Cloud Fixers Pty Ltd

For Immediate Release
Sydney, Australia

Press Contact
David Perks
+61 424 282 465

david@cloudfixers.com

Cloud Fixers guide Allan Hall Business Advisors to lead mid-size Accounting and Advisory firms with SaaS

Having completed a technology modernisation program over the last 18 months, Allan Hall Business Advisors now operates entirely without servers by utilising a Software as a Service (SaaS) technology model.

“Most people are surprised that we have been able to shift from traditional software, servers and the inevitable customisations that have built up over many years to this modern landscape in such a short period of time, without significant interruption to our work practices.” says Simon Paterson, Partner responsible for systems and technology.

“Two years ago we operated multiple on-premise servers that needed replacement. It would have required a substantial capital outlay. Additionally, some of our desktops took ages to boot up, and our Practice Management system was designed and configured more than 20 years ago, so we vigorously explored all available options to modernise all of our technology and practice management systems, and bring them up to date with the most efficient systems available for professional services.”

“Fortunately, we connected with Cloud Fixers, who provided an independent review of our processes and systems at the time, and that’s when we learned what was possible in the modern landscape.” Simon says.

Working with Allan Hall, Cloud Fixers designed a change journey that took the business from legacy technology via cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and then fully into Software as a Service (SaaS).

“We looked at the situation through a few different lenses; the Client Experience, the Employee Experience and finally the Shareholder lens. For the Employee lens we asked how we could simplify the ways that people were working, support them with modern platforms, and provide fast access to systems and data securely from anywhere” says David Perks, CEO at Cloud Fixers.

Working systematically through a list of critical action points, Allan Hall replaced its network with a faster and redundant internet connection for fast access to the cloud. Following this, servers were lifted and shifted out of the server room in Brookvale and into Microsofts’ Azure platform.

“These changes were early in our journey and happened just in time for the first round of COVID lock downs” says Paterson. “They made the whole work from home situation very seamless from a technology perspective”. “What COVID resulted in for us is that we probably cycled in laptops to replace desktops more quickly than we otherwise might have done”.

Being in the cloud from an infrastructure perspective provided a lot of confidence to start the process of retiring legacy systems and implementing the best modern practice options available in the market.

Having been a myob firm for many years, Allan Hall have based their modern practice around the Xero ecosystem.

“Becoming Xero centric has allowed Allan Hall to replace a large number of bolt on’s that were built around myob with a much smaller set of core systems” says David Perks at Cloud Fixers.

Xero Practice Manager, Xero Tax, FYI Docs, ATO Mate and eSignature software plus Office365 and Practice Protect are the platforms that Allan Hall have implemented. These work hand in glove so that the compliance work is prepared, reviewed, and filed efficiently and advisory work benefits from enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing in Microsoft Teams and SharePoint. A suite of Custom Xero Practice Manager reports and Power BI reports fills the management reporting need.

The simplification of systems means that everything a staff member needs to do can be done securely from anywhere in a web-browser. 

Cancelling various legacy systems and applications subscriptions over the last 18 months has resulted in meaningful savings according to Allan Hall who have found that their ongoing IT systems costs are significantly below previous levels.

“When we got into cloud-based paradigm, we experienced a cost-effective way to run the infrastructure compared to what we had before, but since we have become serverless all of our costs are optimised and elastic as we scale and grow.” Paterson says.

“Furthermore, because SaaS platforms are continuously upgraded, we have escaped the cycle of version upgrade projects. With only MS Office and a Browser needed on devices, our desktop support needs are far simpler than in the past, so our IT Helpdesk costs are lower.”

Cloud Fixers note that many firms take far longer to modernise their systems and still fall far short of a full transformation, achieving lesser benefits.

“We are proud to have guided Allan Hall through a full modernisation journey and for them to come out of it with so many advantages for their People, Clients and Business” Perks said.

Perks noted “It is difficult to let go of the past and embrace the future and it is a testament to the leaders at Allan Hall that they have been able to rethink the way they work and become very agile, more informed about modern work practices, and open to ongoing change.” 

Paterson concluded “Whilst we have come a long way in a short time, adopting the mindset of being an agile business means that we are now much more aware of the future potential that technology can provide for us. This is a continuous journey, and we are excited to see where things go next”.

“Whatever that future looks like, we have great confidence that the technology platform that we now have is able to adapt rapidly to those needs”.

Allan Hall Business Advisors (Allan Hall) is a mid-size Chartered Accounting and Advisory firm headquartered in Brookvale, Sydney AUSTRALIA.

www.allanhall.com.au 

Cloud Fixers is a Technology Advisory firm providing technology strategy, change management, project management and process automation services. Its clients range from Professional Services organisations to Manufacturers, Retail and Distribution organisations.
Cloud Fixers employees work from anywhere and are not tied to a physical headquarters.
www.cloudfixers.com