Testing Lab Protects Critical Data and Ensures 15 Years of Zero Downtime by Modernizing IT, Cybersecurity, and Backup Systems
Summary: For over 15 years, Safety Engineering Laboratories (SEL) has trusted GRIT Technologies to manage and evolve their IT. As a regulated product testing lab, SEL relies on GRIT’s proactive support to ensure uptime, security, and system reliability—allowing their team to focus fully on lab operations.
The Challenge
Before partnering with GRIT back in 2010, SEL managed IT internally with limited resources. Most of the burden fell on the operations manager (Nichole Wanamaker), who spent hours troubleshooting tech issues well beyond her role.
As the company grew, so did the complexity. Files were stored across multiple workstations, backups were unreliable, and Microsoft licensing ran on aging on-prem servers. The risk of data loss, downtime, and compliance gaps was rising fast — and it became clear that internal IT support was no longer sustainable for SEL’s expanding operation.
My experience with GRIT has been well worth my investment. They are reliable, trustworthy, and work for our best interests as much as their own. IT can feel overwhelming, but GRIT has always made it easy to work with them. We know our data is secure, our systems are supported, and the help desk is always there when we call.
— Nichole Wanamaker, Office Manager, Safety Engineering Laboratories
Our Solution
GRIT Technologies became SEL’s fully managed IT partner, delivering both technical support and long-term planning. The first step was stabilizing SEL’s infrastructure by moving from scattered local storage to centralized servers, then later to hybrid cloud backups with Datto for full disaster recovery.
GRIT took over Microsoft licensing, upgrades, and cloud transitions while also implementing security solutions like RAID storage, VPN access, firewall protection, and Dashlane password management.
They also managed hardware procurement, refreshes, and budgeting, ensuring reliability without unnecessary spend. Most importantly, GRIT’s live-answer help desk gave SEL fast, expert support, freeing their staff from IT headaches and letting them focus on running the lab.
Key Features Delivered
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Live Answer Help Desk Support
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Lifecycle Procurement & Hardware Refresh Management
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Cloud Backup & Disaster Recovery (Datto)
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Microsoft Licensing & Cloud Management
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Secure Remote Access (VPN)
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RAID Systems & Data Storage Management
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Password Management (Dashlane)
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Firewall & Cybersecurity Protection
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Proactive vCIO Strategic Roadmapping
By the Numbers
(Past 5 Year Total)
Support Tickets – Past 5 Years
Annual ticket totals showing consistent IT support and partnership.
“ I used to spend half my day trying to fix IT issues — now I just send it to GRIT and move on. ”
Overcoming Roadblocks
As with any long-term technology evolution, SEL faced challenges along the way — from migrating off legacy equipment to keeping pace with ever-changing compliance and cybersecurity requirements. GRIT’s account management team worked closely with SEL to carefully plan hardware upgrades and minimize any disruption to business operations, while helping the company avoid over-investing in unnecessary technology.
GRIT’s ability to blend proactive planning with practical decision-making allowed SEL to adopt modern solutions while retaining compatibility with specialized lab equipment that needed to stay operational. At every step, GRIT’s layered security approach ensured that SEL’s systems stayed protected, reducing risks without adding unnecessary complexity for their staff.
What’s Next
The partnership between GRIT and SEL continues to evolve as technology and business needs change. GRIT’s vCIO team remains engaged with SEL, proactively guiding decisions around future infrastructure planning, emerging technology opportunities, and evolving security needs. With AI, automation, and regulatory demands continuing to grow, GRIT’s trusted guidance will help ensure that SEL remains secure, efficient, and fully operational for years to come.
The Client
Safety Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is a Rochester Hills-based testing lab that certifies electrical products to meet national safety standards.
- Industry: Electrical Safety Product Testing
- Location: Warren, MI
- Size: 10-20 Employees
- Services Provided: Managed IT, Cybersecurity, Cloud Backup, Lifecycle Management, Help Desk Support, Disaster Recovery
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Results Snapshot
- 15-year ongoing partnership with zero major downtime
- Seamless transition from in-house servers to hybrid cloud backup
- Proactive planning prevents costly IT issues before they occur
- Fully managed cybersecurity posture, firewall, backups, and password management
- Improved employee productivity, accessibility, and remote work capabilities
