Introduction:

Canterbury Archaeological Trust, a renowned archaeology group in the UK, has been partnering with MPR IT Solutions for over 12 years to meet its technology requirements. In 2015, as the charity expanded its staff and locations, the Trust faced a crucial decision regarding its outdated Exchange 2012 server. They had to choose between migrating to the Cloud or investing in another on-premise Exchange server. Limited funds, as is the case with many charities, added to the complexity of the decision-making process. This case study highlights how MPR IT Solutions helped Canterbury Archaeological Trust successfully deploy Microsoft 365, taking into account their unique needs and budget constraints.

The Challenge:

Canterbury Archaeological Trust needed to address the growing demands of its expanding organisation while also considering the cost implications. They required a solution that would facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among their staff at various locations. Furthermore, they needed to integrate their onsite ERP systems with Microsoft Cloud platforms to ensure uninterrupted workflow.

The Solution:

MPR IT Solutions, in close collaboration with the Trust, proposed a solution that perfectly met their requirements. The team secured a full E1 subscription to Microsoft 365 at no cost, making it an obvious choice from a financial standpoint. The migration plan was meticulously executed to minimise downtime and disruption for the staff.

The Results:

The migration from the old Exchange server to Microsoft 365 was executed seamlessly, with many staff members not even noticing the changeover. This ensured that the Trust’s operations continued smoothly without any major interruptions. Integrating the onsite ERP systems with Microsoft Cloud platforms was a critical aspect of the solution, and MPR IT Solutions ensured that email and communications were functioning as intended. The Trust was extremely pleased with the recommended solution and continue working with MPR IT for their Office licenses. Over the years, MPR IT has provided ongoing support and assistance, ensuring that the Trust benefits from the latest security features and enhancements within Office 365. The Trust appreciates the convenience of having a single point of contact in MPR IT for any questions or adjustments to their licenses, eliminating the need to contact Microsoft directly. This level of support and expertise has been invaluable to the Trust’s operations and has contributed to its continued success in the field of archaeology.

Conclusion:

The successful deployment of Microsoft 365 for Canterbury Archaeological Trust showcases the expertise and dedication of MPR IT Solutions in delivering tailored IT solutions to meet the specific needs of businesses. By securing a full E1 subscription to Microsoft 365 free of charge, MPR IT Solutions not only addressed the Trust’s financial constraints but also ensured a seamless transition to a more efficient and collaborative platform. The Trust continues to benefit from the ongoing support and expertise provided by MPR IT Solutions, enabling them to focus on their core work of archaeological research and preservation. If your company requires a reliable IT partner to help you navigate the complexities of technology

Furlonger Specialist Cars, a high-end performance and classic car dealer based in Ashford, Kent, sought to upgrade their outdated POP3 email solution to accommodate their expanding business. With the opening of a second showroom and an increase in staff and service areas, Furlonger required a more manageable and reliable email system. MPR IT Solutions, their long-standing IT partner, proposed the migration to Office 365 as the best solution to address their needs.

With the expansion of their operations, Furlonger’s old POP3 email solution was struggling to cope with the increased demands. The system, although reliable in the past, could no longer meet the scalability requirements. Furlonger needed a solution that would seamlessly integrate with their existing infrastructure and allow for easy manageability.

MPR IT Solutions, experienced in handling complex migrations, quickly recognised the challenges associated with migrating large multi-gigabit PST files. They put together a team of Office 365 migration experts who devised a plan to seamlessly transfer Furlonger’s email system to the cloud-based Office 365 platform. The migration process was carefully executed to ensure minimal disruption to Furlonger’s business operations.

The benefits of migrating to Office 365 were numerous for Furlonger Specialist Cars. By transitioning from their old POP3 email solution to Office 365, they gained access to a range of advanced features that significantly improved their email system. One of the key advantages was the implementation of Exchange-backed emails, which enhanced reliability and security.

MPR IT Solutions, with their expertise in Office 365 migration, quickly and efficiently migrated Furlonger’s email system to the new platform. They demonstrated the new features and functionalities of Exchange-backed emails to Furlonger, showcasing the potential for increased productivity and efficiency. This allowed Furlonger to seamlessly continue their business operations without any interruption or downtime.

Furthermore, Furlonger’s licensing on Office 365 provided them with the opportunity to upgrade to the latest versions of Office at no additional cost. This not only ensured that they had access to the most up-to-date software but also expanded their IT capabilities. With the ability to easily scale their IT infrastructure, Furlonger was able to accommodate their growing business needs, which included the addition of a second showroom and an increase in staff and service areas.

Overall, the migration to Office 365 proved to be a successful solution for Furlonger Specialist Cars. They experienced improved reliability and security with Exchange-backed emails, and the ability to upgrade to the latest versions of Office enhanced their IT capabilities. With MPR IT Solutions’ expertise and seamless migration process, Furlonger was able to embrace cutting-edge technology and streamline their operations.

Since the migration to Office 365, Furlonger has experienced significant improvements in its email system and overall IT infrastructure. The transition was smooth, with no business interruption or downtime. The new system has provided Furlonger with greater manageability and reliability, allowing them to accommodate their expanding business with ease. Their IT capabilities have also grown, as they have expanded their user base from two to over ten employees, supporting their growth as a company.

The successful migration of Furlonger’s email system to Office 365 by MPR IT Solutions has provided the company with a more robust and scalable solution. The advanced features and improved reliability of Office 365 have allowed Furlonger to streamline its operations and focus on its core business of selling high-end performance and classic cars. With the support of MPR IT Solutions, Furlonger has experienced rapid growth in its IT capabilities, enabling it to meet the demands of its expanding business.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, having reliable and efficient IT support is crucial for the smooth operation of any organisation. DAD UK Limited, a leading distributor of mailboxes and the UK’s only manufacturer of Certified secure post boxes, recognised the need for a robust IT support system to enhance their business operations. This case study outlines how DAD UK partnered with MPR IT Solutions to revolutionise its IT support contract and streamline its business processes.

DAD UK Limited, a part of the Decayeux group, has been a reputable player in the industry since 1996. With an office in Kent, they cater to the needs of the UK, Ireland, and the Channel Islands. Before engaging with MPR IT, DAD UK relied on an IT support package that operated on hourly billing. This approach made it challenging for them to predict their monthly IT support budget, leading to financial uncertainty and hindered growth.

DAD UK faced several challenges with its existing IT support model. The unpredictable costs associated with hourly billing, coupled with the inability to forecast their IT support budget, posed significant obstacles to their business planning. Moreover, limited accessibility to IT support staff resulted in delayed resolution of critical IT issues, causing disruptions in their daily operations.

Recognising the unique needs of DAD UK, MPR IT Solutions proposed a fully inclusive support package to address their challenges. The MPR IT team conducted a thorough review of DAD UK’s business requirements and existing IT systems. With a clear understanding of their needs, MPR IT worked closely with DAD UK to seamlessly transition to outsourced IT support.

The comprehensive IT support contract offered by MPR IT allowed DAD UK to have full access to its IT support team. This ensured that any IT issues could be resolved promptly, minimising downtime and disruptions to their operations. The new support structure provided a sense of security for DAD UK, knowing that their staff had a reliable and efficient IT support system in place.

The partnership between DAD UK and MPR IT Solutions has yielded significant benefits for DAD UK. Firstly, the transition from hourly billing to a monthly fixed-rate support cost has provided DAD UK with financial stability and predictability. They can now effectively budget for their IT support, allowing them to allocate resources towards enhancing their IT infrastructure throughout the year.

Secondly, the accessibility and responsiveness of the MPR IT support desk have greatly improved the reaction and solution speeds for DAD UK’s IT issues. Any employee can now easily reach out to the support team, enabling faster resolution of problems and minimising any impact on daily operations.

Lastly, the collaboration between DAD UK and MPR IT has fostered a closer working relationship. MPR IT is not just a service provider but a true partner to DAD UK. This close partnership has resulted in better communication and collaboration between the employees of both companies, leading to a more cohesive and efficient work environment.

Emmanuel Charbonnel, Director of DAD UK, shares his positive experience with MPR IT Solutions: “Moving to a ‘Monthly Fixed Rate’ support cost from a ‘Pay as you Use’ scheme has improved our IT support structure in many ways. Firstly, there are no hidden surprises at the end of the month with invoices. We know what our bill will be and can budget accordingly, allowing us to invest in our IT infrastructure during the year. Secondly, any of our employees can now contact the MPR support desk, which in turn, improves the reaction and solution speeds. And lastly, it has resulted in a closer working environment between all employees across our two companies, making MPR a true partner.”

DAD UK’s decision to partner with MPR IT Solutions for their IT support needs has proven to be a transformative step for their business. With a fully inclusive support contract, DAD UK now enjoys financial stability, enhanced accessibility to IT support, and improved reaction and solution speeds. The partnership between DAD UK and MPR IT Solutions has created a close working relationship, facilitating better collaboration and efficiency within the organisation. If your company is seeking tailored IT solutions to meet your specific business needs, consider the success story of DAD UK and MPR IT Solutions as a testament to the value of a reliable and efficient IT support system.