Staying ahead of the curve with fast, secure, and future-proof IT has been key to Swann Edwards Architecture’s growth. From a two-person startup to a thriving architectural firm with over 20 staff, and now a member of the multidisciplinary BE Collective, Swann Edwards has relied on ctm for IT support and infrastructure upgrades that enable flexibility, growth, and strong cybersecurity.
“The benefits of our partnership with ctm are everywhere. Staying ahead of the game with fast, reliable, future-proof IT has been key to driving our business forward. Without it, we’d always be struggling to grow.” Russell Swann, Director
In 2011, Russell Swann and Gareth Edwards launched Swann Edwards Architecture with just two PCs in a small office above a garage. As architects, their work depends on high-performance IT, especially for resource-intensive tasks like CAD and 3D rendering.
“We’re not IT experts, so we rely on ctm to recommend the right solutions,” Russell says. “They’ve always helped us buy the best tools we can afford, which directly impacts the quality of our work.”
Right from the start, the firm planned for growth, ensuring their IT setup could scale as they did. “We needed a server that not only met our immediate needs but allowed room to expand,” Russell recalls. ctm have supported Swann Edwards at every stage, from everyday IT support through to office moves and major infrastructure upgrade projects.
As Swann Edwards grew rapidly, their IT requirements became more complex. Due to acquisitions and organic growth, Swann Edwards ended up with multiple IT systems, identity providers, usernames and logins. This led to operational inefficiencies and increased security risks.
To address these challenges, ctm worked with Swann Edwards to amalgamate their systems and data, and transition from a physical server to a fully cloud-based IT system. Over two years, ctm consolidated multiple Microsoft 365 platforms into a single system, migrated shared data to SharePoint, and centralised device and identity management.
“ctm helped us implement IT solutions that were not only practical but also affordable and future-proof — meeting all our key requirements.” Russell Swann, Director
“It was a big job to integrate all our systems and move everything to the cloud,” Russell recalls. “ctm worked closely with us to ensure we could keep the business running day-to-day throughout the process. Despite some inevitable teething problems, overall it was a good experience.”
The benefits of the migration and streamlining have been transformative. As well as enabling Swann Edwards to operate more efficiently, the new setup strengthened cybersecurity, improved disaster recovery, and reduced energy usage. It has eliminated the expense of replacing the server every five years, and simplified IT integration for future acquisitions.
For a progressive firm like Swann Edwards, which supports flexible working, ctm’s extended helpdesk availability has been a lifeline.
“ctm are always available when we need them,” says Russell. “I’ve called their helpdesk at 6am on a Sunday, and the team was there to help. That level of support really suits us as a business, because we let staff work flexibly around their personal commitments.”
This responsive support proved especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. When lockdown hit, ctm enabled Swann Edwards to switch to fully remote work within days, ensuring minimal disruption.
“ctm take care of what they’re good at so we can focus on what we’re good at. They give us peace of mind that the IT is set up and managed well, and any problems are quickly resolved.” Russell Swann, Director
ctm’s proactive approach and up-to-date technology knowledge have been instrumental in keeping Swann Edwards ahead of the curve. “We rely on technology to operate. It’s no longer the days of drawing boards and pens — much as I’d love that!” Russell says.
“Every couple of years, we sit down with ctm to align our IT plans with our business goals. They understand how we work and know about upcoming technological developments, which helps us plan and budget effectively.”
“The benefits of our partnership with ctm are everywhere. Staying ahead of the game with fast, reliable, future-proof IT has been key to driving our business forward. Without it, we’d always be struggling to grow.” Russell Swann, Director
Russell values ctm’s reliability, problem-solving abilities, and personal approach. “We trust ctm to do what’s right. And if something goes wrong, they’ll fix it quickly. Whenever there’s an issue, I know I can call Rupert, ctm’s Managing Director, and it gets resolved quickly.”
“ctm’s key strengths are their proactive approach, rapid problem-solving, and responsive communications. They’re a friendly, knowledgeable team, and very client-led.” Russell Swann, Director
Over 13 years, ctm has helped Swann Edwards navigate the challenges of growth while staying ahead of technological changes.
“Even though we’re smaller than some of ctm’s multi-million-pound clients, we’ve never felt like we’re not important,” says Russell. “They always treat us like we matter and work with us to get where we need to be.”
Looking ahead, Russell is optimistic about the future. “We’ve worked with ctm for 13 years, and hopefully there are many more to come.”
“ctm are a key component of how we operate as a company. They’re part of the family. We’d always recommend them because they’ve been great for us.” Russell Swann, Director
