"We used to have an IT support worker in here upgrading our systems at night. Now it happens automatically - that's a big saving"
Invertek Case Study - NetSuite CRM - NetReturn
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| At a glance | |
| Company: | Invertek |
| Location: | Brisbane |
| Industry: | Distribution; electric motors, variable speed drives |
| Challenges: |
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| Software switched from: | Windows Server; Quickbooks Enterprise Edition; Microsoft Exchange |
| Results with NetSuite: | Hardware and support costs have been slashed and customer response times improved; now Invertek's information can all be accessed from one place from any location. |
The Challenge:
Based in Brisbane , Invertek is a small dynamic company importing a range of electric motors and variable speed drives. With a reputation for reliability, Invertek wanted the same level of reliability from their IT hardware and software - but weren't getting it.
Running a Windows server with several users on remote desktops was proving a headache. Support costs were rising and an IT engineer was employed to come in at night to patch and upgrade their existing combination of Microsoft Server, Microsoft Exchange and Quickbooks Enterprise. In a competitive market Invertek are always looking to trim the fat from their operation - and hardware and software upgrade costs were an expense that was hard to justify.
"Before we installed NetSuite, we were running the Windows file server, with a switch attached to that and a LAN network. If we were out of the office we'd have to log on using a VPN or RDA and upload our data from the server to the remote desktop," recalls Managing Director Brett Masters. This was becoming more complicated and more costly. "To keep everything up to date we had an engineer coming in at night, upgrading the servers, patching the various programs we had and trying to keep downtime to a minimum." And if something went wrong during the day "We'd be waiting on the phone for hours," says Masters. "Usually my guys would find something better to do with their time."
The Solutions:
Switching to NetSuite and a hosted solution has meant savings across the board, in both time and money. "We now run a wireless LAN, have removed the server completely turning it into another workstation," says Masters. Invertek stripped out their file server and now run their desktops and printers wireless with a USB shared' drive plugged into the WLAN router. "It means if we want to move, all we have to do is pack everything into cardboard boxes."
Working from home is much easier for the Invertek team as they no longer have to negotiate the VPN and wait to download data from the central server, then upload it back when they are finished. NetSuite's integrated accounting package allows Invertek's accountant to work from home and spend far less time balancing the books. Staff can file expense reports online and receive a return authorisation note much more quickly which keeps Masters' team happy! And because Invertek regularly source their products from the UK , China or Europe , NetSuite's foreign currency module has made life easier for the accountant.
By making full of NetSuite's integrated website and e-commerce modules Invertek's site is much more effective. For example, user manuals are available on the site. Previously these were in different formats and different places. Now, using NetSuite's File Cabinet, Masters can update the user manuals when required and the information is available for download automatically.
A much better CRM than before - Invertek were using Microsoft Exchange to keep track of customers - has given them an overall view of warranty issues and any customers requiring support for installation.
Support and maintenance costs have been slashed, with all upgrades, patches and improvements done automatically by NetSuite. And those long response times have improved dramatically - they are now almost instantaneous with NetSuite's phone and email support.
The Results:
By switching to a hosted solution and cutting out maintenance and upgrade costs, Invertek's Brett Masters will save the equivalent of the cost of his NetSuite license in less than a year.
And allowing his team to work when they want and where they want, using remote access and a wireless LAN at their Brisbane premises, has meant a huge improvement in Invertek's sales, CRM and accounting procedures.
By integrating the CRM, accounting package and web hosting, Masters says they're saving their most valuable commodity: time. Savings have arrived in unexpected areas too - after budgeting for an increase in internet usage, Invertek's internet bill has gone down because they're no longer uploading and downloading data from their server.
Find out more: contact NetReturn at 1300 886 025 or 0800 543 371
