Background
Hartwood Construction, a leading construction company, has been a client of Ashdown Solutions for several years. Originally part of Ashurst Construction, Hartwood Construction separated into its own entity and needed to streamline and upgrade its IT and telecoms infrastructure to support its growing business.
They sought a reliable partner who could provide long-term IT services to improve efficiency, enhance security, and modernise communication systems. Ashdown Solutions was selected for our expertise in managed IT support and telecoms, and our relationship has flourished ever since.
Challenges
As Hartwood Construction expanded, they faced several IT and communication challenges that required immediate attention. Their existing systems were not equipped to handle the increasing volume of data and communications. Key challenges included:
- Outdated Communication Systems: Hartwood Construction was using a simple analogue phone sharing system, which was inefficient and could not support the needs of a growing team. The lack of a modern communication platform led to difficulties in collaboration, and missed opportunities for streamlining project management.
- Data Management Issues: The company was using disparate systems for data storage, which made document management cumbersome and prone to errors. Without a centralised system, it was challenging for team members to access important documents and collaborate effectively.
- Security Concerns: With the growing reliance on digital tools and cloud services, Hartwood Construction needed to ensure that their data and communications were secure. The company required a robust IT and security service to protect against potential cyber threats.
Solutions Provided by Ashdown Solutions
To address these challenges, Ashdown Solutions implemented a comprehensive managed IT support and telecoms solution, tailored specifically for Hartwood Construction. The key components of the solution included:
Migration to Office365: Ashdown Solutions consolidated Hartwood Construction’s business systems and document storage into Office365. By implementing Exchange, OneDrive, and SharePoint, they provided a centralised and secure platform for communication and document management. This migration enabled Hartwood Construction to streamline their workflows, improve collaboration, and ensure that all important documents were stored securely and easily accessible.
Upgrading to Hosted VoIP Platform: Recognising the need for a more flexible communication system, Ashdown Solutions migrated Hartwood Construction from their outdated analogue phone sharing system to a full hosted VoIP platform. This new system, running over a new full fibre internet connection, provided the company with a scalable and reliable communication solution. The hosted VoIP platform gave the company the ability to communicate effectively, both internally and with clients, and allowed for features such as call forwarding, voicemail to email, and conference calling.
Ongoing IT and Security Services: To ensure that Hartwood Construction’s IT infrastructure remained secure and efficient, we provided ongoing monthly IT and security services. These services included regular system updates, proactive monitoring for potential security threats, and 24/7 support to address any IT issues that might arise. By continuously managing and monitoring their IT systems, Ashdown Solutions provided Hartwood Construction with peace of mind, knowing that their data and communications were secure.
Results and Benefits
The ongoing partnership between Hartwood Construction and Ashdown Solutions has been extremely beneficial for the company:
Enhanced Communication: The migration to a hosted VoIP platform has drastically improved communication within Hartwood Construction. The new system is not only more reliable but also offers a range of features that have streamlined operations across the board; they can complete tasks faster, easier, and at a higher quality. The company can also now handle calls more efficiently, reducing downtime so as to improve customer satisfaction.
Improved Collaboration and Efficiency: By consolidating data management into Office365, Hartwood Construction has improved collaboration across internal teams. The centralised system allows for real-time access to documents, which has made project management more efficient and reduced the likelihood of errors within the system.
Increased Security: With Ashdown Solutions providing ongoing IT and security services, Hartwood Construction has significantly reduced their risk of cyber threats. The proactive monitoring and regular updates ensure that their systems are always secure, allowing the company to focus on their core business activities without worrying about IT issues.
Scalability: The services provided by Ashdown Solutions are scalable, allowing Hartwood Construction to continue growing without needing to worry about outgrowing their IT and telecoms infrastructure. We believe technology should be a boon to businesses rather than a blockage, so our support ensures that the company can adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arise without being bogged down by their systems.
Conclusion
The long-term partnership between Hartwood Construction and Ashdown Solutions demonstrates the value of having a reliable and experienced IT support provider. By implementing a tailored managed IT support and telecoms solution, Ashdown Solutions has enabled Hartwood Construction to improve efficiency, enhance security, and support their business growth. With Ashdown Solutions in their corner, Hartwood Construction can focus on what they do best—delivering high-quality construction projects.
