Data#3 teams with MSP to save clients millions

Data#3 has teamed up with an MSP to save major utilities companies $3.9 million.

The major contract builds on Data#3's new offering, which it explained as basic IT support as-a-service for businesses looking to drive employee productivity.

The Brisbane-headquartered company has a team of 10 'productivity specialists' who develop training programs designed to support employees in their use of day-to-day software, such as Microsoft's Word and Excel.

These productivity specialists send out daily bulletins and, depending on the size of the client, Data#3 will also deploy a support specialist onsite to provide face-to-face support.

"The problem we're addressing is one many organisations face," said Paul Woods, Data#3's national manager of business productivity services.

"Everyone assumes everyone can use Office and Windows and a lot of people are afraid to ask for help. What we try to do is build a long-term program over 12 months that includes a few different aspects."

By providing 'How To' bulletins daily and one-on-one time with a specialist, Woods claimed his team had been able to "increase productivity by millions per year".

For example, Data#3 teamed up with Sparq, a managed service provider established by Queensland-based energy companies, Ergon and Energex.

Data#3 and Sparq provided Ergon and Energex's combined 8,000 staff with its support services, saving them $3.9 million over 12 months – more than double their initial estimate of $1.5 million.

As a result, Data#3's contract was renewed for another six months.