INITIALS Marketing, a highly regarded full service creative communications agency has selected Pensar to deliver managed IT services, business continuity and 24/7 support for its critical Microsoft Windows and Apple based IT infrastructure.
The agency was formed in May 2006 by senior board members from some of London’s top creative communications agencies with a pedigree that includes over 150 industry awards, nationally and internationally. INITIALS Marketing was the winner of the 2011 IPM Agency of the Year award working with household names including Samsung, Sainsbury’s, BBC and Peugeot, amongst many others.
In common with many creative agencies, INITIALS has a large estate of Apple based desktop, laptops and mobile devices. Following concerns regarding its incumbent IT service provider’s ability to deal effectively with Apple technology alongside its Microsoft systems, INITIALS decided to investigate alternatives.
With over 50 users based at offices near Piccadilly Circus in central London, INITIALS needed an IT service provider with local coverage and the ability to respond, day or night, to users often working unusual hours in response to the needs of its clients. Data security is also a vital consideration as INITIALS needs to maintain secure archives of artwork, video and documents on behalf of clients for an extended period of time.
Following a rigorous tender process, INITIALS selected Pensar, based on its proven track record working with similar creative and Apple centric organisations, and the depth of its service offering. To understand the environment, Pensar staff conducted a full audit and evaluation of the existing IT setup. This process uncovered less than adequate backup and disaster recovery provisions and several security issues, and helped define a clearer strategy to help INITIALS improve its overall IT position.
“It is easy to sing the praises of the Pensar team, in one word – awesome!,” says Richard Barrett, Managing Director for INITIALS Marketing, “The on-site team has been utterly fantastic, they have given me a full debrief of everything they found and all that they have done, and I can honestly say that I feel the weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”
Following the audit, Pensar has reorganised key communication and server rooms and implemented a combined on-site and remote backup system for critical data to improve INITIALS business continuity position. Pensar now offers support across both Apple and Microsoft based desktop technology and the full spectrum of devices including Blackberry, Apple, Microsoft, Nokia smartphones, pads and tablets, with full 24/7 coverage.
“Pensar has provided us with confidence that our IT is properly supported and the technical staff we deal with have the knowledge and ability to resolve any issues in a timely fashion,” explains Barrett.
Pensar is now working with INITIALS to reuse some of its older decommissioned servers as a local file archive and a longer term plan to upgrade its telephony system to take advantage of new collaboration and user productivity tools.
“INITIALS is a great example of an organisation that embraces all manner of technology to meet the needs of its clients,” explains Mark Williams, Managing Director of Pensar, “Simply supporting Windows desktops is not enough for most modern businesses and as the BYOD trend grows, the ability to support a wider remit of devices and operating systems is increasingly critical for a successful IT service provider.”
About Pensar
Since it founded in 1996, Pensar Systems Ltd has grown to become one of London and the South East’s leading IT service providers with expertise covering both Apple and Microsoft environments. Pensar supports over 100 clients around the capital and is part of the Apple Consultants Network and Microsoft Partner community.
Alongside consultancy, implementation, maintenance and support, Pensar provides a range of managed services including Disaster Recovery, Mobile Device Management and Cloud Computing. Pensar is also the only UK based Apple focused recipient of a MSPmentor Top 50 Award for leading managed service providers across Europe.
More information: https://www.pensar.co.uk
About INITIALS Marketing
INITIALS Marketing is a creative communications agency, with in-house teams specialising in all aspects of below the line creation and activation, including event & experiential, promotional, shopper and digital marketing sectors.
At INITIALS, we believe our approach is a little different, we have 4 centres of excellence in Shopper Marketing, Promotional Marketing, Digital Communications and Experiential Marketing and a group of dedicated people that always ensure that the correct mix of this experience is brought to bare on every brief we receive. Two basic ingredients contribute to delivering campaigns that really make a difference. Firstly, an exciting, innovative idea that will have heads turning. Secondly, a team of experienced, committed people whose expertise and attention to detail is second to none.
