IT Roadmap at Centre 404

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”2323″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”none”][ult_animation_block animation=”No Animation” animation_duration=”3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_iteration_count=”1″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]Centre 404 is a charity that offers vital support services to people with learning disabilities, autism and their families across 7 London Boroughs. The charity brought Smartdesc on board to support and improve their IT estate.[/vc_column_text][dt_vc_list dividers=”false”]

Challenge

Centre 404 were using old, disjointed IT systems that needed overhauling and consolidating. This meant they were facing numerous challenges including:

• Frustrated staff logging frequent IT support tickets, resulting in high costs
• Out-dated infrastructure, technology and VPNs
• Relying on physical hardware & servers that were difficult and costly to maintain
• Convoluted IT set up across multiple sites providing an awkward/fragmented user experience

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Marisa McDermott, Head of Finance and IT, Centre 404 –

“We are really happy working with Smartdesc. It’s really helpful having a single point of contact. Our projects have been a bit complex but Smartdesc have made it really easy and the team have handled it well. The support Smartdesc provide has been first class.”

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Solution

The Smartdesc team provided expert strategic IT advice and oversight, working closely with Centre 404 to co-author a technology roadmap based on secure, cloud-first Microsoft IT infrastructure. The work involved:

• Migrating the charity to Microsoft 365 and Azure, taking their physical servers to the cloud
• Migrating Shared Files off the old file server, into a newly designed SharePoint / Teams / OneDrive environment
• Removing the VPN and moving to AzureAD (Entra), providing a streamlined user experience with single sign on
• Standardising the charity’s internet connectivity across the sites, all centrally managed
• Overhauling and re-cabling the communications cabinets, making it easier to access and manage
• Working closely with Centre 404 staff to map out an IT Training Plan tailored to individual user needs
• Enabling easier staff training on IT and the new systems through a seamless user experience

After implementing Smartdesc’s IT strategy, Centre 404 saw drastic improvements, including more than a 50% decrease in IT support tickets logged by staff.[/dt_vc_list][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][dt_fancy_separator line_thickness=”2″][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][dt_vc_list dividers=”false”]

Results

• Drastically reducing the IT support days needed logged by staff by 50% – over 5 days per month
• Streamlined IT infrastructure and connections that are secure, cloud-based and future-proofed
• Bespoke IT roadmap developed to monitor progress, goals and user satisfaction
• Much improved staff satisfaction and confidence using IT through improved tools and training

[/dt_vc_list][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][vc_column_text]To download the pdf version of this case study, click here or the button below.[/vc_column_text][dt_default_button link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smartdesc.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F11%2FCase-Study-Centre-404-IT-Roadmap.pdf|target:_blank” size=”medium” default_btn_border_color=”#fe6538″ default_btn_bg_color=”#fe6538″]Download here[/dt_default_button][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row]