Background 

Since 2005, KMS Solutions has provided systems engineering, human capital management, test and evaluation, and cybersecurity services to the U.S. Navy and its Surface and Submarine Forces. With deep military roots, more than half of their workforce consists of veterans or veteran spouses.  

In their journey towards CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) compliance, KMS turned to Summit 7 to navigate their complex SMB IT needs and support them with custom solutions tailored to their unique requirements. 

Challenge 

KMS Solutions faced several challenges after being acquired by Subsystems Technologies. The integration of two companies required KMS to merge their IT environments, both of which were operating in a Microsoft 365 Commercial environment. KMS needed to migrate to GCC High, a government-specific cloud environment, to meet CMMC Level 2 compliance, a critical requirement for maintaining their contracts with the Department of Defense. 

This task was complicated by the involvement of two distinct companies, requiring both a licensing overhaul and migration support to ensure a smooth transition. Additionally, KMS needed to collaborate securely with subcontractors who were not as far along in their compliance journey.  

This complex situation created challenges in business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, further complicating their operations. Finally, KMS sought to define and launch their internal SharePoint intranet, creating a more efficient, unified platform for their employees. 

Solution 

Summit 7 provided a comprehensive, tailored solution that addressed the multi-faceted challenges KMS was facing. This solution was built on a strong partnership rooted in trust, flexibility, and a commitment to helping KMS achieve long-term success. 

Phase 1: Migration to Microsoft 365 GCC High for Compliance 

Summit 7 began by supporting KMS in their migration from Microsoft 365 Commercial to GCC High to meet CMMC Level 2 compliance. Summit 7 worked closely with KMS to migrate their Subsystems users into a new tenant while enabling KMS’s internal team to complete the migration at their own pace. This phased approach provided KMS with significant cost savings while maintaining full control over the project. 

Phase 2: Custom B2B Collaboration Solution

To address the compliance gap with their subcontractors, Summit 7 helped KMS design a custom B2B solution. This included providing physical and virtual desktops to KMS so they could issue to subcontractors, ensuring that these assets were compliant and segregated from KMS’s internal data while enabling secure collaboration. This innovative solution solved immediate challenges but also positioned KMS as a future-ready organization capable of working with partners at various stages of compliance. 

Phase 3: SharePoint Intranet Redesign

Summit 7 led the design and formalization of KMS’s internal SharePoint intranet, called “KMS Compass.” This project created a single pane of glass for KMS employees, offering centralized department hubs for accessing critical resources such as time tracking, expenses, HR information, and help desk support. The solution was so effective that it achieved full adoption across the company, streamlining operations and improving employee engagement.

The Results

KMS Solutions saw measurable improvements in compliance, efficiency, and collaboration as a result of their partnership with Summit 7. 

• Seamless Migration to GCC High 
  KMS successfully transitioned to a GCC High environment, making significant strides toward CMMC Level 2 compliance and setting the stage for continued growth and adherence to DoD standards. The flexibility provided by Summit 7 allowed KMS to manage parts of the migration in-house, resulting in cost savings and increased internal competency. 
   

• Enhanced Collaboration with Subcontractors 
  By developing a custom solution for secure collaboration with subcontractors, KMS was able to overcome compliance barriers and ensure that data sharing remained secure and compliant. This strengthened their current partnerships and also prepared KMS for future collaborations with other organizations not yet fully compliant with CMMC standards – making them more competitive when bidding for future contracts. 
   

• Increased Operational Efficiency with KMS Compass 
  The SharePoint intranet redesign transformed the way KMS employees interacted with company resources. With a centralized and intuitive platform, KMS saw increased productivity and engagement across the board, further solidifying their commitment to innovation and operational excellence. 
   

• Strengthened Partnership and Trust 
  Throughout the entire process, Summit 7 demonstrated its commitment to building lasting relationships - one of KMS Solutions’ core values. By offering more than just transactional support, Summit 7 became a trusted partner, working closely with KMS to deliver customized solutions that aligned with their goals. This strong relationship has led KMS to consider further collaboration with Summit 7, including potential adoption of the Guardian for Azure service to enhance their security posture even further. 

Conclusion 

Summit 7’s tailored approach and partnership-first mentality have empowered KMS Solutions to overcome their compliance and IT challenges, setting them up for continued success. By delivering custom solutions that meet KMS’s unique needs, Summit 7 has solidified itself as a trusted partner capable of driving transformation and ensuring long-term growth for its clients.