Strike Force Services scales operations and enhances security with Pinpoint IT

Strike Force Services, a rapidly growing facilities management company, was hampered by an outdated on-premises infrastructure and limited part-time IT support. To support their expanding remote workforce, they partnered with managed services provider Pinpoint IT. Pinpoint IT successfully migrated its operations to a Microsoft 365 cloud environment and automated critical safety reporting. As a result, Strike Force Services achieved significant operational efficiencies, enhanced remote data access for their field workers, and secured a highly scalable IT environment to support their continued national growth and stringent compliance requirements.

Introduction

Founded in 2003, Strike Force Services delivers professional cleaning and comprehensive facilities management solutions across Australia. The business has grown significantly, now supporting a diverse client base that includes highly regulated mining and power generation sectors. With 50 head office personnel and 450 field workers operating across remote locations, the company required a highly robust technological foundation. Their ongoing commitment to delivering a superior, safe, and reliable customer experience necessitated an IT infrastructure capable of supporting a highly mobile, dispersed workforce seamlessly and securely.

The problem

As Strike Force Services expanded its operational footprint across the eastern coast of Australia – reaching regional areas like Wollongong, Forbes, Gunnedah, and Narrabri – their legacy IT infrastructure began to show its limitations under the weight of a growing workforce.
Initially, the business relied on a part-time IT resource. While this arrangement was suitable when the company consisted of a small head office and 50 cleaning staff, it became entirely unsustainable as the workforce swelled to 450 employees. In a fast-paced operational environment, waiting for part-time support to address critical Priority 1 (P1) issues resulted in unacceptable downtime. Routine IT problems would often bottleneck, slowing down administrative and field operations alike.

Furthermore, Strike Force Services was heavily reliant on an ageing on-premises server and storage infrastructure. For a company with a massive remote workforce, this created severe connectivity and accessibility hurdles. Field workers were forced to use outdated, point-to-point Virtual Private Network (VPN) systems just to access basic company data.

This lack of accessibility was a major roadblock, especially considering the company’s strict compliance requirements. Strike Force Services holds certifications for Quality Management (AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015), Occupational Health and Safety (AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018), and Environmental Management (AS/NZS ISO 14001:2015).

These certifications mandate that all health, safety, environmental, and operational policies are meticulously documented and readily accessible. Improving how field teams accessed vital documents like Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and Job Safety Analysis (JSA) checklists presented a key opportunity to boost operational efficiency.

Additionally, as the company planned for future expansion, there was a growing recognition at the executive level that cybersecurity needed to be addressed. To navigate this next phase, the organisation sought external strategic expertise to identify the best path forward for mitigating digital risks, implementing appropriate security frameworks, and translating technology investments into tangible commercial value.
Finally, to optimise their return on investment and create a more cohesive technological ecosystem, the business planned to consolidate the multiple disparate software applications procured over the years.

The solution

Recognising the need for an enterprise-grade technology partner, Strike Force Services engaged Pinpoint IT to overhaul their digital infrastructure and provide comprehensive managed IT services. Pinpoint IT conducted a thorough analysis of the ageing on-site servers and presented the executive team with strategic options for modernisation.

To achieve optimal cost savings and operational efficiency, Pinpoint IT executed a complete migration from the legacy on-premises servers to a cloud-based Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft 365 environment. This complex digital transformation required extensive background configuration on local hardware, ensuring that the transition was seamless for the end-users.

Beyond the initial cloud migration, Pinpoint IT assumed responsibility for Strike Force Services’ day-to-day IT operations. They now provide dedicated Levels 1, 2, and 3 onsite and helpdesk support, eliminating the delays previously caused by relying on a part-time resource. Pinpoint IT also manages the end-to-end lifecycle of the company’s desktop, laptop, and mobile fleet. Devices are pre-configured and built by Pinpoint IT before being deployed to site, ensuring they are immediately ready for use by field staff.

A critical component of the solution was the integration of automated safety reporting. Strike Force Services utilises an application called SafetyCulture for its rigorous health and safety inspections. Pinpoint IT successfully engineered an automated integration between SafetyCulture and the new SharePoint environment. Each night, the system automatically extracts all completed PDF inspection reports from the field and synchronises them into SharePoint.

To address the organisation’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities, Pinpoint IT is currently deploying a comprehensive suite of managed security services. This includes managed firewalls, advanced threat detection, antivirus deployment, advanced email spam filtering, and a complete cybersecurity solution.

Furthermore, Pinpoint IT is acting in a strategic advisory capacity, working closely with Strike Force Services’ Technology and Systems Business Partner, Brooke Humphries, to incrementally align the business with the Australian Signals Directorate’s Essential Eight maturity model and the American NIST cybersecurity framework.

Paul Martinovic, Managing Director at Pinpoint IT, notes the importance of this strategic alignment:

“At Pinpoint IT, we pride ourselves on being the strategic technology partner that businesses can rely on to facilitate scalable growth. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive suite of managed services that empower organisations to focus on their core competencies, regardless of their industry.”

The results

The transition to a managed IT services model with Pinpoint IT has fundamentally transformed how Strike Force Services operates, delivering immediate improvements in productivity, security, and field staff enablement.

By migrating to Microsoft 365 and SharePoint, the friction of accessing critical safety and operational documentation has been entirely removed for remote workers. Mobile device management is now streamlined, allowing the IT team to easily configure iPads and smartphones for staff operating in remote locations like mines and power stations.

“For our field teams, technology has made their work so much easier,” explains Brooke Humphries, Technology and Systems Business Partner at Strike Force Services. “It is quicker and significantly more efficient to access our safety documentation natively in the cloud, rather than navigating a clunky old VPN. It has transformed how our remote staff operate.”

The automation of SafetyCulture inspections has resulted in massive administrative efficiency gains. With field data automatically flowing into SharePoint, the administration team can easily extract information for critical KPI reporting. Because clients in the mining and power generation sectors require rigorous daily vehicle and safety checks, this automation directly enhances Strike Force Services’ ability to prove compliance, subsequently strengthening their customer relationships.

From a support perspective, the business now benefits from maximum IT uptime. Staff are highly supported by a responsive, professional helpdesk.

“The biggest change has been the responsiveness,” Humphries notes. “We no longer have to wait days for a resolution. Having a dedicated team for our Levels 1, 2, and 3 support means our staff can get back to work quickly, which is critical for our operations.”

Furthermore, the relationship between the two companies has fostered a highly collaborative environment. As a local provider, Pinpoint IT brings a level of personalised service that large, multinational IT conglomerates often lack.

“There is a huge benefit in having local support and face-to-face relationships,” Humphries adds. “When the team from Pinpoint IT comes to the office, everybody knows them on a first-name basis. It puts a completely different, positive spin on the partnership.”

The enhanced cybersecurity posture will not only protect the business from emerging threats but also serve as a commercial advantage. By proactively working towards Essential Eight and NIST compliance, Strike Force Services is heavily positioning itself to successfully tender for highly secure local, state, and federal government contracts, including defence sector facilities like airports.

Conclusion

The partnership between Strike Force Services and Pinpoint IT highlights the transformative impact that a mature, fully managed IT environment can have on a geographically dispersed business. By moving away from restrictive on-premises infrastructure and engaging a dedicated managed services provider, Strike Force Services has eradicated operational bottlenecks, improved remote workforce safety compliance, and is fortifying its digital perimeter.

Looking to the future, Strike Force Services plans to continue leveraging Pinpoint IT’s expertise as they digitise remaining paper-based processes and expand their mobile device fleet. The ongoing, phased implementation of advanced cybersecurity frameworks will ensure the business remains agile and highly competitive in demanding commercial sectors.

“As companies expand, their technological and security requirements become increasingly complex,” says Martinovic. “We deliver tailored solutions – from cloud migrations to advanced cybersecurity frameworks like the Essential Eight – ensuring our clients remain secure, compliant, and ahead of the curve.”

Through reliable support and strategic advisory, Pinpoint IT has proven to be an indispensable extension of the Strike Force Services team, allowing the business to focus entirely on its mission to deliver superior facilities management solutions to communities across Australia.

To discover how a tailored managed IT services partnership can elevate your business operations and secure your digital environment, book a consultation with the team at Pinpoint IT today.