XPERTECHS Equips Southway Builders with Proactive IT
Southway Builders, Inc. had a problem that many successful companies face: they were growing faster than their technology infrastructure could keep up.
As a regional construction company with offices in Baltimore and Raleigh, Southway specializes in everything from commercial and multi-family projects to historic restoration and adaptive re-use work. With 100 employees spread across multiple job sites, their technology needs had evolved dramatically over the past decade, but their outsourced IT support hadn’t kept pace.
“We had grown quite a bit in the last seven or eight years and it was becoming apparent that we were outgrowing our previous managed service provider” explained Chris Barry, who transitioned from Project Manager to IT Director just as this challenge became critical.
Construction IT Has Unique Challenges
Construction companies face IT challenges that most office-based businesses never encounter, and Southway’s IT systems weren’t built for these realities.
Workers need access to project documents and systems from dusty, demanding job sites where equipment takes a beating. They’re constantly moving between multiple active projects, coordinating with trade partners, and accessing large technical drawings from locations with unreliable internet.
“The majority of our employees are remote but they’re not working from home—they’re out on construction projects,” said Chris. “Having the majority of our workforce being remote is probably the biggest challenge specific to our industry.”
A New Partner Brought Proactive Support
As Chris stepped into his new role as IT Director, finding the right managed service provider (MSP) became his top priority. The requirements were clear: they needed an MSP that could be proactive rather than reactive, with experience supporting companies in their industry.
XPERTECHS stood out for several reasons: they had experience with similar construction and field-service companies, were highly recommended by Southway’s IT consultant, and most importantly, demonstrated the proactive approach the company desperately needed.
“XPERTECHS has been proactive from day one,” Chris noted.
Cloud Migration Solved Remote Work Problems
XPERTECHS helped Southway tackle several critical initiatives that transformed their technology foundation:
Migration to Modern Identity Management
Top of the list was the challenge of updating their IT setup. Their computers and devices weren’t properly connected to a central management system, which made it nearly impossible to maintain security standards or efficiently manage user access across the organization.
The solution was migrating to Microsoft Entra ID, a modern cloud-based identity management system. This gave Southway:
- Centralized device management and security policies
- Single sign-on capabilities across applications
- Enhanced security for remote workers accessing company systems
- Compliant device configurations
“The Entra ID migration is not really one that anybody really notices,” Chris reflected. “And the fact that nobody notices probably means that it was done right.”
Optimization of Document Access
XPERTECHS also helped optimize Southway Builders’ existing SharePoint configuration, streamlining permissions and educating users on best practices. This seemingly simple initiative had dramatic results.
“The switch to SharePoint has been the most impactful to the average user,” Chris reported. “There have certainly been noticeable outcomes with the ease of accessing documents, particularly from the field or from your phone when you’re away from your computer.”
For a construction company with workers constantly moving between office and job sites, this improvement in document access was transformational.
Southway Stays Focused on Construction
XPERTECHS brings more than technical skills to their partnership with Southway. They deliver the proactive support and clear communication that allows Chris and his colleagues to stay focused on construction:
Proactive Communication: XPERTECHS holds quarterly business reviews where they proactively suggest upcoming technology changes, like the need to upgrade from Windows 10 before support ends. Chris appreciates having experts who stay ahead of issues he might not know about.
Strategic Hardware Management: XPERTECHS also understands the unique challenges of construction environments. They help manage annual hardware refreshes and handle damaged equipment, recognizing that computers don’t last as long in dusty construction sites. This proactive approach to hardware lifecycle management prevents costly downtime and keeps field workers productive.
Structured Project Management: Every project comes with clear timelines, dedicated project managers, and regular meetings with detailed agendas and schedules. Chris always knows what to expect at each step of the process.
Direct Access: Chris meets regularly with his main contacts at XPERTECHS, giving him a direct line for issues that don’t necessarily need formal tickets. He values having people he can call without bureaucratic formality.
Rapid Response: XPERTECHS quickly acknowledges support tickets and communicates what they’re working on, so Chris knows someone is handling the issue.
Modern, Secure Infrastructure Ready to Scale
Today, Southway has the modern, secure IT infrastructure they need to support their growing business. Their remote workforce can reliably access the documents and systems they need from any location. Security is centralized and manageable. And perhaps most importantly, they have a proactive partner watching for potential issues before they become problems.
“Even though the construction industry has always been sort of late to the party when it comes to technology, IT is important in my world,” Chris reflected. “I rely heavily on XPERTECHS because I’m far from an expert in that realm, but they give me the confidence that we’re staying ahead of the curve.”
A Partner Who Keeps Technology Current and Secure
For Chris Barry and Southway, the partnership with XPERTECHS represents more than just improved technology—it’s about having a trusted advisor who understands their industry and can scale with their growth.
“I would certainly tell anyone to consider XPERTECHS if they were in the market for a new MSP,” Chris Barry concluded. “Especially if they want a partner who will be proactive about keeping their technology current and secure.”
ABOUT SOUTHWAY BUILDERS, INC.
Founded in 1991, Southway Builders is a construction manager servicing public, private and non-profit clients. Based in Baltimore, MD with an additional office in Raleigh, NC, Southway’s projects span the Mid-Atlantic region from Pennsylvania to the Carolinas. Southway’s success is a result of uncompromised client service. Built upon quality, dependability, and integrity, over 80% of our business is from existing clients. Our team repeatedly delivers client-satisfied, award-winning, historic restoration, commercial, institutional, and multi-family projects.
Visit https://southwaybuilders.com