Creative People

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CFO for Cosmochem Chemicals S.A. We are a raw materials distribution company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Creative People?

We were looking for IT support for our company. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

They provide support for all our IT needs, including our website, servers, and computers. Additionally, they helped to configure our wireless network. They helped us with website development, and they have provided hosting services over the years. Once a year, they conduct site surveys. 

What is the team composition?

We have worked with the owner and 5–6 other people from the team. There is always someone there to help.

How did you come to work with Creative People?

We knew the owner before he started Creative People. 

How much have you invested in them?

They charge per hour, and the cost varies depending on what service they are providing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in October 2010, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The feedback is excellent, and we recommend them to other companies.

How did Creative People perform from a project management standpoint?

They have performed exceedingly well. Most of the time, it is remote support. We communicate via email. Whenever any issue arises concerning our internet or telephones, they are here for us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are quick to respond to any issues and can solve any problem we have.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything. We are satisfied with their services.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Iason Skouzos and Partners, a tax law firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Creative People?

We needed IT support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provide IT support, following our needs as we grow. They adapt their services to our needs, which are changing all the time. We’ve had difficult tasks despite our small size. We had to use old hardware together with new software, so we needed to update the old hardware and make it adaptable. It wasn’t just infrastructure that we procured once and then replaced. It started with one desktop PC and we then added more devices to our network. It’s ever-growing and we’re growing together as businesses.

Lately, they’ve undertaken the design of our website. They designed our system infrastructure and made a map of our IT hardware and IT network. They even help with things that aren’t their core work, like printers and copiers, and have integrated them with our systems. They work with our video conferencing system, our access control systems, and our legal CRM. They are a total solution for us.

What is the team composition?

I work with six people, including developers and web designers. Depending on the nature and urgency of the matter, we get an immediate response either by the person who is in charge or the person who is competent for the specific problem.

How did you come to work with Creative People?

The founder of Creative People was the IT support person for a client of ours. We tried them and found we had good chemistry.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent 26,000 euros (about $29,000 USD) per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2013 and the work is ongoing. We originally worked with the main founder before they incorporated Creative People.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

So far, it’s been very successful. We’re very happy with their services. We haven’t had a single minute being offline and we haven’t had any breakdowns. We plan to work with them for a long time.

How did Creative People perform from a project management standpoint?

They have a very quick response time. We communicate via Skype, cell phones, landlines, emails, and online access to our system with various tools.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We carry lots of very sensitive financial data and tax information, so we would have a huge liability if something were to go wrong with a leak of data or a malicious act. There weren’t any issues with this. They’re very focused on IT security. They teach their client how to behave online and with their IT system. They don’t compromise their principles and their emphasis on quality and security. They know what they’re doing and they stick with it. They make the client follow them in a good sense.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could move closer to us. They’re growing as a firm and have to manage the quality of their work. It will always be a challenge to keep the same level of service when you’re growing as a provider.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Company: Research and development of highly efficient fuel cells. Advent’s fuel cells are multi-fuel capable (hydrogen, e-methanol, e-fuels, natural gas), meaning they work on hydrogen as it comes in many different forms eliminating the need for complex hydrogen infrastructures. Position: Global IT Director

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Creative People?

To provide Managed IT Services and IT Consulting.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Internet reviews and references.

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

• MS 365 tenant administration
• IT Security monitoring.
• User support.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

• IT Director
• Sr Engineer
• Developer

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Successfully migrated from DropBox to SharePoint. Deployment of EDR solutions. Internet site monitoring. IS monitoring solutions

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their workflow is very effective.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Communication, willingness and professionalism of all employees.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

International law firm - director of operations and family officer

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Creative People?

Day to day it support and infrastracture migration and solutions

What were your goals for this project?

Smooth migration, problem free, user friendly, speed to solving problems, communication skills and other

SOLUTION

How did you select Creative People?

Beuaty contest -tenderDescribe the project in detail.

Communications with the highly skilled and capable people at creative people solving the problems with it, ifrastructure and other matters

What was the team composition?

9 technicians and supervisors

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Increasing speed, remote access re covid-19, solving problems from afarHow effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent - Outstanding Work

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Excellent - Outstanding Work

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I can think of

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Technical Operations Manager of a company with R&D activities (software house) in the security domain.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Creative People?

IT Infrastructure (Installation, configuration, maintenance)

What were your goals for this project?

To establish a state of the art IT infrastructure able to support R&D activities as well as commercial products. All the IT activities follow ISO27001 procedures.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Strong collaboration in R&D projects.

Describe the project in detail.

Design and implementation of IT infrastructure.

What was the team composition?

Initially the contact was with one person from Creative People. However, the increase volume of activities and requests make the need to contact creative people as team and not individual personnel.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Currently, we have a working IT infrastructure.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We established an efficient way of communication between the to sides. Prioritize requests, urgent instant messages and scheduled activities established the workflow between our team and creative people.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The high QA procedures that follow their work are impressive. The response time of any request was almost instant.

Are there any areas for improvement?

So far we don't have anything to propose.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner and sales manager of Cosmosea Marine Services, dealing with marine equipment and spare parts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Creative People?

Office 365 and network setup and management, along with day-to-day remote and onsite support. And hardware upgrades in our offices.

What were your goals for this project?

Fast, accurate, and smooth transition.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After interviewing the owner and understanding that they have the capacity and ability to handle and support our company's needs. In the past, we were rather disappointed by other companies and were looking for a professional partner.

Describe the project in detail.

Office 365 migration, along with network setup and management. Pbx configuration (private branch exchange: Internal phone system at a business) and troubleshooting, website development, and maintenance.

What was the team composition?

Three engineers and the owner himself.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The improvements suggested by Creative have given us the opportunity to increase our productivity, reduce costs, and succeed more in less time.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Never have issues with them as they always look into our company's needs and long-term strategy.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Deployment time and professionalism. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

In my cooperation, I see no need for improvement, but I'm not the one with deep knowledge in this area to suggest any. I judge from the results, and they are great so far.