For law firms, technology plays a central role in keeping work moving. Access to case files, reliable systems for correspondence, and secure handling of sensitive client data all depend on IT working consistently in the background.
When that reliability starts to slip, the effects are immediate, interrupting workflows, creating uncertainty, and increasing operational risk.
This was the position Bartletts Solicitors found themselves in when they engaged Cloud Geeni. The firm needed an IT environment that could support free-earning work reliably, reduce disruption, and remove pressure from internal staff responsible for keeping the business running smoothly.
An IT Environment Under Pressure
At the time of engagement, Bartletts Solicitors’ IT infrastructure was hosted on on-premises servers located at their Liverpool office, with remote support provided by a third-party IT supplier. Over time, this arrangement became increasingly difficult to manage:
- Support requests were often slow to resolve
- System availability was inconsistent
- Unplanned outages were becoming more frequent, interrupting staff workflows and resulting in lost working hours
Moreover, the firm was approaching a critical decision point, with existing server hardware nearing its end of life – a significant capital investment was looming. Alongside this, concerns were growing around resilience, risk, and whether the existing setup was appropriate for the firm’s long-term needs.
Much of this pressure landed with the office manager, Mike, who was responsible for keeping operations running smoothly while fielding concerns from staff affected by downtime and performance issues. As he later explained:
“It felt like we were constantly reacting. When systems went down, it stopped everything, and there was never a clear answer on how quickly things would be fixed.”
A Managed Private Cloud Built for Legal Workloads
Cloud Geeni approached the engagement with a clear understanding of the systems and applications commonly used within the legal sector, as well as the performance and availability expectations that come with fee-earning work.
This allowed the team to recommend a solution that aligned with how Bartletts Solicitors operates day to day, rather than defaulting to a like-for-like infrastructure refresh.
Instead of recommending a costly replacement of ageing on-premises hardware, Cloud Geeni designed a solution that removed the need for local servers entirely. Bartletts Solicitors were migrated to a fully managed, UK-hosted private cloud environment, delivering a stable and secure platform without the need for capital expenditure.
The hosting environment was designed with resilience and continuity at its core, including:
- UK-based private cloud infrastructure, securely hosting the firm’s core systems and data
- Replication to a secondary UK data centre as standard, ensuring rapid recovery in the event of an outage
- Clearly defined recovery processes, giving the firm clarity around business continuity and response expectations
Alongside the hosting platform, Cloud Geeni also implemented a fully managed email security service to address a key risk area for legal firms. This provided protection against:
- Phishing attacks targeting staff and client communications
- Malware and malicious attachments delivered via email
- Other email-borne threats that could compromise sensitive client data
From Bartletts’ perspective, the value lay not only in the technology itself but in the way it was delivered:
“What stood out was that the solution made sense for how we work. There was no pressure to buy hardware or manage things ourselves. It was clear who was responsible for what.”
Greater Stability, Clearer Accountability
Following the migration, Bartletts Solicitors experienced a noticeable improvement in their system reliability and performance. With infrastructure proactively monitored and managed, many of the issues that had previously disrupted the working day were eliminated.
Clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs) gave the firm confidence that support requests would be responded to and resolved within agreed timeframes. This removed uncertainty and helped rebuild trust in the IT environment.
Disaster recovery planning also became far more tangible. Documented processes meant the firm understood exactly how Cloud Geeni would respond in a worst-case scenario, including how systems would be restored and what timescales to expect.
For staff, the change was straightforward:
“The biggest difference is that IT just isn’t something we think about anymore. If there’s an issue, it’s handled, and we can get on with our work.”
Protecting Productivity and Reducing Risk
By removing the day-to-day friction caused by unreliable systems, Bartletts Solicitors were able to protect their billable hours and reduce the operational drag previously associated with IT problems.
With industry data revealing that 72% of all global workloads are now cloud-hosted, the move to a managed private cloud also reduces the risk across the business.
Data was hosted securely within UK data centres, access was properly controlled, and email security significantly lowered exposure to common threats targeting legal firms.
From an operational perspective, the predictable monthly cost model removed the uncertainty of hardware failures and unplanned expenditure, allowing the firm to plan with greater confidence.
As their office manager, Mike summarised:
“It just works. We know where we stand, we know support is there, and we’re not worrying about servers or outages anymore.”
A Stronger Foundation for the Future
While the immediate priority for Bartletts Solicitors was stability and reliability, the outcome extended beyond resolving existing issues.
With systems securely hosted, well managed, and resilient by design, the firm now has a stronger foundation for future initiatives involving reporting, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
For professional services firms, these foundations matter. AI, automation, and advanced analytics all rely on data being accessible, secure, and well governed. Without that groundwork in place, progress is limited.
Bartletts Solicitors’ experience reflects a wider shift among UK firms seeking practical, low-risk ways to modernise IT without disruption.
Making Data and Technology Work for Your Business
At Cloud Geeni, we work with organisations across the North of England to design IT environments that support reliability today while preparing businesses for what comes next.
If your firm is exploring how to use data more effectively, strengthen resilience, or understand what AI readiness looks like in practice, our Making AI Practical Lunch & Learn offers a clear, accessible starting point.
The session focuses on data readiness, cyber security considerations, and realistic opportunities for automation, helping business leaders make informed decisions without unnecessary complexity.
