Cancer Research UK is one of the UK's best-known charities. As the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research,it provides support and funding to more than 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. The charity operates over 400 retail shops across the UK and organises fundraising events such as Race for Life.

Background
The ICT department, which oversees the network for the entire charity, needed to analyse the organisation's call tariffs to determine whether savings could be achieved without the upheaval of changing provider.

Challenge
Cancer Research UK had formed a strong working relationship with BT, its telecom provider of three years. In that time BT established a solid account servicing team to support the charity. Though very happy with BT, Cancer Research UK was frequently approached by third party providers who made the ICT department aware of the savings that could be achieved by changing supplier. However, the charity wanted to stay with BT. The infrastructure and the relationship were in place, and they were receiving a very good service. Additionally, the charity had tried least cost leasing from other suppliers in the past, and though there were savings to be had, it was deemed more effective to remain with BT's full service. The charity deals with all telecoms contracts in-house through its information services department, but it needed independent advice and expertise to guide its negotiations with BT.

Solution
IP Solutions used its market knowledge and third sector experience to provide Cancer Research UK with a solution that achieved huge cost savings whilst retaining the existing relationship with BT. IP Solutions first conducted an internal analysis of the charity's current spending and then used an auxiliary auditing department to place the charity's profile among all available tariffs. The auditing process revealed that a number of the charity's sites were on different tariff schemes, as some sites had changed tariffs independently. IP Solutions' in-house software analysis tools then determined which solution provided the best value, and after extensive analysis of the charity's spending, IP Solutions was able to project cost savings of £52,000.

Results
Cancer Research UK saved £52,000 per year, equating to a 27% savings on its total telecom call charges. IP Solutions' results were used as a negotiation tool for the charity's discussions with BT, and BT was more than happy to reduce the charity's service plan rates and match IP Solutions' suggested tariff. Following this success, Cancer Research UK has retained IP Solutions to review its cost structure on a quarterly basis. "With IP Solutions' extensive market knowledge and analytical tools we have cut call costs by over £52,000 per year." - Head of ICT, Cancer Research UK "With their thoroughness and experience IP Solutions were able to pinpoint the cost issue for us and transfer us to another service plan seamlessly."- Head of ICT, Cancer Research UK