Contracts & Collaborations IT expertise boosts Guerilla expansion


Opal IT has strengthened its hand in the North East’s burgeoning creative sector by clinching a contract with a fast-growing firm that aims to double turnover in twelve months. Creative and digital communications agency Guerilla has


expanded rapidly since its formation in 2002, increasing its range of services, adding to its team of staff and winning lucrative contracts with firms in the food and drink, pharmaceutical, sports and leisure industries. Now the Newcastle-based firm is preparing for the next


phase of expansion by making sure its operating systems are robust enough to cope with a further surge in new business. An agreement has been struck with Newcastle-headquartered Opal, a multi-platform IT solutions


provider, to revamp Guerilla’s IT infrastructure and network security to make processes far more efficient and enable easy access to huge amounts of data. Opal has been tasked with installing new physical and virtual servers, as well as a secure cloud-based back-up solution that protects the increasing amounts of data held by Guerilla. As part of the contract, Opal will also provide the company with ongoing onsite IT maintenance, advice and support. The move is intended to help Guerilla take on and service


extra work, add to its 15-strong team of staff and double its seven-figure annual revenues by the middle of 2019. James Allen, managing director of Guerilla, said: “As we’ve


grown, we’ve had to collect and store more data about our clients, and our IT has been struggling to keep up. Our previous servers, which had served us well in the past, were reaching the end of their shelf-life and the systems were getting slower. “Our contract with Opal means we now have an IT system


that’s fit-for-purpose and tailored to our growth plans. Without their support, we’d have been stuck with an archaic IT system that wouldn’t allow us to hit our growth targets.”


Metcalfe (left), MD of Opal IT with James Allen, MD of Guerilla.


Opal provides a wide variety of services and specialises in


the creation, integration and maintenance of multi-site virtual networks. An Authorised Apple Premium service provider, JAMF Casper Suite Integrator and approved Microsoft partner, the company works with a number of high-profile clients in the creative industries as well as those operating in the education, retail, legal and financial services sectors. Its biggest client has more than 50 global sites and 25,000 employees worldwide. Andy Metcalfe, managing director of Opal, said: “As companies


evolve they need a flexible, robust IT solution that can facilitate their immediate and future growth. Guerilla is a good example of the type of ambitious, fast-expanding creative agency that we work with, not just in the North East but all over the UK. “Over the years we’ve developed a strong understanding of


the industry and this, coupled with our knowledge of emerging technology solutions, means we can ably assist our clients on their growth journey.”


Inglis Riverside Stables Deploys Exterity IP Video and Digital Signage System


Exterity have announced that it is the supplier of the completely integrated IP video and digital signage solution at the newly- opened Inglis Riverside Stables thoroughbred auctioneer and boutique hotel venue at Sydney’s Warwick Farm Racecourse. The new Inglis Riverside Stables venue, opened in February


2018, replaces Inglis’ Newmarket site near the Royal Randwick Racecourse. The A$140 million (£79.2 million/€89 million) Riverside Stables complex is built on 26 acres of land overlooking Warwick Farm Racecourse. It aims to deliver a world-class experience for the buying and selling of thoroughbred horses, as well as attract new racing audiences through the adjacent luxury hotel. The impressive sale yard features parade areas with three different surfaces, hospitality areas next to each barn and an indoor sale arena. By deploying Exterity’s IP video system, visitors to the racing and entertainment complex can enjoy a state-of-the-art up-close experience at the stables and auction arena. Specified, supplied and installed by specialist audio-visual integrators The P.A. People, the Exterity system delivers TV,


video and live auction feeds to over 250 displays – which comprise a mix of standard TVs with AvediaPlayer Media Players and LG SmartTVs – throughout the hotel, stables, hospitality suites, auction rooms, public areas and paddocks, integrated with Exterity’s Digital Signage Solution, ArtioSign. In the hotel, the immersive visitor experience is extended with in-room guest access to the live auction feeds and TV, movies on-demand and interactive guest services. “Making extensive use of video is a great way for horse


enthusiasts to keep up with all the action across the Inglis Riverside Stables and Warwick Farm Racecourse,” said Colin Farquhar, CEO at Exterity. “Being able to show all the action of the live auction and offer additional equine-related information through digital signage enables the Stables to guarantee a world-class experience to all visitors – from thoroughbred horse buyers and sellers to seasoned race-goers and first timers. We are proud that our solutions are playing an active role in combining long-standing tradition with a state-of-the-art environment that brings the equine world into a new era.”


www.isopps.com 07


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19