Andy Ogilvie MRICS,
Director at Virtus Consult
“What was the primary reason for implementing ESTA and has it achieved its intended outcomes?”
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Andy: Our main goal is to find a more efficient way to manage our data and improve the quality of the reports we provide to our clients. For the past 30 years, we've relied on Excel and Word for reporting, but now we want a better, more data-rich method.
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“How has ESTA impacted the business overall?”
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Andy: Overall, things have improved. There was a learning curve when we introduced something new, especially since we've been using industry-standard tools for the last 20 or 30 years. However, this change has led to more consistent reporting and a more efficient way of working.
“Why did you implement ESTA?”
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Andy: We want to be early adopters of new technology. We've noticed our competitors investing heavily in IT to move to digital platforms, and we don't want to fall behind. Our clients now expect this type of reporting.
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Most of our clients are large companies that could choose to work with bigger firms, but we prefer they stick with us, a smaller consultant, because we provide quality service they might not get elsewhere. This technology helps us compete on that level.
“What does the before and after picture look like for you?”
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Andy: Looking back, we've moved away from traditional Word templates and Excel reports. Switching to the new platform has improved the quality and presentation of the information we provide to clients. It also allows us to offer live project updates directly through our website.
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“What’s been the most surprising thing for you?”
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Andy: The most surprising and pleasing aspect of the past six months since we started using ESTA has been the support and development of the product. ESTA has been great at addressing specific issues we had with reporting and providing exactly what we needed to present our information effectively.