Stone Computers

[sonofsanta]

Hadn't seen anything about this until now, and could be a concern.

 

High Court judge deciding future of Stone Computers • The Channel

 

Stone's parent company (Stone Topco and Stone Bidco) went into administration in August as they couldn't continue payments on their debts; potentially Stone Computers could be rescued by a "pre-pack deal" (whatever that is) but there's some dispute over the way it's been dealt with, and the judge could yet put the whole lot into administration.

 

Most worryingly...

That the future of Stone hangs on a High Court judge will not exactly be music to the ears of trade creditors or customers with long-term contracts; the company is understood to not insure warranties with a third party, a source told us.

 

Around half our network are Stone PCs, including 150 we just bought on a five year warranty. Not what I wanted to hear.

 

 

EDIT BY MODERATORS

Official responses from Stone can be seen here

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/news/159675-stone-computers-risk-administration-2.html#post1369283

Response from Stone

Edited October 9, 2015 by elsiegee40
Link to Stone's response

[sparkeh]

potentially Stone Computers could be rescued by a "pre-pack deal" (whatever that is)

Just means that a deal has been arranged before insolvency is declared. Once an administrator is appointed the deal is immediately closed. Avoids having to try and find a buyer after being declared insolvent.

[FN-GM]

Out of 790 we have about 30 in the primary schools with warranty. A pain but luckily we stopped using them a while back.

[hallb15]

I feel for you @sonofsanta. I've only ever used one Stone PC and that is the espresso web box which pretty much looks after itself. I've had to replace the power supply once in about 5 years. That's it. Don't know what their stuff is like these days.

[sonofsanta]

I feel for you @sonofsanta. I've only ever used one Stone PC and that is the espresso web box which pretty much looks after itself. I've had to replace the power supply once in about 5 years. That's it. Don't know what their stuff is like these days.

 

The 100 we have from 3 years ago haven't skipped a beat, so I'm not overly concerned, and the success we've had with them played into our decision to purchase from them before the summer break (clever timing with the administration announcement, that), but I'd feel more comfortable if they were to continue in business!

[Oaktech]

It's a worry for my old place as they have about 500 stone machines over 300 of which will still be under warranty. Given how many of those had power supply failures, hard drive faults and motherboard issues (the network card would just stop working) in the first 6 months, I wouldn't want to be a customer right now.

[clockend25]

I've got a suite of their AIO units which are four years old and still going strong; I think I logged a couple of warranty calls in the first year but the past three nothing. They've been superb.

 

Have noticed a change when dealing with Stone in the last couple of years though. Account managers seem to cycle through at an alarming rate, and we've had a few occasions where trying to get them to quote on projects has turned into a shambles on their part, including some comical internal communications, or lack of.

[halbaradkenafin]

We got our VM hosts from Stone and have some other support from them. Going to have to keep an eye on this just in case.

[StoneGroup_Community]

Hi guys,

 

Just a note on this article. We're in the process of getting the articled changed, and a correction being posted, as it is factually incorrect.

 

Stone Computers Ltd, the business that supports your technology, buys products and services from other businesses and pays our wages is owned by Granite One Hundred Holdings. What does this mean? It means that this process that Stone Bidco is going through does not affect our core business and we will continue to operate successfully for many years to come.

 

You are still fully supported. All suppliers continue to be paid on time and in full. And we are all still getting wages in our bank. That will not change.

 

 

• Your business, your money, your products and services are safe with us - this corporate finance stuff has no bearing on our ability to work with customers and partners.
  
• Stone's team, from the boardroom to the factory floor, will remain the same. Everybody is, as always, 100% focused on delivering the best service and value.
  
• The manner in which this process is progressing is completely normal and there's nothing untoward occurring. We are working with our investors, administrators and financial advisers to get the company in the best shape it can be.
  

 

If you have any specific questions, please speak to your account manager. Alternatively, I'm happy to personally speak to any of you.

 

Cheers,

 

Daley

Edited September 29, 2015 by StoneGroup_Community

[Griff]

We got hit when Pars Technology went under a long time ago now, NS Optimum took over the warranties but it won't be a shock for you all to hear they never upheld that responsibility (to my knowledge) The only saving grace is if the machines as well built with quality parts they should outlive those warranties, maybe a few Power Supplies here and there..hope it works out OK.

[StoneGroup_Community]

I've got a suite of their AIO units which are four years old and still going strong; I think I logged a couple of warranty calls in the first year but the past three nothing. They've been superb.

 

Have noticed a change when dealing with Stone in the last couple of years though. Account managers seem to cycle through at an alarming rate, and we've had a few occasions where trying to get them to quote on projects has turned into a shambles on their part, including some comical internal communications, or lack of.

 

Sorry to hear about this experience. Is this something I can help address now? I don't like to hear about this stuff.

[sonofsanta]

Hi guys,

 

Just a note on this article. We're in the process of getting the articled changed, and a correction being posted, as it is factually incorrect.

 

Stone Computers Ltd, the business that supports your technology, buys products and services from other businesses and pays our wages is owned by Granite One Hundred Holdings. What does this mean? It means that this process that Stone Bidco is going through does not affect our core business and we will continue to operate successfully for many years to come.

 

You are still fully supported. All suppliers continue to be paid on time and in full. And we are all still getting wages in our bank. That will not change.

 

Cheers Daley - reassuring to get it from the horse's mouth. The tangle of similarly named holding companies was a bit confusing to wrap my head around (even though I'm aware it's standard working practice) so I'm happy to hear all will remain well, regardless of the judge's decision.

 

@clockend25 - we had a spate of account managers for a while, but it's settled down for us this last year, and we have a really good account manager now - Dominic Roberts. It's astonishing the difference a good account manager makes, and I've gotten to the point where I just stop dealing with companies who don't have that.

 

And just to emphasise - all my previous dealings with Stone have been excellent, I've spent a long time on here recommending them for PCs, and I continue to stand by that. If all is well in Confusing Business Finance land, then I'm happy as a pig in mud. The ~150 machines we had this summer were the first time in six years I've had a big summer delivery right first time, and that's no mean feat.

[StoneGroup_Community]

Cheers Daley - reassuring to get it from the horse's mouth. The tangle of similarly named holding companies was a bit confusing to wrap my head around (even though I'm aware it's standard working practice) so I'm happy to hear all will remain well, regardless of the judge's decision.

 

@clockend25 - we had a spate of account managers for a while, but it's settled down for us this last year, and we have a really good account manager now - Dominic Roberts. It's astonishing the difference a good account manager makes, and I've gotten to the point where I just stop dealing with companies who don't have that.

 

And just to emphasise - all my previous dealings with Stone have been excellent, I've spent a long time on here recommending them for PCs, and I continue to stand by that. If all is well in Confusing Business Finance land, then I'm happy as a pig in mud. The ~150 machines we had this summer were the first time in six years I've had a big summer delivery right first time, and that's no mean feat.

 

Yes, you've got a mix of Business Finance Land and Legal Land, which is always going to end up with lots of long words and topics that are difficult to explain. I'm a Director who's been here for 5 years and it's taken me a while to get my head around it!

 

Dom is great. I love him.

[Gibson335]

Been using Stone for many years, have had only 2 account managers and they have both been superb. For pre- and post-sales, support and quality of workstation, I would highly recommend them. Wouldn't do the same for their laptops, but stations are great with a very small failure rate.

[edutech4schools]

Have noticed a change when dealing with Stone in the last couple of years though. Account managers seem to cycle through at an alarming rate, and we've had a few occasions where trying to get them to quote on projects has turned into a shambles on their part, including some comical internal communications, or lack of

 

We stopped using them for the same reasons. The last few years they became much less personable as a company. Most orders we got were messed up and it didn't help that they kept changing our account manager.

[StoneGroup_Community]

Have noticed a change when dealing with Stone in the last couple of years though. Account managers seem to cycle through at an alarming rate, and we've had a few occasions where trying to get them to quote on projects has turned into a shambles on their part, including some comical internal communications, or lack of

 

We stopped using them for the same reasons. The last few years they became much less personable as a company. Most orders we got were messed up and it didn't help that they kept changing our account manager.

 

We had a couple of account managers leave in quick succession in 2013. We didn't do an effective job of managing the transition. I'm sorry for this as I know in some cases it was poor. We've made changes to the way we communicate new account managers, and we're told it's been positive.

 

Hopefully you will engage with us again in the future.

 

Daley

[Steven_Cleaver]

Been using Stone computers for over 10 years and have been excellent and even have the same account manager even though I have moved schools. I think this can sometime happens and why I think having good staff and looking after staff is key .

[southhamster]

Got 2 servers and 14 laptops for my various schools. Very pleased with the service and no faults so far.

[Simcfc73]

Just came in this morning after a week off on paternity and one of the laptops is dead from Stone. Fingers crossed.

[IrritableTech]

When I read this story yesterday I hoped that it wasn't going to become a self fulfilling prophecy. A story around administration results in orders being pulled which ultimately tips a company over the edge.

 

I'm very pleased that it seems the article is factually incorrect and Stone Computers is here to stay. ~350 of our 450 machines are stone built, branded and still under guarantee. We had 110 machines delivered in July - I think one had a minor issue. Price and service wise we've found them difficult to beat in recent years.

[StoneGroup_Community]

Just came in this morning after a week off on paternity and one of the laptops is dead from Stone. Fingers crossed.

 

Hi Sim,

 

You can raise a support ticket at [email protected], using the web based support form, or calling 08448 802 366.

 

Cheers,

 

Daley

Edited September 30, 2015 by StoneGroup_Community
Add link

[StoneGroup_Community]

When I read this story yesterday I hoped that it wasn't going to become a self fulfilling prophecy. A story around administration results in orders being pulled which ultimately tips a company over the edge.

 

I'm very pleased that it seems the article is factually incorrect and Stone Computers is here to stay. ~350 of our 450 machines are stone built, branded and still under guarantee. We had 110 machines delivered in July - I think one had a minor issue. Price and service wise we've found them difficult to beat in recent years.

 

This is the damaging and frustrating thing with false media reports. Our business is in great health, yet unscrupulous sales people from other businesses use it as propaganda to scare customers away from us.

 

It's business as usual here. We've got Toshiba in today. They've bought red and white balloons in and everything!

[Tonythegeek]

Just heard from within Stone that they have had their credit lines pulled by the major credit insurers and now the distributors. Testing times ahead now I think.

[elsiegee40]

Just heard from within Stone that they have had their credit lines pulled by the major credit insurers and now the distributors. Testing times ahead now I think.

This is not a moderator post... my edugeek role has nothing to do with what I am saying:

 

Rumour and speculation isn't helpful.

 

Stone may, or may not, be in difficulty. Until hard evidence is provided, everything is conjecture. Smoke doesn't always prove the existence of fire. We have to watch and wait.

[sonofsanta]

Just heard from within Stone that they have had their credit lines pulled by the major credit insurers and now the distributors. Testing times ahead now I think.

 

This is not a moderator post... my edugeek role has nothing to do with what I am saying:

 

Rumour and speculation isn't helpful.

 

Stone may, or may not, be in difficulty. Until hard evidence is provided, everything is conjecture. Smoke doesn't always prove the existence of fire. We have to watch and wait.

 

Especially on the first post of a fresh account on a topic where we know people are stirring...

 

I've spoken to my account manager at Stone about this as well, and his reassurances couldn't have been firmer - not "everything will be sorted", but "everything is already sorted and there's no danger of it going wrong".