RITM Case Studies
CASE STUDIES
Rise Technical Recruitment
Background
Established in June 2005, Rise Technical Recruitment Ltd is based in Kent and Bristol. They provide a mix of permanent and contract staff for engineering and education positions throughout the UK.
The business currently employs 12 staff, which uses a mixture of desktop and notebook computers in their everyday function.
Their aim is to grow the business from £1.2m to £10m turnover in two years without creating an in-house IT support function, so that they can concentrate solely on recruitment.
The Challenge
“I am not an IT professional, so it’s good to have the backup.” Jeff Leng, Rise Technical Recruitment.
Establishing a new business and setting up the IT is costly when business capital is at a premium.
Fully aware that there are other suppliers in the market, Leng realised that none could offer the same high service levels that PCWB do.
The Solution
Remote IT Management (RITM)
The business did not want to employ an in-house IT person; instead they contacted PCWB’s RITM service. Staffed by 30 qualified IT engineers, they remotely manage complex networks. Leng commented “All employees have the phone number for RITM, saving me time having to ring them myself.”
The Outcome
Rise Technical Recruitment uses IT support services and products from PCWB to help grow and develop their operation closer to their goals. Leng concluded, “We have been able to outsource our support function because we have total trust in our IT partner,”
Avery Emerson
Background
Avery Emerson is an established firm providing high quality legal services. Avery Emerson provides specialised staff and advice, catering for private individuals, families, small businesses and even multinational companies. Founded in Essex in 2003, Avery Emerson has already achieved LEXCEL accreditation and the Investors In People award.
The firm employs nine people with an aim to grow to 22 in the next few years. Staff use a mixture of desktop and notebook computers with access to two servers, using broadband and VOIP.
Their vision is to be global, lateral and continuously creating new connections to customers.
The Challenge
“Without our IT we cannot do our job, as it is the backbone of our business. Clients want to see cutting edge technology as they know work will be completed more efficiently and quicker.” Suki Ahluwalia, Avery Emerson.
Ahluwalia was using an IT support company to manage his network for two years.
“They didn’t really know what they were doing. I am a demanding person and expect things to be resolved,” said Ahluwalia.
After considerable research into the solutions on offer, he selected PCWB’s Remote IT Management service.
The Solution
On-site Engineer
PCWB provided an on-site engineer to install the network and ensure that any technical issues could be resolved immediately.
Remote IT Management (RITM)
PCWB’s RITM service is staffed by a team of qualified IT engineers that remotely manage complex networks. Ahluwalia added, “PCWB costs slightly more, but saves me five times the headache as they understand the customer care side.”
The firm is able to enjoy constant professional network support and maintenance at a fraction of the cost of a fulltime IT person.
The Outcome
Avery Emerson benefits from using a team that understands their business, the fact they are based in the UK helps with speedy identification and resolution of issues.
Ahluwalia concluded, “The RITM team are a phone call away if issues arise. Some problems come up late in the day, but I still get help by the team who go the extra mile. I do not perceive PCWB as a reseller, but as a partner helping to develop my business.”
Wye Valley Precision Engineering
Background
Wye Valley Precision Engineering (WVPE) is a Ross-on-Wye based business specialising in the design and manufacture of natural and synthetics rubber mouldings. In operation for 35 years, the company employs 50 staff, supplying rubber materials for electronic, military, and commercial applications.
The business uses IT for design, scheduling of work, as well as for general administration, sales and accounting.
The Challenge
Its 15 PCs were still running on Windows 98, however numerous computers had corrupt files, a result of many years of use, and performance was severely hindered. The existing two servers were unable to keep up with the demands made on them. Roger Nelson, Wye Valley Precision Engineering’s chairman, made the decision to invest in a new network and to upgrade the company’s systems, effectively starting from scratch.
WVPE had used a local IT firm to help them with their technology problems, however the upgrade job was too big and complex for them. They decided to put the work out to tender to three businesses – two local IT companies and PC World Business, with the later winning the project.
The Solution
PCWB recommended installing a new server, and retaining the existing two servers. One server would be used to house manufacturing software, the other to hold scheduling software. A new server was put in place to connect the PCs and to control the automated telephone system.
In addition, all the PCs were upgraded to machines with Pentium 4 processors.
Remote IT Management (RITM)
In order to maintain the new network, WVPE opted for PCWB’s RITM service. This effectively outsourced the entire management of its IT system to PCWB. For a fixed monthly fee based on the number of PCs and servers, WYPE no longer has to worry about the day-to-day running of it’s systems, covering all potential problems relating to the server, hardware, software, storage, back up and viruses.
The Outcome
Nelson commented, "PC World Business has certainly made our lives easier. Our system wasn't up to the job, and we were worried that a complete IT overhaul would bring our business down and affect our customer service. However, the changeover was painless - delivered on time and at the agreed price - nothing hidden. Now we don't think about our IT - they are just machines doing a job."
This article originally appeared in the RITM edition of Services.