OMIC gained a strategic IT foundation for manufacturing innovation.
A fractional CIO, modern network, and security-first roadmap helped a manufacturing research leader focus on innovation instead of IT bottlenecks.
Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center brings together industry, higher education, and government to solve complex manufacturing challenges. Covenant stepped in as both strategic advisor and hands-on technology team, aligning infrastructure, operations, and security with OMIC’s research mission.
Case study snapshot
The challenge
OMIC’s mission was advanced, but its internal IT environment had grown in ways that made research harder to support.
IT was self-reliant but stretched thin
Staff without deep technical expertise were carrying IT responsibilities that pulled time away from research.
The network was fragmented
A homegrown mix of outdated components created a foundation that could not scale with OMIC’s work.
Gaps put federal eligibility at risk
Security concerns threatened OMIC’s ability to qualify for Department of Defense and federal projects.
No roadmap connected IT to growth
OMIC needed a clear plan tying technology decisions to research goals, compliance needs, and future scale.
Reactive service slowed the team down
Slow issue resolution and a prior MSP model created bottlenecks for a team that needed dependable technology.
Federal work required stronger posture
GCC High readiness and security frameworks needed to become part of the technology foundation, not a last-minute scramble.
Why Covenant
OMIC did not need another break-fix vendor. It needed a strategic partner that could own the roadmap and the hands-on execution.
Why Covenant: Covenant stepped in as a fractional CIO and hands-on team, aligning technology decisions to OMIC’s mission while taking ownership of the roadmap, the network, the support model, and the security posture needed for high-stakes research.
What Covenant did
The work connected strategy and execution, giving OMIC leadership direction while also modernizing the infrastructure underneath daily research operations.
Provided fractional CIO leadership
Covenant gave OMIC strategic IT leadership, aligning each technology initiative with research, growth, and readiness objectives.
Added Always-On IT support
Regular on-site support, bi-weekly visits from a dedicated technician, and ongoing project oversight replaced slow reactive service.
Modernized the network foundation
Covenant transitioned OMIC to an enterprise-grade Fortinet network with firewalls, switches, and access points.
Strengthened risk posture
Covenant guided OMIC through security frameworks to support high-stakes research and federal project readiness.
Built a path toward GCC High
The roadmap prepared OMIC’s environment for the requirements tied to DoD projects and federal funding.
Connected IT to the mission
Technology decisions were organized around OMIC’s research goals, growth trajectory, and security obligations.
Results and impact
OMIC gained faster support, stronger infrastructure, and a security posture aligned to future research and federal opportunities.
- Faster issue resolution with on-site support that eliminated IT bottlenecks
- Scalable infrastructure ready for DoD projects and federal funding
- A stronger, compliant security posture built for high-stakes research
- More time for innovation as the team focused on R&D instead of troubleshooting
Leadership became clearer
Fractional CIO guidance gave OMIC a strategic voice for technology decisions.
Support became more responsive
Dedicated on-site support helped remove the bottlenecks that slowed daily work.
Infrastructure became scalable
The Fortinet network gave OMIC a more secure, enterprise-grade foundation.
Readiness became intentional
Security frameworks and GCC High planning helped prepare the environment for federal opportunities.
Client quotes
OMIC described Covenant as a true partner, not just a vendor, because the work combined strategy, support, and mission alignment.
“Covenant is more than a vendor-they are a true partner. Their hands-on approach and commitment to understanding our unique needs have been instrumental in transforming our IT infrastructure. With Covenant’s support, we’ve achieved a level of security, scalability, and operational efficiency that allows us to focus on what we do best-innovating in manufacturing research and development.”
Carter Varn, Fractional CIO, OMIC R&DA partner who understood the mission
OMIC needed strategic IT leadership and practical execution that could support advanced manufacturing research, federal readiness, and day-to-day operations at the same time.
Looking ahead
The partnership continues to evolve as OMIC prepares for federal work, AI productivity, stronger cybersecurity, and future growth.
Implement GCC High
Continue moving toward the tenant environment needed to support federal project requirements.
Explore Microsoft Copilot
Evaluate Copilot opportunities that could improve administrative efficiency while keeping controls in view.
Strengthen security frameworks
Continue maturing cybersecurity controls that support high-stakes research and eligibility requirements.
Scale cloud infrastructure
Prepare systems and capacity for future growth, innovation, and research initiatives.
Keep strategy current
Use vCIO guidance to keep the roadmap aligned as OMIC’s research and funding opportunities evolve.
Protect research momentum
Keep the technology foundation from distracting researchers from the work only they can do.
Related Covenant solutions
OMIC’s work connects technology strategy, managed operations, network modernization, compliance readiness, cybersecurity, and AI enablement.
vCIO / Strategic Technology Roadmap
Ongoing technology leadership, roadmap ownership, and executive-level guidance without adding a full-time CIO.
Explore vCIO strategyAlways On IT Operations
Proactive support, monitoring, maintenance, and coordination so technology stays steady day to day.
Explore operationsNetwork Reliability & Performance
Assess, modernize, and improve the connectivity foundation that daily operations depend on.
Explore network servicesRisk Mitigation & Cyber Resilience
Lower cyber risk, strengthen resilience, and keep operating when security and compliance expectations rise.
Explore risk and resilienceCompliance Readiness Program
Prepare controls and evidence for CMMC, ITAR, CJIS, CIS18, GCC High planning, and other readiness expectations.
Explore compliance readinessAI Enablement & Productivity
Prepare Microsoft 365, permissions, governance, and users for responsible AI and Copilot adoption.
Explore AI EnablementBuild the roadmap behind serious innovation.
If your manufacturing, research, or engineering organization is slowed by IT bottlenecks, security risk, or scale, Covenant can help create the roadmap and operating foundation to move forward.