Varsity Technologies

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the information systems manager at a foster care agency. I act as the liaison between our company and our IT partner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Varsity Technologies?

We needed someone to help us with our IT needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Varsity Technologies provides a wide range of IT services. They manage all of our hardware, including mobile phones and laptops. We also have a virtual desktop that they maintain. Their work is a combination of both on-site and remote support. 

If needed, they give us recommendations on how to upgrade our systems. The Varsity Technologies team has also helped us with various other projects, like conducting a security awareness seminar.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact is a client success manager. We’ve also worked closely with their VP of operations.

Meanwhile, there are around six people on their help desk team. We also have a designated field technician.

How did you come to work with Varsity Technologies?

We already had a long-term relationship with Varsity Technologies before this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in January 2020, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve conducted some staff satisfaction surveys, and the results have been highly positive. Furthermore, the Varsity Technologies team has really made our systems more secure.

How did Varsity Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management skills are great. They have a helpdesk that we can access via phone call and email. We also have weekly meetings to review our ongoing projects.

We’ve recently been having daily correspondence through Microsoft Teams, and it’s worked out really well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Varsity Technologies is a very personable team. They have the right mindset, so they’re always very helpful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their ticketing system is a bit convoluted. Sometimes our tickets get buried, so they definitely need to improve the system.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be transparent and let them know everything they need to fulfill your needs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, that brings together people, cultures, and ideas to change lives and transform business and society. My position as Operations Manager is to oversee the operational activities at the Hub.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Varsity Technologies?

New Hub creation where we needed help with building design and startup. In addition, we needed ongoing support to work with our other teams in located in Asia, Abu Dhabi and Europe campus.

SOLUTION

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

Varsity was selected among multiple vendors. Our criteria were experience, reputation, and specific understanding of higher education needs, especially in startup hub with building construction. Varsity had all of these along with more than 15 campus projects to their name and currently supported higher education customers.

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

Varsity provides project deployment services and works seamlessly with our internal IT located in Asia and Europe. Their deployment included assistance with IT related to build-out and AV deployment and IT infrastructure deployment. Their services include direct support for users, staff, and classroom support in addition to services for back office IT administrations in conjunction with our IT team in Asia and Europe.

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

We work with the executive team at Varsity along with our field technician.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Successfully opening and startup of the new Hub in San Francisco.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

• Integration of IT systems with the school in Europe and Asia
• Coordination of operations and procedure needs

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

• ‘Client first’ approach. Varsity is customer-oriented and not only listens but provides solutions
• Regular check-ins

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

Nothing to add here as we speak regularly.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Goldman Environmental Foundation -- I am the Deputy Director - I manage all daily operations, oversee events and programming. I am also in charge of the tour.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Varsity Technologies?

At the time of selection, we were looking at Varsity for our Managed IT Services.

SOLUTION

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

Selected Varsity based on a referral from one of our board members who was a current client.

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

At the time, Goldman Environmental was having numerous challenges with their current IT provider. Lack of response and not able to solve some of the ongoing IT issues the organization was facing. We then hired Varsity.

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

Working with Sr. Engineer, Field Tech, COO.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

From a support perspective, our employees needed desktop support. Varsity's service is much quicker and they provide more successful outcomes.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Workflow is much better with quicker response.

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

Remote working has been a challenge with the pandemic with home bandwidth issues. Varsity is still able to address and resolve those issues.

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

There have been issues but they do get resolved and worked through.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Public Policy Director and I oversee Office Management, including IT services. 4Cs is a multi-service community-based organization providing child care support and services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Varsity Technologies?

Managed IT services.

SOLUTION

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

4Cs is mainly state funded and we have to go out to bid and get at least 3 bids every 3 years. Varsity had the strongest proposal and they work with nonprofits like ours.

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

Manage IT network, special projects, purchasing, cyber data security.

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

President, client success manager, help desk, on-site technician.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Varsity has increased their on-site support to meet our changing needs, they sent an on-site technician to assess a new space when we were expanding space. Their helpdesk is always responsive and timely. We have monthly meetings with the client success manager to discuss ongoing and future needs.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We often have to be flexible and reschedule meetings, which they are responsive to. It's been effortless and smooth.

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

Varsity works with a lot of non-profits like ours, and they understand our unique needs.

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

There has been some turnover, which has resulted in communication hiccups, but that is something that is difficult to control. We have seen great improvement in this area this year.