Tech Talk in association with virtualDCS:
Tech Talk in association with virtualDCS
Recruitment company MSC-Partners has appointed Leeds-based cloud computing specialist virtualDCS to provide a complete managed solution for its IT framework.
MSC-Partners is a holding company for several recruitment businesses including The Interim Register, one of the leading national brands in the provision of change management consultants.
The virtualDCS platform now hosts all of MSC-Partners’ IT, including its email, virtual desktops and database systems with the team accessing everything securely over the internet.
Harry Cross, director at MSC-Partners, said: “We appointed virtualDCS because we needed a flexible solution. As a business we saw ourselves moving away from large fixed long-term leases to working in serviced office locations from which could upsize or downscale without having to consider the IT implications or indeed, the cost.
“We also wanted to be able to work from home, or on the road, as effectively as we could from the office so an internet-based solution was necessary.
“In addition, we needed reliable, client-focussed support and this is exactly what we get from the virtualDCS team; the service is second to none.”
virtualDCS was established in 2008 by Richard May, John Murray and Dan Nichols who were previously architects of the hosting services business for a FTSE-listed IT services provider.
Richard May, director of virtualDCS, said: “We have provided MSC-Partners with a robust and responsive cloud hosted solution that absolutely fits their immediate requirements but can also adapt in line with the company’s business strategy going forward.”
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EXPRESS Data has been selected by high performance network solutions firm Extreme Networks to be its first reseller partner in Yorkshire.
As a certified silver partner, Express Data will now be able to offer its customer’s access to Extreme Networks’ Ethernet switching technology.
Simon Wilson, managing director of Express Data said: “To be selected by a global leader in the network industry as its first reseller in the Yorkshire region, is a real coup for the business.
“Express Data has gone from strength-to-strength over the last 20 years and thanks to our innovation, technical excellence and quality client service, we have picked up a range of local, regional and national clients.
“Extreme Networks has recognised all our hard work and now we have found a partner which shares our belief that smart networks and universal port type solutions are a must for any business.”
Express Data has a turnover of £1.4m and employs 13 staff with a client list that includes Morrisons, West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Building Society.
Steve Johnson, UK channel director at Extreme Networks said: “Extreme Networks is delighted that Express Data has selected Extreme’s smarter networks proposition as best to enhance the productivity, security and simplicity of its customer’s networks.
“Achieving silver status requires commitment, investment and, above all, challenging skills that mean our customers know they will be working with a partner they can trust.”
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A NEW website which aims to revolutionise the way people find and book restaurants has been launched by a Yorkshire teenager.
Frustrated at the lack of restaurant details available online, Jonathan Thirkill started to build Yazza.co.uk in 2009 when he was 16 years old and worked in the evening and at weekends to complete it.
The site aims to simplify the process for the consumer and provide restaurateurs with a host of free features to help online bookings, improve web presence and market directly to customers.
Jonathan, from Harrogate, said: “I was booking a meal for the family and went online to find a suitable restaurant. I discovered the information I needed was scattered across a host of individual websites, online directories and restaurant booking sites which made finding telephone numbers, opening times and menus very difficult. Online booking was also a complete nightmare.
”I researched it further and recognised the opportunity to close this gap by providing one online resource providing up-to-date information for all restaurants throughout the UK. In essence it is an easy-to-use, one-stop-shop for those people wishing to dine out.”
He added: “I received excellent feedback from the restaurants I spoke to prior to the launch and I am now looking forward to lots of restaurants uploading their details for free.”
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THE winners have been announced in the 2010 Yorkshire Insider Digital Awards.
They included an award for Impression DP which triumphed in the ‘Best Digital Start Up’ category.
Director Charlie Hartley said: “We’re extremely proud to have won this award and for our work to be recognised on this level. It’s a testament to the teams creativity, hard work and dedication to the finer details and providing our client with high levels of customer service.
“We’ve always had the self-belief that our digital team are on par with the big name agencies in Yorkshire and by letting our work speak for itself, we hope this is the start of ensuring Impression DP is known as one the most new, exciting and forward thinking agencies across Yorkshire.”
Other winners included aql, which was chosen in the ‘Best Application of Mobile Technology’ category for developing techonlogy that allows a person to ring several telephones using a single number.
Managing director Adam Beaumont said: “Everything we do tends to be sold indirectly through resellers so it tends to be them who gets the recognition. We are at the forefront of mobile technology and it is our work that enables others to create the end value added service.”
The complete list of winners was:
Best Digital Start Up – Impression DP
Best Business to Business Website – QUBA
Best Business to Consumer Website – Numiko
Best Trading Platform – Chapter Eight
Best Web Design Team – Numiko
Best Application of Mobile Technology – aql
Best Educational Software or E-learning Initiative – MyKnowledgeMap
Best Software Provider – e@SY Connects
IT Efficiency Award – Science Warehouse
Best Digital Advertising Campaign – twentysix
Best App – Aurora Sound Studios designed by Limelight Software
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EXACT Web Solutions has relocated to the Doncaster Business Innovation Centre and is looking to expand.
Andy Roberts launched the company just over a year ago and is now on the hunt for an aspiring web developer to join his team and help shape the enterprise by producing more sophisticated, engaging web solutions.
“We’re working with local Yorkshire clients – from beauty salons to glazing companies and lawyers – as well as national companies including BT. Now I’ve reached the stage where another pair of hands is needed and it’s very satisfying when you’ve got to the point of being able to invest in more staff. It’s their chance to make a big difference to a promising business.”
Andy, a trained technical illustrator, moved into graphic design and then into websites, working for British Aerospace, Europcar and other big names – gaining over 15 years experience in design and web development before setting up alone.
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CHANCELLOR George Osborne has announced the opening of bidding for £50mn of funding for superfast broadband roll-out in the UK.
Councils will be able to apply to Broadband Delivery UK for this funding to improve broadband in their area. The Government expects the funding to benefit up to 800,000 premises.
Ministers have promised to spend £530m over the next four years on rolling out superfast broadband to where the market alone would not reach.
