Zero-touch Apple deployment, seamless IT support, and a path to Cyber Essentials Plus for ABMS

Advanced Building and Maintenance Services (ABMS) is a building refurbishment and maintenance company specialising in home adaptations that help people stay safely and independently in their own homes for longer. Their work is mostly delivered for local authorities and housing associations, where careful handling of resident data is essential.

As public-sector tendering increasingly required evidence of meeting a minimum cyber security standard, ABMS knew they had outgrown a patchwork of devices and ad-hoc IT habits that had grown up over the years. They wanted a proactive partner to bring it all together.

“LeftBrain’s NCSC Assured status was a meaningful part our decision to work with you. It was really important to know that we had that high level of expertise on our team”

The Challenge: Replacing a patchwork estate with secure, professional foundations

ABMS had built a successful business serving local authorities and housing associations, but their technology had grown organically. Staff were working across MacBooks, Chromebooks, PCs, iPhones and Android phones, with nothing centrally managed. When something broke, time was lost to internet searches and self-help.

“We had messy, multiple devices” explains Matthew Mackinlay, Business Development Manager at ABMS. “We needed to regularise and improve on this.”

There was a clear commercial driver too. With the UK government pushing SMEs to raise their cyber security baseline, Cyber Essentials had become a minimum requirement to access many of the public-sector tenders ABMS targets.

“We need to have evidence, at the very least, to our clients and for future tenders, that we reach a minimum standard,” Matthew adds. “We want to be proactive. We want to lead.”

The solution

Strategic: Discovery first, designed around business

A friend at Brainlabs, an existing LeftBrain client, introduced Matthew to our CEO Charlie. The opening discovery phase set the tone for everything that followed.

Rather than start with technology, we spent the time understanding how ABMS actually works, what their team needs day-to-day, and what their clients expect of them. The output was a pragmatic 360° Strategy: standardise on Apple, put proper device management in place, professionalise IT support, and set a clear path to Cyber Essentials Plus.

“Charlie really took the time, a lot of time, to speak to us about what potentially we needed. He explained it in great detail, in terms we could understand.”

LeftBrain’s NCSC Assured status was a meaningful part of the decision. “It was really important to know that we had that high level of expertise working with us,” says Matthew.

Tactical: A unified Apple estate, professional support, and a stronger network

The programme was delivered as a single coordinated piece of work, led by LeftBrain Strategist Marco as project manager.

The device estate was consolidated onto Apple. Using Apple Business Manager, we configured zero-touch deployment so that devices arrive ready to use: staff sign in, and they are working. Our engineers refreshed the in-office network and installed new access points, so the foundations on the ground matched the new way of working.

Day-to-day IT support moved onto LeftBrain Messenger, giving staff a single, responsive route to help instead of searching the internet for fixes.

“Marco has been fantastic. The project manager for LeftBrain has been exceptional, guiding us through every step of the way,” says Matthew. “There’s been a single source of contact. There’s no additional questioning, no loss of information. It’s a constant thread that’s run through, which has led to a seamless transition.”

Along the way, we identified cost savings on existing subscriptions and licensing, which the Directors were glad to hear about.

The results speak for themselves

• A standardised Apple device fleet with zero-touch deployment via Apple Business Manager
• A single, responsive IT support channel for all staff through LeftBrain Messenger
• Refreshed in-office network and new access points
• Stronger evidence of cyber security commitment for housing associations, local authorities and supply-chain partners
• 24/7 Security Operations now in place, with Cyber Essentials Plus as the next milestone
• Cost savings identified and delivered as part of the programme

The transition was so well-prepared that ABMS staff barely noticed it happening.

“We didn’t even know it had happened. It was that seamless. It was extremely professional, very well run. Marco really did his stuff, and that back-end preparedness really paid off. We’re very grateful to you. We really are.”

ABMS have now signed up for our 24/7 Security Operations service and are working with us towards Cyber Essentials Plus. The certificate, Matthew is clear, is not the point.