THE CHALLENGE – require a managed service provider

Community Together CIC (Community Interest Company) helps people in South Staffordshire to ’grow well’, ’live well’ and ’age well’ by offering mental and physical wellbeing, plus practical support, information, advice and guidance.

When the CIC was formed in 2011, founder Lee Bates managed all the IT aspects, alongside the day-to-day management of the organisation.

The CIC has grown tremendously since those early days, due to the quality of support offered to the community. As a result, Lee now has to focus more on the strategic organisational aspects, so needed to look for help with IT management.

THE OPPORTUNITY – support the IT network infrastructure

Lee Bates was introduced to First Class Technologies (FCT) through a networking event organised by the Community Foundation for Staffordshire.

Lee discussed with Richard how First Class might help to support the organisation’s IT network infrastructure and its users, and a plan of action was established.

Community Together CIC has a main office at Offa House in central Tamworth, plus a satellite site in Tamworth Castle Grounds.

The first task was to understand what IT equipment Community Together had, in order to understand what IT support would be required.

With around 16 staff members, the CIC runs a cluster of HP computer base units and a number of Lenovo laptops. Whilst new equipment has been purchased by the CIC as and when needed, the organisation had no cohesive IT strategy.

Lee explains: “If someone needed a new laptop, we’d just purchase one online, then purchase a new Microsoft 365 licence for that machine. As a result, we ended up with several different licences that we didn’t need! The team at First Class was able to review everything we had in order to streamline and simplify it. This will now make our IT easier to manage and less complicated to budget for, whilst helping us future proof the organisation too.”

First Class also identified a saving for the organisation regarding internet services. The Community Together office in central Tamworth spans two floors, and had ended up with a separate internet service on each floor, thereby paying twice the service fees. First Class has rescued this situation, and set up one internet source for both the ground floor and upstairs office, saving the organisation money each month.

Whilst Community Together was running Microsoft 365, providing the flexibility it needed for both staff and remote associate workers to use the network, its back-up systems needed to be reviewed. First Class was able to provide advice and support with regard to backing up the Microsoft 365 files, to keep the organisation’s data safe.

As part of this, First Class recommended installing BitDefender anti-virus (with web protection) software on all the PCs and laptops, to assist with cyber security and help bolster the Cyber Essentials certification for Community Together.

First Class also installed a Remote Monitoring Access utility on the 16 devices, to allow the IT support team to be able to help the organisation more quickly and efficiently. First Class also helped Community Together move documents and files from OneDrive to Sharepoint, to streamline data access.

The team also implemented a Microsoft Azure Active Directory with multi factor authentication (MFA) to secure logins.

Now, the support team at First Class can proactively manage Community Together’s IT infrastructure, including daily back-ups and running IT hardware checks to identify any potential issues. The helpdesk also provides telephone support to help fix any issues as part of a monthly managed service provider contract.

IN CONCLUSION – excellent IT support provision

Lee Bates says: “We’ve received excellent support from First Class, and we’re delighted to have them as our IT partner. Even though we’ve only been working with them for the last few months, they already know our systems as well as, if not better, than us!

“The transition from Community Together managing its own IT, to handing it over to First Class has been seamless.

We’ve already established a strong relationship with Richard, Rob, Lee and the rest of the FCT team. Nothing is ever too much trouble for them, they’re always happy to help.

“IT is one of the most important aspects of an organisation, yet isn’t always managed by the right person. I’ve never been IT trained, but from the early days of the CIC, if there was an IT issue it became my responsibility to sort it out. The IT management role just stuck with me! It’s such a relief to be able to hand the management of our IT over to First Class now, knowing we’re much better off in their experienced and capable hands. It also frees up my time and energy to be able to concentrate on my role as Chief Operating Officer for Community Together.

“Being a CIC, we have a limited IT budget, which we thought might be an issue when working with a managed service provider. However, we’ve been impressed with how cost effective First Class has been with its IT recommendations . The team really seems to understand the not-for-profit sector. As well as advising us of the urgent and imminent changes that need to be made, they’ve also helped us understand what isn’t a priority for upgrading or replacing yet. This allows us to be proactive, and gives us the information we need to be able to plan for the future, so we’re really grateful for their insight.“

Richard Hinton, Managing Director at First Class Technologies comments: “We have well over 20 years’ experience working in the non-profit sector, and have enjoyed helping Community Together upgrade and future-proof its IT infrastructure. Lee’s comments about freeing up his time to work on developing the CIC, due to him no longer having to worry about IT supports our whole business proposition, that our clients put their IT management in our safe and trusted hands.”

THE CHALLENGE: FINDING THE RIGHT IT PARTNER.

When it comes to sorting IT projects, it’s important not only to find the time and budget to get started, but also to find the right supplier.

This was the case at Paulet High School & 6th Form College in Burton upon Trent, until the staff were introduced to First Class Technologies in 2021.

First Class has an established relationship with other schools in the John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust, so came highly recommended to the team at Paulet. Having found the right supplier, a number of projects at the school, including cabling and internet coverage were able to be completed.

THE OPPORTUNITY: STRUCTURED CABLING & WI-FI.

A priority project on Paulet High School’s ICT list was cabling, as the structured cable plant in the sixth form centre had become unmanageable, having outgrown a small floor-standing cabinet.

Another problem area was the wi-fi which was run by two separate, outdated systems – one in the sixth form area and another in the rest of the school. The wireless signal was unreliable, with lots of dead access spots with no wi-fi coverage.

As the access points regularly failed, the staff couldn’t rely on using the system for lessons. As a result, the school had a bank of equipment that just couldn’t be used efficiently because of the poor wi-fi coverage.

THE SOLUTION

Regarding the structured cabling, the estimated 150 data outlets in the sixth form cabinet were eventually discovered to amount to 178, which were transferred by First Class engineers into a larger, taller 47U cabinet. Each outlet was checked, tested, properly labelled and the cabinet patched with new UTP leads and cable management bars. As a result, the communications room became manageable, as tidying the cables made them easier to comprehend.

In terms of the wireless network, Ahsan Ashraf (Head of Business & Computing and Strategic IT Lead at Paulet), in conjunction with First Class, concluded that the current solution wasn’t fit for purpose and needed upgrading to newer technology, due to it causing staff issues with lessons and frustrating the pupils, staff and visitors who were unable to access wi-fi on-site.

First Class discussed refreshing Paulet’s original wireless network with a state-of-the-art Ubiquiti Unifi Wi-Fi 6 solution that has many benefits, including:

✔️ Greater overall bandwidth per user for ultra-HD and virtual reality streaming.
✔️ The ability to support simultaneous streams of data with increased throughput.
✔️ More total spectrum, split into more channels, giving more routes for communication.
✔️ Improved performance .
✔️ More robust solution for outdoor and multi-path (cluttered) environments.
✔️ Ability to offload wireless traffic from cellular networks where reception is poor.

The project identified the need for additional network outlets around the site to support the new technology. The survey of the three distinct buildings on site, namely the main school area, sixth form and the sports hall, identified that over sixty additional outlets would be required.

IN CONCLUSION

In order that there was no disruption to teaching, the IT works were completed out of hours, in the school’s twilight hours (after 3pm) by the First Class installation team. Each data point was ceiling mounted centrally in each area to enable good signal propagation.

Once the data points were in place, the next step was to upgrade the switch gear to support the Wireless Access Points with PoE switches whilst retaining the current configuration of the existing switches.

The final phase was the programming of the Access Points (APs) then installing them into the ceilings to establish the network. In total, there are 82 access points, giving 100% wi-fi coverage, campus-wide.

Richard Hinton, MD at First Class Technologies, says: “Structured cabling is an essential element of the backbone to any organisational building infrastructure. A cable plant ultimately connects networks to the Internet, allowing use of computing, wireless and audio visual systems to help us keep in touch with the rest of the world. Cables shouldn’t be an eyesore, and most definitely not a health and safety risk. Cable tidying and management saves an incredible amount of time and aggravation in the long run. First Class commonly assists organisations to manage the clutter of cables, helping to reduce the hazards that come with them, as well as to aid in protecting wires and cables from everyday wear-and-tear like abrasion and crushing. We design structured data cable plants to be effective, robust and resilient to make technology work for the organisation.”

Kelvin Jones, ICT Officer at Paulet, says: “We’re now really proud of the cable plant, and it’s so much easier to manage, as everything is in the right place and colour coded. First Class has made it all straight forward to understand and manage, so we can more easily identify the patch cables for faster connections, disconnections and device troubleshooting.

“We’re also pleased that, through fixing the cable plant, we also found the perfect supplier to help us with the school’s wi-fi. We were aware that we desperately needed a new wireless system, but it had to be done right if it was going to be invested in, so we were looking for the right ICT partner. Once we met the team at First Class, it was clear how much knowledge and experience they’d got. They understood our school’s requirements, needs and challenges, so were able to provide the right solution at the right price. We now have all the access points we need and the wireless solution is running faultlessly. Thanks to First Class, Paulet’s technology has now been brought into the 21st Century! It wasn’t worth trying to use the internet for lessons before, but now the school is able to use its bank of laptops in lessons, and the students can use their own devices as part of the lessons too, as everyone has their own individual log-in, including the pupils, staff and even school visitors if required.

“We’re so pleased that we commissioned First Class Technologies to help us. The team’s knowledge, service and expertise is second to none. They’re great to deal with, and have done a fantastic job for the school.”

Ahsan Ashraf, Head of Business & Computing and Strategic IT Lead at Paulet, says: “We knew what we were looking for in terms of the solution, we just needed to find the right ICT provider to help us. The First Class team has been accommodating and a joy to work with. Our staff and students are able to use our wireless network effectively, which complements teaching and learning and will allow exploration of educational technology as we now have a resilient wireless network. I am very pleased with the service and support we received, and the end result is perfect!”

First Class Technologies is proud to work with academies within John Taylor MAT (Multi-Academy Trust), as well as many other schools, colleges and other educational and commercial organisations.

THE CHALLENGE: Aston University Students’ Union first contacted First Class Technologies back in 2007 when the need for reliable wireless internet access for students living on campus was first recognised.

Since then, First Class Technologies has continued to help Aston Brook Green student residence stay at the forefront of technological advancements. The First Class team has recently upgraded the infrastructure to Wi-Fi 6 to supply the 148 bedrooms with sufficient internet connections to cope with today’s technological lifestyle and the increasing amount of internet enabled devices that students now use daily.

THE OPPORTUNITY: Developed over 30 years ago, Aston Brook Green Student residence evolved from a pocket of 52 Victorian terraced houses into a modernised collection of 60 flats, which house students in a number of 1,3 and 4 bedroom properties that each require sufficiently strong internet connections.

Back in 2007, First Class Technologies originally installed a network of ruggedised external wireless access points designed to allow access to a dedicated 10 Mbps service.

This system served the student union well for over 7 years, then was reviewed again in 2014, when internet usage across the population rapidly increased, meaning extra demands were being placed on the existing network.

First Class recommended upgrading the system by installing 30 internal access points mounted in the roof space of the student buildings, via a hardwired network point, to reduce space requirements whilst adding a level of security by keeping the access points out of sight and reach. Each access point used Power over Ethernet (PoE) to allow it to receive both data connection and electrical power with one cable, to reduce unsightly cabling and associated costs.

Since then, the need for faster and faster internet has continued, due to the advancements in smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). As a result, First Class’s technical skills were called upon again, to upgrade the university students’ union to the next generation of Wi-Fi solutions, Wi-Fi 6.

Wi-Fi 6 provides coverage and performance for the most demanding of internet environments, even a housing community full of students each running multiple devices!

Wi-Fi 6 provides the coverage and capacity to ensure all the connected devices can perform at optimum level, whilst maintaining the highest standards of security and functionality. The capabilities of Wi-Fi 6, coupled with the security of Wi-Fi certified WPA3 will help to alleviate any slow performance or connection problems at peak times, whilst providing better signal strength in congested areas.

IN CONCLUSION: Housing Manager for Aston University Student Accommodation, Malcolm Lawrie commented: “We are delighted with the intelligent solutions provided by First Class Technologies at Aston Brook Green, throughout the whole process they kept us informed and exceeded our expectations.”

Ashleigh Goodwin, Accommodation Services Manager at Aston Brook Green says: “With students requiring more robust Wi-Fi across a range of new devices, an upgrade was necessary to accommodate current requirements and First Class Technologies was quick to recognise this. The upgrade provides faster internet speeds to residents, allowing them to use the Wi-Fi how they need – whether this is for studying or socialising. The on-going relationship we have with First Class Technologies continues to be invaluable in terms of us being able to work together to help the students’ union stay up-to-date with the growing IT requirements due to the ongoing advancements in technology. The team at First Class Technologies is always on-hand to provide assistance and troubleshoot whenever necessary, and we’re pleased that we’ve got such a reliable IT partner available to help us future-proof the student accommodation.”

Managing Director of First Class Technologies, Richard Hinton, commented: “We help our clients keep up with technology in an ever-changing world. When we first installed the system at Aston Brook Green, students would not have arrived with as much technology. Today, each individual may turn up with multiple devices, including computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, gaming consoles and smart speakers.

We’ve upgraded the system at Aston University Students’ Union to deal with today’s technological requirements and maintain the fast, reliable service that today’s young adults require.”

First Class Technologies is proud to work with many schools, colleges and other educational and commercial organisations.

THE CHALLENGE:

Ark St Alban’s Academy in Birmingham was searching for a reliable partner for a substantial installation project of over 50 Promethean ActivPanels across its school premises.

For managed service providers, First Class Technologies, this was the perfect venture to assist with. Experienced in dealing with large-scale implementation projects like this, First Class Technologies was able to work with Promethean to oversee the project from concept to finish.

THE OPPORTUNITY: support wider edtech strategy

Ark St Alban’s Academy was looking to upgrade the Promethean interactive whiteboards that had been in place since the new school opened in 2013 and replace them with a cutting-edge technological solution. The academy chose the Promethean ActivPanel following a detailed evaluation process, due to its advanced visual display and ability to deliver captivating learning experiences for its students.

As an authorised Promethean partner, First Class Technologies managed the installation and commissioning of 50 ActivPanels, and was also able to support Ark St Alban’s Academy with its wider educational technology strategy.

THE SOLUTION: installation of new interactive flat panel touchscreens

First Class Technologies helped Ark St Alban’s Academy develop a new infrastructure, by refreshing the powerful audio visual systems in school halls and installing campus wide digital signage screens that could support the pan-school implementation of ActivPanels.

Kassim Ahmed, Operations Manager at Ark St Alban’s Academy was delighted with the service provided by First Class and the attention to detail that guided the project. Kassim explained: “First Class Technologies has been instrumental in facilitating the upgrade of the IT infrastructure across the school. The company offers an efficient service and the whole team is incredibly reliable. “

Due to the rapidly approaching autumn term, there was a short timescale in place for the installation. First Class Technologies was able to act quickly, delivering the impressive results promised, without encroaching on the new school term.

First Class Technologies prides itself on its ability to nurture long-term, positive working relationships by providing a professional and trustworthy service and specialist after-sales support. Once the installation stage of the project was complete, First-Class Technologies worked with Promethean to provide access to essential orientation sessions.

Delivered as a key part of the project, these value-add sessions equipped teachers with the fundamentals of using the ActivPanels, helping them get to grips with key features and utilise them in lessons.

Milly Smart, an English teacher at the academy is making significant use of the preloaded essential apps on the ActivPanel. Milly uses the various tools available to support the content of her lessons and provide further assistance for visual learners. Milly explained: “I use the Annotate App to comment on the students’ work in real-time or the texts we are covering in the class. It’s a great tool to emphasise why certain things are important. I find duplicating the screen and the split-screen functions are excellent for bringing learning alive for the students. We can also connect our classroom visualiser to the ActivPanel, which is a creative way of sharing the students’ work to the front of the class and highlighting their achievements.”

IN CONCLUSION: upgraded IT infrastructure

For First Class Technologies, the commitment to providing an excellent service doesn’t end as soon as the hardware is installed. The managed service provider is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with its clients, as well as with dynamic organisations that share its values of collaboration and excellence, like Promethean.

Managing Director of First Class Technologies, Richard Hinton, commented: “We have enjoyed working at St Alban’s Academy in partnership with Promethean. We’re committed to building long-established relationships that work on trust and understanding from which everyone can benefit.

“The project with Ark St Alban’s is a great example of First Class Technologies’ extended capabilities. We were delighted to have been given the opportunity to facilitate and manage such a large operation. We’re looking forward to providing the academy with long-term technological support for years to come.”

Kassim Ahmed says: “The service First Class Technologies provided is way above what we envisaged. We really love working with a local Midlands based company like First Class and the team has come back time and time again to help us and share their expertise. Whenever we’ve needed any support, they have always been on hand to assist.”

The overall impact of having the ActivPanels in place has been overwhelmingly positive. Not only has the brand-new technology provided a great teaching resource that supports the delivery of lessons, but the teaching staff are now equipped with skills that will allow them to evolve academic approaches in years to come.

First Class Technologies is proud to work with five Ark academies across the Birmingham area, as well as many other schools, colleges and other educational and commercial organisations.

THE CHALLENGE:
Veriserv helps businesses maintain workplace safety standards, by verifying all critical elements meet electrical, fire, security and mechanical compliance standards. The company is based in Cannock but assists businesses of all sizes and sectors across the UK.

In 2007, when Veriserv had outgrown its existing IT support, the business needed to find a new Managed Services Provider and was recommended to speak to First Class Technologies (FCT).

THE OPPORTUNITY:
FCT offered everything Veriserv was looking for, being a local, trustworthy and professional IT support provider who could supply off and on-site IT coverage and support to manage, maintain and future-proof Veriserv’s IT infrastructure.

David Quarmby, MD of Veriserv explains: “Having a local provider was very important to us. Whilst these days many issues can be fixed remotely, we wanted an IT partner who was local enough to just ‘pop in’ if required, to allow IT issues to be fixed quickly and efficiently. “

FCT ticked the boxes for all of Veriserv’s requirements, and an excellent working relationship between the two companies built from there.

THE SOLUTION:
Once a week, one of FCT’s Senior Engineers attends Veriserv’s Head Office to liaise with the office staff and confirm all the IT is working efficiently and effectively. The team also checks whether any of the Panasonic Toughbooks used by Veriserv’s remote engineers are in need of updates or repairs, and First Class manages this process when required.

FCT has also helped Veriserv with its business continuity, by improving its back up and security protocol. The days of Veriserv relying on a human to change the daily tapes on its back-up system are long gone. Now the company runs half-hourly internal back-ups, plus a secondary back-up to a hosted cloud solution for extra protection.

During the 2020 pandemic, the FCT team was instrumental in keeping Veriserv running when lockdown forced all staff to work from home. FCT acted quickly to keep everyone operational during the first lockdown, giving staff remote access to enable them to work from home safely and securely.

When the second lockdown hit, Veriserv asked FCT to provide more robust home-working solutions, which involved replacing computer hardware and providing other equipment such as dual screens and security tokens.

Apart from general day-to-day IT support, FCT has also assisted Veriserv with a number of more specific IT projects, such as aiding in compliance with annual audit and review requirements for ISO 27001 Information and Data Security accreditation.

FCT was also heavily involved in Veriserv’s office relocation when the business moved to larger premises in June 2020 and all of the IT equipment was moved from the previous Burntwood site to the new office in Cannock.

In Spring 2021, FCT managed Veriserv’s migration to Microsoft 365 to improve its business resilience and also help with home/hybrid working, due to the collaboration options that Microsoft 365 offers with its suite of software, such as Teams.

With the increase in hybrid meetings, FCT has installed a couple of large touchscreen TVs into Veriserv’s training and board rooms, affording the business the flexibility it needs to keep communication channels open during these uncertain pandemic years.

IN CONCLUSION:
David Quarmby says: ”We’re delighted that FCT was recommended to us back in 2007. At the time, our business was growing beyond the capability of the freelance IT support provider we were using, so we knew we needed to find a business that could grow with us and support our increasing IT needs as Veriserv continued to thrive.

“As our business has grown, so has our reliance on IT. Our field engineers previously worked with paper systems, but now they have mobile technology because it’s much more efficient.

This increasing dependence on IT to keep our team working, both in the office and out in the field, makes the relationship with our IT support provider even more important. The bonus of working with FCT is that they not only understand our business, but the team has also got to know our other suppliers. So, if any issues occur, the FCT team can jump on a call with our IT software suppliers to work together and get any issues fixed without us having to get involved, which is hugely beneficial. And because of the remote monitoring systems they run, sometimes FCT notices problems before we do!

“The team has helped future-proof our business by keeping us up-to-date with the latest technology, which has been so vital for communication during periods of lockdown. The team at FCT are such a friendly bunch and always have our best interests at heart. In fact, it’s easy to forget that they’re actually a separate business, not just part of Veriserv’s staff! We’re so pleased we’ve got them on board.”

Managing Director of First Class Technologies, Richard Hinton, says: “It is amazing when we recall that our partnership with Veriserv is now in its fifteenth year. The senior management trust First Class, enabling them to concentrate their efforts on developing the Veriserv business whilst having the confidence that our team is there to ensure their computing infrastructure is fit for purpose and running smoothly. Advanced monitoring tools are used to manage both servers and computers (PCs and laptops) with other key security features to maintain the integrity and resilience of the
network. Our relationship with Veriserv is typical of the connection developed with other business clients we support. ”

THE CHALLENGE: Whitman Gowdridge is a chartered independent insurance broker based in Leicester, providing commercial insurance to a variety of UK businesses. For the last 30+ years, Whitman Gowdridge has built a reputation for creating innovative and unique insurance schemes for a range of industry sectors.

In 2006, when Whitman Gowdridge needed IT support, a business associate recommended First Class Technologies (FCT).

With that one phone call to Richard Hinton, Managing Director of FCT, the start of the 15+ year client/supplier relationship began.

THE OPPORTUNITY: After a review of the existing IT systems, it became apparent that a few upgrades were needed in order to support the office and its 10 users.

THE SOLUTION: First Class Technologies’ first job was to review Whitman Gowdridge’s servers. These were refreshed over time to incorporate a new Microsoft Small Business Server in 2011.

As FCT reviewed and improved Whitman Gowdridge’s set-up to allow the business to work more efficiently with less downtime, improvements were made to the company’s overall IT infrastructure. FCT utilised a server with Network Attached Storage (NAS) for local and off-site backup, plus other features required by a modern 21st Century office, including wireless access.

Nick Gowdridge, Director at Whitman Gowdridge explains: “We’re delighted we were recommended to speak with Richard Hinton at First Class Technologies. We needed a team who could handle all the general hardware and software that is part of running a business, but that also had an affinity with the industry insurance-broking systems that we use as part of our day-to-day operations.

“The software we use has to dovetail into traditional software packages such as Microsoft Excel and Word, so the team at FCT helps us ensure this process continues to work seamlessly, as sometimes some of the software upgrades can cause some unexpected disruption to the processes!“

As part of the continuous improvements, 2019 saw Whitman Gowdridge migrate to Microsoft Office 365 to take advantage of the extra security, greater storage and new features that the upgrade offered. As a result, the business took the opportunity to undertake a complete network refresh, to set up a new server domain and upgrade the PCs from Windows 7 to Windows 10 so all users were working on a common platform.

In March 2020, when the worldwide pandemic hit and all Whitman Gowdridge staff had to suddenly work from home, First Class Technologies helped make that possible by ensuring everyone could remote access the server and work safely and securely.

IN CONCLUSION: Nick says: “I don’t know what we’d have done if we’d not had FCT to call upon during the 2020 lockdown. The First Class Technologies team made it possible not only for everyone to work from home using our existing hardware resources during lockdown, but also helped us keep the day-to-day business running by assisting us with other aspects of software and technology, such as sorting out how we could handle inbound communications and run virtual team meetings. The FCT team continued to support us throughout this difficult period. For example, once our staff started to return to the office for work, FCT helped us assess the operational logistics, such as reviewing the number and location of printers and setting up wireless connections so that everyone could continue to work safely. As a result of these IT improvements, our staff can now operate from wherever. Whenever they need access to Whitman Gowdridge systems they can connect, even from the other side of the world if necessary!

”Everyone at First Class is helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, which makes FCT a fantastic company to work with. We don’t think of them as an external supplier and, in fact, we often forget that’s what they are! If we have a problem, we just get on the phone and ring them as if they were our internal IT support team. Quite often, because of the clever monitoring systems they have access to, they’re aware of any IT problems before we are and, in most instances, are either well on the way to fixing it or have fixed it already! That’s what you call great service!”

Managing Director of First Class Technologies, Richard Hinton, says: “Supporting Whitman Gowdridge has been an absolute pleasure for First Class. We appreciate how critical IT is to the smooth running of the business, and over the years a strong bond and understanding between the two companies has developed. We know their staff and they ours, which cultivates a relationship based on mutual trust and empathy.”

THE CHALLENGE:  
Oxfordshire based Ace Training provides quality pre-apprenticeship programmes and apprentice training in brickwork, bench joinery, construction operations (groundworks), maintenance operations and site carpentry as well as introductory and part-time courses, OSAT and schools programmes.

When Ace Training needed to upgrade the systems at its Kidlington training centre, Managing Director, Adam Marsh contacted First Class Technologies for assistance.

THE OPPORTUNITY:  
Ace Training has suites of workstations for apprentices to use to develop their skills, including all the latest technology such as large screens and interactive white boards.

There are classrooms containing 12 PCs per room, each running Windows Thin Client.

First Class has supported the computer network infrastructure for Ace Training since 2007. During that time, FCT has deployed and supported servers to form a robust and resilient network, creating ICT suites with audio visual teaching aids such as interactive white boards and large format screens to enhance the learning experience of their apprentices.  

THE SOLUTION:  
In 2018, First Class Technologies remodelled and refreshed the network infrastructure, installing a new Dell Computers PowerEdge T440 server running a Microsoft Server 2016 operating system. The network incorporates three virtual servers for Terminal Services, File Server and Domain Controller (all Microsoft Server 2016), utilising licenses via Microsoft Open License scheme.

Moving forward to 2020 as part of a building refurbishment project, a new structured cable plant was conceived and designed using Excel Category 6 technology to replace an existing Category 5e solution that had evolved and extended over the years.  

The new cable plant not only tidies up the cable harness that had grown inexorably in the centre over the past decade or more, but is also capable of handling up to 10 Gigabits of data compared to 1 Gigabit for the original Category 5e system. Cables that adhere to category 6 specifications offer significantly lower levels of interference and near-end crosstalk, improving resilience and offering a future proof system capable of supporting new and emerging computing technologies.

The Excel Cabling system was chosen by First Class Technologies as long ago as 1997 as the base end-to-end cabling solution. There have been tens of thousands of outlets created in the ensuing 24 years, in both commercial office, industrial and educational settings across the length and breadth of the UK.

The new Excel Category 6 cable plant radiates from a central communications cabinet to two satellite cabinets serving the suites of training computers. The cable plant supports both data and voice solutions for Ace, a system they depend upon to support developing technology needs into the 2020s and beyond.     

In 2020, Ace Training refurbished and expanded its facilities, adding in new teaching rooms and refreshing facilities. Later that year, whilst the UK was in national lockdown because of the pandemic, First Class Technologies was able to redeploy some of the student PCs with built in web cams in the ICT suites to allow lecturers to deliver training remotely. This worked well on a daily basis and allowed the business to continue delivering its services and keep trading despite working through a pandemic.

Project component schedule

Excel CAT6 U/UTP 24 Cable x 305M
2 off Excel Environ WR 6U 390mm Deep
1 off Excel Environ WR 26U 560mm Deep
4 off Excel CAT6 24 port 1U patch panels
76 off Excel CAT6 UTP modules
50 off Excel single gang bevelled face plates
76 off Excel CAT6 1M UUTP Low smoke zero halogen patch leads
76 off Excel CAT6 2M UUTP Low smoke zero halogen patch leads
3 off Excel six way Power Distribution Unit – horizontal
3 off Excel four way fan trays (communications cabinets)

IN CONCLUSION:  
Director, Vanessa Cover said: “The team at FCT is an integral part of our business which ensures our systems keep working effectively, our trainers can train, our delegates can learn and our data is kept safe. We’ve been delighted with and appreciate the service we’ve received from First Class Technologies. They’ve made some major changes to our IT infrastructure, but yet it’s been such a seamless transition that we’ve hardly noticed it happening around us. First Class Technologies has helped us build the strong technical platform our business needs in order to continue to provide our clients with the excellent service they have come to expect.”

Richard Hinton, MD of First Class Technologies commented: “We strive to build up longstanding relationships with our clients, to help them through the changing stages of their businesses – and especially the changes caused by the pandemic in 2020. Ace Training’s business changed dramatically when apprentice students were unable to visit the training centre during lockdown, and we were pleased to be able to support the team through it, to enable the business to continue growing and thriving.”

First Class Technologies worked with Chartered Accountants’ Wynniatt Husey to upgrade their computer systems making working across offices, and from home, easier. Our Seamless Transition into the new system avoided costly downtime for the business.
Learn more about the work we completed and their thoughts on our service below.

THE CHALLENGE:
Wynniatt Husey Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors has been providing businesses with accounting, VAT, tax and payroll services since 1983.

Wynniatt Husey’s management team regularly review the company’s IT requirements, knowing that efficient technology is essential to business success.

Aware that its current Windows 7 technology was due to lose support and security updates from Microsoft in January 2020, Wynniatt Husey started planning early in 2019, contacting IT companies to find one to help the business upgrade to the latest digital technology.

THE OPPORTUNITY:
Alan Durose, CEO of Wynniatt Husey had met Richard Hinton, MD at First Class Technologies (FCT) through business networking, and asked FCT to submit a proposal for consideration to help Wynniatt Husey bring its computer network into the 21st Century at its three offices in Rugeley, Uttoxeter and Stone.

THE SOLUTION:
FCT audited all three of Wynniatt Husey’s sites and had detailed discussions with Alan Durose and Rob Murdoch (Accounts Manager). The team then submitted a comprehensive plan to upgrade the technology, improve staff confidence in the IT infrastructure and provide the business with a robust and resilient network that had regular local and off-site backups for business continuity.

Richard Hinton was delighted when FCT were announced as Wynniatt Husey’s chosen IT partner, and the team set to work on the upgrade in time for the January 2020 changes.

The first task was to look at Wynniatt Husey’s three servers, which were running an end of life Microsoft Server operating system and similarly outdated Microsoft exchange server.

Wynniatt Husey’s staff had been noticing some performance constraints, which the experienced FCT team realised was due to the servers needing more capacity. Some of the other legacy, operational and maintenance issues that required attention were affecting performance, and there were improvements to be made regarding the company’s licensing and back-up procedures.

FCT started the upgrade by installing two new Microsoft Hyper-V hosts so the business now has six virtual servers to spread the load, with each application/service having its own virtual server.

Wynniatt Husey’s network is now running the latest version of the software, Microsoft Server 2019. It’s also running the current version of Microsoft Exchange, which is more secure.

All Wynniatt Husey’s servers are now monitored remotely by FCT’s experienced team to enable them to spot issues before any have to be reported.

FCT helped Wynniatt Husey replace all its old Windows 7 PCs, and resolved some other ongoing issues, so the whole business now operates more efficiently on Windows 10.

As well as traditional Microsoft Office software, there are two other key software packages used at Wynniatt Husey, namely IRIS accountancy suite software and Virtual Cabinet document management system software. FCT worked with the developers at both these companies to ensure access and use of these key tools weren’t affected during the upgrade, to guarantee a seamless migration.

In addition, FCT rolled out Veeam backup to a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device for onsite and replicated offsite backup.

FCT also installed a secure remote desktop gateway to allow easy and safe remote working, which was extremely beneficial as the IT refresh was completed just as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK marketplace.

As a result of all these improvements, users have noticed a discernible increase in IT performance since the upgrade, allowing them to work more efficiently with less downtime.

FCT hasn’t just helped with the technological aspect of Wynniatt Husey’s IT, but also the internal strategy element too. Over the years, some IT responsibility had been passed to one of the members of Wynniatt Husey’s staff, affecting his day-to-day role with the acquired additional IT responsibility. With the FCT team on board, that additional workload has been able to be taken away, giving him the time he needs to concentrate fully on his own job within the practice.

IN CONCLUSION:
Alan Durose says: “We’ve been delighted with the service we’ve received from FCT . They’ve made some major changes to our IT infrastructure, but yet it’s been such a seamless transition that we’ve hardly noticed it happening around us. FCT has helped us build the strong technical platform our business needs in order to continue to provide our clients with the excellent service they have come to expect.”

Richard Hinton comments: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Alan and the team at Wynniatt Husey. The pandemic has added a few additional challenges to the project but nothing insurmountable for our self-motivated FCT team! We quote our projects based on each company’s IT requirements rather than the number of staff they employ, and we’ve really enjoyed helping in excess of 40 employees across the three Wynniatt Husey sites. We’ve been pleased to be able to support Wynniatt Husey through this crisis, applying additional software updates to ensure the practice gets the best possible return on investment, and we know the team has appreciated the extra support and service we’ve been able to offer.”

First Class Technologies upgraded a computer network of 500 computers at a secondary school in a deprived area – giving pupils valuable tools and skills to improve their future job prospects, with a pool of laptops used by the students aged 11-18.

ICT support specialists migrated classroom PCs at Washwood Heath Academy from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and updated other essential software.

First Class Technologies won the contract after a competitive tendering process, completing the project on time and to budget.

The upgrade is crucial for the 1,400-plus pupils at the academy as it enables them to keep up to speed with the latest technology.

Nearly two-thirds of the students speak English as a second language and live in a part of the city where 57 per cent of children are growing up in poverty.  The Windows 10 upgrade means students in a disadvantaged area are using more advanced software than most UK schools.

The up-to-date system would help prepare the youngsters for working in an IT-driven economy and also allow them to work more efficiently. FCT Managing Director Richard Hinton said, “Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 will benefit the pupils greatly. They will be learning how to use computer programmes and systems commonly found in the workplace and at home. The vast majority of businesses we partner are running Windows 10, so it’s essential the pupils know how to use it when they leave school.”

Robert Bruce, FCT Project manager added: “Many schools are still running Windows 7. Washwood Heath Academy is in a disadvantaged area, but as far as their computers go they now have a head start. We’ve also installed the latest version of Microsoft Office and updated the servers to create a state-of-the-art platform. This will give them a leg up the employment ladder later on. Day to day, they’ll notice a massive increase in the processing speed of the computers and they will be able to use all the latest apps in class as well.”

First Class Technologies routinely works in schools, providing technical expertise and ICT solutions in the primary and secondary sectors. This was the latest of many contracts the firm has won at Washwood Heath Academy. Previously it has extended the structured cable plant, installed many interactive white board and projector solutions and more recently Smart Touch Panels. In addition, ten years ago the company designed an original wireless network to give staff access anywhere on the campus to information about pupils, including details of academic performance, medical records and any truancy patterns.

Washwood Heath Academy’s strategic ICT manager praises FCT’s friendly and efficient service. Acting Head, Lynn Petrie said: “The advanced system will help our students in a number of areas of the curriculum including maths, English, writing and communicating. We have gained an excellent reputation locally, nationally and internationally through our academic success. We want the best for our young people and we are proud to be at the forefront of IT education. This will be a great asset to all our pupils.”

The latest project was planned with the guidance of Joanne Lea, Washwood Heath Academy’s strategic ICT manager. Joanne said: “I wanted support in migrating our PCs to Windows 10 from a company that had done it before and has a lot of experience in the school environment. I found Robert Bruce, the engineer who led the project to be friendly, personable and very efficient in carrying out the upgrade and ensuring my IT Technicians know how to maintain the new set-up.”

Technical specifications of the project:
• Upgrade 3 x virtual Domain Servers from Windows Server 2008 to the latest
version, Windows Server 2016
• Build new Windows Server 2016 Physical DC Server
• Upgrade AD to Windows Server 2016 functional level
• Replace Windows Server 2008 Print Server with Server Windows Server 2016
• Build Windows desktop deployment solution
• Implement 2016 Group Policies for Windows 10
• Configure and test Classroom station types for Windows 10 deployment
• Configure & test all Windows 10 related GPOs for student profile lockdown

Deployment Solution
Washwood Heath Academy requested a tool that could deploy Windows 10 efficiently and with the least amount of manual intervention.

First Class Technologies implemented a new Windows Server 2016 solution based on Windows Deployment services. It built, customised and prepared a ‘one-size fits all’ master image which can be deployed to every PC in the school. This simplifies the management of the network and means students have the same experience wherever they are in the school. A solution has been put in place to streamline licence management for Microsoft Windows and Office products, reducing the manual input required from IT staff when classrooms and PCs are deployed with the image.

This applies to all classroom PCs and a pool of 10 student laptops. There is also scope to extend it to staff laptops when staff return from the summer break.

The project has been an opportunity to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows and increase the RAM on each PC which will greatly increase computer speed, allowing students to work more efficiently.

The deployment solution (including KMS activation management) will allow the school’s IT staff to easily upgrade and manage all PCs simultaneously – or individual computers if required.

Washwood Heath Academy’s domain servers and print server have been updated to the latest version of Windows Server, to help keep the school’s network secure as it will benefit from the latest updates & support from Microsoft.

There’s nothing more frustrating than a lost, or desperately slow, internet connection. This is especially so when you’re attempting to complete an important task such as a student assignment.

That’s why, when Aston University Students’ Union first contacted First Class Technologies in 2007, they recognised the importance of acquiring reliable wireless internet access for their students living in a unique housing project.

Developed over 30 years ago, Aston Brook Green student residence evolved from a pocket of 52 Victorian terraced houses into a modernised collection of 60 flats comprising 170 bedrooms.

The converted terraced properties now house students in a number of 1, 3 and 4 bedroom flats that each require sufficient internet connections.

With the challenges of this housing project in mind, First Class Technologies decided on supplying a network of ruggedised external wireless access points designed to withstand not only extreme conditions but also allow access to a dedicated 10 Mbps service.

This provision served the Student Union well for over 7 years, allowing students to concentrate more on research for their thesis and less on reporting lost connections.

The Rise of the Mobile Device

By the time 2014 arrived, however, Aston University Students’ Union had again turned to First Class Technologies with concerns about the increase in internet enabled mobile devices that students were now using and the demands they placed on their existing network.

This, of course, was understandable considering that the need for internet access had increased rapidly in a short space of time. In fact, statistics now show that the number of adults requiring internet access for mobile devices has more than doubled since 2006 and continues to grow.

There was no escaping the fact that an upgrade for the wireless network would be needed to future-proof this rapid adoption of smartphones and tablets.

As First Class Technologies works hard to stay current and informed of new developments, we were able to quickly identify the most appropriate solution to upgrade the wireless network to meet the ever increasing demand.

“The need for internet access had increased rapidly in a short space of time”

Managed IT and Cloud Specialists

Providing a First Class Solution

First Class Technologies began by recommending a design that included 30 internal access points mounted in the roof space of the student buildings.

A hardwired network point would be incorporated to allow consistent access from a range of devices, including smartphones and tablets, as well as fixed devices such as laptops and desktop computers.

Arrangements were put into place to upgrade the leased line to a 100/100 Mbps service via a managed Juniper router that would provide a fast, secure and reliable service capable of meeting the high levels of performance required by the Student Union.

Using the latest techniques to provide solid connections and cope with demand, First Class Technologies installed fibre optic links that connect access points to a central controller, allowing a secure output and signal that could effectively radiate out to each remote building.

As with all our clients, First Class Technologies aims to always design and install the most effective and efficient I.T. systems. To meet this aim for Aston University Students’ Union, each wireless access point would be located in a convenient loft space to reduce space requirements while adding a level of security by keeping the APs out of sight and reach.

Further to this, each access point would use Power over Ethernet (PoE), allowing it to receive both data connection and electrical power with one cable, thereby reducing unsightly cabling and associated costs.

For complete customer satisfaction, First Class Technologies provided comprehensive protection for both the wired and wireless networks via a Sonicwall NSA that utilises MAC access control lists (ACLs). This added layer of security works to protect the network by preventing unauthorised access.

Specialist applications were also put in place to filter content that students could gain access to, protecting the network and supporting the institute’s guidelines and polices on appropriate internet usage.

Following the prompt install and hassle free switch to the new system, the now upgraded wireless network resulted in a faster, more reliable service. Students were relieved to discover that their treasured Wi-Fi was now capable of meeting their rising demand.

Housing Manager for Aston University Student Accommodation, Malcolm Lawrie commented:

“We are delighted with the intelligent solutions provided by First Class Technologies at Aston Brook Green. Throughout the whole process, they kept us informed and exceeded our expectations.”

With the newly installed wireless system keeping up with demand and paving the way for an increase in internet usage, Aston University Students’ Union was able to move seamlessly into the new digital era and the rise of the mobile device.

If, like Aston University Students’ Union, you also place a strong emphasis on providing high standards of education and would also like to benefit from using efficient and reliable technology in your establishment, then simply contact First Class Technologies and we will be happy to chat to you about your needs.

Download the full case study here: Aston Univesity