CASE STUDY - Ethical Kidz Ltd
Ethical Kidz Limited (http://www.ethicalkidz.co.uk/) is an online shop which sells environmentally sourced, environmentally friendly toys and products for children. The business was started not only to sell these products but also to raise awareness of the environmental issues and educate the next generation on consequences of not looking after the planet.
The company was set up in November 2007 by Tara Gold, who is based in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, and began trading in May 2008. She is looking to expand the company in the future, hoping to take on employees once the website has become more established.
Tara's main problems with the business were her home internet reliability, often losing connection Tara had to relocate to her local McDonalds where she used their wireless broadband. Because of ongoing ICT issues Tara felt as if she was spending too long trying to resolve the issues and not enough time working with the business.
Tara first heard about the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) when she was talking to Business Link about support and grants available for small businesses. The adviser talked about Derbyshire WellConnected, a campaign run by DDEP and launched to help businesses use information and communications technology to enable them to become more effective. She entered the DDEP competition to win an ICT makeover for companies based in Derbyshire.
ABOUT THE ICT MAKEOVER:
Winning the ICT makeover competition was a great opportunity for Ethical Kidz, Tara felt that she needed help with the technical and online issues which were presented by the business. She knew what the gaps in her knowledge were and was keen to find out more about how she could update her systems to help Ethical Kidz become more efficient as well as solving her connectivity problems.
An assessment of Tara's ICT was undertaken by Sharpe Systems (the provider of all the ICT equipment) which identified a few improvements that could be made with Tara's processes and software. Funding for new equipment was needed in order for Ethical Kidz becoming more efficient.
In order to improve Tara's ICT it was suggested that:
- Internet access should have a back up connection
- Tara needs to be mobile, and have the functionality of working remotely.
- The current hardware is replaced
- Improved security for Tara's home network
- A system was put in place for backing up data and systems
- A more reliable e-mail system was used which was able to filter spam and viruses
More up to date, reliable stock control and accounting systems should be put in place if Tara wants to continue to expand the business.
Sharpe systems worked with Tara to address the issues highlighted in the ICT assessment, which included upgrading the business computer to a faster more reliable laptop which Tara could use on the move as well as providing Tara with a pay as you go Mobile Broadband USB dongle, for the times that her home broadband failed.
Tara said "Before the ICT makeover my broadband was unreliable and my stock control and accounting systems outdated. In order for the business to grow we had to address these current systems and the Derbyshire WellConnected ICT makeover helped me to do that. Now if I ever have broadband issues with my home connection, I can use the USB dongle which the DDEP makeover team gave me and don't have to take my laptop to McDonalds."
As well as a new laptop and hardware, Tara was provided with a back up drive so she won't have to worry about losing any information or data for Ethical Kidz.
"My new stock control and accounting systems has helped the business become much more efficient. I am really glad I called the Derbyshire WellConnected helpline, otherwise I may not have entered the competition and known about all the technology that could help my business."
