Martyn Gerrard
"Partnering with Xara was one of the shrewdest business decisions I have made"
Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents was setup in 1968 and is now one of the longest serving and most successful Estate Agents in North London, spanning 8 sites across 4 boroughs of London.
During their 40 years of trading Martyn Gerrard have perfected their sales care, their company policies and their services. They have been successful due to their commitment, dedication and excellence in their fields.
The only part of their business which was letting them down was their IT.
Martyn Gerrard need permanently connected access to a stable central data system, they require each branch to effectively and efficiently communicate and share data seamlessly.
They require stunning but simple technology to show off their window fronts and need systems that can deal with their demanding daily requirements.
Our Service
Martyn Gerrard had become frustrated with their original IT provider. Downtime was in days per month, fixes for solutions were taking weeks, employees were resorting to pen and paper to record necessary information, emails were not being received and bouncing, each branch was working standalone to the other and communication was non-existent. Website usage was unmonitored and abused. Data was not backing up and systems were filled with viruses.
An ongoing issue with their email server which caused endless downtime and loss of data was resolved within a few hours by Xara and confidence was instilled in Martyn Gerrard. The system was working much more reliably within days of Xaras intervention and employees were back to normal working practices immediately.
When the time came to replace the servers, Xara planned a full overhaul and reconfiguration. The entire Head Office was stripped of IT and setup on Xara’s test- bench. The PC’s were backed up, upgraded where necessary and re-installed. The server hardware was improved to the correct requirements.
A reconfigured network, setup properly following Xaras procedures and policies ensuring efficiency and security on the network. Within 2 days Martyn Gerrard had a brand new, correctly configured, stable system which allowed them to operate in line with the technology available and increase revenues without worrying about loss of data and loss of services.
All the above was carried out over 36hrs, including collection, inventory, audit, backup, cleanup, upgrade, re-install, restore, reconfig and installation on site. Meaning little or no downtime during a critical time of the year.
Logs, CD’s and licence details are stored at Xara’s secure site, maintained and updated to ensure they are up-to-date.
The Unexpected
Xara don’t stop there. Any business can be improved with regards to technology and cost savings. If we can improve the functioning of a business’ IT infrastructure or reduce costs in anyway, then this frees up time and money in order for that company to focus on building and sustaining a profitable client base.
Excessive call costs were a major factor for the running of the business and Xara took it upon themselves to offer VOIP solutions in order to reduce phone charges, which totalled in the tens of thousands between branches.
The VOIP solution initially installed already bared fruitful. They have saved money, and freed up telephone lines for clients to call through on. Due to the initial success of the VOIP solution put in place a more widespread system has now been implemented furthering the savings on telephone calls.
Xara also introduced the use of Blackberrys into Martyn Gerrard and the employees now cannot imagine life without them. Having emails on the go for agents and the core business employees, means a connection to the Martyn Gerrard network regardless of location.
Their recent major office moves have been carried out within budget, within timelines and to a high calibre. The relationship is such that Xara have been contracted for most of the work, not just the IT, but also electrical work, cabling, CCTV, and more.
The Results
Martyn Gerrard have grown tremendously over the past 4 years and are now running a 9 server network, performing all types of functionality. All branches are linked directly to the head office where emails and management services are stored.
We have implemented uniformity across all branches including, internet restrictions, file permissions, desktop settings, software access and signatures. So each branch works together as one.
Xara are on hand no matter what the issue is. With a reliable system in place Martyn Gerrard employees have been able to extend their skill set in order to further their business through the technologies they have in place, maximising output and increasing usability.
Productivity has increased considerably, employees have been trained to be more technology savvy and have adapted brilliantly to the functionality available. They now rely heavily on the IT network and can trust that should there be an issue, Xara will go out of their way to make sure it is resolved quickly, quietly and to the highest level.
The Future
Martyn Gerrard continue to be a valuable client and have received the same expert service since day 1 with Xara. Whether Martyn Gerrard decide to open further offices in the coming years to broaden their market or whether they decide to stay as they are, they can do, safe in the knowledge their IT will enable them to work as one.
ShelleySandzer
"We are delighted with your service and your extremely high standards."
ShelleySandzer & Company are a multi-award winning firm of property consultants specifically for the leisure industry.
The firm are involved with restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, casinos, hotels and health clubs throughout the UK, and have an endless string of returning clients.
The company has one central site in London where all operations are carried out. From appointment bookings, property research, enquiries to customer management, portfolio management and much more.
The firms applications are fairly standard, however their reliance on IT is of paramount importance and thus a stable and reliable IT platform is required to ensure they can run their business all of the time.
Employees work with an off the shelf application, as well as using email, internet and other Microsoft applications. Having access to emails, schedules and contacts on the move is essential and mobile devices are in constant use.
Our Service
ShelleySandzer initially contracted Xara in 2000 and after a good few years services decided to opt for a cheaper service elsewhere in order to tighten their outgoings at renewal.
It wasn’t too long before ShelleySandzer realised the personal touch, expertise and reliance Xara gave them was not forthcoming from their “cheaper” less competent provider and they contacted us again in order to resolve the many issues they were now suffering.
Regular downtime and mis-configured systems meant ShelleySandzer were unable to perform to their maximum capacity and they were not benefitting from their IT as they could.
Xara initially resolved their downtime issues, then began to design and implement a more robust network for their needs. Within a very short period of time ShelleySandzer were able to work without the irritation of IT problems and their support issues resolved in industry leading times.
Access to Emails and calendars on the go were setup through blackberry and Iphone devices and consultants now stay connected all of the time.
Xara’s managed backbone monitors ShelleySandzers critical applications and systems and automatically resolves issues instantly no matter what the time.
Xara’s security implementation means users are free from the annoyance of continuing speed issues and productivity at ShelleySandzer has increased considerably.
ShelleySandzer is now confident that their IT infrastructure is suitable and reliable for all their needs now and into the future.
The Results
ShelleySandzer are a nationally established firm of property consultants who use a unique approach to their service offerings. In turn they require a service that offers them the same and Xara’s service fits perfectly with that.
Issues in ShelleySandzers IT have been rectified and a more future proofed plan and solution has been developed with ShelleySandzers daily activities accounted for.
The Unexpected
Seeing a client leave our family of clients still pinches no matter how professionally you run your business. Fortunately ShelleySandzer’s reasons for leaving were not down to service and their return to using Xara recently means we are definitely offering a service that meets their high standards.
The Future
ShelleySandzer love to be involved in any new technology, and Xara make it a point to introduce them to any new applications, or hardware that may improve the way they run their daily tasks. With regular meetings to discuss business tasks and pain points in the way they work, we work together with ShelleySandzer to introduce more friendly ways of working that speed up processes and reduce errors.
FurnitureCraft International
"I am in no doubt that due to reliable technology, an efficient, professional IT infrastructure and support service we have been able to meet our growth targets faster and with more confidence."
"Now, we can work from any location at any time and be certain we’ll have the availability of our IT to do business whenever we require.”
Furniture Craft International (FCI) was set up in 1985 with one 5,000ft2 showroom. Today, FCI is one of the largest furniture and lifestyle houses in the UK.
The company has multiple sites across the UK, including a successful online shop and a team of 30 highly regarded interior designers.
Each site needs to be connected to the main product database and to the company-wide data and services at head office.
The design team needs flexible access to high specification workstations for design work and rendering at all branches of the business.
The sales and admin teams need a stable system to maintain thousands of clients, products and orders efficiently, coupled with a reliable and robust email system.
The offshore offices need permanent access to emails and stock.
Our Service
FCI chose Xara to provide immediate IT support for problems as they arose and to design a strategy to reduce costs and improve performance.
Our initial brief was for a single showroom with a handful of staff and workstations. We designed software and hardware systems that met their needs and also allowed for future expansion without further investment.
FCI relies on regular communications, design work and the transfer of product data from the offices in India to the head office in London and to branches.To reduce time and cost, Xara recommended an internet-based video conferencing system. Branch managers can now speak face-to-face without travelling; new product lines can be introduced throughout the network, and international communication works super-efficiently.
We also integrated mail services for their offshore branched and created an email solution for them to extend their UK presence internationally.
Over the years, we’ve worked closely with the company, ensuring their IT systems were always ready for the next stage of growth.
The Results
Today, FCI has the largest showrooms in the UK, displaying the most exclusive pieces from the world's best designers.
Throughout their phenomenal growth, they’ve been able to rely on IT systems that did their job perfectly. In a nutshell – they’ve been able to concentrate on furniture and interior design rather than on IT.
A system built for purpose, installed to the highest standards and maintained proactively means fewer problems and less downtime. This, backed by a professional team that understands the company’s needs now and into the future, can only result in a success.
The Unexpected
Xara gets it right – but that’s not true of everyone. A few years ago, builders accidentally cut into the company’s data and phone network cabling, leaving FCI without any access to their data.
They could have lost business and faced major disruption – a 200-point certified cabling job can take many weeks of work to re-install.
Within an hour of the disaster, Xara was on-site running temporary cabling to get the business operational immediately and to ensure the remote branches could trade.
We worked round-the-clock and achieved the impossible in just two days – cabling completed, tested and certified; the company back in business.
The Future
We’ve worked with FCI for ten years and will go on providing day-to-day support, expert advice and innovation, to take them to wherever they want to go next.
TRS Cash & Carry
"It gives me great confidence to know we have the full attention of your dedicated team"
TRS Cash & Carry was founded just over 50 years ago and is now one of the largest suppliers of fine ethnic foods in the UK and throughout Europe.
From warehousing, sales, distribution, packaging and exports, TRS covers all bases.
The company has multiple sites across London, including a warehouse, cash & carry’s and a production site.
The company runs a state of the art stock and epos system, which runs in parallel with their administrative windows network.
Each site needs to be connected to both systems in order to have flawless continuity across branches and buildings.
The office staff need to have access to email, banking, accounting, stock management and other office applications. Whilst the shop floor staff need access primarily to a fully functional and reliable shop floor system.
Our Service
TRS chose Xara to provide 3rd line IT support services and management to begin with. After TRS were more than comfortable with Xara’s service, Xara were contracted to manage the entire IT service solution for the organisation.
This included implementing bespoke networking and managed switch installation with failover. A more reliable internet connection, stable backup and disaster recovery solutions were also implemented, as well as immediate IT support for problems as they arose and proactive infrastructure maintenance.
TRS office and shop floor employees need to have a reliable IT infrastructure in place to manage the demand from daily tasks, walk-in customers and international buyers and sellers.
The first point of failure for the staff was between the links to each building/location. Xara designed and implemented a reliable switch solution which enabled the employees of TRS, not only to have more efficient network access, but to minimise downtime should any failure occur. This also fit in perfectly with TRS’ move to an IP based Shop Floor system, the failover implemented means that the day to day trading on the shop floor is continuous and unaffected.
TRS have various 3rd party suppliers for their IT software systems and Xara liaise with all of these in order to ensure maximum compatibility and the correct environment for the running, backup and recovery of each application.
Xara’s managed backbone regularly pushes patches out to each workstation, after Xara’s approval and all workstations are kept uniform by removing unnecessary features.
We also integrated mail services for their offshore branched and created an email solution for them to extend their UK presence internationally.
Over the past 5 years Xara and TRS have built a strong professional relationship. TRS’ IT is its backbone for trading for now and they can be certain their systems will heed them well into the future.
The Results
Today, TRS are a well known and recognised house-hold name. They have one of the largest client bases in the South and continue to go from strength to strength, with their innovative foresight and excellent customer service.
Issues in their IT infrastructure were outlined by Xara from the outset and steps made to ensure these didn’t cause adverse effects early on. Moves to new technology and software were seamless and TRS now lead the way for Cash and Carry technology.
The Unexpected
Despite expert planning, Xara understand that unforeseen complications may arise, but Xara still have the capability to reduce the impact these cause.
Recently, a system managed by an independent provider and not part of the TRS network, was corrupted. Departmental data worth millions was lost, and despite the system not being part of Xara’s Network, we worked around the clock to help TRS recover, re-install and repair the system.
TRS could have been sent back to pen and paper due to this and they could have lost face not to mention suffer major disruption.
Within hours of the disaster, Xara were on-site starting the repair and recovery procedure. The system is back up and running and steps have been made to ensure the system is sufficiently protected for the future and the management of this system has now been passed entirely to Xara.
The Future
TRS’ attitude towards IT is to be at the cutting edge. They are always looking at ways to improve what they have and invest in a stable IT infrastructure to ensure their business doesn’t suffer or get left behind. Xara are constantly working with TRS to ensure the systems move with the times, and improve the way they work.
