Interview with Yair from Azrieli College of Engineering Jerusalem about working with Sinopia
We were pleased to speak with Yair Naveh, VP of Information Systems and Computing at Azrieli College of Engineering Jerusalem, and ask him about the college’s technological systems and its work with Sinopia.
What distinguishes the technological needs of an academic engineering institution?
The technological needs of an academic engineering institution combine traditional IT infrastructure with advanced, resource-intensive and highly dynamic technology systems. This is a complex environment that supports high-level teaching, research and innovation, while also serving a broad range of engineering disciplines. It therefore requires a stable, flexible and advanced infrastructure that can support changing needs and ongoing academic and technological activity.
Which systems are most critical to your day-to-day operations?
The most critical systems are the academic systems used for student administration, the learning management systems, the laboratories and the infrastructure that supports teaching and research. These systems are required for ongoing activity both on campus and remotely. Their availability and stability therefore have a direct impact on the ability of students, lecturers and staff to work, study and manage academic activity without interruption.
What does a technological failure mean for students, lecturers and staff?
A technological failure can directly disrupt the learning and research process. When a core system is unavailable, when access to infrastructure is impaired, or when laboratories are not functioning properly, the impact is felt immediately by students, lecturers and staff. In an academic institution, technological continuity is an integral part of academic continuity.
What led you to turn to Sinopia?
In one of the college’s major infrastructure projects, the vendor decided to bring Sinopia into the process after challenges emerged during the complex implementation. We needed a professional partner that could go deep into the project, understand its complexity and help lead it through to a successful implementation. Sinopia entered the process professionally, led the project and helped the college implement the solution in the best possible way.
What was the main complexity Sinopia had to address?
The main complexity was carrying out a broad project that included network infrastructure, servers and information security within a hybrid environment serving both staff and students. This type of project required a broad view of several technology layers at the same time, alongside an understanding of the different needs of the users. Sinopia had to connect all these components and make the implementation clearer, more stable and more practical.
What was your impression of working with them at the beginning of the process?
From the very beginning, we saw the professionalism Sinopia brought to the table. They were able to take a complex project and make it simpler and clearer to manage. Working with them created a sense of confidence because it was clear that they understood the bigger picture, knew how to deal with technological complexity, and at the same time helped reduce costs and keep the project within the right framework.
What differentiates Sinopia from other technology providers?
Sinopia brings uncompromising professionalism across a wide range of infrastructure and information security solutions, together with a genuine understanding of the client and its needs. Their differentiation lies in their ability to look beyond the point solution, build infrastructure with a forward-looking perspective, and adapt the work to the client’s budget framework. The feeling is that they do not come in merely to complete a task, but to build the right solution – one that is stable, appropriate and sustainable over time.
How did working with Sinopia affect your confidence in managing the systems?
Working with Sinopia strengthened our confidence in managing the systems, mainly thanks to long-term infrastructure planning and a holistic view of the technological environment. Their high-quality, uncompromising service enables us to look ahead and plan the college’s infrastructure in a better and more organized way. When you have a professional partner who understands the systems, the complexity and the needs, it becomes easier to make technological decisions with confidence.
In one sentence, what is the main value Sinopia brings you?
The main value Sinopia brings us is a combination of long-term stability, professionalism, high-quality service and the ability to think one step ahead. Beyond that, working with them creates a real sense that the client is at the center, and that the solutions are built from an understanding of the client’s needs, budget and the way the organization needs to evolve.