“Our work with The Mercers’ Company in creating a new members’ site using SharePoint Server has enabled the Livery to significantly reduce the time spent updating news, content and member contact details for their Freemen, Liverymen and Assistants.” Andrew Chalmers, Ballard Chalmers
The 108 Livery Companies of the City of London encapsulate the story of Britain from the twelfth Century to today. The Companies developed as mediaeval guilds, responsible for the regulation of their trades. Some still have a professional role, where others have become purely charitable foundations. Steeped in history and tradition, Livery Companies are today modern entities, with significant portfolios of property and assets.
Situation
The Company, one of the Great 12 Liveries, required a forum for Members to be more involved in the Company – deliver more up to date Company information and news, enable Members to connect and share information, whilst relieving the burden on admin to update contact details and manage event attendance.
Outcome
Ballard Chalmers designed, engineered and developed a secure private intranet for the Company using Microsoft SharePoint Server.
The new Members’ site delivers:
- Self-service Member updating: Members can now keep their own data up to date and can opt to hide all but the most basic details.
- Company news.
- Information is now easy to publish for admin staff and the Members experience a more dynamic and fresh cycle of Company information and news – including announcements such as births, deaths and marriages.
- Company diary.
- Ease of use and administrate: All Company events are centralised in a simple Outlook calendar and linked to the Company’s Exchange email system.