"The responsiveness and 'can do' approach from Harbour has allowed Pacific to deliver on the often rapid evolution required of the business."
Phillip Pitt, Managing Director
The Challenge
Pacific Boating Group was looking to open at a third location, and realised it definitely needed to consolidate its IT infrastructure.
Its Pittwater and Carabita offices were effectively operating as two separate businesses, with a server at each location to which local computers connected. The data on each of the servers was synchronised, but the process took a long time. Staff at the two locations also used different documents and templates.
The lack of integration between systems at the two sites led to inefficient business processes. For example, when a member returned a boat and it was refuelled, the charging information had to be faxed to the main office for data entry.
"Frustration with speed, accuracy, delay, and lack of uniformity were the ongoing problems," says Phillip Pitt, Managing Director at Pacific Boating Group. "We didn't have the personnel capacity, or the knowledge, to manage our own IT infrastructure, so things were not running smoothly."
How We Helped
Phillip Pitt contacted Harbour IT after a recommendation from a business partner. He explained the organisation's IT objectives, and the current problems it was experiencing.
Harbour IT recommended, and implemented, a single server to which all Pacific Boating Group offices can connect, eliminating the old synchronisation issues.
Running from a single server allowed Pacific Boating Group to standardise its templates and documents, and streamline its business processes. The result? Time savings equivalent to a whole staff member!
"The consolidated server solution Harbour IT has delivered is simpler to use and faster," says Phillip Pitt. The biggest benefit however," says Phillip Pitt, "is that system allows Pacific Boating staff to provide a greater level of service to customers, by providing up-to-date, accurate information in a more timely manner."
The Result
Pacific Boating Group enjoys a range of benefits including:
- A securely hosted server, fully managed by Harbour IT
- High speed access to information across a secure network
- No duplication of information
- Standard hardware and software
- Improved business processes and resulting time savings
- Cost savings in staff time
- Full visibility over IT performance from weekly, monthly and quarterly reports
- A monthly review with Harbour IT, to discuss any issues, analyse trends and plan for change
- Strong relationships with Harbour IT staff
- A flexible infrastructure that can grow according to changing business requirements
"A big criterion was high speed access. The available comms link wasn't very good and we needed to decide where to house the infrastructure as there was no real space around. We then had to go about setting up the applications, alongside getting email and data migrated. Harbour IT had a mammoth task but it was done very seamlessly."
"As a customer, we also value the fact that all staff at Harbour IT are extremely friendly - they have a tremendous understanding of services and their offering. They also take that extra step to understand their customers' needs in depth. We also appreciate being able to form long term relationships with their people."
About Pacific Boating Group
Pacific Boating Group offers luxury boating memberships to inpiduals, families and corporates. Membership provides access to the group's luxury sports cruisers on both Pittwater and Sydney Harbour. Members enjoy a 5 star boating lifestyle without the high costs and maintenance headaches of ownership.
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