Chamber and Wharncliffe launch new IT support system in record time
22 May 2008
The newly merged Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber this week set live a brand new IT support system, installed by member IT specialist, Wharncliffe. The system utilises Sage 200 Suite software and is designed to deliver improved service levels and greater efficiencies internally, as well as bringing together four separate Chamber business areas under one umbrella.
The Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber is now one of the largest in the UK, working with over 2,000 member businesses in the locality. When it became clear during the last quarter of 2007 that the incumbent system would no longer be supported from the end of March, the race was on to find and install a replacement to encompass the whole business and its constituent parts. The invitation to tender was extended to the entire membership base early in 2008 and the decision to choose Wharncliffe – and their Sage 200 Suite solution – was made on 7th February. In just six weeks, the new system has been installed and tailored to fit the Chamber's individual requirements - and provide it with a manageable communications platform to support local businesses today and into the future.
Julie Robinson, Financial Controller, led the project team within the Chamber. "We knew this was going to be a tall order, and Wharncliffe stepped right up to the mark. Completing a three month project in half the time meant we were bound to encounter issues, but Wharncliffe tackled these head on. Going live this week is a magnificent achievement for the whole team."
Sage 200 Suite delivers a high level of 'out-of-the-box' functionality; however some customisation was required in order to match the Chamber's working processes exactly. Wharncliffe's in-depth understanding, both of the Chamber businesses and of the software, was a major contributing factor to the speed in which the project was completed.
"The Financials and Commercials element of the Sage system adapts easily to the Chamber business, accommodating its multiple membership packages for example. It was a perfect fit for their requirements – and why we chose it!" comments Wharncliffe MD, Malcolm Exley.
Having set the new system live this week, Wharncliffe are now completing the staff training programme and ironing out any last minute issues. Julie concludes, "We certainly put the pressure on Wharncliffe this time! Now we are on the home straight at last, we are looking forward to offering enhanced levels of excellent service to our growing local business membership."
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