BITS Group
Charity & Non-Profit

Family Friends Wrexham

Outdated Access database limiting visibility and collaboration

Location
UK
Duration
6 months
Team Size
8 Employees
Family Friends Wrexham case study

Executive Summary

Family Friends Wrexham faced critical challenges with outdated access database limiting visibility and collaboration. This situation was impacting their operational efficiency, causing financial strain, and limiting their ability to scale effectively.

BITS Group partnered with Family Friends Wrexham to deliver custom crm development with azure hosting and managed it support. Through a structured 6 months engagement, our team of 8 Employees worked closely with their stakeholders to understand requirements, design solutions, and implement transformative changes.

The results speak for themselves: Live data access, real-time impact reporting, cost-neutral infrastructure.

The Challenge

Outdated Access database limiting visibility and collaboration

When Family Friends Wrexham first approached BITS Group, they were facing significant operational challenges that were hindering their growth and efficiency. The existing infrastructure was no longer meeting their business needs, creating bottlenecks and limiting their competitive advantage in the Charity & Non-Profit industry.

The situation required immediate attention. Their team was spending valuable time managing issues rather than focusing on core business activities. This was not only affecting day-to-day operations but also raising concerns about long-term sustainability and scalability.

Key Issues Identified:

Legacy Microsoft Access database not built for collaboration
No secure, centralised access for remote team members
Difficulty gathering live impact data for reporting
Growing operational strain on 8 non-technical staff members
No in-house IT resource to manage infrastructure or cybersecurity

Our Approach

At BITS Group, we believe that successful technology implementations begin with deep understanding. We assembled a dedicated team of 8 Employees who brought diverse expertise across infrastructure, security, and charity & non-profit sector knowledge.

Our methodology focused on three core principles: minimal disruption to ongoing operations, stakeholder collaboration at every stage, and sustainable, scalable solutions designed for long-term success.

We conducted extensive discovery sessions with key stakeholders, documented current workflows, identified pain points, and co-designed solutions that aligned with Family Friends Wrexham's strategic objectives. This collaborative approach ensured buy-in across the organization and set the foundation for successful implementation.

The Solution

Custom CRM development with Azure hosting and managed IT support

Based on our comprehensive assessment, we designed and implemented a tailored solution that addressed both immediate needs and long-term strategic goals. Our approach combined cutting-edge technology with proven methodologies, ensuring Family Friends Wrexham could continue operations without interruption while we transformed their infrastructure.

The solution was implemented in carefully planned phases, allowing for thorough testing and validation at each stage. We worked closely with Family Friends Wrexham's team throughout the process, providing training, documentation, and ongoing support to ensure smooth adoption and long-term success.

Co-designed custom CRM built around their specific workflows
Implemented secure, cloud-based solution with role-based access
Enabled live, real-time data updates across the organisation
Deployed centralised service management and impact reporting
Optimised Azure infrastructure using charity technology discounts

Implementation Process

Our structured 6 months implementation approach ensured seamless delivery with minimal disruption to Family Friends Wrexham's operations. Each phase was carefully planned and executed with clear milestones and stakeholder communication.


1

Discovery & Co-Design

Weekly meetings to understand operations, referrals, impact measurement, and requirements

4 weeks
2

Custom CRM Development

Building secure, cloud-based CRM with live data capabilities

12 weeks
3

Infrastructure Optimisation

Azure hosting setup with cost-neutral charity discount optimisation

4 weeks
4

Training & Handover

Team training and establishing ongoing managed IT support

4 weeks

Results & Impact

Live data access, real-time impact reporting, cost-neutral infrastructure

The transformation delivered measurable, sustainable results that exceeded Family Friends Wrexham's expectations. Within the first few months of going live, the improvements were evident across all areas of operations. Staff reported significant reductions in time spent on manual processes, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities.

Beyond the immediate operational benefits, the solution positioned Family Friends Wrexham for future growth. The scalable infrastructure and modern systems provided a solid foundation for expanding services, supporting new initiatives, and maintaining competitive advantage in the Charity & Non-Profit sector.

Measurable Outcomes:

8 staff members now securely accessing a single live CRM
100% elimination of legacy Access database dependency
Real-time impact reporting replacing manual data consolidation
Improved cybersecurity posture with secure Azure hosting
Typically <1 hour response time for IT support tickets
Cost-neutral cloud hosting through charity discount optimisation
Weekly project milestones delivered on schedule

"Family Friends Wrexham is now operating with enhanced efficiency, improved security, and the confidence to pursue new opportunities in their market."


"We have codesigned a custom CRM for our whole charity together which will allow us to gather live impact data and manage services effectively. The team have been like fairy godmothers. I just kept throwing my dreams their way and they made it a reality. I have never known an issue we needed support with not fixed within an hour of raising a ticket. As a charity we have to raise the funds to survive on every level but the cost of having the IT support is now a baseline in my annual budget as it saves us money in the long run. I would not be without them. If you are an organisation without a tech or IT department I would strongly urge you to get them on board. You won't believe how much easier your life will be!"
Jo
Charity Leadership, Family Friends Wrexham

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