A critical part of managing Versus Arthritis’s customer services and communications, is the support we provide technically. We proposed a fully integrated online ordering and CRM system, targeting specific customers to encourage donations and send out thank you notes.

Think

Our integrated IT team was able to roll out the new technology and systems with no down time or any impact to the charity’s supporters.

Create

We synchronised 1.2 million customer accounts, contacts and addresses, with total data integrity maintained. We were able to more than double the anticipated system activity in the first three months, thanks to diligent testing.

Deliver

• Management of 1.2 million customer accounts
• 50% increase in activity
• Complete data security

“APS Group has been an invaluable partner on this project – a partner who has engaged in a way that’s non-technical, considered, approachable and knowledgeable. Their discovery and project implementation phases are robust and they’ve provided a solution that is working seamlessly and is also fit for the future.”

Supporter Care Manager, Versus Arthritis

Think

Public Health England (PHE) is an executive agency of the Department of Health, it exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Public Health England’s Change4Life programme is a social marketing campaign that aims to reduce obesity by educating and encouraging people of all ages to eat more healthily and increase exercise. Their ‘10 Minute Shake Up’ campaign uses popular Disney characters alongside recognisable Change4Life animations to get children doing more 10 minute bursts of exercise to help them reach the recommended amount of physical activity.

Create

Tactile engagement is key with children and so the campaign packs, containing stickers, planners and passports, are an essential part of the media mix. PHE needed 4 million educational Change4Life packs to be printed, collated and distributed to 16,500 schools in England. This major print and logistics project came just as we transitioned to become PHE’s new provider under the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Managed Print and Digital Solutions framework (RM3785), on which we are the single supplier for Lot 1. It was essential that campaign timelines were met and cost efficiencies were identified.

We scrutinised the specification and re-evaluated the planned supply chain. New suppliers were brought in and supported by the supplier’s own in-house production facility to ensure that each element was produced by a best in class supplier – ensuring maximum cost efficiency while minimising risk.

Deliver

The campaign distribution was completed one week ahead of schedule, and database cleaning and tracked courier services ensured return rates of just 0.08%. By offering combined print and logistics services under the CCS print framework, we provided PHE a full end-to-end solution, which removed over a week of transport and double handling time and provided significant additional cost savings. It was also able to provide a full audit and proof of delivery to every school.

Overall, PHE achieved savings of 13.6% in manufacturing and distribution costs.

From direct mail to fundraising packs, APS Group provides print management and distribution for the UK’s leading animal welfare charity, RSPCA.

Think

Founded in 1824, the RSPCA is the oldest animal welfare organisation in the world.

Having previously relied on its in-house print room for production, the RSPCA wanted an external partner that could offer improved efficiencies, additional buying power, knowledge of up-to-date technologies, and above all, a significant reduction in cost.

Create

We took responsibility for agency liaison, planning, cost reduction advice, VAT advice and liaison with the preferred downstream access mailing provider.

We also introduced an on-site team to better understand the unique sensitivities of charity promotional work and implemented an end-to-end process for the high number of strategic and complex mailings, to a varied and national audiences.

Deliver

Following the successful implementation of this print management model, including permanent on-site account management, the RSPCA has outsourced its storage, call-off and distribution services from its own facility to APS, resulting in immediate benefits in terms of cost reductions and improved efficiencies.

“We were impressed with APS Group’s ability to deliver a quality service with maximum value and efficiency, all of which were vital elements in our selection process. Fundamentally however, the team were a great cultural fit for us both ethically and personally, and demonstrated a real understanding of our goals as a charity.”

Strategic Sourcing for Marketing and Campaigns, RSPCA

Think

With millions of renewal packs every year, our client was dedicating an increasing amount of time in fulfillment activity. By reviewing the process, we knew we could change this.

Create

We moved the operation to our secure transactional print and card production facility, creating an end-to-end, automated document factory that produces secure print without manual intervention.

It accepts data directly from the client to personalise each component in the pack: the renewal letter, membership card, card carrier, and policy documentation. The card is attached to its carrier using the only machine in the UK capable of attaching up to 8 cards to a carrier. The letter, policy booklet, and card carrier are then combined before being enclosed.

Deliver

Introducing our automated process has created significant time and cost savings:

• 24% cost saving with regards to production, fulfilment and mailing
• Turnaround reduced by 7 days on each mailing.