Martyn Smith on GBE Converge's IT Solutions for SMEs

Martyn Smith is joint Managing Director of GBE Converge and is responsible for delivering the company’s IT Solutions business. Martyn has a wealth of knowledge of the IT sector and formed Converge in 2008 before merging with GBE in 2016. Here are Martyn’s views on the comprehensive range of  IT solutions GBE Converge can offer SMEs.

What range of IT services is GBE Converge providing to SMEs?

As an experienced IT infrastructure and support company, we meet the entire spectrum of a company’s IT needs. This means having the expertise and knowledge to offer a range of services that includes IT infrastructure, Data and Hosted Services, Security and Disaster Recovery, IT Support and Structured Cabling. GBE Converge also offer the ‘virtual IT manager’ to SMEs for future vision and strategy.

What type of customers does GBE converge provide IT services for?

Our customers span a range of different industries and sectors, meaning our breadth of knowledge and expertise is equally diverse. For example, we work in the education sector with clients such as Gloucester Academy, Cheltenham College and Cleeve School, in Sports stadiums such as Gloucester Rugby Club and The Ricoh Arena in Coventry, commercial enterprises such as Robert Welch, Adey, Solent Stevedores, Soho Coffee, National Shower Spares, Montpellier PR and Bellwood Prestbury and residential projects such as Barts Square and the Gasholders development in London.

What are the IT challenges customers typically encounter?

Our customers face numerous IT challenges that include initial infrastructure design to security and disaster recovery plans. Many of our customers are now looking for support with data protection, with the upcoming GDPR in mind, including encryption, firewalls and security audits. We now offer a complete Managed Service whereby we take responsibility of a customer’s total IT solution.

What level of support does GBE Converge provide?

We support our customers by offering a range of services, either as a completely outsourced IT solution or to complement their current internal IT department. By providing a bespoke service we work closely with our customers to ensure their needs are met and a strong, ongoing and long-term partnership is established.

What do our customers value in working with GBE Converge?

We regularly receive comments referring to the strong partnerships we establish with our customers that are initiated from our very first interaction. This allows us to ensure all our customers’ IT needs are met and the most appropriate and beneficial services are supplied. Through our expertise and experience we meet these needs with an approach that is both cost-effective and responsive. Above all, we develop a very trusting relationship with our customers.

How is the merger between GBE Fire and Security and Converge helping customers?

The merger with GBE has put the final piece of the jigsaw into place, my vision of being able to design, implement and support all IP Based solutions is now a reality. The joining together of two very customer focussed businesses can only be a positive move for all our customers. A win-win for everyone concerned.