Introduction
How cloud migration and managed IT services have supported growth at The Property Centre
The Client
The Property Centre is an award-winning estate agent based in the South West of England. The agency offers a full range of sales and letting services and employs over 100 staff across its nine branches and head office. The Property Centre has been a Emerge Digital technology partner for over 10 years. Throughout this time, we’ve worked as an outsourced IT department, managing everything from IT support to cloud telephony and cloud infrastructure to internet connectivity. Three years ago, we presented a documented technology strategy to The Property Centre’s board of directors outlining a new IT and communications framework that would transform the way the business used technology.
The Challenge
One of the key challenges The Property Centre faced was migrating to cloud-based services. As they’d grown in size, they needed a more robust telephony system as well as cost-effective fibre solutions in each of their branches. In addition to this, they needed to work towards a managed office network that would connect their technology and help boost efficiency across the business.
The Solution
Our solution was made up of several strands and took place over the course of 24 months. We worked specifically on cloud migration, connectivity, communications and general IT support.
- Cloud Migration Services
Cloud migration lay at the heart of our strategy. Over the course of 24 months, we moved all business applications, IP telephony services and server infrastructure into the cloud. We also set up a managed office network, so all services were fully joined up.
- Connectivity
We implemented reliable fibre leased line solutions into all of the business’s branches and ensured this was done at the most cost-effective price. All branches now enjoy a dedicated line connecting them to the internet at superfast speeds.
- Communications
Making phone calls is an essential part of The Property Centre’s work, so we introduced a robust, flexible and scalable cloud telephony system that the company could fully rely on.
- Support
Last, but by no means least, we created a simple cost-per-employee IT and telecoms package, including 24/7 support across all branches. If ever an issue arises, whether that’s in work time or at the weekend, we’re on hand to help. Our engineers also make monthly on-site visits to maintain the technology – and answer any questions from the teams.
"Moving to cloud-based services has improved our efficiency and effectiveness. And because Emerge Digital handles all of our IT services, we have more time to spend growing our business."
Leon Broady, Director - The Property Centre
The Outcome
We’re delighted that The Property Centre has seen a wide range of benefits from our work. The new technology and services have boosted employee productivity, increased efficiency and created a more joined-up feel across all branches. As we fully manage these services, the teams can also concentrate fully on what matters most: supporting their customers and driving growth. What’s more, our simple cost-per-employee model has enabled the teams to budget more effectively for business expansion. The positive effects of this were felt most recently when the centre extended their offering by opening up two new branches.
Introduction
Find out how Gloucester Rugby are transforming their business operations with the use of Microsoft’s Modern Workplace.
The Client
One of the most established, well known rugby clubs in the world, Gloucester Rugby are a professional sporting organisation that play in England’s top division of rugby, as well as in the top European rugby competition.
Gloucester Rugby have recently gone through a period of transformation, with the aim of delivering a world class experience to its fans and its partners. Recent initiatives have included ongoing investment in the rugby squad and coaching setup, a club rebrand, a dedicated conferencing and events team, a new hybrid rugby pitch and a new fan experience, including ultra-fast stadium Wi-Fi and a Club App.
To help deliver on this transformation, Gloucester Rugby embarked on a procurement process to replace their existing technology provider. After a detailed tender process, Gloucester Rugby chose Emerge Digital as their core technology provider.
The Challenge
Gloucester Rugby is one of the most high-profile businesses in Gloucestershire and very much the hub of the community. This profile means they need to be very strict in terms of their cyber security posture. Their core customers are members of the public, meaning they need to be very careful in the management and security of personal data. The business also has a requirement for strict adherence to PCI and GDPR regulation.
A critical part of the operation is home matchdays, which often involve over 15,000 spectators at their ground, Kingsholm stadium, and live coverage on TV. These events usually take place at weekends or evenings. It is vitally important that IT operations perform during these matchdays. Gloucester Rugby also need to manage their core business operations at Kingsholm, their stadium, and their player training facility at Hartpury University.
A new management team was put in place in Autumn 2019. The team developed a highly ambitious strategy to be successful both on and off the field. The team identified that embracing new technology was key to supporting their strategy and would be essential in increasing operational efficiency and staff productivity
The Service
- A 36-month strategy was agreed to take Gloucester Rugby into the Cloud and develop a ‘Modern Workplace’ based on Office 365 and Microsoft best practice, whist ensuring that the businesses critical data was kept secure.
- Emerge Digital delivered their state-of-the-art Managed IT Support Service to enable operational excellence, whilst simultaneously raising defences and lowering costs. This included a service desk to help users with issues, a 24/7 network operations centre to manage core infrastructure, and scheduled onsite engineers for both site visits and cover for matchdays.
- Business continuity and disaster recovery processes were implemented, and a number of next generation cyber security services we rolled out within the business.
"Emerge Digital have designed and implemented a solution that improves our day to day operations now and has given us a platform that we can build upon for the future."
Alex Brown, Commercial Director - Gloucester Rugby
The Outcome
Emerge Digital has delivered against Gloucester Rugby’s high expectations, showing its ability to be commercially and operationally adaptive to Gloucester Rugby’s needs. Gloucester Rugby’s move to Office 365 has made the business more agile in their IT Operations, whilst improving the communication and collaboration amongst their staff. The implementation of a Technology Strategy has allowed management to make informed decisions around technology and provides a common framework and language to help communicate to key stakeholders.
Alex Brown, Commercial Director ‘We are a unique business in many respects and have a unique set of IT requirements. Emerge Digital have designed and implemented a solution that improves our day to day operations now and has given us a platform that we can build upon for the future. We are a sporting institution that has a lot of ambition, both on and off the field. Emerge Digital are the right technology partner to help us achieve our aspirations’
