"Adapt and evolve" says IT entrepreneur expanding into Europe

IN just 3 years, Sheffield software firm Azzure IT has gone from a startup to having a projected turnover of £2.7m, and is now exporting its expertise to  Europe.

The firm, launched by managing director Craig Such in late 2011 with his own funds, sells and implements Microsoft accounting software, to improve efficiency and profitability.

Mr Such said: “We formed Azzure with a view to providing good quality service to customers, improving efficiency and giving a good return on investment.

“Admittedly it wasn’t good timing on our part however the demand in the recession for improved business software solutions to help them deal with change in demand and economy actually increased.

“We launched from a cold start, we didn’t have any existing customers come over when we started. We used the good old traditional way, marketing to new companies. During the recession people had to cut back, and unfortunately had to lay off staff to save costs. As things started to settle then businesses needed to adapt and evolve very quickly.

“People are more appreciative of what tech can do within biz to make it scalable and adaptable. Companies need to be able to react quickly, scale up and down and deal with different kinds of volumes on the system.”

The company is an expert in the sale and implementation of Microsoft Accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business solutions.

In June this year Azzure IT was recognised by Microsoft as one of the four best providers of Microsoft ERP solutions in the world, and the firm now employs 34 people

They secured an RGF grant of €200,000 to drive further growth and relocate to 4,000 sq ft offices at Sheffield Business Park. In the next five years they are looking to push that number up to 80 people. Predicted turnover will be in excess of £8m.

Along with the rest of the UK, the IT industry has had its fair share of recruitment issues.

Azzure is combating this with the Azzure Dynamics Academy, a training programme for both apprentices and graduates to help them build a “young, talented pool of resources.”

“It is difficult to find right calibre of people. Some are already from industry, but we need people who have the right attitude and ethos, as well as product knowledge.

“With experienced people, we bring them from other products such as Sage and we’re cross-training them. We’ve started Azzure Dynamics Academy to grow our own young talented pool of resources, taking on university graduates as well as apprentices.

“Some don’t want to go to university and would rather do something practically, get involved sooner.

“Having not gone down the degree route myself I’m a good example of what we’re finding with youngsters. I didn’t want to continue education, I wanted to go into industry. The mixture of candidates from degree and apprenticeship side are comparable in terms of skills and aptitudes.

“Not all degree courses are aligned with business requirements these days, that’s something we’re working on with Microsoft.”

The firm is also waving the flag for Yorkshire in terms of export, the nature of its Microsoft software being globally recognised.

Mr Such said: “Our customers are spread throughout the UK, and we’re gaining overseas customers. In June we won a contract for one customer to roll the solution we gave them out to 20 countries, implemented in uk first then head office in Norway wanted to follow on with rest of their countries.”

He said: “The trend we’re finding is that more UK companies are opening overseas offices and subsidiaries. They want us to replicate our work in other countries. It’s an international solution with localised versions, and this allows us to continue doing that.”