IT on Demand Ltd, based at Loxley Court in Sheffield, provides IT and communication solutions to small and medium sized companies in and around South Yorkshire. 

Managing Director Craig Saunderson, 33, from Sheffield, recognised that companies acting to tight budgets were desperate for cost-effective IT solutions to help run their businesses and set-up his own company to answer those calls.

Said Craig: “With my experience in the field of IT, I felt that there was a gap in the market for quality hosting services for small and medium sized companies, which not only provide cost-effective solutions, but can act remotely, without the need of a physical infrastructure.

“Lots of small and medium sized businesses have an in-house technical team, but it isn’t necessarily the best option, as they can be very costly. We offer companies a package which means they pay a quarterly charge for the service they receive, which we think is a pretty good deal.

“With the help of SENTA, I was able to bridge the gap that I had seen in the market, with my own company. They have been extremely supportive, and offered advice at every opportunity, particularly at the start to ensure my business plan was workable and I had access to grants for things such as my website. Equally, knowing that SENTA are there when I need some advice on an ongoing basis, is a real benefit.

“Despite only starting in August last year, the business is going very well, and we have a number of clients. It’s an exciting time for hosting services, as it is a relatively new area of IT, and can be something of an education, especially as technology moves forward at such a tremendous pace.”

IT on demand offers a broad range of hosting services, including hosted desktops, e-mail, share point (on-line collaborative working and data sharing), secure on-line backup, cost-effective on-line training and business broadband.

Sheffield Enterprise Agency (SENTA) is part of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and provides fully integrated support to new business start-ups and businesses up to two years old.

Its start-up programme is funded by Yorkshire Forward under contract with Business Link South Yorkshire.
SENTA business advisor Manjit Dosanjh said: “IT on Demand’s case is a great example for other companies to follow, as Craig had plenty of experience in the area of business and communications, but needed extra advice when first starting up the company.

“By realising he might need help at the start-up stage, and coming to SENTA for that help, IT on demand was able to hit the road running and is now doing very well.”