OCS
“We had a very clear view of what we wanted from a communications partner. Not only did we need cutting-edge technology but a high level of service and responsiveness at the same time.”
- Gareth Marriot, Managing Director, OCS
As one of the largest private employers in New Zealand, OCS is a leader in facility services, providing cleaning, hygiene and maintenance services to some of the country's largest companies.
With 25 branches and 4,000 employees servicing an equally large number of clients from Whangarei to Invercargill, technology and communications is fundamental to its business.
The company switched to 2degrees two years ago and OCS Managing Director Gareth Marriott says the two businesses have forged a unique, strategic partnership.
"We had a very clear view of what we wanted from a communications partner. Not only did we need cutting-edge technology but a high level of service and responsiveness at the same time," he says.
"Right from the outset, 2degrees' personal approach to business really resonated with us. 2degrees CEO Stewart Sherriff has played a very active role in bringing our business on board, which has been impressive. He understood our strategic plan and has worked closely with us to execute it," he says.
Marriott says 2degrees is often described by his team as "rock solid", as it always does what it takes to ensure success.
"Our whole partnership is based on being open and honest so when we have challenges, they understand and fix them quickly. Not everything runs smoothly all the time but it's reassuring that when things happen, we can pick up the phone and get a solution from 2degrees when we need it."
OCS initially switched its mobile business to 2degrees before then moving to roll out a 2degrees-managed WAN (Wide Area Network Service) that supplies technology and data between OCS's network of offices.
Marriott says moving to 2degrees has meant they have been able to make a number of efficiency gains.
"We have seen clear, measurable benefits from making the switch. At its simplest, we now have rolled up invoicing and account management which means we have one supplier. This has removed a significant amount of complexity from our business and reduced our administration costs. We are also seeing improved productivity of around 18% thanks to the speed of 2degrees' WAN service, which is significantly faster than we had before," he says.
Marriott says the difference 2degrees has made to the OCS business in such a short time has been so impressive that it was even a finalist in its '2016 Supplier of the Year' Award in its first year, and the winner of the award in its second (2017).
"This speaks volumes in terms of the respect 2degrees has earned in such a short time, as the awards are voted on by our people and are based on general day-to-day support, efficiencies and ease of transition."
Marriott says the relationship with 2degrees is a partnership in its truest sense.
"We like to work with like-minded businesses so we are also a key supplier to 2degrees. What's exciting is that we are now expanding our partnership to explore new ways we can work together to drive more efficiencies and also create additional innovative products for our customers."
Marriott says collective social responsibility is also a key focus for the partnership.
"Both OCS and 2degrees recognise the importance of sustainability and playing a role in the wider community. We are currently working on some exciting initiatives under the partnership which we expect to jointly launch in the near future," he says.
"2degrees is not just a preferred supplier – it is an enabler and a great collaborator which is making a real impact on our business."
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