IT Solutions: Case Study
See how Principal's ongoing support, advice and training cut costs, reduced waste and increased efficiencies for a growing accountancy firm.
Sprucing Up
Transformations
By June 2007, accountancy firm Underwood Barron was expanding fast. With downtime on the system and brimming filing cabinets, the company wanted to streamline its practice.
Partner Clive Underwood remembers that.
"Things were slow." And filing? "It was very frustrating. The file was never where you wanted it, or someone else had it out. It was the physical thing of retrieving it that was problematic."
Underwood Barron needed help. Could Principal rise to the challenge?
More Than Meets the Eye
Principal showed it was not merely a printer-copier business. It reviewed Underwood Barron's proposed office specification, suggested adjustments and formulated a plan: the team could install efficient new servers, hardware, software and workstations. And Invu document management software could revolutionise filing methods.
"We had tried electronic document management unsuccessfully a few years earlier," recalls Clive Underwood, "so we viewed it with trepidation. However, Invu improved our efficiency and cut down costs, storage and time."
Keeping Up Appearances
Within 3 months, Underwood Barron looked and felt great. But wasn't it a major upheaval? Not so, says Clive Underwood.
"In the end, there was only a little pre-planned downtime while the software was being installed into the hardware," he explains, "but we were soon up and running. It has been running perfectly ever since."
Getting Up to Speed
Underwood Barron were pleased with its new look – but how did staff adjust? With ongoing support from Principal, says Underwood.
"We had a day's training from Principal," he continues, "and if we want updates, we just phone up. They will pop in, say hi, suggest new upgrades and tell us about any shortcuts. We have to evolve and upgrade. Principal's support allows us to do that."
Staying Up to Date
Underwood Barron believes that Principal's service is now an integral part of the firm's evolution.
"They will let us know if there are any good deals. Is that pushy sales? No, because they will only suggest something that will benefit or enhance our business," enthuses Clive Underwood. "They present a logical argument, and leave us with the pros and cons."
Lasting Impression
As they launch their second office in Lymington, the partners want Principal's help.
"It's like having an in-house team," says Clive Underwood. "Okay, you pay for the support, but it's good value for the peace of mind you get. It has been well worth the outlay for the support and efficiency that Principal provides."
Another day, another satisfied client.
