28 March 2014
Hurst Financial is a privately owned independent financial adviser practice based in Salisbury. It has a team of six advisers and two admin staff, and until 2012 the firm managed its own IT system which comprised a server, eight workstations, an intranet with a database, plus several bespoke software packages.
The system’s remote access capability was slightly cumbersome so Hurst’s advisors couldn’t work from home or their clients’ offices. The company also relied on two backup servers for data storage, and when one of these failed, the company decided to upgrade its IT and looked for an alternative solution.
Most of the IT companies Hurst spoke to simply recommended the purchase of new PCs, servers and software packages – a cost of around £35k. Not only was this outlay prohibitive, it didn’t make sense to move to a more expensive version of the current system, particularly without remote access capability.
Hurst then looked into cloud computing options and approached WorkPlaceLive, a division of Horizon Computer Solutions, which offered hosted desktop solutions at affordable prices. Chairman Mike Hurst says: “We realised that a hosted desktop solution would provide the capability and flexibility we required.”
Hurst opted for WorkPlaceLive’s hosted desktop solution to solve its IT issues and gain robust remote access. Crucially, the system integrated with Hurst’s intranet which had been tailor-made for the firm. WorkPlaceLive’s solution also integrated with business-critical software that is used by the company’s advisors to measure risk. Financial Services Authority regulations obliges all IFAs to have such systems in place, so it was vital for the advisors to have access to this software.
“WorkPlaceLive reassured us that all our software, databases and data would work through its hosted desktop solution,” says Hurst. “The migration was seamless and as soon as we had signed contracts, the company transferred all our data across and tested it. Five days later, the new system was up and running.”
WorkPlaceLive says its system has “revolutionised” Hurst’s business, changing the way advisors work and saving the firm considerable money as it didn’t have to invest in any new PCs. All the IT administration, software licensing updates and security are now taken care of by WorkPlaceLive which also hosts the company’s data in its highly secure UK data centre, as well as providing DR services and dedicated helpdesk support.
