Workplace environment designers and installers
Business The Company designs, supplies and provides project management for the installation of new office environments. Major business activity is made up of:

  • Workplace furniture and multi-media solutions – design, supply and installation including office furniture, media walls, presentation systems and multi-media solutions

  • Interior fit out – interior contracting including design, supply and installation of office interiors

  • Workplace consultancy - space planning design consultancy.

Existing computer systems included a 35 user Windows NT network and Unix computer running CAD, office productivity software and legacy accounts software.
Size £20m+ turnover, 70+ staff, 5 sites in UK
Functions Project accounting, contracting, CRM, estimating, quotations, sales order processing, purchase order processing, financial ledgers, office productivity including e-mail and internet, project management, CAD
Projects Strategic information needs/define detailed user requirements Supplier selection Implementation project management
Issues Timely management information - Existing systems were unable to produce the required management information on a timely basis without a large amount of manual effort requiring extensive use of ad hoc spreadsheet applications.

Controlling and monitoring projects – Desire to integrate all aspects of a project from first marketing contact, estimate, design and quotation through to contract costs and sales reporting.

Business growth - Expected to continue and management required a sound IT infrastructure to support this anticipated growth.

Improved application integration - Desire to introduce integrated IT into new areas including estimating, design enquiry, project accounting and CRM/telemarketing.

Common systems and inter-office integration - Desire for common systems for all offices.
Outcome A business orientated IT strategy was produced defining the key role IT would play in the future of the business. Detailed functional requirements were determined and collated into an ITT to send to qualified suppliers. Following evaluation of supplier responses and detailed structured demonstrations from a shortlist the Company selected a modified packaged software solution. This 50 user solution integrated applications across all offices running on Windows NT with kilostream links between offices.

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