Technology Reseller - v15 2018

01732 759725 16 NEWS : RESELLERS Complete Business Solutions, a nationwide provider of business equipment, supplies and services, is removing paperwork from its delivery operations by implementing a cloud-based mobile working and management system from BigChange. The Wakefield-based company, with 20 branches nationwide and a fleet of 150 vehicles, has equipped its drivers, installers and technical service engineers with mobile devices integrated with BigChange’s JobWatch solution, which it uses to plan and schedule deliveries. The devices also run a series of JobWatch apps, including: n a sign-on-glass app for electronic proof of delivery that connects to the Complete Business Solutions accounts system, enabling invoices to be raised immediately; n a vehicle app that enables drivers to run vehicle checks and produce instant reports for easier scheduling of maintenance; n electronic worksheets for use by installers that include time and location stamped photographs of installations; and n electronic worksheets and test reports for engineers servicing office equipment. In addition to the roll-out of apps, Complete Business Solutions has equipped vehicles with BigChange satellite trackers that give customer services a live view of vehicle location and expected delivery times. In the future, it plans to make this information available to customers via text and email alerts. Chris Newman, Group Operations Director at Complete Business Solutions, said: “We now have a seamless, paperless system all the way from order to invoice. By receiving electronic PODs, we have immediate and accurate information and we’ve eliminated subsequent data entry – something that was proving to be a huge burden as the business grew.” He added: “The management information provided by BigChange is proving to be a real asset. We have all sorts of useful data we didn’t have before which is allowing us to analyse deliveries per van, driver performance, optimisation of routes and stock holding, as well as helping us to meet our ISO environmental targets.” www.bigchangeapps.com Record growth for pure technology group IT solutions and services company, pure technology group (PTG), is celebrating the largest annual revenue growth in its history, with total turnover for the 2017-2018 financial year rising 23% to £27.8 million. Growth was driven by a number of factors, including ongoing investment in PTG services; expansion to London; inclusion in the UK Government’s G-Cloud 10 framework; an annual tech expo (expo pt18), attended by more than 600 professionals; and successful projects with customers such as BetFred, JCT600, SuperBreak and RSPB. PTG now plans to increase turnover to £40 million, partly through an expansion of its pureVR and pureIoT services. Group COO Cliff Fox said: “Our Augmented, Assisted and Virtual Reality products aim to revolutionise the way training is carried out across every sector and optimise business operations, especially where productivity and bottom- line benefits are concerned.” PTG has partnerships with leading tech brands, including DELL EMC, HP, Huawei, Lenovo, Microsoft and Mimecast, and is one of only three UK partners authorised to distribute Toshiba’s dynaEdge smart glasses solution. Workflo Solutions diversifies into IT services IT services businesses in Scotland are facing new competition from copier dealer Workflo Solutions following its appointment of an IT expert to turn it into a one-stop-shop for business infrastructure. The company, with offices in Livingston and Glasgow, has taken on Fiona MacKellar as IT Services Manager to add cloud technology, security and network support services to its existing portfolio of printers, photocopiers and scanners. Managing Director Michael Field said: “We’re one of the few companies that can provide a fully integrated package of managed print services alongside substantial IT solutions. Having everything coordinated by one company, which is also responsible for around-the-clock maintenance, is proving to be an attractive proposition for businesses.” Fiona MacKellar, who joins Workflo Solutions from CCS Media, has almost 30 years’ experience in account management, business development and sales. She previously held positions with Compaq, HP and SMART Modular Technologies in Silicon Valley. Workflo Solutions was founded 10 years and has been Konica Minolta’s Scottish Dealer of the Year for six consecutive years. Last year, it had a turnover of more than £3 million. JobWatch proves its worth Stephen Boardman CIPD contract for Managed 24/7 Milton Keynes-based managed service provider Managed 24/7 has been awarded a three-year contract by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) to deliver IT support and infrastructure services to more than 400 employees worldwide. The dedicated hybrid cloud solution, which includes the company’s OneCare Managed IT support service and OneView IT monitoring and analytics, will deliver services 10 times more quickly and enable CIPD to grow its range of products and services on demand at no additional expense. Stephen Boardman, Commercial Director at Managed 24/7, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by CIPD to deliver an improved set of IT Infrastructure services. It is our mission at Managed 24/7 to combat the growing productivity crisis that we are facing in the UK by implementing single service solutions that provide tangible financial benefits and increase productivity and efficiency.” A 2017 study commissioned by the company found that the average UK employee loses 5.59% of their working time to IT issues, at an annual cost to the UK economy of £35 billion or £1,499 for every employee. Michael Field