CASE STUDY: Big Button
PROBLEM: Big Button was growing fast. Unfortunately, its IT systems were struggling to keep up!
Big Button is a corporate television and multimedia company that specialises in creating videos and streaming them over the internet. The company was growing fast. Unfortunately, its IT systems were struggling to keep up! As the company grew, it moved into four separate rooms. “It was getting to the stage where we couldn’t shout across the room and find out what everyone was doing,” says creative director Mark Burgess. Big Button needed a central IT hub that would let them keep track of what was going on. They also needed a system that would let them stay in touch while they were working offsite, for example at a shoot or when they visited a client.
SOLUTION: James.Cash.co.uk recommended a Microsoft Small Business Server and smart phones with Windows Mobile.
Big Button had been using POP3 mailboxes. This limited employees’ ability to access mail remotely and keep it synchronised between, say a mobile phone and a desktop PC. It also doesn’t support shared calendars and contacts. The new server software ended these limitations. It allowed them to share calendars and gave them a full email capability, including the ability to synchronise email on laptops and mobile phones. James Cash also installed a new backup system.
RESULT: 'Straightaway, the Server helped us enormously,” says Burgess.
He can check colleagues’ diaries instantly using Microsoft Outlook. “When someone phones in, I can schedule an appointment while they are on the phone.” It doesn’t take three calls to check everyone’s availability.
All Big Button’s files and mail are stored on the server now.
They are backed up regularly using Small Business Server’s built-in backup software. Before they got it, everyone stored their own files on laptops and PCs. “If they got stolen, it would have been a nightmare to recreate all my past work,” says Burgess, “but now I can get back to where I was within half an hour. It’s brilliantly reassuring.”
The biggest payback has been the ability to work anywhere and still have access to all their data.
The team use smart phones running Windows Mobile software. They can see their calendar, email and contacts on the phone and they are updated constantly over the mobile network. As they work away from the office on a regular basis, this enables them to stay in touch very easily.
Could Big Button do without the solution implemented by James.Cash.co.uk?
“No! It would be a massive, massive loss to the business. We use it every day and it’s hard to imagine life without it.” Burgess, Director, Big Button.
"We have been working with James Cash since 2004, and have been delighted with the service. The company's response time is excellent, and on the rare occasion that a problem can't be solved remotely then we always get a very prompt visit from an engineer. The equipment that James Cash have purchased on our behalf has been extremely reliable, and I am happy to say that the entire system just 'works', allowing us to get on with running our business. Add to that a very personal and friendly level of service from staff who know all about our network and the specific IT challenges of our industry. We would recommend James Cash without reservation and look forward to continuing to work with them as we grow."
Mark Burgess | Managing Director (Creative) | Big Button