Overview
With a history spanning 175 years and authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Bromleys Solicitors LLP has an excellent reputation with its clients, peers and the wider business community in both Tameside and Manchester. In fact, Bromleys is recognised amongst The Legal 500 for 2024 as a Leading Firm in the UK.
Situated in the heart of Ashton-under-Lyne in the top three floors of the old fire station, Bromleys prides itself on offering clear, concise legal advice and lives-and-breathes its core values of delivering accessible, caring, and effective services.
Offering a comprehensive portfolio of legal solutions to Businesses (Corporate & Commercial Services, Corporate Recovery and Insolvency, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Property) and Individuals, (Bankruptcy and Insolvency, Care Proceedings and Children Services, Court of Protection and Powers of Attorney, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Family & Divorce, Personal Injury, Property, Wills, Probate & Planning For the Future) Bromleys not only employs some of the best legal advisers in the region, but also extensively utilises information technology to ensure the best possible experience for its clients.
Challenge
Due to unprecedented growth, Bromleys recognised the limitations of their on-premise servers and the need for a more dynamic and scalable IT solution. They consulted with Fusion who advised a transition to a cloud-based infrastructure.
The decision to migrate from on-premise servers to a cloud solution facilitated by Fusion was driven by several compelling factors.
Foremost among these was the desire for cost efficiency; cloud solutions offer a pay-as-you-go model eliminating capital expenditure on hardware and the ongoing costs associated with maintenance and upgrades. Additionally, the cloud’s scalable nature meant Bromleys could adjust its resources in line with business demands, ensuring optimal operational efficiency.
Security was another critical consideration for Bromleys. The sensitive nature of legal work necessitates stringent data protection measures. Fusion’s Private Cloud solution would offer robust security protocols, including advanced encryption and regular security updates, which provides Bromleys with peace of mind their client data is safeguarded against cyber threats.
The cloud infrastructure would also enhance Bromleys’ operational resilience. With data backed up in multiple secure locations, Bromleys would be well prepared for potential data loss scenarios, such as natural disasters or hardware failures. This level of redundancy would ensure business continuity and reinforced the firm’s reputation for reliability.
Moreover, the cloud solution would empower Bromleys’ workforce of 60+ staff with greater mobility and flexibility. Lawyers and staff could access case files and collaborate on documents from any location, at any time, using any Bromleys’ supplied internet-connected device. This capability would be particularly beneficial amidst the increasing trend for remote work, enabling the firm to attract and retain top legal talent who valued work-life balance.
In addition, Bromleys was undergoing a strategic review of its case management software and needed the flexibility to defer this choice until they were ready, ensuring they could make an informed decision without pressure. A cloud solution would provide the agility to allow this approach and negate any risk of wasting money on an incompatible system once the preferred case management solution was chosen.
Solution
To address the challenges posed, Fusion created a bespoke cloud solution in their Private Cloud. This included careful specification of the exact amount of cutting-edge processing and compute, plus storage in high performance Solid-State Drives (SSD) for faster file access and data retrieval. In addition, Fusion deployed a stringent managed backup regime providing industry-leading levels of resilience in the unlikely event of server failure. Licensing a cloud solution can sometimes prove expensive, but Fusion identified and were able to utilise Bromleys’ existing software licensing to maintain cost effectiveness.
The migration process was meticulously planned and executed. Fusion provided comprehensive documentation, detailing every aspect of the cloud solution to guarantee a seamless integration with Bromleys’ operations. This documentation serves as a roadmap, outlining the capabilities and processes that would enable Bromleys to leverage the cloud environment effectively for years to come.
A critical phase in the migration was the User Acceptance Testing (UAT). This step was crucial to validate the functionality and performance of the cloud solution in real-world scenarios. Bromleys’ staff engaged with the system, performing tasks and simulations to ensure that every component met their stringent requirements. The feedback gathered during UAT was instrumental in refining the system, leading to a highly tailored solution that aligned with the firm’s workflows and objectives.
The go-live date marked the culmination of the migration efforts. To facilitate a smooth transition, Fusion conducted floor-walking exercises. This involved Fusion’s IT specialists being present on-site at Bromleys to provide immediate assistance and guidance as the staff navigated the new cloud environment for the first time in a production scenario. This hands-on support helped to quickly resolve any teething issues and accelerated the adoption of the new system.
In addition, the agility of the cloud solution will be evidenced when Bromleys conclude their case management software review and select the preferred solution, whether this be MatterSphere, Proclaim or Peppermint. The cloud infrastructure, designed with scalability in mind, will adapt effortlessly to the new software, validating Bromleys’ decision to embrace a cloud-first approach.
Fusion’s Private Cloud provides Cloud Services at a Data Centre with: –
– ISO 27001, 27017 and 27018 accreditations
– Independent dark fibre network
– Points of Presence in key areas
– Perimeter Fencing
– Secure Access Control
– 24 x 7 Manned Security
– CCTV
– Independent Power Routes into the Data Centre
– Air-Conditioned Data Suites and Racks (Cold Aisle Containment)
– Smoke Detection and Fire Suppressant Systems
As a result of migrating to Fusion’s Private Cloud, Bromleys now enjoys enhanced operational efficiency, robust security, and the ability to scale resources on-demand, positioning them well for future growth and innovation in the legal sector. Fusion IT’s commitment to a detailed and user-centric migration process has set a benchmark for IT transitions within the industry.
Finally, in addition to the benefits above, Fusion has identified the migration to cloud has realised Bromleys’ savings of circa £3000 per annum in terms of power costs vis-à-vis an on-premises solution for two servers and a SAN, plus air conditioning and server warranties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bromleys’ migration to the Fusion Private Cloud solution was a strategic move that addressed multiple operational objectives. It offered Bromleys the flexibility to choose the most suitable case management software at their convenience, the agility to scale IT resources, cost savings, enhanced security, operational resilience, workforce mobility, and access to innovative technologies. This case study exemplifies how cloud solutions can transform the operations of a law firm, positioning it for success in the digital age. The decision by Bromleys serves as a testament to the firm’s commitment to excellence and adaptability in meeting the challenges of modern legal practice.