THE PROJECT

Context & Drivers

S&RA challenged Shaping Cloud to modernise their internal IT infrastructure and develop new collaborative working practices to drive efficiencies and improve service.

Shaping Cloud worked with a core team across various functions of S&RA to design and suitable solution, tailored to the current needs and created working practices around iterative improvement to continually improve working practices.

We initially identified that there were four main problems areas – Email and Connectivity, CRM, Business Process Automation and, Document Collaboration and Sharing.

Solution

Shaping Cloud created a full-service solution focussed on creating a collaborative working environment which increased mobility, utilised the current CRM system and, due to the lack of onsite technical expertise, a cloud based solution with a support service. Improving the skills within the organisation was key, Shaping Cloud collaborated on a Change Management Programme to empowered staff with the required skills and build a culture of continuous improvement.

Microsoft Office365 incorporate Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Lync were chosen as the cloud platform of choice.

A full hardware refresh and the installation of a dedicated broadband line brought immediate significant benefits in terms of system reliability and speed. The introduction of Microsoft cloud services, offered a compelling opportunity to bring about a real change in how IT was used within the business and also how it was perceived by the users.

Outcomes

The selected toolset, appropriate configuration, and user training transformed the efficiency of the organisation and helped them to achieve their goal of being run along more commercial lines.

The introduction of Office 365 allowed S&RA to utilise Enterprise level infrastructure and software, which alongside new hardware and an improved internet connectivity, dramatically improved the speed and robustness of the organisation’s IT.

A tailored Dynamics CRM Online system, met the needs of the users, rather than users needing to tailor their business processes to fit in with the systems view of the world.