Smart Drainage Ltd’s Digital Transformation following Cosmic’s Digital Leadership programme, hosted by CECA SW

Cosmic worked with the team at CECA SW to organise two cohorts of their members to join the fully funded Digital Leadership programme available to SMEs within Devon and Somerset.

About Smart Drainage

Smart Drainage Ltd, located in the South West of England, specialises in comprehensive drainage solutions, including septic tank surveys, sewage treatment installations, drain repairs, and CCTV drain surveys. With over three decades of industry experience, Smart Drainage has built a reputation for high-quality, reliable services. As the company expanded, managing client communications, file sharing, and device oversight became increasingly challenging. Recognising the need for operational improvements, the company decided to join the digital leadership course run by Cosmic, taking advantage of the funding available through the Heart of The SW local growth deal.

How we helped:

• Digital Leadership Training
• Practical, actionable learning
• Exploration of the full MS365 Suite of tools
• Peer networking through CECA
• Review of systems, processes and technology
• Ongoing support through Cosmic’s Alumni network

Initial Expectations and Attitudes

Thomas Butler-Easton, Business Manager at Smart Drainage, initially approached the course with some scepticism. He was familiar with MS365’s core applications, such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, but was unaware of the broader suite of tools available, including Microsoft Lists and SharePoint. Encouraged by CECA, he joined the course with the hope that it would provide practical, new solutions rather than simply covering well-known functions.

Thomas’s Reflection: “I was a bit sceptical because I thought it would be one of those courses where you sit there thinking, ‘I know all of this,’ but it genuinely has been useful. I didn’t realise how many applications there were or how much they could actually do to streamline our work.”

Peer Learning and Networking

Thomas found great value in connecting with other course participants, who were in similar roles across different industries. The discussions around shared challenges and solutions provided insights that went beyond the formal course content. This peer learning helped him gain confidence in his own digital transformation journey.

Thomas’s Reflection: “Having that platform to discuss challenges with others was invaluable. It’s reassuring to hear how someone else managed a similar issue and overcame it.”

Ongoing Projects

1. Device Management with Microsoft Intune

Field staff at Smart Drainage use company-issued tablets for work but the company has no oversight over these devices. This raised concerns around security, especially if a device were misplaced or used inappropriately.

Through discussions with course instructors and fellow participants, Thomas learned about Microsoft Intune. Implementing Intune will provide the company control over its devices, allowing them to ensure secure and appropriate use, which will prove especially valuable as the company grows and needs more structured device management.

Thomas’s Reflection: “Adding Intune will give us peace of mind that these devices are secure. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you realise the risks.”

• Microsoft Teams Phone to replace current VoIP system
  Operating in a remote area with limited connectivity options, Smart Drainage uses Starlink for internet access but lacks an ethernet connection for its current VoIP phone system. This limitation has led the company to seek a more flexible communication solution, and during the course learned of Microsoft Teams Phone, which appeared a promising option due to its compatibility with cloud-based services and integration with MS365.

Thomas’s Reflection: “With Teams Phone, we’ll have a modern communication solution that supports our needs as we grow. It’s an ongoing project, but the potential for integration and flexibility is a huge draw, especially as our staff is more mobile than ever.”