When an almond grower faced mounting IT vulnerabilities and unreliable systems, Stratti delivered a complete network overhaul that transformed security, productivity, and long-term planning.
The Client
Baugher Ranch Organics is an almond grower, processor, and supplier located in Orland, California. With approximately 20 employees and partnerships worldwide, the company required a reliable IT foundation to support its growth and international operations.
At a Glance
- Challenge: Bandaid IT fixes, lack of long-term planning, and poor connectivity left Baugher Ranch employees with severely reduced productivity and security vulnerabilities that negatively impacted their day-to-day operations.
- Solution: Stratti implemented a full network overhaul with proactive managed services, robust security, and strategic IT planning that set them up for future success.
- Results:
- Improved network performance
- Robust security systems across the network
- Secure remote access with VPN connections
- Reliable phone and network performance
- Increased productivity and reduced risk of downtime
The Challenge
Working in a remote environment with limited internet speeds, Baugher Ranch faced significant IT challenges. Poor connection and inconsistent technology limited their productivity, and temporary fixes left them exposed to risks and inefficiencies that hindered day-to-day business.
Among the issues they faced were:
- Unreliable remote connectivity
- Phone systems that didn’t consistently work
- A lack of proper backups and verification
- Security vulnerabilities from being open to the internet
“We were dealing with tactical IT fixes instead of long-term planning,” said Amy Gates, Director of Business Development. “The lack of comprehensive mapping and secure systems left us open to potential downtime and threats.”
The Solution
Stratti designed and executed a complete network overhaul to address immediate weaknesses and create a sustainable technology roadmap. The project included:
- Security implementation: A robust firewall, drive encryption, multi-factor authentication, and network segmentation to close vulnerabilities.
- Remote connectivity: VPN access that replaced limited remote desktop setups, enabling secure remote work, as well as Mobile Device Management (MDM) for iPads and other devices.
- Performance: Configuration of Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize time-sensitive traffic, which stabilized both phones and network productivity.
- Compliance readiness: Upgrading all systems to Windows 11 before Windows 10 reached end-of-life in October 2025.
- Business continuity: Implementation of backup best practices, including a 3-2-1 backup strategy—two copies on premises and one copy external/cloud.
- Employee training: Security awareness programs to keep staff engaged in protecting the network.
Stratti’s partnership went beyond technology deployment. “Stratti’s strongest suit is their service, particularly their organization and willingness to work around the company’s production schedule by coming in on Fridays, which was the best time for our business’s needs,” Gates explained. “That sensitivity to how we operate stood out right away.”
Results
The improvements were clear across the organization:
- Enhanced productivity: Secure VPN access allowed staff to work effectively from home and off-site, improving flexibility. “Working with Stratti significantly improved productivity through enhanced remote accessibility,” said Gates, “particularly with true VPN connections replacing limited remote desktop access.”
- Reliable communications: Network optimization stabilized phone systems and improved day-to-day performance.
- Strategic IT roadmap: The company has transitioned from temporary fixes to scalable systems and a plan for future upgrades. “Stratti provided secure solutions, allowing us to focus on future growth rather than being focused on immediate IT problems. They’ve provided systems and processes that allow for future evolution and upgrades.”
- Increased employee comprehension: “They translated technology into language our team could actually understand. For a mid-sized company without a dedicated IT department, that made all the difference,” said Gates.
