"Cloud400 Is One Of My Favorite Vendors. I Am Always Impressed With How Accessible And Knowledgeable Your Guys Are. It’s Refreshing In My Business To Be On A First Name Basis With Someone Who I Can Speak To For Specific Topics.”
Background
Situated in southwestern Virginia, the City of Bristol holds a rich cultural heritage as the recognized “Birthplace of Country Music.” Embracing its identity as a hub of entertainment, it shares a unique bond with its sister city Bristol, Tennessee, known for the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway, home to exhilarating NASCAR races and other premier events.
City of Bristol, VA has hosted their Bright Associates Municipality Software on Cloud400 since August 2016, originally at IBM i V7.3. They have 20 users.
Pre-Upgrade Preparation
Source Data notified Rick Belcher, City of Bristol’s IT Manager, that IBM had announced End of Support for V7.3, effective October 1, 2023. To prepare for a smooth version upgrade to V7.5, Rick contacted Bright Associates to validate his system was IBM V7.5 certified.
“Step 1, before we decided to go to V7.5 we did a lot of research. We checked with our software providers to make sure our software was V7.5 ready and certified.”
Thorough Testing and Preparation
Prior to the go-live phase, Rick rigorously tested the V7.5 version for several weeks, meticulously examining its functionality and performance, ensuring a seamless transition for the City of Bristol.
“We tested for about 2 weeks. We didn’t want to overwhelm everyone so we went by department, and had a schedule to run a simulation so that we could run the virtual machine side by side.”
Addressing User Errors with Precision
Additionally, Rick notes Cloud400 promptly diagnosed a user error mid-upgrade, swiftly rectifying the issue.
“I was impressed by Cloud400’s ability to navigate unexpected challenges with precision and professionalism.”
Responsive Technical Support
Rick praised the Cloud400 technical team for the version upgrade to the V7.5 LPAR. Rick noted their wealth of knowledge and responsive, accessible support by phone or email. Cloud400’s efficiency and expertise streamlined the migration process, minimizing downtime and ensuring uninterrupted operations for the City of Bristol.
“The upgrade didn’t take long at all. To put it in High School football terms, we got started before the 1st quarter and we were done by the 3rd quarter. I am thrilled with Cloud400’s commitment to customer satisfaction.”
A Trusted Partner
For Rick Belcher, Cloud400 stands out as one of his favorite vendors, embodying reliability, efficiency, and unwavering support. Unlike traditional software companies with overseas technical support, Cloud400’s team offers a personal touch, fostering strong relationships built on trust and expertise.
Rick’s collaboration with Cloud400 reflects an example where proactive planning, meticulous testing, and responsive support converge to achieve seamless upgrades and drive organizational success.
“I think we’ve told you this every time we’ve spoken. I am always impressed with how accessible and knowledgeable your guys are over there. It’s refreshing in my business to be on a first name basis with someone, and not only by first name but who I can speak to for specific topics I may encounter.”
“Your support team is fantastic!”
Rick Belcher Recommends Cloud400
“I would be sure to let potential clients know about your team’s wealth of knowledge and responsiveness. It’s almost instantaneous the personal response I get. You guys are one of my favorite vendors!”