A Decade of Digital Drag

A decade ago, the accountancy world was rapidly going digital, but the technology at Richardsons Chartered Accountants was stuck in the past. Client Director James Ellin recalls the daily friction: “We had desktop computers that you would turn on in the morning, go make a cup of tea and when you came back if may have been about halfway to booting.” With ageing servers and inefficient systems, the firm was fighting against a constant digital drag that hampered productivity.

The Evolution: Beyond Support Tickets to Strategic Solutions

While the day-to-day IT support from CIS was always reliable, the true value of the partnership emerged in the strategic project work. The relationship evolved based on a simple, collaborative principle. “We can say what we want to achieve, and CIS help us find a solution that is appropriate for us,” Ellin explains. “They know our business as well as our employees.”

This deep understanding was critical in two key transformations:

• The Paperless Project: When the pandemic accelerated the need for a paperless office, CIS didn’t just provide the tools; they helped engineer the transition. The result was a more efficient workflow and a direct, measurable impact on the bottom line: a five-figure-saving in printing costs alone.
• The Legacy Software Solution: A critical piece of legacy software was a constant source of downtime. CIS took full ownership, liaising directly with the vendor and redesigning the hardware setup. The result was a system that is now “more reliable than it has ever been,” delivering crucial peace of mind to the entire team.

The Result: A True Partnership Built on Trust and Value

Today, the relationship is about far more than just technology. It’s about strategic guidance without the pressure of a “hard sale.” CIS consistently provides solutions tailored to Richardsons’ size and budget, clearly outlining the pros and cons of every option.

For James Ellin, this approach has transformed the role of an IT provider into something much more valuable. He concludes:

“Our account manager especially knows our business very well and is really a trusted advisor as much as anything else.”