Advantex Case Study: How Hicomply's Compliance Management Software Transformed Audit Preparation

Advantex saves 30–40% on audit prep time with Hicomply

You know how it goes. Your business grows, compliance requirements multiply like weeds, and suddenly you're drowning in spreadsheets. That's exactly where Advantex found themselves.

This award-winning IT and communications partner was already juggling ISO 9001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications. But they had bigger plans—ISO 27001 and ISO 14001, were on the horizon. Their manual, spreadsheet-driven approach? Yeah, that wasn't going to cut it anymore.

Managing risk and staying compliant was becoming a nightmare. They needed something that actually worked.

Enter Hicomply—compliance management software that doesn't mess around. It centralises your compliance chaos, streamlines workflows, and gives you real-time visibility into what's actually happening. No more guessing games.

The result? Advantex slashed their audit prep time by 30–40%. Complete control over compliance. No more fragmented systems driving everyone crazy.

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Dave O'Connell, Managing Director of Advantex Network Solutions, puts it perfectly:

"Implementing Hicomply has streamlined our compliance processes, making it more efficient to manage and maintain our ISO certifications. The platform's intuitive design and comprehensive features have been instrumental in enhancing our operational excellence."

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Overview

Advantex Network Solutions Ltd isn't your average tech company. They've been serving organisations across the UK since 2002, starting as specialist cabling providers and evolving into the kind of trusted integrator businesses actually want to work with.

They design, deliver, and support complex IT, communications, and security infrastructures. Real solutions for real businesses across various industries. No fluff.

Working closely with heavy hitters like Cisco, Microsoft, and Axis, they deliver enterprise-grade solutions that actually work. Their ISO 9001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications? That's just proof they take quality and compliance seriously.

Here's what sets them apart: a world-class Net Promoter Score of 81 in 2024. That's not just good—it's exceptional. They've made the Cloudtango MSP Select List for excellence in managed IT services, rank among the North East of England’s fastest-growing companies, and were finalists for SME Business of the Year at the North East Chamber Awards.

Their secret sauce? A partnership-driven approach that focuses on understanding what clients actually need, building genuine trust, and delivering long-term value. But here's the thing—doing that right requires rock-solid compliance management. Your reputation depends on it.

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The Challenge

Scaling compliance isn't just hard—it's a potential disaster waiting to happen. Advantex was already managing ISO 9001 and Cyber Essentials Plus, which was complex enough. But adding ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 14001 (environmental compliance)? That threatened to completely overwhelm their manual processes.

They needed an integrated risk and compliance approach. Fast.

Their existing system was a mess of spreadsheets and disconnected tools. The problems were obvious:

• Tracking various standards across disconnected systems? Nearly impossible.

• Managing compliance workflows and maintaining audit trails? A constant headache.

• Preparing for audits without spending weeks hunting down documents and fixing version-control nightmares? Forget about it.

• Adding new compliance requirements without doubling the admin workload? Not happening.

And don't even get started on keeping staff skills and procedures up-to-date with evolving requirements. It was a recipe for disaster.

This lack of integration wasn't just annoying—it was risky. Errors, non-compliance, inefficiencies. All putting their governance and regulatory obligations at serious risk.

Advantex needed to manage risk, maintain compliance, and support strategic initiatives without losing their minds.

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The Solution

Advantex went with Hicomply—automated compliance management software that actually solves problems instead of creating new ones.

The platform became their single source of truth for everything compliance-related. No more hunting through folders or wondering who's responsible for what.

Here's what changed:

• All documentation and compliance tasks for existing certifications like ISO 9001 and Cyber Essentials Plus? Centralised.

• Upcoming certifications—ISO 27001 and ISO 14001? Managed in the same system.

• Multiple regulatory standards consolidated into one unified dashboard. Stakeholders can monitor progress, track risk assessments, and upload evidence in real time.

• Automated workflows with features like automated reminders, policy enforcement, and custom reports. Compliance that maintains itself.

• Customised compliance procedures and workflows tailored specifically to their organisation. Not some generic, one-size-fits-none approach.

• Manual errors? Reduced. Data privacy? Secured through integrated controls.

• Generating reports on compliance activities, issues, and audit trails? Easy. Transparency and audit readiness without the stress.

Hicomply replaced their fragmented spreadsheet nightmare with a seamlessly integrated compliance management system. Automation software that actually supports ongoing regulatory changes and compliance requirements across multiple industries.

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The Outcome

The results speak for themselves. Advantex didn't just improve—they transformed their entire compliance approach:

• 30–40% reduction in audit prep time. That's serious time and money saved.

• Lower costs for document management and compliance admin. Money better spent elsewhere.

• Enhanced accuracy and consistency through standardised templates, audit trails, and workflows. No more "oops" moments.

• Continuous compliance with up-to-date records and real-time monitoring. Always audit-ready.

• Effortless scaling as new ISO standards and regulatory requirements pop up. Growth without the growing pains.

Most importantly? Advantex reinforced their commitment to quality, security, and sustainability—the stuff that actually protects your business and builds customer trust. Their strengthened compliance program also protects health, safety, and operational performance by fostering a safety culture that keeps staff safe from potential hazards.

This isn't just about ticking boxes. It's about building a governance framework that mitigates risk in a regulatory landscape that never stops changing.

Dave O'Connell sums it up: "The platform's intuitive design and comprehensive features have been instrumental in enhancing our operational excellence."

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Why This Matters

The ISO certifications Advantex is pursuing aren't just nice-to-haves. Each one serves a critical function:

• ISO 9001 improves quality management, driving consistent processes and customer satisfaction
• ISO 27001 enhances information security, protecting sensitive data and supporting data privacy obligations‍
• ISO 14001 improves environmental compliance, managing environmental impact responsibly
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Together, these certifications unlock bigger contracts, more effective risk management, and long-term trust with clients and stakeholders.

If you're operating in regulated industries, maintaining compliance with evolving regulations and internal policies isn't optional—it's survival.

Hicomply simplifies the complex mess of managing compliance by providing compliance management tools that automate workflows, monitor regulatory changes, and generate custom reports. This empowers businesses to focus on strategic initiatives instead of getting bogged down in administrative compliance hell.

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The Importance of Compliance Management Software in IT and Communications

In the competitive world of IT and communications, regulatory standards and compliance requirements never stop evolving. Having reliable compliance management software isn't just nice—it's vital.

Advantex's experience shows exactly how the right software can save time, improve efficiency, and protect your organisation's reputation.