Art Gallery of Alberta Gains Peace of Mind and Strategic IT Support with VC3 Manage

Challenge

As a nonprofit organization, the AGA faces unique IT challenges that stem from its grant-based funding model and lean internal staffing. Yeside (“Yessie”) Talabi, Applications and Business Analyst, is AGA’s only dedicated IT staff member, and so the gallery must manage a wide variety of technology needs—from infrastructure upgrades and cybersecurity to vendor coordination and application support—on a limited budget.

The unpredictable nature of grant funding adds complexity to IT planning and execution. Budget availability can fluctuate based on government policy and grant cycles, requiring flexibility as to when IT needs can be addressed. Additionally, the gallery’s reliance on technology for ticketing, donor engagement, digital exhibits, and internal operations means that system reliability, security, and Wi-Fi are critical to its mission.

Quite simply, Talabi, as one IT employee, cannot do everything alone. That’s where VC3 enters the picture.

Solution

To meet these challenges, AGA partnered with VC3 to implement VC3 Manage, a comprehensive managed IT services solution that includes proactive IT support, baseline cybersecurity protection, infrastructure monitoring, and strategic IT guidance. In addition, VC3 has also worked with AGA on select projects critical to the gallery’s mission.

VC3’s team has worked closely with AGA to provide:

• 24/7 Helpdesk Support: Considering all the projects and tasks on Talabi’s plate, her multitasking abilities can easily become overwhelmed. To help support her, VC3 provides 24/7 support for common user issues, troubleshooting, and urgent problems. Communication is also clear, timely, and responsive—giving AGA confidence that VC3 will quickly resolve problems and issues. “The VC3 support team is professional, patient, and solution-oriented, which makes it really easy for our staff at all levels, and for me, to work with them,” Talabi said.
• Proactive Infrastructure Planning: VC3 works with AGA to plan important infrastructure upgrades such as firewalls and UPS systems. With strategic planning as part of VC3 Manage, VC3 ensures that any upgrades align with AGA’s goals of digital transformation, efficiency, and enhanced visitor experiences. “VC3 handled the planning, installation, and even the recycling of the old units,” Talabi said. “VC3’s professionalism during this process minimized disruption.”
• Cybersecurity Enhancements: In addition to included services such as endpoint detection and response (EDR), cloud protection, and security awareness training, VC3 guided AGA through an important multifactor authentication (MFA) project—from selecting the right MFA solution to setting up tokens and apps. VC3 also helped train employees and ensure that remote staff were supported.
• Strategic Advisory Services: VC3 customizes its strategic advisory around AGA’s grant-driven budget and evolving needs. Remaining flexible, VC3 works closely with AGA to plan upcoming projects, priorities, and investments—often pivoting to accommodate the gallery’s fluctuating funds.
• Data Backup and Disaster Recovery: In addition to managed IT services, AGA is leveraging VC3’s data backup and disaster recovery solution to safeguard more than 3 terabytes of critical exhibit and archival data.
• Wi-Fi: Because of AGA’s integrated exhibits, Wi-Fi is absolutely critical to their operations. VC3 has kept AGA’s Wi-Fi stable and well-managed by replacing all their access points after some issues arose. Despite challenges related to high vaulted ceilings and multiple floors, VC3 ensured that wireless access was reliable, strong, and stable throughout their facilities.

Results

Since working with VC3, AGA has experienced significant transformation in its IT operations:

• More Reliable Systems: VC3’s proactive monitoring, support, and infrastructure upgrades have significantly improved uptime across the gallery’s network, ticketing, and donor systems. Talabi also says that service delivery has consistently met and even exceeded her expectations. Instead of waiting for issues to arise, VC3 helps AGA get ahead of issues and plan ahead.
• Strengthened Cybersecurity Posture: The implementation of MFA dramatically reduces the risk of phishing incidents and unauthorized access, aligning the gallery with best practices for data protection and compliance. Plus, included services such as EDR, cloud protection, security awareness training, dark web monitoring, advanced email protection, and web content filtering all combine to create a powerful cybersecurity foundation.
• Increased Operational Efficiency: VC3’s end-to-end project management—from procurement to installation and support—has streamlined AGA’s IT initiatives and reduced internal workload. “VC3 allows us to focus on our mission as a gallery instead of being bogged down by IT issues,” Talabi said.
• Strategic Flexibility: VC3’s ability to adapt to AGA’s grant-based funding cycles has enabled the gallery to better prioritize projects based on available resources, ensuring stability and progress even amid financial fluctuations. This allows AGA to maximize limited and irregular funds, making sure every dollar counts.
• Improved WiFi Reliability: With VC3’s replacement of all wireless access points, AGA has seen a marked improvement in connectivity across its multi-level facility—ensuring uninterrupted access for the gallery’s digital exhibits and staff operations. Along with reducing downtime and enhancing the visitor experience, the current Wi-Fi network’s stability and strength reinforces the gallery’s commitment to modern, interactive art installations.

According to Talabi, “VC3 gives me peace of mind knowing that our IT environment is monitored, secure, and supported by experts. VC3’s support translates into greater staff productivity and the ability to plan strategically without being sidetracked by IT breakdowns.”

VC3’s responsiveness and understanding of AGA’s unique needs has fostered a strong, long-term partnership. Whether it’s expediting proposals for grant applications or advising AGA on complex data backup strategies, VC3 is a trusted advisor helping the gallery navigate its IT roadmap with confidence.

“I wish organizations understood that managed IT services is not just about fixing computers,” Talabi said. “It's about enabling your entire organization to operate more securely and efficiently. For us, working with VC3 has meant we can modernize faster, reduce risk, and ultimately serve our community better. Managed services bring expertise, structure, and foresight that is hard to achieve and manage with a small internal IT team alone.”