Testimonials

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Company/Organisation: Merton LEA

Address: Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX
Contact: Paul Whiteman (paul.whiteman@merton.gov.uk/ Tel: 020 8274 4901)
Contract: £ 2 Million

Contract Coverage:

CDEC Ltd have successfully managed the installation, training and support for projector/whiteboard solutions in nearly all of the schools in Merton and can provide numerous references from the schools.

Customer Testimonial

'1. In 2004 the government funded a special project for the installation of Interactive whiteboards in secondary schools. The government awarded a number of framework contract to suppliers which Merton followed by a mini competition between 4 suppliers. CDEC was chosen as they offered best value for money, their references were sound and they offered to work with Merton in a way that complemented Merton's availability of human resources.

2. The initial contract was for a one off installation, over a very short period of time, of approx 110 bundles (consisting of whiteboards, projectors & installation) to 8 secondary schools. This contract included maintenance and support for 3 years. Following a successful installation in secondary schools we've also made the same deal available to primary schools. Since the summer of 2004 CDEC sold over 200 bundles to schools in repeat business.

3. The initial value of the contract was £301,066 plus in excess of £400,000 in repeat business.

4. CDEC are effectively the preferred supplier to Merton schools. Schools buy directly from CDEC and their contract with CDEC includes 3 year warranty and unlimited on site training. CDEC's service and after sales care is very good which is confirmed by the volume of repeat business.

5. Same day swap out on all equipment supplied including projector lamps.

6. The pricing model is based on an inclusive price per bundle (whiteboard, projector, installation, training and 3 year warranty). However schools, who now deal directly with CDEC, also buy individual items of equipment. This 'bundle' model suits schools budgets best as a one off payment includes the purchase cost and a 3 year warranty. This model also suited the initial contract for secondary schools where funding was available once only.

7. As the equipment belongs to schools Merton council does not maintain a central asset register.

8. CDEC are very responsive to schools needs. They pride themselves in good customer care and they have a good working relationship with schools. In summary a 'win/win' situation.'

Lidia Wanoth
Business Systems Manager, Merton

"We have been working with CDEC for 4 years and are delighted with the professional approach and quality of service"
Paul Whiteman, London Borough of Merton

Company/Organisation: London Borough of Bromley

Address: Education Development Centre, Church Lane, Princes Plain, Bromley, BR2 8LD
Contact: Andrew Ferrier (andrew.ferrier@bromley.gov.uk)
Contract: £ 4 Million

Contract Coverage:

CDEC Ltd have successfully managed the installation, training and support for projector/whiteboard solutions in 60 schools in Bromley covering an extensive range of school scenarios and technology requirements. CDEC Ltd provided all project management, 24 hour swap-out support and user training.

CDEC have built a very successful relationship with Bromley as, being a local supplier, we are able to offer and achieve exceptionally high service levels.

Customer Testimonial:

"I first become aware of CDEC in 2004, when managing the London Challenge IWB project. After considering a range of suppliers, CDEC won the contract for a number of reasons, including:

• They were on the BECTA approved supplier list (a requirement of the funding)
• They came highly recommended from one of our secondary schools
• Their prices were highly competitive
• They were a local company
• They were clearly more than just a supplier, wishing to provide a complete service, including survey, supply, fit, training and on-going maintenance

Having been more than happy with the way that CDEC completed this initial contract, I made the decision to make them our recommended supplier for IWBs and data-projectors to Bromley schools. They have since continued to provide such systems to both primary and secondary schools in Bromley, with complete satisfaction from the schools. Not only do they install to a high standard, they provide excellent training and a rapid response to queries and after-sales support and maintenance. Indeed, they understand how schools work and the (often unique) issues that entails, and are flexible enough and willing to work accordingly.' I am very pleased with the service provided by CDEC and continue to recommend them to our schools. I can whole-heartedly recommend them to you'.

Alan Shallcross
General Adviser - ICT, London Borough of Bromley

Company/Organisation: Thurrock LEA

Address: e-Government Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL
Contact: Karen Davies (Tel: 01375 652 037)
Contract: £ 2 Million (Approx.)

Contract Coverage:
Supplied nearly all schools with AV Solutions including full project management, installations, support/maintenance on a 24 hour swap-out basis and user training.

Customer Testimonial:

'We have been working with CDEC for a couple of years on the installation of Interactive Whiteboards within the authority. The whole process was handled efficiently and from all aspects ran smoothly. The follow up training has been tailored to meet the needs of the authority as well as individual schools.

They have provided a personal service and made sure that we have not had to deal with the organisation of any part of the installation process or follow up training.

We have found CDEC to be an efficient and reliable company to work with and would happily recommend them'.

Karen Davies
Thurrock LA ICT Consultant

UNIVERSITIES

"We were beginning to give up on our plans to develop an information system as we were unable to source a suitable kiosk. We approached CDEC at Bett and they did all searching for us, coming up with a system that we are very pleased with. Thank you CDEC !"
Graham Tucker, Kingston University

CORPORATE

"CDEC have provided us with equipment for displaying our products at fairs and customer sites also providing us with maintenance and repairs of our AV systems on site. I have also found the staff to be reliable, flexible, forthcoming and helpful, from sourcing the right equipment for our needs to delivering it in a timely manner. I would recommend using CDEC"
Chris Knight, The Fosters Group

COLLEGES

"As a college, we have made substantial investment in technology so we needed a supplier that would understand our needs and could go the extra mile when required. We chose CDEC because of their professional approach and excellent reputation in the industry. They listen to our requirements and then advise us on the technologies they believe will address those needs. They only use their own installation engineers, all of whom are SMART Certified installers, and unlike other companies, they never sub contract work out. Hence why we have so few problems and why their customer service is so good. I would recommend them to any educational establishment."
Iain Gibbins, Director of ILT Development
NESCOT College - Epsom
Tel: 020 8394 3165

SCHOOLS

"CDEC gave us a prompt and efficient service. They are always very approachable and their product and service was tailored to suit our needs. Their prices are also very competitive."
Judith Webster, Head Teacher
Hextable Infants School
Tel: 01322 668 401

"Very pleased with the excellent level of service and continued support that we have received from CDEC."
Anne-Marie Hutton, Head Teacher
St Nicholas C.E.V.C Infants School, Strood
Tel: 01634 717120

"CDEC have provided us with a quick and efficient service at tender and installation stages and continue to give us first class after sales support."
Alan Youd, Head Teacher
Hawkedon Primary School, Wokingham
Tel: 0118 966 7444

"All I can really tell you is that we used CDEC when we first decided to have Interactive Whiteboards in the School back in 2000. We had to get three quotes and they were the cheapest. We had three installed originally back then, and were immediately impressed with the speed and quality of the installations. We are in Thurrock, Essex, essentially at one end of the Dartford tunnel and CDEC are based just the other side of the river, so if ever we have a problem that can't be sorted over the phone, they are always very prompt at delivering replacement parts (bulbs etc). The MD of the company, Andy Duckworth, is very friendly and helpful and from my experience, chooses his staff to be the same. We now have nearly 15 Hitachi Interactive boards in the School, all supplied by and installed by CDEC. They have grown in size as a Company in the time I have been dealing with them but the biggest compliment that I can pay them is that they have still managed to keep the quality of service and 'personal' feel that you would hope to get from a smaller, local company."
Richard Bowles, Network Manager,
Gable Hall School
Tel: 01375 400800 ext.154

"Without exception, we have been delighted with the service and assistance CDEC have given us over recent months. All aspects of the business, from the sales department to the engineers and technicians who have installed our interactive whiteboards, have been only too pleased to help, and have been swift and professional in all respects. We have a number of classrooms yet to be fitted with interactive whiteboards and will have no hesitation in placing our business with CDEC."
Helen Fletcher-Reilly, Headteacher, St. Margaret's CE Primary School Crawley