Client Overview

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is a renowned professional body providing globally recognised qualifications in accounting and finance. They approached us to conduct a thorough review of their IT infrastructure to identify areas for optimisation, improve operational efficiency and reduce overall costs.

Challenge

AAT’s existing IT infrastructure had become increasingly complex, involving multiple servers, overlapping systems and various third-party service contracts. Over time, the lack of a cohesive IT strategy had led to underutilised resources and excessive spending. Their IT environment included redundant servers and duplicate functionalities, resulting in an unnecessarily high operating cost. AAT sought our expertise to streamline these systems, identify potential savings and create a more efficient and cost-effective IT framework.

Solution

Our CTO conducted an in-depth review of AAT’s entire IT landscape, focusing on identifying inefficiencies and redundant components. During the analysis, we discovered several servers that were underutilised or no longer necessary, which could be safely decommissioned to reduce maintenance costs. We also found that AAT was using multiple systems that provided overlapping functionality and that various third-party contracts could be consolidated to reduce vendor complexity and streamline support.

After carefully assessing all existing contracts, we proposed a consolidation strategy that would eliminate duplicate services and negotiate better terms with core suppliers. This approach not only simplified AAT’s vendor management but also significantly reduced their contract expenditure. Our team then developed a phased implementation plan to decommission redundant servers, streamline systems and renegotiate contracts, ensuring a smooth transition without disrupting day-to-day operations.

Results

The comprehensive optimisation of AAT’s IT infrastructure led to a significant reduction in costs and improved operational efficiency. By eliminating redundant servers and consolidating systems, AAT achieved a more streamlined IT environment that is easier to manage and maintain. The renegotiation and consolidation of third-party contracts alone resulted in annual savings of £300,000, freeing up resources for reinvestment in strategic initiatives and future IT improvements.

Conclusion

Our review and optimisation of AAT’s IT infrastructure provided them with a simplified, cost-effective and scalable system that better supports their business needs. This project not only delivered substantial financial savings but also laid the foundation for a more agile and strategic IT environment. Our expertise in infrastructure management and cost optimisation helped AAT align their IT investments with their long-term goals, ensuring greater efficiency and sustainable growth.