SKR Lighting Design
Software collaboration tools and an invaluable IT service desk
Project Overview
SP1 IT Solutions has helped SKR to completely shift gear. As a growing architectural lighting and multi-media design consultancy business, it now has an IT service desk that acts as a seamless extension of its team; removing the fear factor associated with the risk of things going wrong. Most importantly – new software and collaboration tools enable it to deliver a more seamless service to customers, which in turn helps support business growth.
Their Challenge
SKR Lighting Design is a team of specialists who had outgrown its IT system. The system didn’t cater for the specific needs around collaboration, and the solution for back-up and recovery required manual input which lacked efficiency.
Founder and Director Neil Skinner recognised that having the IT professionally set-up and managed would help facilitate growth and minimise exposure to the risk of viruses or hackers. The company needed to move to a more solid foundation that would also be cost efficient and deliver value for money.
Our Solution
SP1 IT Solutions was recommended to Neil because we are specialists in the Architecture and Design sectors. Founder, Stefano Pratesi, had a clear understanding of the specific challenges typically experienced around project collaboration and how this impacted SKR’s IT requirements. Not only could SP1 support Neil’s immediate needs but we could advise on industry specific platforms like AutoCAD and Revit that could be considered as part of the future roadmap to support growth. Having talked through the options and the support costs, we were able to move quickly into delivery.
New laptops were set up with anti-virus software and Office 365 licenses assigned. We also seamlessly managed the transition of emails to Microsoft. The shift to using a Corporate OneDrive account really helped the team at SKR Lighting Design to work faster and more efficiently. Perhaps more than anything though, it is the peace of mind that Neil has which is the biggest win.
“I can sleep well at night, knowing that SP1 are watching over things!” – Neil Skinner
With a rolling monthly service, things are simply managed in the background and Neil and his team of designers are left free to focus on what is most important to them – their customers and projects.
When we speak on the phone it’s on a first-name basis and this, Neil says, really makes SP1 feel like an extended part of his team rather than a supplier. “I like that we aren’t being farmed out to a call centre. The service is very personal.” – Neil Skinner
Key benefits:
• Fast and accurate identification of business needs – SP1 IT Solutions are specialists in the Architecture and Design sectors.
• Increased speed and reliability – team access to shared content means they can deliver more quickly for their customers and are more efficient with their time.
• Greater ease and flexibility – documents can be accessed from anywhere.
• Team collaboration across all Microsoft platforms.
• Worry free – there is always someone to turn to for advice and to resolve any issues