Finlay Motor Group partners with INNOVATE to deliver reliable IT infrastructure, communications and long-term technology success
Finlay Motor Group is one of Ireland’s most established and respected motor retail businesses. A family-owned company with decades of experience in the automotive industry, Finlay Motor Group has built a reputation for exceptional customer service, industry expertise and long-standing relationships with customers throughout Kildare and beyond.
Operating from its modern dealership in Naas, the company provides new and used vehicle sales, commercial vehicle solutions, servicing, parts and aftersales support. With a team of 41 employees working on-site, technology plays a crucial role in ensuring every department operates efficiently and delivers the high standards customers have come to expect from the Finlay Ford name.
As the business continued to evolve, it required a trusted technology partner that could not only support day-to-day operations but also provide strategic guidance, modern infrastructure and dependable communications solutions to support future growth.
Challenge
For a busy motor dealership, every department relies on technology to function effectively. From sales and administration teams to workshop staff and customer service personnel, uninterrupted access to business systems and communications is essential. Finlay Motor Group recognised the need for a reliable technology partner that could provide consistent support across the business while helping modernise and future-proof its IT environment.
The company required:
- Reliable business communications to support customer engagement
- Proactive IT support for all users and systems
- Effective management of Microsoft licensing and subscriptions
- Secure and dependable networking infrastructure
- Modern device management through Microsoft Intune
- Strategic guidance on technology investments and upgrades
- Infrastructure capable of supporting long-term business growth
- A trusted partner committed to delivering exceptional service and support
As technology became increasingly important to business operations, Finlay Motor Group wanted a partner that could provide both technical expertise and strategic direction while ensuring systems remained secure, available and reliable.
Solution
The partnership between Finlay Motor Group and INNOVATE began in 2014 when the business selected INNOVATE’s VoiceGrid platform to support its communications requirements.
Following the success of the telephony deployment and the strong relationship that developed over the following years, Finlay Motor Group expanded its partnership with INNOVATE in 2017 by adopting a fully managed services model.
Since then, INNOVATE has become an extension of the Finlay Motor Group team, delivering a comprehensive range of technology services designed to support both operational efficiency and future growth.
VoiceGrid Communications
Communication is central to delivering exceptional customer service in the motor industry.
For more than a decade, INNOVATE’s VoiceGrid platform has provided Finlay Motor Group with reliable and professional business communications, helping ensure customers can always connect with the right departments quickly and efficiently.
Managed IT Services
INNOVATE provides proactive managed IT services across the dealership, supporting all users and ensuring technology operates reliably throughout the business.
By monitoring systems, resolving issues quickly and proactively maintaining the environment, INNOVATE helps minimise disruptions and maximise productivity.
Microsoft Licensing Management
Managing software licensing can be complex, particularly as technology requirements evolve.
INNOVATE provides ongoing Microsoft licensing management, ensuring Finlay Motor Group benefits from the right licensing structure while maintaining compliance and maximising value from its Microsoft investment.
Networking and Infrastructure Support
A stable and secure network is fundamental to every aspect of dealership operations.
INNOVATE manages and supports the dealership’s networking infrastructure, ensuring high levels of performance, reliability and security across the business.
This proactive management approach helps deliver a seamless experience for employees while supporting business-critical applications and services.
Microsoft Intune Management
As modern workplace technologies become increasingly important, Finlay Motor Group has embraced Microsoft Intune to enhance device management and security.
INNOVATE manages the Intune environment, helping simplify device administration, improve security controls and ensure a consistent user experience across the organisation.
Infrastructure Modernisation
Most recently, INNOVATE delivered a major server replacement project as part of an ongoing infrastructure modernisation programme.
Recognising the importance of maintaining business continuity, the project was carefully planned and executed to minimise disruption.
Through detailed preparation, expert migration planning and technical excellence, the new server infrastructure was deployed with little to no downtime, ensuring employees could continue working without impacting daily business operations.
The result is a modern, secure and highly reliable infrastructure platform capable of supporting the dealership’s future technology requirements.
Results
Through its long-standing partnership with INNOVATE, Finlay Motor Group has developed a stable, secure and future-ready technology environment that supports every area of the business.
More Than a Decade of Trusted Partnership
The relationship between Finlay Motor Group and INNOVATE spans more than ten years, beginning with VoiceGrid services in 2014 and expanding to Managed Services in 2017.
This long-term partnership reflects the trust, reliability and consistent value delivered by INNOVATE over many years.
Reliable Technology for Daily Operations
With 41 users relying on technology every day, system uptime and responsiveness are critical.
INNOVATE’s proactive support model helps ensure employees have access to the tools and systems they need to remain productive and focused on serving customers.
Modern and Secure Infrastructure
From networking and licensing management to Microsoft Intune and infrastructure support, INNOVATE has helped create a technology environment built around reliability, security and performance.
Successful Server Replacement Project
The recent infrastructure refresh upgraded the dealership’s core technology platform. By completing the project with little to no downtime, INNOVATE ensured business continuity while providing Finlay Motor Group with a stronger foundation for future growth.
Simplified Technology Management
Having a single trusted partner managing communications, support, networking, licensing and endpoint management provides greater efficiency, accountability and peace of mind.
A Strategic Technology Partner
Perhaps most importantly, INNOVATE has become a trusted advisor to the business. Rather than simply responding to IT issues, INNOVATE works closely with Finlay Motor Group to identify opportunities for improvement, plan future technology initiatives and ensure IT investments continue to support business goals.
Looking Ahead
As the automotive industry continues to evolve and technology becomes increasingly important in delivering exceptional customer experiences, Finlay Motor Group remains committed to investing in solutions that enhance efficiency, performance and business resilience.
With INNOVATE as its trusted technology partner, the business benefits from ongoing access to specialist expertise, proactive support and strategic guidance that helps ensure technology remains an enabler of success.
Together, Finlay Motor Group and INNOVATE continue to build a modern, secure and reliable technology environment that supports operational excellence today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow.
“We have worked with INNOVATE for over a decade, beginning with their VoiceGrid phone solution and later extending the relationship to include Managed Services..
Throughout that time, INNOVATE has consistently delivered a professional, proactive and highly reliable service. They have become a trusted extension of our team, providing valuable expertise and support across every aspect of our IT environment.
Having a technology partner that understands our business and is genuinely invested in our long-term success gives us tremendous confidence. We would highly recommend INNOVATE to any organisation looking for dependable managed services and strategic technology expertise.”
Gary Finlay, CEO
