4-page Case Study - Posted 2/4/2008
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Technology Solution Offers Lassoo Media Mobility and Improved Work/Life Balance
Lassoo Media is a full-service media and public relations company, offering a range of communications services from brand strategy to event facilitation.
The company had managed its own IT needs, but realised a need to consolidate its infrastructure to support future growth and moving to new larger premises.
After installing Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 and Windows XP Pro, Lassoo Media now has a centralised IT system which provides reliable backups, greater flexibility and increased productivity.
Situation
Lassoo Media had traditionally managed its own IT needs, but realised a need to consolidate its infrastructure to enhance IT services to staff, and to support future growth.
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Mobility via remote access has been the perfect tool for developing a professional and cohesive brand for Lassoo Media/PR and the freedom to work in or out of the office. We can consolidate one overall company look and feel for staff and contractors for email addresses, fonts, templates and contact details and present an integrated brand to our clients. |
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Anna St George
Director
Lassoo Media |
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Solution
After installing Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 and Windows XP Pro, Lassoo Media now has a centralised IT system which provides reliable backups, greater flexibility and increased productivity.
Office Move Catalyst for Change
As businesswomen and mothers, Lasso Media Directors, Anna St George and Brigitte Franklin, are passionate about offering their employees a flexible working environment.
Like many small businesses, the company had historically managed its own ad hoc IT system but recognised the need to move to a more sophisticated system so it could grow and provide employees with better work/life balance.
“Before we upgraded, we had one computer running as back up and we had a decentralised network. This limited the extent to which we could be flexible with our team’s working hours; it meant that our contractors were unable to send branded emails; and the system wasn’t robust or scalable,” says St George.
“We were about to shift premises and realised that it would be the ideal time to get our technology infrastructure sorted. Our IT partner, Fisheye, began implementing the back end of the new system a week prior to our move and we experienced only half a day of downtime while the rest was installed on the new site. We could have made the transition in an ad hoc way, but as we were moving it made sense to do it all at once. We trusted Fisheye to prescribe the best solution for our needs and felt we need not shop around.”
Since implementing the new system, St George says the company has realised great benefits for employees and strengthened their offering for clients.
Microsoft Small Business Server Offers Flexibility for Employees
St George says she and Franklin started Lassoo Media with a view to give parents of young children, like themselves, more options in working hours and time frames, and the new IT system is helping them fulfil this vision.
“We have a strong team of working parents and one of the ways we can help them is by offering remote access so they’re not tied to the office when they really need to be elsewhere. Our team can be in the office from 10am to 3pm and then work from home in the evening, or work four days a week. Now we can access email on our cell phones which helps us respond to critical issues and enquiries faster.”
“It’s also allowing us to provide a cohesive brand and image because our contractors are now all using the same email addresses and fonts.”
Robust Technology Improves Company’s Integrity
As well as lifting staff morale, the new IT infrastructure has given the company a robust, scalable technology solution.
“One of the problems we had at the old premise is that we were in a holding pattern – we couldn’t implement new technology or software to improve our situation until we had a robust platform to support it. Since the move, we suddenly have the complete technology package and it’s fantastic!”
“Previously, we had bits and pieces but now we are in a really strong position to grow. The solution is scalable which means we’re well placed for growth in terms of IT requirements and staff numbers.”
“We now have a reliable, centralised network which reduces duplication and allows staff to share files easily.”
“It’s also great for our clients who have noticed the changes and are seeing us as a more professional company. It offers our clients a level of comfort and security in knowing that our technology is not about to fall over, and that should also be a criteria for new clients considering boutique agencies,” says St George.
Plans for Technology Expansion
Following the success of this technology rollout, Lassoo Media is now considering a customer relationship management solution.
“Our next desire is to build a strong in-house database for client information, research and multiplatform marketing,” concludes St George.
For More Information
For more information about Microsoft products and services, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400. In Canada, call the Microsoft Canada Information Centre at (877) 568-2495. Customers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can reach Microsoft text telephone (TTY/TDD) services at (800) 892-5234 in the United States or (905) 568-9641 in Canada. Outside the 50 United States and Canada, please contact your local Microsoft subsidiary. To access information using the World Wide Web, go to: www.microsoft.com
For more information about Lassoo Media products and services, call (64) (9) 376 5931 or visit the Web site at: www.lassoomedia.co.nz
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