Clustering Caunce O'Hara ensures high availability

"Many of our clients purchase cover outside standard office hours so it's paramount that the site is available at all times," says John Batty, broking director. "Insurance is the kind of thing people lie awake thinking about, so we have to guarantee availability at 3am in case they need us. After one meeting with UKFast, we felt safe."

Caunce O'Hara & Co Ltd is an independent insurance brokerage offering bespoke insurance products to businesses, corporations, freelance professionals and high net worth individuals. The company's reputation within the insurance community is matched by very few other brokers. To maintain their standing as a Top 100 Independent Broker they demand a high performing, resilient web infrastructure from a customer focused provider.

Impressing clients with a reliable internet presence

"One of our target markets is IT consultants so we knew we couldn't hold back on the web presence. Choosing the right provider was crucial. What attracted us to UKFast was the emphasis on technical support."

At UKFast we offer an award-winning dynamic support service where clients are able to talk to technical experts within three rings. Caunce O'Hara, like all other UKFast clients, benefits from a dedicated account manager to answer queries as and when they occur.

Advanced failover and zero downtime

Caunce O'Hara relies on a Clustered MySQL solution which delivers a very high level of reliability and availability for online website users. The open source platform in maintained by expert Linux technicians for a thorough service.

Downtime is expensive and with server clustering it's easily preventable. Automatic failover means with you get no single point of failure because if your primary server stops, applications fail over to the next server.

A personal approach to business

UKFast prides itself as an organisation that goes the extra mile for its clients, providing a personal touch in what can often be a cold and confusing industry.

"We never expected to meet the MD and the technical director straight away and the personal touch has been evident ever since. Their passionate support team is on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is totally clued up, not only about our server but our business too. It makes a refreshing change to deal with people who care rather than faceless organisations."

Recognising the internet's potential and growing online

"We'd hosted our site on UKFast dedicated servers for over 2 years before deciding to take the web presence to the next level. The MD, Lawrence Jones was hugely supportive, putting us in touch with Internet consultancy Harper James and working proactively with them to develop an advanced solution to compliment their website.

"We launched the new e-commerce site in September 2006 and traffic and policy sales immediately went through the roof. Within eight weeks revenue increased by 50% and visitors still improve day by day without putting any pressure on the servers".

Online success and BIBA acknowledgment

Lawrence Jones is not at all surprised by their success. "More and more industries are realising the web's potential to bring in revenue. As long as you build a rapport and trust with your customers they'll buy from you in their droves. It's our job to deliver an infrastructure that makes this possible. Speed and reliability are absolutely crucial here and we're thrilled to be a part of Caunce O Hara's new found online success."

The success of the new site has been recognised by the British Insurance Brokers Association. BIBA has been quick to recommend that all brokers aspire to deliver an online solution to the standard of Caunce O'Hara's, which they regard as a "Model of Excellence." Co-founder Chris Caunce is thrilled with the relationship, saying, "Their reliability is second-to-none. UKFast is a top class ISP, and one that I would definitely recommend."

Building relationships

UKFast also like to take the relationship beyond the net and Caunce O Hara has taken advantage of UKFast's hospitality at the Sale Sharks.

"UKFast brings Top Class Rugby to you in the best possible way," says John Batty. A Fabulous night of entertainment from the moment you arrive till the moment you leave. They will do everything they can to make your visit to the Sharks a special one whether it is meeting a star player, presenting you with a signed ball or even introducing you to a potential new client."

If you would like to find out more and discuss how we can help your business flourish online call today on 0800 458 4545 or contact us online.