Ignis is an independent, through-the-line marketing agency that has a range of clients interested in innovative ideas to deliver improved bottom line performance.

What was the problem?

Ignis had spent heavily in the past to develop a good, reliable IT system using Novell technology and a mixture of Macs and PCs for their team of 20 staff?. Over time, however, the company had found that Novell’s software was restricting their ability to share information and to use newer Windows-based packages. Meanwhile, many of the company’s clients and competitors were using the latest Microsoft products that appeared to offer greater flexibility and speed. Things came to a head when Ignis decided to replace its servers and upgrade the network of PCs – and asked Connect to advise them on the best options available.

How did Connect help?

Connect looked at a variety of solutions to help tackle the problems facing Ignis and recommended that the most cost effective solution would be Connect’s Technology Outsource. This would mean the installation of new PCs and servers across the whole company combined with helpdesk support. However, instead of having to fund the new equipment up front, Ignis would simply pay a fixed monthly fee over the next three years, covering the cost of hardware, software and IT support. The company has seen immediate benefits in being able to use the latest technology – from simple tasks like arranging meetings using Microsoft Exchange to more complex sharing of data and information. The changes have had a major impact in improving communications within the company and, critically, with Ignis’ clients. As a result, the company can now concentrate on developing creative ideas for clients rather than worrying about their IT.