Beyond Recovery to Strategic Advancement
Suite Engine’s response evolved into a comprehensive digital transformation, delivering benefits far beyond simple recovery:
Immediate Impact:
- 100% data recovery of critical business information
- Minimal operational downtime during transition week
- Complete infrastructure modernization from on-premise to cloud
Long-term Strategic Benefits:
- Enhanced Security Posture: Cloud-based Business Central with enterprise-grade security
- Improved Scalability: Flexible, scalable infrastructure ready for business growth
- Reduced IT Overhead: Eliminated on-premise server maintenance and security concerns
- Future-Ready Architecture: Platform optimized for continued innovation and integration
Quantifiable Results:
- Business back to work within 5 days (estimated value: $200K per day in lost sales revenue)
- $0 in permanent data loss (average value: $2.5M (See “Financial Impact Avoided” below))
- 100% improvement in system performance and reliability
Financial Impact Avoided:
The rapid response and complete data recovery eliminated the need for ransom payment—a critical financial benefit given that cybercriminals demanded an average of $5.2 million per attack in 2024, with businesses typically paying around $2-2.73 million when they succumb to demands. Beyond avoiding ransom costs, our swift action prevented the cascading financial impacts of extended downtime, regulatory penalties, and erosion of customer trust that typically accompany prolonged cyber incidents.
The Suite Engine Difference: Comprehensive Partnership Strategy
This success story exemplifies our differentiated approach to our client and Microsoft partnerships, as well as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central implementation:
- Proactive Partnership Foundation: Our eight-year relationship provided us with intimate knowledge of the client's systems, enabling rapid response and recovery. This wasn't just technical support—it was the activation of a strategic partnership between ourselves, our client, and their Microsoft licensing partner.
- Integrated Solution Portfolio: The combination of RPM, Dynamics 365 BC expertise, and ITMS services creates a comprehensive response capability that single-point vendors cannot match.
- Emergency Response Excellence: Our established protocols and technical expertise enabled us to transform crisis into opportunity, delivering not just recovery but advancement.
- Cloud-First Strategy Implementation: We didn't just restore—we strategically modernized, positioning the client for future growth and security.
'This situation perfectly demonstrates why we've invested in building comprehensive partnerships rather than just providing products. When our clients face their most critical challenges, we're not just a vendor—we're their strategic technology partner. The ability to not only recover from this cyber-attack but to emerge stronger and more secure than before showcases the true value of our integrated approach to Business Central implementation and support.'
— Tom Marshello | RPM Director, Suite Engine
Client Transformation Outcomes
Security & Compliance:
- Migrated to enterprise-grade cloud security infrastructure
- Implemented advanced threat detection and prevention
- Achieved enhanced compliance posture with automated updates and monitoring
Operational Excellence:
- Streamlined IT operations with reduced complexity
- Improved system reliability and performance
- Enhanced disaster recovery capabilities
Strategic Positioning:
- Future-ready infrastructure supporting business growth
- Platform prepared for advanced Business Central features and integrations
The Continuing Partnership
This crisis-driven transformation has strengthened our client relationship and positioned both organizations for continued success:
- Ongoing RPM & ITM Services: Continued optimization and management of cloud-based Business Central
- Strategic Planning: Quarterly reviews to identify opportunities for further enhancement
- Proactive Monitoring: Alert protocols and support to prevent future incidents
- Innovation Partnership: Collaboration on emerging Business Central features and capabilities
'Their incumbent provider relied upon procedures that were only relevant twenty years ago. They hadn’t modernized to best practices that we follow today, such as password hygiene, backup protocols, and alert systems. To prevent this from happening again, we migrated them to a BC SaaS environment and implemented identity management policies and procedures.'
— Matthew Schmider | IT Technical Consultant, ArcherPoint by Cherry Bekaert
Key Takeaways for Business Leaders
- Partnership Depth Matters: Long-term relationships enable rapid, effective crisis response
- Integrated Solutions Deliver: Comprehensive service portfolios provide superior emergency response capabilities
- Crisis as Catalyst: Cyber-attacks can become opportunities for strategic modernization
- Cloud-First Strategy: Migration to cloud infrastructure provides superior security and scalability
- Proactive Planning: Established emergency protocols and partnerships are essential for business continuity
About Suite Engine
Suite Engine specializes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central add-on solutions. Our integrated approach combines technical expertise with strategic partnership to deliver transformational business outcomes.
Learn More
To discover how Suite Engine can strengthen your Business Central, visit suiteengine.com or contact our team for a strategic consultation.
