BJR Shifts Gears with Extranet

Summary

Brad Jones Racing (BJR) partners with Extranet Systems to enhance its IT infrastructure, focusing on data security, backup, and disaster recovery. This collaboration allows BJR to prioritize racing while Extranet Systems manages their IT needs using Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud. The partnership signifies BJR’s growing recognition of the importance of robust IT systems in modern motorsports.

TrueNAS: join the IT professionals who rely on secure, scalable storage for their data.

Main Story

High-Tech on the Track: How Supercars Teams are Winning with IT

The roar of engines, the screech of tires… it’s a sensory overload. Supercars is a sport where drivers push machines to their absolute limits, and victory is often determined by mere fractions of a second. Now, Brad Jones Racing (BJR), a well-known team in the Supercars Championship, understands that success on the track demands more than just skilled drivers and finely tuned cars; a robust and secure IT infrastructure is just as crucial. And that’s where Extranet Systems comes in, they are an IT infrastructure consultancy helping BJR optimize its technology and, ultimately, gain a real racing edge. I mean, who would have thought IT was so vital to motorsport?

Data: The Unseen Fuel of Modern Motorsports

Think about it: From the design and manufacturing of car components to the real-time data analysis during races, technology permeates every aspect of BJR’s operations. They’ve got eight full-time engineers glued to laptops, using them for everything from data analysis and vehicle management software to complex simulation packages. Furthermore, a dedicated system runs SolidWorks for computer-aided design, and four CNC workstations, running Mastercam, support manufacturing processes. They even use a laser cutter for component production and a signwriting setup for design and printing! It’s pretty amazing.

Critical systems also include purchasing and stores management software. Mechanics even use individual computers to track vehicle maintenance. So, as you can imagine, the sheer volume of data generated by all of these systems is staggering, and it’s growing exponentially. Efficiently storing, retrieving, and then actually analyzing this data presents both a huge challenge and a considerable opportunity for improvement.

Extranet Systems: Steering BJR Towards IT Victory

BJR’s partnership with Extranet Systems addresses critical IT areas, including security, backup, and disaster recovery. Extranet Systems is, in fact, implementing Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, a comprehensive solution that integrates data protection and cybersecurity. This is absolutely crucial for protecting BJR’s sensitive data from cyber threats, particularly ransomware, which is, as we all know, an ever-growing concern for organizations across every industry. The Acronis software, cleverly, provides immutable backups, which makes them impervious to malicious deletion or encryption.

And, to top it off, the point-in-time recovery feature allows for quick restoration of data to a specific point before an intrusion – minimizing the impact of security incidents. Actually, the importance of robust backup and recovery capabilities was highlighted recently when an engineering laptop failed; the Acronis system facilitated a quick and easy restoration process. Lucky them.

Beyond Backup: A Holistic IT Overhaul

The collaboration between BJR and Extranet Systems, however, goes beyond simple backup and disaster recovery. Extranet recognizes the limitations of BJR’s current on-premise systems; these were originally implemented when internet speeds were, shall we say, less than optimal. Now, with improved connectivity, Extranet envisions cloud-based disaster recovery, offering enhanced data protection and greater accessibility. That said, Extranet also plans to progressively expand its support to encompass hosting, monitoring, and even business applications. Ultimately, it’ll allow BJR to fully focus on what they do best: racing. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

The Future of Racing: Powered by Smart Data Strategies

BJR’s partnership with Extranet Systems signifies a real shift in how racing teams approach IT. As the demands of motorsports continue to grow—and they will—so too does the need for specialized expertise in managing the complex IT infrastructure that underpins success. By entrusting its IT operations to Extranet Systems, BJR isn’t just mitigating risks, they’re positioning themselves to leverage the full potential of data in their relentless quest for victory.

And look, in the fast-paced world of Supercars, where every single millisecond counts, a strong IT foundation isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s an absolute necessity. So, who’s ready to see how data drives the future of racing? I know I am!