Case Study: Heads Up Leicester
Heads Up Leicester is a UK-registered charity dedicated to supporting families through life’s challenges. Starting out in 1990 as The Centre for Fun & Families, the organisation has grown and developed in to a major provider of family support services, support for young people’s mental health and wellbeing, and the provision of community consultation and engagement across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Vertex founder Pete Moore has been supporting the charity as its outsourced IT manager for over 20 years, right from when there was just a single PC and a dial-up modem.
Where Vertex Adds Value
Over the years as the organisation has changed, moved premises, upsized and downsized, the use of IT has needed to change and adapt to meet the challenges and needs of this vibrant and busy organisation.
Most recently, Vertex has overseen the transformation process from reliance on traditional on-premise infrastructure, through a fully cloud-based model, utilising Microsoft 365 services to their full. All staff now benefit from up to date and fit for purpose laptops, managed and secured by Microsoft Intune and with access to the latest Office application suite thanks to the cost-effective Microsoft licensing available to non-profit organisations. Collaboration capabilities including phone services have been migrated to Microsoft Teams further enhancing operational efficiencies, reducing cost and improving location independent working.
The adoption of a fully cloud-based IT model has allowed the organisation to move to smaller more cost-effective premises now that staff can work securely from any location whilst the security model deployed has allowed the organisation to achieve and maintain Cyber Essentials Certification – which is reviewed and renewed each year by Vertex as part of the IT management service.
Results & Benefits
After implementing our recommended IT strategy, Heads Up Leicester has experienced significant improvements, including:
- Achieved a highly reliable IT environment that "just works."
- Enhanced collaboration and operational efficiency through cloud-based solutions, allowing the organisation to move in to serviced office space saving on operating costs including the need to provide their own connectivity services.
- Reduced IT-related disruptions, allowing staff to focus on their work, with ticket volumes reduced down to almost zero each month.
- Established a technology infrastructure that supports future growth and innovation.
- Achieved and maintained Cyber Essentials Security certification making the organisation eligible to bid for funding from sources that need applicants to demonstrate they take information security seriously.
The Customer View
“The pandemic was a big turning point for our charity’s use of IT. Previously our team was entirely office based with desktop PCs and landlines. Vertex has helped us to realise our ambition, and need, to be able to work securely and effectively from any location. As a charity, we are always mindful of how we spend our time and money to maximum effect. Vertex understands this and the service feels tailored to our needs, rather a one-size fits all.” - Lindsay Woodward, CEO , Heads Up Leicester
