From humble beginnings as a local fruit grower, Keelings turned major produce grower and distributor, renowned for its commitment to quality and sustainability. The story of Keelings is not just about the fruits they grow but also about the seeds of innovation they plant in every aspect of their business.

However, Keelings faced a significant challenge: their workforce was not fully utilising the potential of Microsoft 365 (M365) tools. This led to manual, time-consuming processes, adding pressure to their daily operations. Recognising the need for change, they sought our expertise to enhance collaboration and efficiency.

The Challenge 

The initial need for Keeling’s was clear, to encourage the adoption of M365 tools across their teams. The main objectives were:

  • To see a return on investment through better utilisation of M365 tools.
  • To foster a culture of collaboration and efficiency using these tools.
  • To streamline processes that were heavily reliant on manual input.
Person picking out fruit from local market

Engagement and Solution 

Our engagement with Keeling’s was facilitated through Softcat. The key contact at Keeling’s was the CIO, whose primary goal was to maximise the ROI from M365 tools. The project, named “Better Ways,” aimed to help employees find improved methods of working, enhance collaboration, and boost productivity.

A Comprehensive Service Suite 

In our engagement with Keelings, we provided a suite of comprehensive services designed to enhance their business processes and technological capabilities.

This included the establishment of a Centre of Excellence, aimed at fostering best practices and leading the charge in Scenario Success initiatives. A key focus was on the overall adoption of Microsoft 365 (M365) tools across the organisation, ensuring that these powerful resources were fully leveraged to their maximum potential. Furthermore, we developed custom solutions, notably Power Apps, to automate and streamline various processes.

These tailored applications were instrumental in transforming manual, time-consuming tasks into efficient, tech-driven operations, significantly boosting productivity and operational efficiency within Keelings.

Achievements and Impact

Despite being in its early stages, the project with Keelings has already demonstrated promising results and a significant impact on their operations. One of the key achievements includes conducting ‘Art of the Possible’ sessions across the business, which were instrumental in showcasing the vast potential of Microsoft 365 (M365) tools.

These sessions helped in visualising new possibilities and inspiring the workforce to embrace modern technological solutions. Additionally, we have successfully implemented five targeted scenarios that were identified as critical areas for improvement.

This implementation involved the development of custom Power Apps and the effective use of Planner, tools that are pivotal in streamlining and enhancing business processes.

Alongside these developments, we’ve observed a notable increase in the usage of M365 tools across the company. While specific metrics regarding tool adoption are yet to be thoroughly analysed, the initial uptick in usage is a positive indicator of the project’s trajectory and its potential long-term benefits for Keelings.

A Broader Perspective The Future Outlook

The future looks bright for Keeling’s, with the expectation of substantial benefits from the implemented scenarios. For instance, one scenario involves replacing a cumbersome process involving spreadsheets and emails with a streamlined Power App. This change is expected to significantly reduce delays and improve task management.

Other anticipated outcomes include:

  • A considerable reduction in email usage.
  • Enhanced inter-team communication through platforms like Teams.
  • Continued adoption and innovative use of M365 tools for better work practices.
  • Reduction of subscriptions to 3rd party suppliers