Cegal Delivers Resilient IT Transformation for Aberdeen Performing Arts
Future-proofing iconic venues with secure, sustainable IT, safeguarding the heart of North-East Scotland’s culture
Whilst Cegal's focus is firmly on energy tech, we also support a range of local customers, such as Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA), the multi-award-winning arts charity at the heart of North-East Scotland’s cultural scene who have just completed a major IT infrastructure transformation in partnership with Cegal, ensuring the resilience and security of three of the region’s most iconic venues: His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall, and the Lemon Tree. These venues, renowned for hosting national and international touring productions, are a vital part of Aberdeenshire’s cultural landscape, serving as a beacon for the performing arts and the local community.
With a growing need to build resilience, mitigate risk, and improve user experience across its venues, APA faced significant challenges with its legacy IT infrastructure. The existing systems were not only outdated but were slow and expensive to administer. A secure and stable environment is crucial for APA’s operations, not only to ensure the smooth running of ticketing and payment systems but also to meet PCI DSS requirements, a vital framework for handling payments securely. Additionally, there was a pressing need to improve speed and reliability, as well as reduce environmental impact.
Having worked with Cegal previously, APA IT and Systems Manager Chris Addison approached Chris Rankin, Manager IT Operations at Cegal, who delivered a comprehensive IT infrastructure upgrade for APA.
The project began with extensive preparation and planning, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruption to APA’s busy operations. Cegal replaced all firewalls and switches, decommissioned outdated equipment, provided new security software and licences and migrated servers from on-site locations to Microsoft Azure. This not only improved security and reliability but also reduced the environmental impact of on-site power consumption, aligning with APA’s commitment to sustainability.
The project was not without its challenges. As a performing arts company, APA needed to minimise disruption to its busy schedule of shows and events. Installation was carefully planned for Sundays and Mondays, when venues were closed to the public. Cegal’s Andrew Jones project managed the transition with Cegal Lead Solution Architect Petr Vodvarka, working in close partnership with Arrowdawn, to ensure that downtime was kept to a minimum and the transition was seamless.
We are delighted to have supported APA in strengthening their IT infrastructure. Our Azure-certified team ensured a seamless migration, and we’re proud to contribute to the sustainability and resilience of such an important cultural institution.
Chris Rankin, Manager IT Operations, Cegal
Supporting the local community is at the heart of Cegal's culture, and the subsequent sponsorship of the theatre safety curtain reflects that commitment. The transformation means that each of APA’s venues now operates on a future-proof independent IT system, ensuring that a technical issue at one site will not affect the others. The result is a robust, secure, and future-ready infrastructure that supports APA’s mission to bring world-class performing arts to Aberdeen and beyond.
The work that the Cegal team delivered for us was second to none and we are delighted to be extending our partnership with Cegal with an updated support contract.
Chris Addison, IT and Systems Manager, APA
APA are confident that their robust, secure, and future-ready sustainable systems support their mission to bring world-class performing arts to the community, ensuring that the show will always go on for years to come.
Cegal transforms complex IT into digital success stories. We shape the digital future by delivering modern industrial software, world-class consulting services, and mission-critical cloud solutions.
