As a relatively new addition to the UK utility sector, Spark Energy has been in the position of being able to build the company around leading edge technologies. This has not only enabled it to substantially reduce the administrative costs associated with delivering its services, it has also made it easier to introduce innovative benefits and flexible pricing plans. Indeed, technology is at the very core of Spark Energy’s success – it also pioneering smart meter technology and has aggressive targets for fulfilling power requirements via renewable sources.

Technology has made the company more nimble and competitive, in a market that has been dominated by six utility behemoths, and will play a key role in giving Spark Energy long-term differentiation.

When Spark Energy required a centralised file server to support sharing of files and collaboration across its business, not only within its office but also with board members and external consultants, it immediately recognised the advantages of cloud computing. PJ Darling, CEO at Spark Energy, had used cloud computing technology in previous businesses and understood how it can help in growing a company with low capital expenditure and making cash flow more predictable.

By sharing files in the cloud, Spark Energy wouldn’t have to invest in servers and wouldn’t have the hassle and cost of setting it up or rectifying problems. Furthermore, it wouldn’t face the substantial cost of setting up virtual private network (VPN) in order to provide secure and remote access.

The attraction of Humyo

With previous experience in using cloud computing services, Darling recognised the importance of a User-friendly interface.

“The nuts and bolts behind different cloud computing services are more or less the same,” comments Darling.

“It is the way it is presented to the user that makes it different – the biggest issue is getting people to use it so the interface is key.”

He also wanted a system that he could administer himself and that supported permission-based access - this way he could very easily control who gets access to which files and folders. Furthermore, he required a reliable and trustworthy provider that was well-funded and would still be operating for many years to come.

Humyo not only satisfied all of these requirements, it was also an extremely cost effective solution. Having briefly trialled it, Darling immediately set it up for additional users and a larger volume of storage space before rolling it out.

“In the time that it would have taken to figure out how to set up a traditional server in the office and

find someone to do it for me, I was already up and running with humyo,” continues Darling. “Not only that but I don’t have any of the administration costs and it works fantastically. It has also been excellent from a security perspective - in fact, we don’t even bother doing any offline back up as it wouldn’t provide any additional security to us.”

Lightning fast set up

With humyo now up and running, Spark Energy’s staff can share files just as they would with a traditional file server. Furthermore, they can access files whether they are in the office or on the move while board members can very easily access management files remotely.

The company can also rapidly create an additional workspace whenever it sets up a new project and can very easily share information or restrict access in order to maximise collaboration with external consultants while securing sensitive information.

Many of the staff, including the CEO, are also now using Humyo to safely store family photos and videos.  “You can actually manage all your work stuff and private stuff through one interface which is great and has definitely encouraged everyone to use it more,” continues Darling. “It isn’t a cost issue for the business either as storage is so cheap – in fact it is so low that I don’t know what it is!”

www.humyo.com - January 2010