Gardner Stewart Architects is one of the UK’s leading architecture and master planning practices, internationally renowned for its innovative approach to design. It has nearly two decades of experience in providing designs that are visionary, yet wholly deliverable.

The practice operates from offices in London and Birmingham.

Creating award winning buildings and environments that set benchmarks, Gardner Stewart Architects pride themselves on their ability to lead in inspirational design by encouraging creativity across all their projects, and being at the forefront of current thinking.

Challenge

Realising that their current telecommunications infrastructure had limited expansion capabilities and was unable to cope with the demand of the practice’s expansion, Gardner Stewart’s Directors realized change was necessary. They wanted to utilize the latest advancements in technology, such has VoIP which allows telephone calls to be made over the internet  at a fraction of the cost compared with traditional telephony. It was also essential that the systems at the company’s London and Birmingham locations recognized each other and that call costs between the various sites would be reduced. The ability of the Directors to use the communications system when operating in either London or Birmingham was an essential prerequisite. “We needed to find a leading technology partner that understood our requirements ; one that could offer a fresh approach that would enhance communications across the whole practice. We wanted a consultative approach to utilizing and implementing leading edge technology that could also save the practice money.”

Said Oliver Davis, Gardner Stewart’s IT Manager, on appointing Marcom Communications as their preferred telecommunications provider.

Solution

Marcom proposed that two HiPath Systems be installed incorporating a Voice Over IP solution, allowing calls between the two sites to be free. It would also allow the Directors to have a 'hot-desking' facility allowing them to log on in either office and have the extensions and functionality when using their IP phones.

Results

Marcom Communications has the highest accreditation as a Siemens Solutions Partner. Gardner Stewart Architects stated “ We were confident in their level of expertise, together with that of Siemens, a global leader in innovative communications technology. It made us feel secure that we had chosen the right partner to meet our needs now and to develop a strategic partnership for the future”.

Impressed with the outcome, Olive commented “Our experience throughout the transition from our existing system to the new Siemens system went  well, without any disruption to the business. It was on time and to budget. The whole process was project managed from start to finish, keeping me informed of progress every step of the way. The service didn’t stop there. Marcom provided intuitive training to insure that we got the very best from our new system.

The  new system has created a fresh and efficient way in our handling of communications, resulting in a better quality of service and speed of response to queries, particularly between the offices. The cost savings for the practice have been considerable, saving hundreds of pounds each month on the reduction of call charges. VoIP has certainly lived up to promises.

The Directors have peace of mind that the business has a considerably more modern and capable communications system….

We are also confident that we are now in safe hands with a maintenance support programme tailored to meet our business needs. "