As a major lifestyle brand that combines clothing manufacture, retail and distribution, Supergroup PLC needs reliable, robust and responsive IT. Its clothing lines, which include Superdry, Breed and California Surf Co, are distributed through its retail arm of national chain of stores, including CULT and Superdry Stores and House of Fraser Concessions.

Although Supergroup PLC has its own internal IT support team, Piandi had responsibility for hardware support in its 63 shops, 54 House of Fraser Concessions and its distribution centre as well as its head office servers. That includes Help Desk support for all stores and concessions and IT installations when it opens new stores.

Since Supergroup PLC started working with Piandi eight years ago, its huge success has seen it grow from a head office and just three stores to 63 shops and 54 concessions. Throughout that expansion, Piandi has been on hand to provide consistent support.

Brad Ainslie, SuperGroup's IT Manager said the past relationship was down to Piandi putting its philosophy about being passionate about IT at the heart of its business.

When the Soho Coffee Co. began trading, serving a wide variety of drinks and food to the public, they were a small operation with very basic IT systems. However, as the business began to expand, they found themselves in need of more sophisticated technology and a greater variety of IT services to provide their customers with the highest level of service possible. Another local company recommended Piandi as the ideal IT company to work with Soho as the chain expanded.

Soho is now a nationally recognised and respected brand with a strong South-West presence. Piandi has assisted with their IT every step of the way, installing and servicing tills and equipment in all their stores, kitchens and offices.

Kathy Harris, Financial Controller at the Soho Coffee Co, recommends Piandi for their loyal approach and their good response times as well as for their serious attitude towards their work, no matter how small the job.

“Piandi are very open minded and always happy to find something which suits us best instead of trying to sell us solutions which aren’t appropriate,” she said.

For busy and successful window, door and conservatory installation company, L&L Installations, effective and reliable IT is integral to the smooth running of its business.

Its staff in sales, survey, manufacture, installation, service, administration and customer care need access to a variety of up to date and accessible supplier and customer information. As it has no in-house IT resource, it relies on Piandi to install and maintain its servers as well as to provide 24 hour on-call support through its Help Desk.

For L&L Installations Director John Lannen, the successful working relationship with Piandi means any IT development and support can be planned and budgeted for to avoid any unexpected bills.

“Over the time we have been working with them, Piandi have got to know a lot about us and the way we work and that means they can provide help when we need it,” John said.

“When we have had an emergency, their response has been immediate and any problems have been sorted. That is very important as if our IT stops, we are at a standstill. They are also good at maintaining what we have. I know that sometimes Piandi solve problems without us even knowing about them.”

The close working relationship also means that Piandi can help Tewkesbury-based L&L Installations to plan for the future by making sure its IT continues to meet its needs.

A lot of the support and development work can be done remotely meaning that the team at L&L Installations can get on with their work knowing that their IT is working hard for them, something John thinks is very important.

Like many schools, Churchdown Village Infant School has dramatically changed the way its pupils learn thanks to developments in IT. High-tech smartboards have replaced blackboards and children use laptops alongside paper notebooks for their projects.

Piandi have been the guiding hand through these changes, not just in terms of the equipment installed but in the flexible and first class support they provide .  They were recommended to headteacher  Mrs Katherine Rayers  when she visited another local school to see an impressive new IT suite. Piandi were the team behind that project and have been helping the pupils and staff at Churchdown Village Infant School realise their potential ever since. They are responsible for all the IT services that can’t be managed in-house.

Major improvements include the installation of wireless, the move from PCs to laptops and the installation of a back up system, updating and support for the curriculum server,.

School administrator Mrs Lesley Sellars has confidence in Piandi to provide the best possible IT services for the school:

“Piandi appreciate that when we call them and say we need them today that really does mean today. If we have an IT issue absolutely everything grinds to a halt because not only do the pupils use computers for lots of their work the teachers depend on smartboards to access their information, plans and teach their lessons. Piandi are always quick to respond to our problems.”

She also felt that the school benefited massively from Piandi’s charging structure. Their yearly contract is based on 12 monthly instalments with set minutes, and any that are not used in a month can be rolled over to the next. This provides the perfect solution for organisations with variable service needs.

“Piandi are easily available on the phone with very pleasant staff who always take our problems seriously.   They now explain everything to our IT coordinator and back up everything they do with all the appropriate paperwork. We’ve yet to find anyone better,” said Lesley.