Business Systems, Integration, and Reporting

Ambitious businesses need efficient, scalable systems and processes. This allows a business to grow and flourish while continuing to provide good service, to maintain high margins, and generate cash.

Systems that don’t talk to each other make a simple business complicated. Poor integration leads to manual work, errors, and issues. Getting reports and up-to-date information can be difficult, so decisions are based on gut feelings and expert judgement rather than hard facts.

It can be hard to understand the real problem and its real solution. And how do you get from where you are to where you want to be?

The impact of poor systems integration can be widespread

The impact of poor integration is often felt throughout the business. You may see it in complex management reports that require lots of tinkering. Or in the wasted effort when teams each maintain their own, separate (and maybe contradictory!) views of the world. Or in the digital initiatives that cannot progress because back-end systems are a barrier.

Either way, people are frustrated. Different people blame different things, but there is no clear solution.

We’ll honestly reassess your vendors and suppliers

Many of our clients don’t have a healthy relationship with their systems vendors, so it’s not easy to get changes made simply, quickly and at a reasonable cost.

Our people (we call them “Principals”) have been managing companies like this for many years and understand how they work and how they think. But, uniquely, our Principals also have the maturity and business sense to get to the heart of these problems. Our Principal will ask the most basic questions: do vendors have your best interest at heart? Are your systems really driven by the needs of customers, or just by historic ways of doing things?

We find the root causes and new opportunities

Our Principals bring years of experience to these problems and can look dispassionately at what’s really going on. Perhaps there are opportunities to use new technologies like AI and machine learning.

Whether the root causes are technical, process, or people (or a combination of all three!) our Principal will put in place a plan of action and deliver the necessary changes.

Below are some relevant briefings, posts, videos and stories from our clients.

All written in plain-English and suitable for CEOs and Board members.

Our Team

Meet the most experienced team of CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and IT Directors who deliver technology strategies that help mid-markets business...

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Client stories

We are trusted technology strategy providers for CEOs of mid-market businesses. Read our client case studies to find out more...

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Business Insights

We have a wide range of experience in delivering business-focus and mid-market IT strategies that will help your business grow...

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Do You Actually Need an ERP Project?

Do You Actually Need an ERP Project?

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project is when you integrate all your company’s core processes into a single system—finance, HR,...

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Business Insight

JJS Manufacturing

"A Freeman Clarke CIO has not only helped us with creating a strategic roadmap. He also became a key member of our senior leadership team" Read more

Client story

ERP and Integration Issues

For companies facing integration issues, the solution may be the introduction of ERP.

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Knowledge Center
What Do We Do at Freeman Clarke?

What Do We Do at Freeman Clarke?

We are the largest and most experienced team of part-time, or fractional, CIOs and CTOs and work exclusively in the...

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Business Insight
Get Real: How Does technology Fuel Business Growth?

Get Real: How Does technology Fuel Business Growth?

We recently launched Freeman Clarke in the US and hosted an event at the Norwood Club in Chelsea. We invited...

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Business Insight
How to Get Started With an ERP Project – Part I

How to Get Started With an ERP Project – Part I

This is the first in a two-part series on how to launch a successful Enterprise Planning Resource (ERP) project. For...

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Business Insight
How to Get Started With an ERP Project – Part II

How to Get Started With an ERP Project – Part II

This is the second in a two-part series on how to launch a successful Enterprise Planning Resource (ERP) project. For...

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Business Insight
ERP Pearls of Wisdom from Our Experts

ERP Pearls of Wisdom from Our Experts

We have recorded a series of informative discussions about ERP. Two of our Regional Directors (Christine Parker Stubbs and Victor...

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Business Insight
3 Common Problems with Systems Integration

3 Common Problems with Systems Integration

Integration challenges can be difficult to identify. In this video, Freeman Clarke Co-founder Graeme Freeman explains three of most common...

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Business Insight
3 Focus Points for Successful Systems Integration

3 Focus Points for Successful Systems Integration

Freeman Clarke co-founder Graeme Freeman explains the three areas you’ll need to focus on for a successful systems integration project....

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Business Insight
What is Digital Transformation and Where Do You Start?

What is Digital Transformation and Where Do You Start?

Everyone is talking about Digital Transformation...what does it mean? If you're interested in learning how Digital Transformation can transform your...

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Business Insight
Using Systems and Digital to Grow Your Business

Using Systems and Digital to Grow Your Business

Companies looking for growth need to have a plan for how their technology can support and drive this growth. Without...

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Business Insight

Bonhill Group plc

"We needed best-in-class technology leadership in the US and the UK, and so we contacted Freeman Clarke" Read more

Client story
How Systems and Digital Drive Business Value for Private Equity (PE)

How Systems and Digital Drive Business Value for Private Equity (PE)

Private Equity (PE) ownership of mid-market companies is increasing. Of course, PE investors are driven by valuations, and these days...

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Business Insight
Bitcoin – What Is It and What Does It Mean to Business?

Bitcoin – What Is It and What Does It Mean to Business?

What is Bitcoin? Bitcoin is a digital-only currency, or “cryptocurrency,” created in 2009. It has many (or perhaps all) of...

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Introduction to Office Automation Using Software Robots

Introduction to Office Automation Using Software Robots

Look around an office and you will see plenty of people whose main work is dealing with systems and information....

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Business Insight
How Successful ERP Projects Can Transform a Business

How Successful ERP Projects Can Transform a Business

We’ve recorded a series of discussions with our ERP experts: Regional Director Christine Parker, Our Co-founder and director Graeme Freeman...

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Business Insight
Technology, Strategy and Vision

Technology, Strategy and Vision

Companies that have a clear business strategy need a systems and digital strategy to match. Each function of an ambitious...

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Business Insight
A Concise Introduction to Integration Problems  Part II: How to Solve Them

A Concise Introduction to Integration Problems Part II: How to Solve Them

(This is the second of our two-part series on integration problems. Click to read Part I: How to Spot Them.)...

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Business Insight

AI & RPA

All you need to know about Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

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Knowledge Center
How to Stop Worrying about Cybersecurity and Compliance: Part I

How to Stop Worrying about Cybersecurity and Compliance: Part I

The first in our two-part report that will help busy CEOs mitigate the stress of cyber security and compliance. It’s...

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Business Insight
How to Stop Worrying About Cyber Security and Compliance: Part II

How to Stop Worrying About Cyber Security and Compliance: Part II

The second of our two-part report providing busy CEOs with a template for mitigating the stresses and risks of cyber...

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Business Insight
CEO’s Briefing on IT Risks, Compliance and Security

CEO’s Briefing on IT Risks, Compliance and Security

No doubt you worry about growing your business and being successful, but as the business grows and becomes successful, protecting...

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Business Insight
5 Key IT Points for CEOs in AEC

5 Key IT Points for CEOs in AEC

At Freeman Clarke, we work extensively in AEC (architecture, engineering and construction). We’ve seen that when AEC companies use IT...

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Business Insight
Who is Freeman Clarke?

Who is Freeman Clarke?

For every business, the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge to the wellbeing and safety of their people. IT, systems and...

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Business Insight
COVID-19: A Message from Our Co-Founder Graeme Freeman

COVID-19: A Message from Our Co-Founder Graeme Freeman

Visit our Hybrid Working & Post-Pandemic Knowledge Center which includes all content related to this topic. Freeman Clarke is the largest...

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Business Insight
COVID-19: Navigating Urgent Operational Challenges

COVID-19: Navigating Urgent Operational Challenges

For every business, the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge to the wellbeing and safety of their people. For some businesses...

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Business Insight
COVID-19 Delivering Effective Homeworking

COVID-19 Delivering Effective Homeworking

  Visit our Hybrid Working & Post-Pandemic Knowledge Center which includes all content related to this topic. Freeman Clarke is the...

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Business Insight
How AEC can succeed with digital

How AEC can succeed with digital

How AEC can succeed with digital Introduction Our priorities, of course, should be to stay healthy and do everything we...

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Business Insight
How AEC Can Succeed with Digital: Infographic

How AEC Can Succeed with Digital: Infographic

To download, save or print this Infographic, click here Freeman Clarke is the largest and most experienced team of part-time...

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Business Insight

Sterling

"Freeman Clarke has been instrumental in implementing industry best practices around the management, support and financial management of the IT function" Read more

Client story

Hybrid Working & Post-Pandemic

Businesses will be facing tough challenges over the months. Here is our best advice on mixing remote with office work...

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Knowledge Center
The Future of Digital Transformation

The Future of Digital Transformation

Let’s start with a definition. For us, digital transformation means using IT and technology to dramatically change your business for...

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Business Insight
Digital Transformation: Real World Examples of Market Breakthrough

Digital Transformation: Real World Examples of Market Breakthrough

This is the second in our four-part series on Digital Transformation. For a more in-depth definition of Digital Transformation and...

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Business Insight

Simplify Digital

"Freeman Clarke was crucial to the successful transformation of our IT" Read more

Client story
Top 10 Tips for Effective IT Supplier Management – Infographic

Top 10 Tips for Effective IT Supplier Management – Infographic

To download, save or print this infographic click here Your IT Suppliers are a critical component to your success. But...

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Business Insight
A CEO’s Briefing: Solving Systems Integration Problems

A CEO’s Briefing: Solving Systems Integration Problems

IT and Systems Integration problems can make a simple business feel complicated. Whether it's the CRM system, Finance System, a...

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Business Insight
How to Make It Work When They Work from Home

How to Make It Work When They Work from Home

Many of our clients want to explore opportunities for their employees to work from home. They have two main drivers:...

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Business Insight
How to Avoid a CRM Car Crash

How to Avoid a CRM Car Crash

Every CEO knows that customer information is a crucial asset. And how you manage customer relationships is vital. So of...

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Business Insight

Future Biogas

"Engaging a Freeman Clarke Principal as our part-time IT Director, in the C-suite, has proved extremely worthwhile" Read more

Client story

Sleaford Quality Foods

"The Freeman Clarke model works well for our business, providing us with access to a senior IT Leader who helps us achieve our ambitious goals" Read more

Client story

Rendall and Rittner

"Our Freeman Clarke IT Director made what felt like full-time impact even though he was in fact dedicated to us two days per week" Read more

Client story

J Tomlinson

"Our IT leader's knowledge and experience of business change with IT as a key enabler has added value to our project" Read more

Client story

BRC

"Freeman Clarke provided a first-class, committed IT leader on a long-term but flexible basis" Read more

Client story

DEKRA

"As our bespoke software became more complex, we needed an IT Director to oversee suppliers and software development roadmaps" Read more

Client story

Oxitec

"Our involvement with Freeman Clarke came at a crucial phase. We needed a serious IT director to review our IT and our IT suppliers, and to help us grow our production and distribution capabilities" Read more

Client story
CEO’s Briefing: Technology Roadmap for Growth

CEO’s Briefing: Technology Roadmap for Growth

If you’re planning for significant growth — or better yet, your business is already seeing it — you need IT...

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Business Insight
What is Digital Transformation, Really?

What is Digital Transformation, Really?

This is the first in our four-part series on Digital Transformation. Many mid-sized businesses see IT simply as an ongoing...

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Crown Golf

"I now have someone on the senior team who can explain the complexities of IT in business terms and has provided clarity and direction to my technology team" Read more

Client story
Digital Transformation: Wow Your Customers!

Digital Transformation: Wow Your Customers!

Digital Transformation: Wow Your Customers! This is the third in our four-part series on Digital Transformation. For a more in-depth...

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Business Insight
Manufacturing Insights — Part 1: The Impact of the Internet of Things

Manufacturing Insights — Part 1: The Impact of the Internet of Things

This is the first of our three-part series on the future of manufacturing. Check out Part 2: Checklist for Successful...

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Manufacturing Insights — Part 2: Checklist for Successful ERP Projects

Manufacturing Insights — Part 2: Checklist for Successful ERP Projects

This is the second of our three-part series on the future of manufacturing. Check out Part 1: The Impact of...

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Manufacturing Insights — Part 3: Getting Data Right

Manufacturing Insights — Part 3: Getting Data Right

This is the third of our three-part series on the future of manufacturing. Check out Part 1: The Impact of...

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The CEO’s 15-Step Guide to Custom Software Development

The CEO’s 15-Step Guide to Custom Software Development

Around a quarter of our clients approach us because they don’t know how to effectively kick off a custom software...

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Business Insight
Preparing for Strategic IT Demands from Corporate Clients

Preparing for Strategic IT Demands from Corporate Clients

It can be a lucrative opportunity when you get the chance to provide products or services to corporate clients. Large,...

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Business Insight
Can Software Robots Really Eliminate Admin?

Can Software Robots Really Eliminate Admin?

According to McKinsey & Company, 60% of jobs could automate 30% of their tasks. Forrester, a respected technology research company,...

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What Does It Take to Stay at the Top of Our Game?

What Does It Take to Stay at the Top of Our Game?

Staying on top of our game — that was the big question we explored at our last Principals conference. One...

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Business Insight
Why CTOs Are Crucial to the Success of Mid-Market Companies

Why CTOs Are Crucial to the Success of Mid-Market Companies

Many of our clients use custom software and digital initiatives to drive sales, increase efficiency or improve service. Sometimes they...

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Business Insight
How Mid-Market Businesses Can Recruit a Quality CTO

How Mid-Market Businesses Can Recruit a Quality CTO

IT leaders who focus on software development and digital are often called Chief Technology Officers, or CTOs. You’ll also hear...

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Bitcoin and Blockchain: The Next Big Thing(s)?

Bitcoin and Blockchain: The Next Big Thing(s)?

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and the underlying technology promise to change the business world. It’s easy to be cynical about this,...

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Who is Freeman Clarke?

Who is Freeman Clarke?

We are the largest and most experienced team of CIOs and CTOs and work exclusively in the mid-market. Our team...

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Business Insight
ERP Explained: The Basics

ERP Explained: The Basics

At Freeman Clarke, clients frequently ask for our help with their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) projects. We’re not surprised, because...

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Business Insight
A Concise Introduction to Integration Problems  Part I: How to Spot Them

A Concise Introduction to Integration Problems Part I: How to Spot Them

Integration problems can cause your business quite a bit of damage. When systems don’t talk to each other, it inhibits...

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Business Insight

Companies also approach us about these areas

Technology Strategy and Vision

Connecting your systems and digital strategy to your business objectives.

Custom Software and Digital

Online and digital are at the heart of most new opportunities, and custom software is often key.

IT Leadership and Team Development

Enable your IT team and suppliers to help drive efficiency, service, and innovation.

CIOs and CTOs For Private Equity

PE houses are driven by valuations, and IT and technology are now at the heart of business value.

Risk Management, Security and Infrastructure

Get on top of cyberthreats, security risks, regulatory issues, and compliance problems.

Knowledge Centers

 

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Graeme Freeman
Co-Founder and Director

Subscribe to our Business Insights

Plain English board-level briefings focused on technology strategies to deliver competitive advantage and business success.

* Please enter an email address
newnewsletterrecipient

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Thank you.

You’ll now receive regular expert business insights.

Call us on 0203 020 1864 with any questions.

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