CASE STUDIES

Ziegler Cooper Architects Modernizes IT with AVATAR Co-Managed Services

Client Overview

Ziegler Cooper Architects is a renowned architectural firm based in Houston, Texas, known for its innovative design and commitment to excellence. With a growing portfolio and increasing reliance on digital tools, Ziegler Cooper recognized the need to evaluate its IT infrastructure to ensure it could support future growth and maintain operational efficiency.

Challenge

The firm’s IT was managed by two internal staff members who, while dedicated, struggled to keep pace with evolving technology needs. This led to:

• Significant technology debt and outdated infrastructure
• Limited cybersecurity protections
• Lack of proactive monitoring and threat detection
• No strategic IT roadmap or modernization plan

This created vulnerabilities and inefficiencies that could hinder business continuity and scalability.

Solution

AVATAR Managed Services performed a comprehensive IT assessment, evaluating Ziegler Cooper’s systems, processes, and security posture. Key findings revealed outdated systems, weak disaster recovery protocols, and limited oversight.

To address these gaps, AVATAR recommended a Co-Managed IT Services model—allowing Ziegler Cooper to retain its internal IT staff while gaining AVATAR’s strategic expertise in:

• Defense-in-Depth Security – Multi-layered protections across endpoints, networks, and applications
• Strategic IT Planning – Roadmaps aligned with business priorities and future growth
• Compliance & Risk Management – Policies and processes to reduce risk exposure
• Proactive Monitoring & Support – Early issue detection and resolution

Implementation

AVATAR collaborated closely with Ziegler Cooper’s internal IT team and firm leadership to:

• Developed a modernization roadmap, including cloud and hybrid solutions
• Implemented advanced cybersecurity tools and protocols
• Established proactive monitoring and system health checks
• Created a long-term IT strategy aligned with the firm’s innovation goals

Results

The partnership transformed Ziegler Cooper’s IT into a secure, scalable, and future-ready environment, delivering:

• Stronger Security: Reduced vulnerabilities and improved compliance posture
• Streamlined Operations: Improved performance and minimized downtime
• Strategic Alignment: IT investments planned in step with architectural innovation
• Empowered IT Team: A co-managed model that supports internal staff with external expertise

Conclusion

By adopting AVATAR’s Co-Managed IT Services, Ziegler Cooper gained the best of both worlds: an empowered internal IT team and access to enterprise-level expertise. The result is an IT foundation built for security, efficiency, and growth, supporting the firm’s continued innovation in design and delivery.