Glass Partnership is a design and interactive marketing business offering clients creative services enabling them to link their brands with a world full of connected consumers.

‘We do this via persuasive dialogue that makes the best use of technology and its ability to enable interactions,’ says chief executive Ben Hart.

Glass has experienced rapid growth over the past 12 months and has won the business of organisations such as Lloyds, Disney and the Diamond Trading Company.

Hart says his firm’s IT systems had to scale up to meet the larger workload of the growing client base, and allow the use of new skills to serve specialist requirements. ‘We needed an IT strategy that enabled communication with clients, partners and suppliers in an efficient, transparent and above all profitable way,’ he says.

Hart says the new IT strategy was put in place at the beginning of 2005. It centred on an investment in Microsoft’s Small Business Server software, and a framework that allowed an incremental introduction of further functionality. This hinges on technologies for promoting better sharing of information and cheaper ways of communicating with clients and staff, he says.

‘We are in a position now where project processes and communication occurs transparently and as a matter of course across borders and time zones, allowing management in London to meet client briefs and ambitious deadlines,’ he says.

‘IT also forms a common platform for the agency’s workflow – client areas are set up at the start of each project and enable forums for shared documents, sign-offs using digital signatures and for project feedback and progression,’ says Hart.

The firm has also introduced internet telephony using Skype, and has implemented an extranet, he adds.

‘Having an IT strategy has allowed us to manage a period of rapid growth, and at the same time put in place a platform for future growth,’ says Hart.

‘We’re still learning and looking to improve our systems and processes, but are confident that our investment in IT will continue to underpin our market-leading position and add value to our clients and their projects.’