Problem: 1st Byte needed to implement a new management information system, but had already made significant investments in other parts of their business

Solution: CCL arranged a flexible rental agreement, which allowed the company to spread the costs over time, without impacting on their cash flow

Helping 1st Byte invest in essential technology, without eating into their cash flow
1st Byte is Europe's leading digital colour print company. Based in London, close to both the City and the West End, 1st Byte produces print predominantly for advertising and design agencies who need high quality, short run, personalised print for targeted marketing campaigns and pitches. The company uses the latest printing technology including three Indigo digital presses, a fully configured six-colour turbostream printer and the IndiChrome Offpress ink mixing system. Since it was set up in 1997, 1st Byte has doubled its turnover every year - and in 1999, the company was voted Printer of the Year by the British Association of Printers and Copyshops.

As a fast-growing organisation, 1st Byte recognised the need to implement new technology to improve efficiency within their business - and in 2000, decided to invest in a new management information system, which would bring together estimating, job tracking and invoicing into one package. Having recently made significant investments in new digital printing presses and new premises, they opted to rent the new system - and their technology supplier Tharstern arranged the finance agreement for them through CCL.

It was an essential business investment
1st Byte's Managing Director Lawrence Dalton explains why the new system was so important for the business. "We were previously using separate IT packages for estimating, creating job tickets and invoicing. But because we'd grown so rapidly, we realised we needed a centralised system to give us a complete view of what was going on in our business. The new package allows us to quickly see what stage each job is at, and how profitable it is. And since implementing the system, we've probably seen a 5 - 10% increase in efficiency."

Rental made the cost easier to manage
By renting their technology, 1st Byte can spread the cost of the £60,000 package over a number of years. According to Lawrence, this has significant benefits for the business. "As a relatively small company, cash flow is very important. By renting our technology, we've been able to make this important investment, without stretching our cash flow or having to find the money upfront."

"We also particularly liked the fact we could include all elements of our solution, such as training and maintenance, into one agreement," explains Lawrence. "We're planning to acquire all our technology in this way in the future."

Click here to view Tharstern case study - 1st byte's technology provider

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