VIVOBAREFOOT

MANAGED IT CASE STUDY: PUTTING OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD WITH VIVOBAREFOOT

Optimising IT has played a pivotal role in revolutionising the IT infrastructure of Vivobarefoot over the past two years. Our mission was to introduce strategic, cloud-based solutions that would transform the company’s data management and storage procedures. The outcome? Increased staff productivity and an enhanced customer experience that echoed Vivobarefoot’s dedication to excellence and innovation.

THE BUSINESS: VIVOBAREFOOT

Vivobarefoot is much more than a footwear brand, it’s a movement that strives to reconnect people with the natural world. As a certified B Corp (just as we are), Vivobarefoot is committed to creating shoes inspired by nature, designed to promote the natural strength, stability and movement of our feet. Their stylish and groundbreaking shoes go far beyond aesthetics – they are built with the intention to let wearers feel the earth beneath their feet.

Founded by Galahad Clark, a seventh-generation shoemaker and member of the family behind the famous Clarks Shoes brand, Vivobarefoot has always aimed to disrupt the footwear industry with its innovative approach to regenerative footwear, designed to allow the wearer to feel as close to being barefoot as possible. With concept stores scattered throughout Europe, an extensive online platform, and a product range spanning men’s, women’s and children’s shoes, Vivobarefoot has established a strong global presence.

THE CHALLENGE: WHAT DID VIVOBAREFOOT NEED?

To achieve its ambitious goals, Vivobarefoot needed an experienced and dedicated partner who could help them navigate the often-complex world of IT. They required a managed IT service provider capable of creating and guiding their operational IT strategy. Their objectives were clear: streamline services, reduce costs, and utilise cloud-based services and Microsoft’s core applications to their maximum potential.

Their existing central data storage solution was a third-party application that failed to meet their needs. It was not popular among the staff and lacked the flexibility and adaptability needed to drive the company’s growth. Additionally, the brand required enhancements to its network infrastructure to bolster stability and resilience at its head office and retail stores.

THE RESULTS: WHAT DID WE DO?

Taking the challenge head-on, Optimising IT devised a comprehensive, cloud-based approach. We facilitated Vivobarefoot’s transition to a Microsoft Office 365 environment, including SharePoint and OneDrive for their central data storage needs. This shift was transformative, ushering in a new era of data management and storage practices for the company. Moreover, we conducted a complete overhaul of the network infrastructure at Vivobarefoot’s head office and retail outlets, which significantly enhanced the resilience and stability of their IT services.

Cloud-based solutions are becoming increasingly popular in post-Covid business as they offer enhanced flexibility, remote collaboration capabilities and near-effortless scalability. They provide robust security measures, streamlined IT management and promote effective teamwork. Additionally, cloud-based services ensure data protection, improve disaster recovery capabilities and enable businesses to adapt and optimise their operations efficiently.

By embracing these technologies and putting their trust in Optimising IT as its trusted and experienced managed IT provider, Vivobarefoot has been able to drive productivity, streamline its workflows and position itself for the next stage of its expansion.

THE APPROACH: HOW DID WE DO IT?

At Optimising IT, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive understanding of cloud-based services and how they can be leveraged to drive business growth. Working closely with Vivobarefoot, we developed a plan that aligned perfectly with their strategic IT goals.

Recognising the urgent need for a more efficient and user-friendly data storage solution, our team orchestrated a seamless transfer of data from their unpopular and unfit-for-purpose third-party application to SharePoint and OneDrive. Simultaneously, we led an extensive revamp of Vivobarefoot’s network infrastructure, implementing innovative solutions to significantly enhance service stability and resilience.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY BENEFITS FOR VIVOBAREFOOT

Our collaboration with Vivobarefoot has brought about some truly outstanding results. These include:

• Enhanced end-user performance: Our SharePoint migration ensured staff could work efficiently within the Microsoft 365 environment, leading to increased productivity and enhanced data accessibility.
• Reduced monthly costs: By transitioning to a more effective data storage solution, we helped Vivobarefoot decrease its overheads and redirect resources to other crucial aspects of its business.
• Improved service levels and end-user productivity: The integration of Optimising IT recommended services such as 2FA (two-factor authentication) and Office 365 backups increased security, enhanced service levels, and boosted user productivity.
• Robust and resilient network infrastructure: Our comprehensive overhaul of the systems at Vivobarefoot’s head office and retail stores resulted in a robust and resilient network infrastructure, vital for supporting the company’s growth and expansion.

These strategic improvements have not only streamlined internal operations but also had a positive impact on the customer experience. This achievement reflects Vivobarefoot’s unwavering commitment to quality and service, propelling them further on their path to revolutionise the global footwear industry.