Olympia London Case Study

Building a Trustworthy Partnership for the Years Ahead

Olympia London, also known as the Olympia Exhibition Centre, is a historic and iconic venue in West Kensington, London. An integral part of the city's cultural and event landscape for nearly 140 years, it's hosted various events, including exhibitions, conferences, live entertainment, and more. Since its opening, Olympia London has continued to inspire visitors with its grand Victorian architecture and versatile event spaces, serving as a hub for art, culture, education, entertainment, and work. 

With plans to continue to modernise and be even more of a focal point for creativity, innovation, and inspiration in the heart of London, they sought to modernise their IT infrastructure with a keen focus on connectivity, data management, and cybersecurity. Amidst transformative changes, they turned to Fifosys for a seamless transition after the retirement of a system administrator. 

For this case study, we were joined by Amir Vered, Head of eForce and IT at Olympia London, to explore the partnership between Olympia London and Fifosys before assessing how tailored IT solutions have led to operational success.

The Challenges Faced

The departure of Olympia's IT system admin after 25 years in service prompted an evaluation of technology needs and the support required in fostering growth and modernisation. 

As such, they faced a dilemma with two potential solutions:

Option One: Recruit a new staff member, try to impart 25 years' worth of experience to them and hope they stick around for a similar tenure

Option Two: Search for an MSP who can offer resilience and the flexibility to integrate into the Olympia team

The sensible and more secure solution, it was decided, was to go down the MSP route. Not short of potential avenues, Olympia engaged with a globally recognised MSP, but they soon realised they were a "small fish in a big pond," overshadowed by larger clients with more complex demands, more staff and a more extensive network, Amir says. 

These fears were realised as early as the onboarding process, which didn't go well at all, as "they promised the dream and delivered a nightmare", which led to the search to find a company that actually cared about their business, could be an extension of the team, be available, proud of what they produce and would form a meaningful working relationship.

Not satisfied with living in a nightmare scenario, they went back on the hunt, with the quest for a more bespoke, attentive MSP now imperative.

Fifosys: A Tailored Solution

At Fifosys, we pride ourselves on bringing almost a boutique feel to everyone we interact with. Countless business-critical decisions hinge on us working to your needs and becoming a part of your business, so understanding the requirements - and how we can meet them - is crucial to us.

As such, we carry out a meticulous onboarding process, which demonstrated our commitment to understanding Olympia London's unique requirements and the nuances that come with managing a historic venue. 

"They came on site, spent time with us in the office, and conducted an audit. There, they peeled off the layers of everything and got to know our business, how we operate, our vision and limitations. We're growing from a venue to a destination, so we need to be robust, scalable and future-proof. 

"Cyber security is critical to us as we work towards our future plans, and this was understood immediately." Amir says, continuing, "In a small business, every tiny wave creates massive ripples, and we had chemistry with Fifosys from the moment they came to visit us for an initial discussion."

Fifosys' detail-oriented audit and personable service delivered a stark contrast to past experiences, reinforcing Olympia's decision to forge a new partnership.

Trust and Transparency

Amir spoke emphatically about the quality of service and the level of attention they receive from Fifosys, "We end the day knowing that we're no longer that small fish in a big pond; we matter, we know it, and we know we can trust them to do what they promised," he asserts.

Our collaboration's success is rooted in genuine care for Olympia's aspirations and an appreciation for their stature within the industry. Amir conveys that with Fifosys, there's a palpable sense that "they didn't promise anything they couldn't deliver," ensuring a transparent and successful relationship.

Key Benefits

The alignment between Olympia London and Fifosys manifests in tailored IT strategies that enhance scalability and put the infrastructure in place to help Olympia in their transition from a venue to a vibrant destination.

Equally, cyber security is a fortified component of their operational strategy, thanks to Fifosys' expertise and the 24/7/365 service desk - which Olympia staff now rely on daily.

Our partnership has redefined what an MSP experience means to Amir and his team, establishing a benchmark where personalised service results in feeling valued and guarantees technological solutions aligned with client ambitions and industry demands. 

As with every partnership we forge, we work to be viewed as a support entity and an integral, valued extension of the team, with Amir describing Fifosys in three words as:

• Valued

• Experts

• Bespoke

Conclusion

Olympia London's journey illustrates the importance of a synchronised MSP relationship, and our dedicated approach ensures that they will remain at the forefront of IT solutions, preparing for a resilient and technologically advanced future in the exhibition space. 

This case study is a testament to a partnership's transformative power based on mutual respect, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to client success, and we look forward to many successful years ahead supporting Olympia on their journey.