Overview
Gordon Lees Accountants, a newly established accounting firm, emerged from Lees Limited, a long-term client of Ashdown Solutions.
As a managed IT support and telecoms company based in East Grinstead, Ashdown Solutions was entrusted with the critical task of setting up the IT infrastructure of the new company from scratch, ensuring the business was built on a solid foundation from the get-go.
This involved configuring a new Office platform with SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange, transferring essential data, and ensuring the smooth transition of business applications to a new cloud platform.
The Challenge
The creation of Gordon Lees Accountants from Lees Limited presented a unique challenge: establishing a completely new IT infrastructure while ensuring continuity and efficiency in business operations. This required:
- Setting up a new Office platform: Implementing a robust and scalable Microsoft Office platform that would support the company’s operational needs.
- Data migration: Extracting permitted data from Lees Limited and transferring it securely to Gordon Lees.
- Application transition: Ensuring that all lines of business applications were properly split and operational on the new platform.
- Collaboration with third parties: Working closely with Gordon Lees’ software provider and cloud platform to facilitate the transition.
Office Platform Implementation
Ashdown Solutions began by setting up a new Office platform for Gordon Lees, incorporating SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange. This provided a solid foundation for the firm’s operations, offering better collaboration, secure data storage, and efficient communication.
- SharePoint: This tool facilitated better document management and team collaboration, ensuring that all employees could access and share important files effortlessly.
- OneDrive: By setting up OneDrive, Ashdown Solutions ensured that Gordon Lees had a secure and reliable platform for storing and accessing files from anywhere, promoting remote work and flexibility.
- Exchange: Implementing Exchange ensured robust and secure email communication, vital for the employees’ interactions with both clients and each other.
Data Migration and Application Transition
Data migration was a critical aspect of the project. Ashdown Solutions worked meticulously with Gordon Lees’ software provider and cloud platform to extract permitted data from Lees Limited. This included:
- Data extraction: Identifying and extracting necessary data while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.
- Secure transfer: Ensuring that the data transfer process was secure and efficient, minimising the risk of data loss or breaches.
- Application transition: Splitting the line of business applications and transitioning them to the new platform without disrupting daily operations.
Ashdown Solutions employed a systematic approach to ensure that all applications were properly configured and fully functional on the new platform. This allowed Gordon Lees to continue their operations without any hitches.
The Impact
The expertise and proactive approach of Ashdown Solutions had a significant impact on Gordon Lees Accountants:
- Seamless transition: The entire process, from setting up the new Office platform to data migration and application transition, was executed seamlessly. We ensured no disruption to their business operations.
- Enhanced efficiency: The new Office platform improved operational efficiency, enabling better collaboration, communication, and data management.
- Secure and scalable infrastructure: The implemented solutions provided Gordon Lees with a secure and scalable IT infrastructure, capable of supporting their growth and evolving business needs.
Future Prospects
With the new IT infrastructure in place, Gordon Lees Accountants is well-positioned for future growth. The scalable solutions implemented by Ashdown Solutions ensure that the firm can easily adapt to increasing demands and technological advancements.
The robust and secure platform also provides peace of mind, allowing the firm to focus on delivering exceptional service to their clients.
Conclusion
The successful transition of Gordon Lees Accountants from Lees Limited is a testament to Ashdown Solutions’ expertise and commitment to excellence.
By providing a seamless and efficient IT setup, Ashdown Solutions has empowered Gordon Lees to operate smoothly and confidently in their new venture. The collaborative effort, meticulous planning, and execution have resulted in a robust IT infrastructure that will support the firm’s growth and success for years to come.
