Big News: We’re Now Supporting Clients in the US

Hi everyone,


I wanted to share something exciting that’s been brewing behind the scenes (and yes, pun intended) Cranborne Tech is now officially operating in the US.


We’ve always been about growing with our clients, and this step is no different. One of our longest-standing partners, Black Sheep Coffee, has expanded across the pond, and we’ve gone with them.



If you know BSC, you know they don’t do anything by halves. Bold brand, fast growth, and a proper challenger spirit. Since 2021, we’ve been their go-to IT partner here in the UK. And now, we’re handling IT rollouts, support, and infrastructure across their growing US store network too.


It’s a big moment for them and for us.


 “Have Tools, Will Travel”


Let me be clear: this isn’t just a “we’re now international” PR line. What it really means is:

  • You can trust us to support you beyond the UK
  • We’ve proven we can deliver at speed, at scale, and across borders
  • And if your business is expanding or franchising? We’re the partner who won’t need to ‘start from scratch’ every time you add a new site


With BSC, we’ve built and supported 100+ sites across the UK and US, everything from WiFi and tills to AV, CCTV, and fibre installs. And because we know their setup inside out, we’re already in tune with what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to rolling out tech in high-pressure, fast-moving environments.

Why This Should Matter to You (Even if You’re Not Selling Coffee)


Whether you’re in retail, care, housing, finance, or charity work a lot of the challenges are the same:

  • You need reliable IT that doesn’t slow you down
  • You want someone who gets your business
  • And ideally, you want fewer tech headaches


That’s what we do. We’re not flashy. We’re not a faceless call centre. We’re the ones you call when something needs fixing, building, or making simpler. And now we’re offering that same energy in the US too.


A Bit About What We Actually Do (in Plain English)


Here’s the kind of stuff we’ve been delivering for Black Sheep Coffee and could be doing for you too:

  • Plug-and-play IT installs (we manage the contractors so you don’t have to)
  • POS & network setup that actually works on day one
  • Cyber Essentials Plus protection for retail and hospitality environments
  • Store connectivity with backup 5G (because yes, the internet will go down eventually)
  • 24/7 remote support so your team can focus on customers, not tech tickets


The best bit? We’re already approved, tested, and trusted by the people who need us most the store managers, the franchisees, the ops teams who just want things to work.


Planning to Grow? Let’s Talk


If your business has big plans whether that’s launching new locations, entering new markets, or just wanting to tighten things up operationally, we should chat.


We’ve got the people, the tools, and the experience to scale with you. And we’ll never bamboozle you with tech jargon or trap you in long-winded contracts.


We do what we say we’ll do. We fix things fast. And we’re proud to grow with the people we work with from the very first store to the 100th and beyond.


Want to know more about how we’re supporting BSC in the US, or how we could help with your next move?

Just drop me a message.


nick@cranborne.tech
You’ve probably got my mobile already 😄


Catch up soon,
Nick
Managing Director, Cranborne Tech

What an AI Agent Can Do for a UK Small Business

December 2, 2025
AI tools are everywhere at the moment, but for most small businesses the real question is simple: can this actually help us day to day? The answer, increasingly, is yes. AI agents are becoming a practical, affordable way for UK SMBs to lighten workloads, improve responsiveness and strengthen their cyber security without adding to headcount. Here’s what they can realistically take off your plate. Take the admin you never get time for Most small teams lose hours each week to tasks like updating spreadsheets, booking meetings, chasing invoices or sorting inbox clutter. An AI agent can handle these automatically in the background — consistently, accurately and without needing to be chased. It’s not about replacing people; it’s about giving them space to focus on the work that actually moves the business forward. Improve customer response times Customers expect fast answers, even when your team is busy or out on site. AI agents can deal with routine enquiries, provide updates, and pass more complex queries straight to the right person. You stay responsive, your team stays sane, and nothing gets forgotten in the rush. Add another layer of cyber protection Cyber threats are rising across the UK, and many of the attacks we’re seeing at Cranborne start with human error — a missed warning sign, a convincing phishing email, or an unusual login that doesn’t get spotted in time. An AI agent can monitor activity in the background and raise a flag the moment something looks suspicious. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s an extra pair of eyes when you need it most. Support sales and marketing without extra staff From following up with leads to drafting emails and analysing which campaigns actually worked, AI agents help small businesses stay consistent. They don’t replace your voice or your expertise — they simply keep the wheels turning so opportunities don’t slip through the cracks. Help you make better decisions, faster Instead of digging through systems for data, an AI agent can pull together quick reports, highlight trends and spot issues early. That means business owners get clearer visibility without spending evenings trawling through spreadsheets. The takeaway AI agents aren’t a gimmick. Used well, they become part of the team — handling the repetitive, the routine and the time-consuming. For UK SMBs under pressure to do more with less, they offer a straightforward way to improve efficiency, strengthen security and give your people their time back.

The 2026 IT Priorities UK SMBs Can’t Ignore

December 2, 2025
2026 will be a defining year for UK small and medium businesses. Technology is no longer just a background function – it shapes resilience, productivity, and competitiveness. At Cranborne Tech, we see this first-hand across care providers, financial services, retail, and non-profits. The organisations moving forward are the ones treating IT as a strategic enabler, not a cost centre. 1. Cybersecurity First: A Zero-Trust Reality Cyber threats continue to rise, and insurers now require demonstrable controls. SMBs must embed Zero Trust principles: MFA everywhere, continuous monitoring, dark web monitoring and phishing simulations as part of regular staff training. Security is now the foundation of every digital decision. 2. AI-Driven Productivity AI is now built into everyday tools like Microsoft 365. SMBs can save hours each week through automated reporting, meeting summaries, documentation support, and enhanced customer service workflows. Responsible governance and staff training must sit alongside adoption. 3. Cloud Cost Control Licensing and cloud waste became a major issue in 2024–2025. In 2026, SMBs should focus on rationalising tools, removing unused subscriptions, and right-sizing backup and cloud storage plans. A cleaner, more efficient cloud estate lowers costs and reduces complexity. 4. Modernising Infrastructure Cloud environments are now the default, although hybrid is still operational where needed. SMBs need reliable networks, standardised devices, secure remote access, and infrastructure capable of supporting AI-driven workloads. Modernisation boosts stability and improves user experience. 5. Business Continuity That Works Backups alone aren’t enough. SMBs need recoverability: encrypted cloud backups, offline copies, documented disaster recovery plans, and regular testing. Insurers and partners increasingly expect evidence, not assumptions. 6. Compliance and Governance Maturity Clear policies, documented patching, supplier assurance, and ongoing training form the baseline for regulated sectors. Mature governance builds trust and removes friction during audits or contract renewals. 7. Employee Experience Through IT Smooth onboarding, consistent devices, self-service capability, and proactive support make a measurable difference to productivity. In 2026, IT is a core part of employee experience. 8. Automating Everyday Workflows SMBs can now automate HR approvals, finance tasks, customer service routing, and reporting without enterprise budgets. Small steps create meaningful efficiency gains. Book a free IT audit The businesses that will thrive in 2026 are those treating IT as a growth partner. Cranborne Tech is here to help UK SMBs build resilient, secure, and future-ready digital foundations. If you want to understand how your IT supports your business goals and identify any gaps before they become risks, book a free IT audit . We’ll review your current setup and guide you on the next steps.