Case Study
Rapid deployment of nationwide testing infrastructure under crisis conditions
Designed and deployed secure, repeatable infrastructure for COVID-19 testing—launching 26 sites in two weeks and scaling to over 200 locations nationwide.
Context
At the onset of COVID-19, a client needed to rapidly stand up testing sites across multiple regions under extreme time pressure. The environment was highly dynamic, with evolving requirements, constrained supply chains, and no margin for failure.
This was not a typical deployment. It required building a system that could scale quickly, operate reliably in the field, and be repeatable across hundreds of locations.
Approach
We treated the effort as a logistics and systems problem—not just an IT rollout.
The focus was on creating a standardized, field-ready deployment model that could be rapidly reproduced, supported remotely, and adapted as conditions changed.
What We Did
- Designed and implemented a repeatable deployment model for testing sites, enabling rapid rollout across geographically distributed locations.
- Sourced and provisioned critical hardware at scale—including high-throughput printing, endpoint devices, and power systems—despite supply chain constraints.
- Built and deployed portable communications systems using cellular-based infrastructure with redundancy to ensure consistent connectivity in varied environments.
- Engineered compact, field-ready configurations (“communications in a case”) to simplify setup, transport, and redeployment across sites.
- Established centralized management and support processes to maintain visibility and control across a rapidly expanding footprint.
- Managed logistics, staging, shipping, recovery, and redeployment of equipment across hundreds of active locations.
Outcome
Initial sites were deployed within days, with 26 locations operational within two weeks. The system scaled to over 200 sites nationwide while maintaining operational consistency.
Despite supply constraints and evolving requirements, sites remained functional, connected, and supportable under sustained pressure.
The deployment model enabled rapid expansion without sacrificing reliability—turning a complex, high-pressure situation into a controlled and repeatable operation.
Key Takeaway
At scale and under pressure, success depends less on individual components and more on the system that ties them together.
Designing for repeatability, mobility, and centralized control makes rapid deployment possible without sacrificing reliability.
Start with an IT Risk & Roadmap Brief
If this kind of work is relevant, the brief is the fastest way to get a clear picture of risk, priorities, and next steps.