Case Study: Comprehensive Managed IT for Creative Materials Corporation
Founded in 1993, Creative Materials Corporation supplies tile, porcelain pavers and paver systems, and other related building materials to the commercial construction industry. Utilizing extensive experience supplying materials to commercial construction projects, Creative Materials guides architecture firms, developers, and corporate multi-unit brands through product specification and the successful supply of materials to each and every project.
In 2018, Creative Materials celebrated its 25th Anniversary and relocated from its Boston Design Center to a new location with additional workspace for employees. Creative Materials continues to expand into new markets and territories including New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. by following a commercial-only, client-first strategy that has been ingrained since day one.
“We love to call cb20 as we really feel like we have a true partner. As we grow, they grow with us. With cb20 we have a dedicated resource fixed on proactive, excellent service. It has made a huge difference in our business.”
— Jean Sullivan, Director of Operations and Optimization, Creative Materials Corporation
The IT Challenges: Moving from Reactive to Proactive
Before engaging with cb20, Creative Materials was unhappy with their technology partner due to their lack of service and speed. They needed a full technology refresh including updating desktop workstation hardware and software, as well as upgrading servers and switches. Creative Materials chose cb20 for their proactive approach.
“Our previous company was just reactive,” recalls Jean Sullivan, Director of Operations & Optimization for Creative Materials Corporation. “As the point person for all technology, I needed a team I could rely on to help keep us up and running and moving in the right direction for expansion. cb20 fit all of our requirements.”
The cb20 Managed IT Solution
cb20 worked with Creative Materials from day one with a comprehensive, managed IT approach to their needs.
“Before we didn’t have an IT team. Now cb20 is our team. Even from the very beginning the sales team was very knowledgeable about what they were selling,” recalls Jean. “When we needed to upgrade our firewall, cb20 was more than willing to work with a third party to help configure and integrate systems that would best fit our specific needs. It was a great partnership.”
Matt Ronas, Director of Professional Services and Tim Nepus, Senior Systems Engineer worked with their team at cb20 to align the business and technology needs for Creative Materials. “With managed IT you have the benefit of a higher level of service, oversight and technology partners to leverage,” said Matt. “We not only develop project scope and standardize processes according to best practices, but are there to recommend, install, support and refresh technology as needed.”
cb20 was tasked with not only replacing a firewall, but upgrading servers and switches as well as desktop hardware and software. “We start by aligning the business needs with technology,” said Tim. “We look at the risks and vulnerabilities as well as what direction the business or vertical is headed in in order to develop a comprehensive plan and get ahead of their technology needs. As we get clients like Creative Materials on board, it is a lot of work up front but once we establish a process that fits their budget, tech needs and business goals, companies become more proactive and less reactive.”
All hardware and software is now monitored and replaced on a regular cycle based on age and need, so Creative Materials can plan for these changes in their budget. With a new warehouse being built, cb20 is currently working on installing a new point-of-sale (POS) system, order fulfillment workstations, a VPN and firewall.
About cb20
cb20 is a technology solutions provider of choice for organizations that value IT and Managed Services expertise and category-leading customer service. We partner with the world’s leading hardware and software companies to deliver end-to-end consulting, implementation and managed services across the U.S. With world-class engineering talent and 30+ years of experience cb20 delivers confidence, security, a true sense of control and the highest-quality, end-to-end customer experience in the business.