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This case study profiles Stellar Systems’ long-running partnership with Freo Group. The business, established in 1974, provides a complete range of crane hire, heavy lifting, and logistics services to the mining and resources, civil construction and renewable energy sectors. With 23 depots across Australia and a fleet of over 480 state-of-the-art mobile cranes, their breadth of offering includes oversize transport, materials handling, warehousing and storage, run by both a metro and remote workforce.
In-house challenges
at Freo Group
Freo Group faced a substantial internal dilemma. Their in-house IT team, comprising only two members, found themselves overwhelmed by the mounting workload. This bottleneck led to connectivity issues for remote sites and unwanted project delays as their IT systems acted as a roadblock, and not a leg-up to sustained business growth. By this point, the team’s proficiency was closer to a helpdesk function and ill-equipped for handling large-scale projects. As can happen with long-established businesses, the CFO was responsible for the IT team, and with the business’s acquisition by a multinational US owned company, a whole new set of IT standards and goals were presented to work towards.
Recognising the need for change
In light of these challenges, Freo Group’s previous CFO proactively sought assistance based on a recommendation from a trusted industry colleague who had witnessed Stellar’s capabilities firsthand. Freo Group were looking for an outsourced IT Service Provider, one that could engage Freo Group with their industry. Current Freo Group CFO, Joseph Jeevaraj, notes how Stellar’s industry expertise made the perfect partner for their business growth goals.
“The beauty of Stellar is that they’ve seen it all before, their knowledge is specific and they understand the challenges within the different areas of our industry. From the recommendation, we knew they came at challenges from a user perspective and understood the common IT problems workers in the mining and other remote industries face on a daily basis. That’s extremely hard to find.” explains Joseph.
Stellar's strategic approach:
promoting growth & security
Stellar’s suggested plan of attack resonated immediately with Freo Group. Their hybrid model of on-site and remote support perfectly aligned with Freo Group’s requirements. During the transition phase where the internal team was off-boarded, Stellar ensured a seamless experience by stationing a tech representative at Freo Group’s headquarters full time for one month, gradually reducing to two scheduled on-site visits per week. This hands-on approach not only facilitated a smooth transition but also allowed for more thorough training and education of Freo Group’s team members. This expansive reach played an important role in moving Freo Group towards its ambition of becoming a truly national player.
Careful transition: from in-house IT to global standard IT project roadmap implementation
Stellar initially managed the transition from in-house to remote work with precision, ensuring that every team member felt at ease with the change. This was essential before they could get to work on the long-overdue IT projects.
Phase 1:
STREAMLINING OPERATIONS AND CLOUD MIGRATIONDuring phase 1, the focus shifted towards internal growth and the implementation of crucial procedures. Stellar’s initial engagement involved taking over from the internal service desk before initiating the migration to Microsoft 365, which proved to be a pivotal starting point. Ensuring resources were in place for a seamless handover became a critical element. Meticulous documentation and finalisation of the transition paved the way for smooth and streamlined support, effectively minimising disruptions to business operations.
Phase 2:
ELEVATING CYBERSECURITY AND FOSTERING STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONPhase 2 brought a heightened focus on cybersecurity, acknowledging its increasing complexity in the evolving landscape. Stellar’s proactive approach had already positioned the organisation ahead of the curve, delivering quick wins and creating a big advantage for Freo Group by elevating their cyber-security posture. Notably, at this point there was also a shift in the international parent company’s involvement, with increased interaction in operational matters to elevate the infrastructure to a global standard.
Phase 3:
BECOMING A TRUE IT CONSULTING PARTNERWith the focus from the parent company now on standardising the IT infrastructure and roadmap, Stellar had to prove their strength in strategic direction and problem-solving. Freo Group and Stellar’s collaborative dynamic involved discussions about potential products or directions, and of course, Stellar’s candid feedback, rooted in the trust established, proved invaluable. Stellar rose to the challenge and showed the US-based parent company that their IT was in expert hands. Within the initial six months, significant strides were made. This included enhancements to communications and system delivery, providing a robust foundation for future business growth. This phase established the necessary infrastructure to support expanding operations.
Significant growth and a
partnership beyond the norm
The collaborative partnership between Freo Group and Stellar has resulted in some pretty remarkable outcomes. Stellar’s role as Freo Group’s dedicated IT Service Provider epitomises a true partnership, with a genuine place at the table to evaluate and advise on new IT plans from the international parent company. This collaboration facilitated an in-depth understanding of the construction industry and businesses with remote operations, and Stellar’s expertise propelled Freo Group to emerge as a truly national logistics provider, marking a monumental milestone in their industry journey.
Users surged from 400 to over 700
Branches expanded from 14 to 24, catapulting Freo Group into the national arena
Systems were upgraded, rolling out their fleet management system and improving processes, reducing the need for their ERP system
Cybersecurity took centre stage, ensuring the safeguarding of critical operations.
A transition to a paperless environment over 3-4 years optimised operations significantly
Implemented over 600 tablets to drivers for on-the-go reporting
Stellar’s industry proficiency addressed specific challenges, underscoring the user-centric ethos
Words of advice
The partnership between Freo Group and Stellar has been built upon trust and strong industry and technical expertise. Stellar’s adeptness in tackling intricate IT challenges, coupled with their deep industry insights, proved invaluable, according to Joseph.
Freo Group faced a substantial internal dilemma. Their in-house IT team, comprising only two members, found themselves overwhelmed by the mounting workload. This bottleneck led to connectivity issues for remote sites and unwanted project delays as their IT systems acted as a roadblock, and not a leg-up to sustained business growth. By this point, the team’s proficiency was closer to a helpdesk function and ill-equipped for handling large-scale projects. As can happen with long-established businesses, the CFO was responsible for the IT team, and with the business’s acquisition by a multinational US owned company, a whole new set of IT standards and goals were presented to work towards.
Plans for the future
Freo Group faced a substantial internal dilemma. Their in-house IT team, comprising only two members, found themselves overwhelmed by the mounting workload. This bottleneck led to connectivity issues for remote sites and unwanted project delays as their IT systems acted as a roadblock, and not a leg-up to sustained business growth.
