About Bloom Procurement Services
Bloom Procurement Services is a company that provides a fully managed procurement service, enabling public sector organisations to rapidly and compliantly access the professional services they need.
Challenges Bloom faced before working with Chalkline
Chalkline and Bloom have been partners since 2016. When we first started working together, Bloom was in its initial growth stage, so needed to update processes as Bloom matured and scaled, allow for remote working, increase security & compliance, and generally have a better way of managing the IT estate.
We asked Liam Burgess, Bloom’s Head of Customer Services and Technical Support, for a summary of their challenges:
“Prior to our engagement with Chalkline, many of our processes had not been reviewed for some time. While we had the fundamentals in place, Chalkline was instrumental in guiding us towards best practices and assisting with the implementation of necessary changes.
Our company transitioned to a remote working model, and Chalkline provided vital support during this roll-out. They ensured that all employees remained connected and facilitated the adoption of new procedures with minimal disruption. Amid the company’s rapid expansion, Chalkline’s expertise was pivotal in streamlining our operations to manage the increased workload associated with onboarding and asset management.”
The Solution
We provide a fully managed IT service to Bloom. This includes Microsoft Azure cloud servers, disaster recovery and business continuity systems, managed support services, and managed security packages. This has allowed Bloom to adhere to their growing compliance needs and meet the needs of a rapidly growing business.
Liam commented further:
“We implemented the Chalkline Security Bundle, which effectively replaced numerous legacy processes by integrating them into a cohesive system. Chalkline demonstrated thorough knowledge throughout the entire process, ensuring that we were equipped with the necessary tools to implement the changes and keep users informed as required”
Benefits Experienced Since Engaging with Chalkline
- Ensuring and maintaining compliance (Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001)
- Access to Chalkline’s experts for support and best practice advice
- Ability to ensure IT security
- Help identifying areas for improvement in security posture, whilst maintaining security in the ever changing landscapes
- Regular reviews of processes to optimise efficiency
- Prompt support to remove blockers and maintain team productivity
“Through our collaboration with Chalkline, we have been able to adhere to and maintain multiple compliance standards such as Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001. Their expertise ensured that our processes were updated to meet the latest requirements and beyond, which has significantly reduced the risk of non-compliance and enhanced the security posture of our organisation.
One of the major benefits of working with Chalkline is the direct access to their team of experts. Whenever we have queries or need guidance on best practices, Chalkline’s professionals are readily available to provide us with precise and actionable advice.
Chalkline’s assistance has been pivotal in enhancing our security measures as Bloom matured and scaled. They conducted thorough assessments to identify vulnerabilities and potential areas needing improvement. With their help, we have been able to bolster our security systems, resulting in a marked improvement in our security score. Their focused approach has enabled us to proactively address potential threats, ensuring a robust defence against security breaches.
Chalkline has facilitated regular reviews of our processes & open tickets, which has been key in optimising efficiency across the board. By periodically evaluating our workflows, they have helped us identify bottlenecks and areas for enhancement.
Chalkline’s prompt support has been invaluable. They have a proactive approach to resolving issues, ensuring that any blockers are swiftly addressed. This timely intervention has maintained team productivity, allowing us to focus on our core activities without prolonged interruptions. Chalkline’s attentive and responsive support has ensured that our operations run seamlessly, even during challenging times.”
