A Smarter Way to Keep 13 Studios in Sync

As a growing architectural practice with 13 studios across the UK, Corstorphine & Wright was dealing with a familiar challenge: company updates, policies, and resources were located across different systems. 

''Before Milient, we had separate platforms for HR, timesheets, and invoicing, but no single place for sharing company-wide information,'' says Suzanne Ross, Head of Operations at Corstorphine & Wright.

That changed when they implemented Milient’s Knowledge Portal: ''Setting up the intranet brought everything together, making it easier to share and access information in one place.''

With a dedicated hub for key links, policies, and updates, employees no longer have to dig through multiple systems to stay informed. The intranet has also become an invaluable tool for onboarding new team members, giving them instant access to everything they need from day one.

Beyond making updates easier to find, the intranet helped Corstorphine & Wright foster a stronger sense of connection across their studios.

''Working at the Leeds studio, I won't often hear about what is happening in the other studios,'' Dan Copley, Studio Director explains. ''Now I feel a lot more informed about what's happening company-wide.''

Employees now use the intranet to share not just project updates, but also practice and people news, such as accreditations and certifications, promotions, new starters, and personal academic achievements. It's become a place where colleagues across different locations can stay engaged with what's happening throughout the company.

Off-the-shelf solutions don't always fit the way architecture practices work. That's why Milient's platform is designed to be shaped by the people using it.

During the onboarding, Roger from Milient worked closely with Corstorphine & Wright to tailor the platform to their needs. His hands-on support made an impression.

''Roger was unbelievably helpful – nothing was too much trouble,'' says Sarah Breedon, Head of Marketing at Corstorphine & Wright. ''He would say, 'What do you want to do?' and my response was, 'What can we do?' and his answer was always, 'You can do anything.'''

 Since launching in summer 2024, Corstorphine & Wright has continued refining their intranet, exploring new ways to expand its functionality.

''We are quite proactive users. We want to get the most out of the platform, so we're always putting in requests for developments and changes because we can see how they would benefit us,'' Sarah adds.

One of the unexpected benefits of working with Milient? The opportunity to connect with other firms using the platform.

Through Milient's user groups, Corstorphine & Wright has gained insights from a wider network of firms facing similar challenges.

''The user group has been extremely helpful – we've leveraged those connections a lot,'' Sarah explains. ''It's helpful to see how other companies use the platform and what they're doing with it.''

Seeing how others have customised their intranets has sparked new ideas, helping Corstorphine & Wright make even better use of the platform. These sessions have become a space for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and exploring what's possible.

From the initial setup to ongoing support, working with Milient has been a collaborative process.

''Our Customer Success Manager, Jayne, is always responsive on email. She is very good at taking away our questions and finding the right answers for us,'' says Sarah. ''She really works to find solutions.''

For Corstorphine & Wright, the value isn't just in the technology – it's in the people behind it.

''Everyone in the team has been truly dedicated and helpful in getting us to where we are now,'' Sarah adds. ''We are hoping for a good, long-term partnership with Milient.''

*Corstorphine & Wright use Milient's Knowledge Portal, which was previously known as Flo10.