News & Insights

EBC Group becomes IT provider for Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

Written by EBC Group | Jan 22, 2025 4:59:52 PM

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Partners with EBC Group for a Modern IT Transformation

In April 2024, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (C&WCC) embarked on an ambitious journey to become one of the UK’s most digital chambers by 2030. This vision was part of a bold five-year business plan set out by Chamber Chief Executive Corin Crane. With a dedicated Digital Transformation Manager in place, the Chamber sought to revolutionise its IT infrastructure, making it more efficient, secure, and aligned with the needs of its growing network of businesses.

This transformative journey began with a simple conversation over coffee between C&WCC and EBC Group, a trusted IT partner and Business Influence Member of the Chamber. From that casual discussion, it became clear that EBC Group could help the Chamber achieve its digital aspirations, delivering a tailored IT solution that would empower staff, streamline operations, and enhance security.

A Strategic IT Overhaul

To kickstart the transformation, EBC Group conducted a comprehensive review of C&WCC’s existing IT infrastructure, gathering insights from staff surveys and interviews to identify pain points and future requirements. The result was a strategy centered on three key objectives: education, integration, and automation.

EBC Group implemented Microsoft 365 Business Premium across all users, introducing collaborative tools like SharePoint and OneDrive for seamless file sharing and hybrid working. This eliminated the need for costly physical servers and gave the Chamber a secure, uniform file structure accessible from anywhere.

“Everyday processes have become faster and more cost-effective, allowing staff to focus on supporting the region’s business community,” said Corin Crane.

Empowering Hybrid Working and Strengthening Security

Hybrid working was a top priority for the Chamber, and EBC Group addressed this by equipping staff with new laptops featuring Microsoft Intune for device management and Defender for endpoint protection. Rapid device deployment was made possible through Microsoft Autopilot, ensuring smooth onboarding for users.

To further enhance security, EBC Group installed a private, dedicated leased line with a cloud-hosted virtual firewall, providing reliable connectivity and robust protection against cyber threats. With their 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC), EBC Group continually monitors and mitigates potential risks.

These changes not only empowered staff to work securely and efficiently but also positioned the Chamber to embrace future growth and innovation confidently.

Transforming People and Processes

Beyond technology, the real value of this transformation lies in its impact on people and processes. Staff now enjoy an intuitive and user-friendly IT system, from faster logins to simplified workflows.

EBC Group’s proactive support ensures the Chamber receives ongoing guidance and strategic insights, enabling them to adapt to evolving challenges and opportunities. “We’re proud to support the Chamber’s mission of delivering exceptional value to its members while driving innovation in the region,” said Mike Bridges, Director of IT at EBC Group.

A Vision for the Future

C&WCC’s digital transformation is a testament to the power of modern IT solutions in driving efficiency, security, and growth. As Corin Crane highlighted, “Ensuring our digital infrastructure is fit for purpose is a key priority. Working with EBC Group has opened our eyes to how important it is to have the right digital foundations in place to enable growth, increase engagement, and improve productivity.”

To further this mission, EBC Group is offering Chamber members the opportunity for an IT and telephony review. By identifying cost savings and implementing up-to-date, secure technology, businesses can strengthen their digital foundations and remain competitive in an increasingly digital world.

About EBC Group

With over 35 years of experience, EBC Group is a leading Managed Service Provider specialising in IT infrastructure, cyber security, cloud solutions, unified communications, and managed print. By delivering tailored solutions, EBC Group ensures businesses run efficiently, securely, and without disruption.