Forged in aluminium, secured in IT

PROJECT

IT Infrastructure Modernisation & Cyber Security Uplift

DURATION

Initial recovery: 2–3 weeks

Ongoing partnership for 11+ years

Aston Architectural Aluminium is a Watford-based manufacturer of bespoke aluminium door and window systems, supplying the trade and leading UK retailers with scalable production, design flexibility and retailer-grade reliability.

The challenge

Aston’s growth had outpaced its IT. Email ran from an on-premises server with multiple providers offering clashing services, causing delays and failures to customers and installers requiring rapid responses.

Core manufacturing and design applications were regularly freezing or timing out, disrupting estimating, design work and production on the shop floor.
File storage had evolved organically, leaving duplicated data and inconsistent permissions that made collaboration difficult and raised questions about data protection.

All of this sat behind a consumer-grade internet connection and firewall, exposing the business to increasing cyber risk and standing in the way of securing cyber-insurance. Aston needed a stable, secure platform that would support day-to-day operations and provide a foundation for the next decade.

The solution

Kanj Technologies was engaged to design and implement a secure, reliable and scalable environment that could be delivered quickly, then evolved over time.

Email & productivity

• Migrated all users from the on-premises mail server to Microsoft 365.
• Re-engineered DNS and mail routing to improve stability, security and deliverability.
• Introduced structured mailbox and permissions models aligned to how Aston’s teams wanted to work, with stronger authentication for sensitive accounts.

Manufacturing applications & infrastructure

• Refreshed and optimised the server platform hosting dedicated fenestration applications.
• Tuned compute, memory and storage to real workload patterns to eliminate frequent timeouts and crashes.
• Brought patching and maintenance into a planned schedule that avoids peak production periods.

Network, firewall & cyber security posture

• Upgraded from consumer broadband to business fibre to support manufacturing workloads and cloud adoption.
• Deployed an enterprise-grade firewall, segmenting office and production networks and introduced Guest WiFi, improving visibility and control.
• Implemented and documented key security controls aligned to cyber-insurance expectations.

Data management & governance

• Audited and rationalised file shares to remove duplication and legacy structures.
• Implemented role-based access for design, project and commercial data.
• Introduced simple governance practices, including clear data ownership and joiner/mover/leaver processes.

Outcomes

Commercial and operational

• Stable manufacturing applications: now run predictably, supporting consistent production throughput and fewer interruptions on the shop floor.
• Reliable communication: Email performance and reliability have improved markedly, reducing friction with installers, builders and suppliers.
• Insurable cyber posture: The strengthened network, firewall and documented controls enabled Aston to qualify for cyber-insurance, reducing residual operational risk.
• Platform for growth: Aston now operates on a secure, scalable foundation capable of supporting new product lines, higher order volumes and more demanding customer timelines.

People and governance

• Staff spend less time dealing with unstable systems and more time on design, fabrication and customer work.
• Leadership has clearer visibility and assurance over the IT estate, underpinned by defined responsibilities and governance.
• IT is now viewed as an enabler of quality, lead times and customer experience rather than a constraint.

Long-term partnership

What began as a focused stabilisation and security uplift has evolved into an 11-year partnership. Kanj Technologies continues to manage and enhance Aston’s IT environment, adding further security layers, modern workplace capabilities and cloud-ready services aligned to Aston’s roadmap and the expectations of customers and insurers.