In today’s digitally driven world, reliable and secure connectivity is no longer a luxury—it’s a business essential. This is especially true for organizations with operations spread across rural and remote areas, where infrastructure gaps can slow down productivity and limit growth. For Sunrise Credit Union, which serves more than 35,000 members across 19 branches in Southwestern Manitoba, improving connectivity was a key step in continuing to meet the needs of their communities.
In 2023, Sunrise Credit Union began looking to modernize their digital infrastructure. “Our existing systems were functional but outdated,” said Kelly Scott, Vice President of IT at Sunrise. “We were ready for a more future-forward solution that could grow with us.”
After weighing their options, Sunrise met with an out of province technology partner, SaskTel. Saskatchewan’s leading communications provider is best known in their home province, yet SaskTel has been steadily expanding its footprint, working with organizations across Western Canada that need customized, high-performance connectivity solutions.
From the very beginning, SaskTel approached the project differently. “They didn’t come in just trying to sell us something,” Scott noted. “They listened. They spent time learning about our needs, our environment, our challenges. Then they came back with a strategy designed specifically for us — not a one-size-fits-all plan.”
That strategy led to a complete revamp of Sunrise’s network. SaskTel replaced outdated equipment at every branch, from switches and VoIP phones to routers, firewalls, and Wi-Fi systems. They also introduced a flexible SD-WAN (Software Defined Wide Area Network) solution that tied all Sunrise locations together in a single, secure, and high-speed network.
For Belinda Griffith, Senior IT Officer at Sunrise, the difference was night and day. “Now, everything runs faster and more smoothly, and we’ve seen a significant drop in outages.”
But it wasn’t just about speed. The new system gave Sunrise’s IT team better visibility and control. SaskTel’s real-time diagnostics and intelligent routing mean issues are identified and resolved quickly.
Importantly, the new setup empowers Sunrise’s internal IT staff rather than replacing them. “We’re still very involved in our systems,” Griffith said. “But SaskTel handles the heavy lifting on the network side, which lets us focus on higher-value work. It’s like adding expert bench strength to our team.”
What started as a technology upgrade has become a full-fledged partnership — one that’s helping Sunrise stay competitive, secure, and connected as they prepare for what’s next in the digital banking landscape.
“This is more than just a client-vendor relationship,” Scott said. “It’s built on trust and shared goals. SaskTel has proven they’re in it with us for the long haul.”
For Alberta businesses, especially those outside urban centres, SaskTel might not be the first name that comes to mind. But this Manitoba success story shows what’s possible when you work with a provider that takes the time to understand your needs and delivers more than just connectivity.
Interested in upgrading your business network?
Call 1.844.SASKTEL (1.844.727.5835) or visit sasktelnational.com to see how SaskTel can tailor a solution for you.
