Orion Networks’ Strategic IT Partnership with The American Public Power Association

Orion Networks’ Strategic IT Partnership with The American Public Power Association

Orion Networks is more than a traditional IT provider—a dedicated strategic partner supporting our clients’ missions. One of our most significant collaborations is with the American Public Power Association, a national organization representing nearly 2,000 community-owned electric utilities throughout the United States. As a nonprofit, the Association depends on advanced technology to connect with, advocate for, and effectively serve its members.

Our mission is to deliver a resilient and secure technology infrastructure that supports and advances their organizational objectives. Orion Networks is a committed strategic partner dedicated to helping clients achieve their missions, going above and beyond the role of a conventional IT provider. Our collaboration with the American Public Power Association (APPA) exemplifies this commitment. APPA is a national non-profit organization representing nearly 2,000 community-owned electric utilities across the United States. They rely heavily on advanced technology to connect with, advocate for, and serve their members effectively.

Orion’s mission is to provide our clients with a resilient and secure technology infrastructure that bolsters and furthers their organizational goals.

Understanding the Needs of The American Public Power Association

The American Public Power Association represents nearly 2,000 community-owned electric utilities across the United States. As a nonprofit organization, the American Public Power Association’s mission is to connect, advocate for, and serve its members efficiently and securely. Technology is at the core of these efforts, enabling the American Public Power Association to deliver critical services, manage sensitive information, and support its nationwide network.

Challenges with Previous Managed Service Providers

Before engaging Orion Networks, the American Public Power Association’s IT operations were managed by two managed service providers (MSPs) over several years. Initially, the Association managed its help desk internally, but as the organization grew, it sought to outsource IT support to improve efficiency and expertise.

Unfortunately, the experience with previous MSPs fell short of expectations. As Harry Olibris explains, “We had two MSPs before Orion. We started with one, and after a couple of years, we realized we were not getting the level of service we wanted… so we switched to another one. But the issues remained—slow response times, lack of follow-through, and not understanding our needs.”

• Lack of Responsiveness: Staff experienced frequent delays in getting support tickets resolved. Issues sometimes lingered without timely resolution, impacting productivity.
• Limited Engagement: The prior MSPs treated the relationship as a standard vendor-client arrangement. There was little effort to understand the Association’s unique needs or to recommend improvements proactively.
• Reactive Approach: Security and technology issues were often addressed only after problems occurred, rather than through proactive monitoring or planning.
• Communication Gaps: There was a disconnect between the Association’s internal team and the MSPs, leading to misunderstandings and frustration.

As Harry put it:

“We needed a partner who would feel like an extension of our team, not just a vendor. That’s not what we were getting.”

The Orion Networks Solution

Recognizing the need for a more engaged and proactive partner, the American Public Power Association turned to Orion Networks. From the outset, Orion Networks demonstrated a fundamentally different approach.

• True Partnership: Orion Networks positioned itself as an extension of the Association’s team, not just a service provider. They took the time to learn about the mission, operations, and specific IT challenges.
• Responsiveness and Collaboration: Orion’s help desk was immediately more responsive, with clear communication channels and a commitment to resolving issues quickly. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions ensured that concerns were heard and addressed.
• Continuous Improvement: Orion Networks fostered a culture of ongoing improvement, actively seeking feedback and implementing changes to serve the Association better.

Harry highlighted the difference:

“Orion came in and listened to us. They were willing to make adjustments and were open to feedback. That was a big change from what we had before.”

Orion Networks’ Dedicated Cybersecurity Team

A standout feature of Orion Networks is its in-house cybersecurity team—a resource missing from previous MSPs. This dedicated team brings several advantages to the American Public Power Association:

• 24/7 Monitoring: Orion’s Network Operations Center (NOC) and cybersecurity experts monitor the Association’s systems around the clock, detecting and responding to threats in real time.
• Proactive Threat Management: Rather than waiting for issues to arise, Orion’s cybersecurity team conducts regular vulnerability assessments, patch management, and security updates to stay ahead of potential risks.
• Incident Response and Recovery: In the event of a security incident, Orion’s specialists are prepared to respond immediately, minimizing downtime and data loss.
• Employee Training and Awareness: Orion provides ongoing cybersecurity training for staff, helping to build a culture of security awareness and reduce the risk of human error.
• Policy and Compliance Support: The cybersecurity team helps the Association maintain compliance with industry regulations and best practices, ensuring data protection and organizational integrity.

Harry emphasized the importance of this proactive approach:

“Cybersecurity is huge for us. Orion has their cybersecurity team, which we didn’t have before. They’re monitoring our environment 24/7 and making sure we’re protected. That gives us a lot of peace of mind.”

Results and Impact

Since partnering with Orion Networks, the American Public Power Association has experienced a significant transformation in its IT operations and security posture:

• Improved Uptime and Productivity: Faster response times and proactive support have minimized disruptions, allowing staff to focus on their core mission.
• Enhanced Security: With a dedicated cybersecurity team in place, the Association has greater confidence in its ability to defend against evolving cyber threats.
• Strategic Alignment: Orion’s collaborative approach ensures that IT initiatives align with the Association’s organizational goals, supporting day-to-day operations and long-term growth.

As Harry summed up:

“We finally have a partner that’s invested in our success. Orion is always there when we need them, and they’re constantly looking for ways to make us better and safer.”

Conclusion

Orion Networks has proven to be a true strategic partner for the American Public Power Association. By replacing underperforming MSPs with a dedicated, engaged, and security-focused team, the Association now benefits from reliable IT support and robust cybersecurity. This partnership empowers the American Public Power Association to confidently serve its members, knowing its technology infrastructure is secure, resilient, and aligned with its mission.