ITPS helps Hay & Kilner save thousands

Jul 1 2010 by John Hill, The Journal

GATESHEAD'S ITPS has helped North East law firm Hay & Kilner to save £125,000 from its IT infrastructure costs over the next five years.

The company has cut the number of servers it uses from 16 to three, backed up its entire system at ITPS’ secure data centre and reduced its carbon footprint by using less energy.

ITPS secured the contract over bidders from all over the country, and worked with the law firm’s in-house team to review its IT infrastructure and adopt eco-friendly technology.

ITPS consultant Nael Shahid said: “Virtualisation was far and away the better option for the business, rather than adding on more and more servers to a traditional network, which can be a costly and inefficient strategy.

“More servers require more space to house them, plus there is the cost of buying hardware, software and licences, and the associated running and maintenance costs. Servers are energy-hungry too, so you have all the costs associated with heating and cooling.

“Virtualisation works by pooling the capacity needs and condensing that requirement into a smaller number of more powerful servers.”

Hay & Kilner currently employs 160 staff, including 24 partners. The 65-year-old company is aiming to strengthen its position as one of the region’s top five law firms.

Hay & Kilner partnership secretary Tim Bennett said: “We now have an infrastructure based on innovative, proven technology that will suit our current and future needs, and give us a very healthy return on investment. Reducing our carbon footprint is an added benefit that supports our work in other areas to become a more green-friendly business.”