Z-Tech chose Carat Computer Systems as its preferred IT provider
Background
Z-Tech is a Cambridge-based technology innovation company that develops process control and information monitoring systems for water, energy and transport companies operating in the utility and power industries. Safety and quality of service are key to its success and in order to achieve this, the company is dependent on its highly resilient and robust IT infrastructure for project management and job allocation purposes.
Z-Tech has been trading since 2000 and Carat Computer Systems Ltd has been its preferred supplier of all IT hardware for more than 5 years.
The opportunity for new services
Carat’s long-standing relationship with technical personnel Z-Tech has enabled it to offer comprehensive support for Z-Tech’s entire network as well as supply them with all their IT hardware requirements.
As Z-Tech has continued to grow, it found that meeting the requirements of its expanding customer was taking priority over providing IT support to its internal staff. In addition, its IT growth became reactive as it took on more resource to meet customer needs, which resulted in its overall IT infrastructure not being fully optimised.
In order to maximise internal resource and operate more efficiently, Carat was invited to submit a proposal for the provision of the company’s entire support requirements. This involved providing routine support, such as resolving printer and login issues, for example, as well as providing comprehensive network and server support with remote login and callout facilities.
Carat is now responsible for approximately 100 regular system users.
If IT-related issues cannot be resolved remotely Carat, is required send a qualified engineer to site in order to diagnose and resolve the problem.
Z-Tech has found that by outsourcing its IT support requirements, it has relieved its internal technical resource. Technical personnel are now able to spend their time working on customer projects and expanding the business further.
The challenges
All IT issues have to be resolved as quickly as possible which involves working out of hours if necessary. The majority of Z-Tech’s customers are involved in safety-critical activities and its technical team must be able to respond to their requirements urgently. Having a highly resilient IT infrastructure enables them to do this.
Other services
As a result of its continued success and expanding workforce, Z-Tech was required to move premises in January 2011.
Again, as a result of the long standing relationship between the two companies, Carat was invited to design, plan and install the IT network for the new offices. The project involved sourcing, testing and installing all system hardware. It also involved overseeing the move to ensure minimum disruption to staff or customers.
The future
In order to meet their future business requirements, Z-Tech has recently commissioned Carat to replace their single-server network with a high-availability network. This new installation will allow them to become more efficient in the way they operate and to to easily scale-up their requirements as their business continues to expand. It will also provide them with better resilience and storage facilities.
Customer testimonial
” We have worked with Carat for over 5 years. The IT space is a very busy one but during that time they have always provided us with a good service and they offer value for money. The provide us with all our hardware requirements as well as or IT support needs. Jeremy Bull – Technical Director, Z-Tech.
