"As a long-standing LFB partner architecting and delivering Microsoft solutions, we were delighted to help define a replacement solution for policy and standards presentation."
Case Study
London Fire Brigade delivers national operational guidance with SharePoint application
For many years, London Fire Brigade has relied on a product known as ‘The HUB’ to provide policy and standards information to Operational Commanders and control staff. However, this platform was problematic, difficult to keep documents updated, and could not be used on every device. Consequently, LFB determined it was not fit for purpose. Seeking a modern, adaptable solution, LFB turned to its trusted technology partner for guidance.
Read the case study to find out how we helped LFB create a modern, replacement HUB application.
If you want to find out how we could help your service create a similar solution, please fill in the form and one of our account managers will get back to you.
Sector
Blue Light
Users
4,500
Solutions
Microsoft SharePoint Online
LFB is a major user of Microsoft’s productivity & management applications, continuously innovating its systems to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.
Chess, by virtue of its acquisition of Silversands, has been providing Microsoft consultancy to LFB for over ten years.
Laying the Foundation
Recognising LFB’s significant investment in SharePoint Online, we proposed a custom-built solution leveraging native SharePoint Online capabilities. This approach promised enhanced flexibility, improved governance, and seamless accessibility without additional licensing costs.
A rapid prototype demonstrated how SharePoint could be used to manage and display policy documents dynamically, and the feedback from LFB was overwhelmingly positive, particularly the performance and ease of use.
Working closely with the LFB team, we shaped the full solution, optimised for real-world use with a user-centric design. Since it is effectively a new version of the existing platform, it continues to be known as ‘The HUB.’
The HUB home page displayed on a tablet
A Game Changer for LFB
The new version of The HUB is a robust, intuitive platform enabling commanders and control staff to access vital policy and standards information instantly—whether in the office or on the frontline.
Its key features include:
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Seamless SharePoint Online Integration: Policy documents are stored and managed within SharePoint.
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Smart Metadata: Enables dynamic document linking without requiring manual updates.
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Real-Time & Historical Data Access: Supports current and historical data, required to support post-incident reviews.
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Intuitive Interface: Large graphical buttons enhance usability in high-pressure situations.
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Advanced Search Functionality: Rapid retrieval of critical policies and procedures.
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Governance Controls: Ensures only approved, up-to-date policies are accessible.
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Mobile Accessibility: Delivers real-time information on any device, anywhere, including rear appliance tablets.
The HUB document administration screen
Out In The Field
With the development phase completed, The HUB underwent pilot testing within the wider LFB community. Internal demonstrations showcased the system’s capabilities, and real-world trials at fire stations provided valuable user feedback.
During the pilot, over 180 users tested the platform over a 30-day period, using PCs, tablets and mobile devices, both in offices and out in the field.
Overall, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with only a small number of issues captured through our robust project controls, reviewed with the LFB team and subsequently rolled into the final version.
The Future of The HUB
With full deployment underway, The HUB will transform how LFB manages and distributes operational guidance, delivering tangible benefits:
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Tailored to LFB’s needs: A fully customised platform, optimised for operational efficiency.
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Governance & Compliance: Built on well-established SharePoint Online principles.
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Enhanced Accessibility: Policies can be quickly accessed from any device, anywhere.
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Time Savings: Document management is significantly more efficient, with new documentation available immediately on approval.
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Cost Savings: Eliminates ongoing licensing costs associated with third-party software.
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Positive User Feedback: Extensive trials confirmed The HUB’s effectiveness and ease of use.
The HUB is a testament to the power of collaboration, technology, and innovation and is set to become an integral part of LFB’s operations. This future-proofed solution ensures that London’s firefighters have instant access to the latest guidance, improving safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
Contact us to find out more about The HUB or to see how we can you help your organisation develop similar solutions.
See the HUB in action
This short video demonstrates the key capabilities of the new HUB platform.
"Thanks to the team for all their help. Rob [White, Lead Consultant] and Steve [Perry, Project Manager], in particular, were outstanding, and we are really pleased with the new version of The HUB. It is simple, intuitive and document admin is easy. Importantly, the staff can easily navigate through the site and are presented with the desired documents in only a few clicks."
William Searle, Sub Officer, NOG Implementation Team, London Fire Brigade
Find out more
Please get in contact to find out more about The Hub, or to discuss your solution requirements.