Tag Archives: technology

Food & Drink, News, Technology

£750k funding boost for OSY Group’s technology which extends shelf-life of food produce

A company whose flagship technology increases the shelf-life of food produce and reduces waste has secured £750,000 from investors to support its rollout across the UK and internationally.

The funding boost for OSY Group will accelerate its commercialisation of Xtend, an antimicrobial packaging coating which enables a range of food types, including fruit and vegetables, to stay fresh in their packaging for longer.

It will also enable OSY Group to expand its team, who are based at the Manchester International Office Centre near Manchester Airport.

Marc Braterman, chief executive of OSY Group, said: “Currently 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted or lost each year globally, and between eight and 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions result directly from food waste.

“We aspire to lead the charge in global food waste reduction through our innovative technology, as well as helping to drive down greenhouse gas emissions and food poverty, supporting grocers as they strive to achieve their sustainability targets, and enabling food producers to tap into more export markets.

“This latest funding round is a major milestone as it will enable us to accelerate the commercialisation of Xtend in the UK and internationally, while also focusing on growing our team. We are looking to create a number of roles in the coming months in line with our strategy.”

Xtend is a water-based antimicrobial coating for packaging surfaces. It leaves microscopic pins on the packaging surfaces that puncture and kill microbes and slow the natural spoiling process that affects the fresh produce within.

It has undergone extensive testing at independent laboratories, universities and other facilities, which has proven the technology to be food safe and compliant with the Food Contact Materials regulations for fresh produce, said Marc.

Testing has shown that Xtend extends shelf-life by multiple days on various forms of packaging, he added.

It is suitable for lidding film, plastic trays, flow wrap, fibre and board, flexible film paper, outer packaging and board and film combined for food-to-go, such as sandwiches.

Trials of Xtend have also been conducted with a major UK grocer as well as leading soft fruit producers and large European packaging companies.

Marc said: “These trials, in addition to the extensive testing carried out at facilities in the UK, have demonstrated that Xtend maintains freshness for longer and therefore significantly contributes to reducing food waste.

“It can be easily integrated into existing packaging production, and has a range of other applications beyond food produce due to its direct coating qualities.”

The latest investment, from three new individuals and one existing backer, follows a £250,000 equity fundraising last year and an award from Innovate UK through its ‘Better Food for All’ competition to support companies forging innovative ways to tackle nutrition challenges. Innovate UK’s funding is supporting OSY’s ongoing research and development.

OSY is one of only a small number of companies selected to be part of a global innovation business programme run by Innovate UK in Canada and Australia.

Among the advisers to OSY are Dr Malcolm Driffield and Dr Rhodri Evans, of scientific, engineering and regulatory consultancy Exponent International.

Finance and Banking, Finance News, News, North of England

Innovative approach from Minerva is providing solutions

A North Staffordshire financial planning company has invested in top class technology to enhance the client experience.

Founder of Minerva Financial Solutions Nicola Conway decided to introduce document management platform DocPortal in February this year, to help with the storing of important documents and information and to allow for a more efficient service. DocPortal stores personal and business documents, while clients can also access the app, allowing Nicola and her team to communicate and share information directly.

Nicola Conway, Founder of Minerva Financial Solutions, says: “In a world where we spend a lot of time storing information electronically, and accessing it digitally, it is important to be able to keep important documents in one place. We wanted to help clients to be able to access what they needed with ease and that’s why we introduced DocPortal into the business.

Nicola adds: “The app really can help to store someone’s important life documentation in one place. Our finances, life policies and even legal papers are really important and need to be stored in a way that can be accessed by family members on the occasion of a death, which can be a very difficult time for relatives to be dealing with such issues. However, as you can appoint digital executors within the app, these documents can be accessed more easily and help minimise the added stress of those challenging circumstances.”

Minerva Financial Solutions have now shared the DocPortal app with more than 300 clients. As well as arranging financial documents, users are able to upload personal information such as photographs and favourite trips if they wish, along with other day-to-day documents.

“Our experience is that it’s like having a filing cabinet in your pocket – but without the large amount of paper,” adds Nicola.

“Information can be uploaded instantly to the app and people can go back and look over things themselves in their own time. We’ve found it very useful and many of our clients have been keen to use it.”

Minerva Financial Solutions is an Appointed Representative of St James Wealth Management and is based in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

HR, News

Ciphr rebrand puts HR ‘front and centre’

Ciphr has unveiled a new brand identity and vision today, designed to showcase the importance and value of HR and people teams to UK businesses.

The all-encompassing rebrand puts people management professionals at the centre of its transformative new look and narrative, and positions Ciphr as their go-to HR software and solutions partner.

Ciphr’s vibrant new colour palette, logo, website and content may seem like a seismic shift in market direction – but it’s not. It’s simply more representative of the people-centric brand and employee-centric company that it’s always been. And it’s purposefully more reflective of, and aligned to, its customer base – the people who use, and rely on, Ciphr’s integrated HR, payroll, learning and recruitment software and services.

The use of eye-catching visuals and impactful copy that resonates with the HR community adds more warmth and personality to the brand. It’s immediately more memorable, more human, and full of characterful flourishes that emphasise Ciphr’s people-first approach and HR expertise.

Chris Boddice, who joined Ciphr as chief marketing officer last year, says: “I always thought that our brand didn’t really express the lived experience of working in, and with, Ciphr.

“There’s a fantastic level of energy, enthusiasm and expertise here at Ciphr. It comes through when I talk to our people, and I see it every time I join customer calls. We have a deep understanding of the problems that HR teams face – and the experience and passion to help fix them. That’s something that hasn’t been talked about enough, until now.

“I wanted to change that. So the market can truly see who we are and what we are capable of. This rebrand has certainly done that; it captures the essence of who we are and what we can do for UK organisations.”

At the heart of Ciphr’s rebrand is its new brand vision – to amplify the voice and value of HR. HR teams are often undervalued by their organisations, and research shows that HR’s pivotal role in delivering business success can go unrecognised or be misperceived. That shouldn’t be the norm, though, and it doesn’t make good business sense, explains Ciphr’s CEO Sion Lewis.

“Ciphr is on a mission to make sure HR’s voice is heard. The impact of HR decision-makers has never been more important to UK businesses. So why leave your HR team – the people who know your workforce better than anyone – on the sideline when they should be front and centre?

“With the right data and the right tools, our customers can identify talent, trends and opportunities that reveal the hidden value of their people. This is gold dust for HR leaders who want to have influence in the boardroom. Our HR software provides invaluable insights that can inform business strategy. We provide the means to automate and streamline processes so HR teams can focus on developing their people. Because, let’s face it, if you want your business to grow and succeed, you’ve got to look after your biggest asset – your people.”

Here for the people who are here for the people

Ciphr worked with Airborne Studio on the rebranding, which also included the design and build of the new Ciphr website. The design agency conducted extensive interviews and workshops with Ciphr employees – many of whom have a background in HR, L&D and payroll themselves – to inform the new look and brand positioning.

The comprehensive changes include the introduction of a brighter range of colours, such as cool blue, mint green and mauve pink, and a softer, more ‘approachable’, flat logo design that works across the primary palette. There’s also contrasting typography, combining the Söhne Leicht and GT Super Text fonts in headlines to great effect. Illustrative flourishes highlight key ideas and photography, and a range of bespoke ‘doodles’ from Mr Woody Woods, a Manchester-based illustrator, add personality throughout.

Luke Kelly, founder and creative director of Airborne Studio, says: “It was clear from the outset of this project that Ciphr’s employees are ‘people people’. It’s not just a software or a consultancy business. Ciphr understands the importance of people and the importance of HR to a successful organisation, and cares deeply about helping others benefit from recognising that value. They champion HR and empower their customers to do the same within their organisations.

“The new branding and website reflect this – mirroring the warmth and humanity that exists across Ciphr – and crystallising their exciting vision into the powerful new ‘Amplify HR’ brand positioning.

“The Ciphr team has been a delight to work with and we’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

Ciphr is the go-to HR software and solutions partner for medium and large organisations in the UK. Its integrated HR, payroll, learning and recruitment software, services and content provide invaluable insights to HR teams to inform their people strategy and grow and develop their organisations. Based in Reading, and backed by ECI Partners, Ciphr is on a mission to amplify the voice and value of HR through intelligent people data solutions that help HR be heard – in the boardroom and across the business.

More than 600 organisations use Ciphr globally, including Volkswagen Group UK, Lifetime Training, Crisis UK, Bensons for Beds, Natural History Museum and the Met Office.

For more information, please visit www.ciphr.com.

News

Howorth Air Tech cleans up as awards flow in

A clean air technology business is celebrating another accolade after scooping an award for best company culture.

Howorth Air Technology’s latest honour was awarded by business coaching and mentoring organisation ActionCOACH Bolton.

Jim Liptrot, managing director of Howorth, received the accolade from ActionCOACH Bolton managing director Paul Limb.

It is the fourth award for the Howorth business in less than a year.

Last May, the company won the Best for Employee Engagement and Most Improved SME categories at the Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards, in recognition of its workplace culture that prioritises the growth and development of its employees.

In September, Howorth was named company of the year at the Bolton News Business Awards.

In addition, Jim was named 2023 Board Member of the Year by The Alternative Board Manchester.

The Alternative Board is a franchise network which provides peer advisory and coaching to business owners and leaders.

Jim’s award was based on his achievements during the year, the help he gave to fellow board members, and the quality of his contribution and advice. It was the second time he has won the honour since becoming a member in 2018.

Howorth, which has its headquarters in Farnworth, Bolton, and a facility at Raven Locks in Little Hulton, Salford, designs, manufactures and assembles ultra clean air equipment for use in operating theatres, and for the pharma, biotechnology and life science industries.

The company designs, assembles and supplies containment equipment for the pharma industry, such as isolators and downflow booths, to create pure air working environments for the safe handling and processing of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Howorth turns over more than £20m a year and employs more than 130 staff across its operations in the UK and the United States.

Paul Limb said: “Our annual client awards celebrate and reward their efforts and achievements across a range of categories, recognising success in all of the building blocks which make a great business even better.

“I cannot think of a more worthy winner of our Best Company Culture Award than Howorth Air Tech. Its core values of integrity, collaboration and excellence are exhibited in the behaviours of its employees across the business and make up what is called ‘The Howorth Way’.

“It has shown that people are at the very centre of a company’s performance and having a fantastic culture can lead to fantastic results.”

Paul Winterbottom, owner of The Alternative Board Manchester, said: “Jim is passionate about Howorth’s purpose of changing lives for the better, which not only relates to the ultimate beneficiaries of the medical and pharma products, but also the whole team at the company.

“He is passionate about people development and provides wise counsel to the other Board members about ‘all things people’. His recognition is really well deserved, he’s a fantastic member.”

Jim said: “Winning these awards is a massive recognition of the success that can be achieved by creating, developing and embedding a culture of good employment right across the company.

“Everyone at Howorth knows how important their role is, how much their contribution is valued, and how important everyone who walks through the doors is.

“Howorth has a phenomenal purpose and a team of great people who are all aligned behind the values of ‘The Howorth Way’.”

Tech, Technology

How Telecommunications Providers Can Best Tackle DDoS Attacks

Written by Terry Young, Director of Service Provider Product Marketing, A10 Networks

The UK’s 2023 National Risk Register, published by the government in the summer, highlights the increasing cyberthreat posed to telecommunications providers who are a vital part of the communications critical national infrastructure (CNI) sector. The report lays out the volatile landscape these providers operate in and the government’s acknowledgement of the seriousness of cyber threats to telecommunications infrastructure. It also details the difficulty in implementing the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, which establishes guidelines for telcos to follow.

The risk register reinforces the need for telcos to strengthen their overall security posture and improve resilience against service-impacting attacks, such as DDoS attacks. The good news is that we have seen communication service providers (CSPs) responding to these higher threats and tighter compliance requirements. Our 2023 research, which surveyed 2,750 senior IT professionals in CSPs, suggests that they are investing in enhancing their network security to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats such as DDoS attacks.

Adopting a defence-in-depth approach

Over the last two years, CSPs have made significant progress in upgrading their cyber defences. In our inaugural CSP 2021 study, we found the highest priority security investments were for more basic security upgrades such as firewalls. This year, however, while firewall upgrades were still the highest priority, we found respondents aiming for a more mature, multi-layered, and defence-in-depth approach to security.

With 68% of all 2023 respondents expecting network traffic volumes to increase by over 50% in the next two-three years, firewalls and other security appliances must be routinely upgraded just to handle the increased traffic volume. Despite this, the percentage prioritising firewalls dropped from 48% in 2021 to 28% in 2023.

The growing importance of DDoS detection and monitoring

Other investments deemed nearly as important as firewalls were DDoS detection and monitoring, automation of security policies, investment in ransomware and malware protection services, and threat intelligence. Respondents also indicated interest in simplifying and integrating disparate point solutions.

This all points to a higher focus on security investments overall and a greater focus on capabilities that enable a more proactive approach rather than reactive response, such as DDoS detection (now the second highest priority) versus reactive DDoS attack mitigation (the least important priority) in the 2023 survey.

Additionally, with telecommunications considered a critical infrastructure, telecommunications organisations have a unique responsibility to protect the availability of their networks, data, and services. With two-thirds of respondents planning to extend their networks to unserved and underserved communities, protection of network availability and subscriber privacy is critical to their ongoing success.

This is an increasingly complex task as traffic volumes surge, and they build out to more remote and vulnerable communities. To achieve this, we recommend telecommunications providers should follow the below key steps:

  • Prioritise security investments to protect all domains. This includes the network itself, customer databases, customer facing services such as websites, and internal IT systems. Many DDoS attacks and security breaches in CSPs are targeting customer proprietary data.
  • Replace legacy DDoS defence systems and deploy new technologies that enable more granular detection using AI, machine learning, threat intelligence, and other capabilities that match the increasing sophistication of attacks.
  • Leverage automation to simplify management, improve control over network resources, and guarantee uptime.

Intelligent and automated DDoS protection solutions

DDoS protection is clearly a critical part of CSPs’ infrastructure but, while they need to stop malicious traffic, they need to do this without disrupting legitimate traffic. This is where intelligent and automated DDoS protection solutions that provide scalable, economical, precise and intelligent capabilities are important in order to help CSPs ensure optimal user and subscriber experiences. CSPs should be using solutions that efficiently identify abnormal traffic, automatically and intelligently mitigate the identified inbound DDoS attack, and provide a centralised point of control for seamless DDoS defence execution.​

So, what should telecommunications companies look out for to prevent a DDoS attack?

  • A sudden and/or unexpected increase in traffic. Though there are legitimate reasons to receive more traffic, a sudden increase should be checked.
  • System slowness or non-response. Websites can load slowly, or not at all, for many reasons—this doesn’t mean a DDoS attack is in progress, but it should be investigated.
  • Unusual traffic patterns. For example, when current traffic deviates from normal traffic patterns, such as inconsistent traffic with a typical user base, and receiving traffic at unusual hours.
  • Increase in traffic to a single endpoint. This is when part of your system, such as a specific URL, suddenly receives a high amount of traffic compared to others.
  • A high volume of traffic from a single IP or small range of IPs. This indicates that these addresses could be part of a larger botnet.

A market expected to reach $7.45 billion by 2030

Recent research emphasises the significant impact of DDoS attacks, with the latest data indicating a 200% increase in DDoS attacks in the first half of 2023. The research showed telecommunications companies experienced the most attacks, accounting for roughly half the overall attack volume. This is one reason why the global DDoS protection and mitigation market is expected to reach $7.45 billion by 2030.

As we look to 2024, the telecommunications industry will continue to focus on technologies such as cloud computing, standalone 5G, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to offer better speed, scalability, and innovation. To support those new technologies, telecommunications providers will also need to continue to shore up their cybersecurity architectures and, while our research shows that progress has been made, there needs to be more of a focus on a layered and defence-in-depth approach, particularly where DDoS attacks are concerned.

News, Technology

Merchr signs up ClickASnap as its latest strategic partner

Print-on-demand technology company Merchr has signed up picture-sharing platform ClickASnap as its latest strategic partner, offering photographers a new way to monetise their images.

The agreement sees Merchr enable photographers to sell prints and canvases of their images across the UK, North America and Europe by setting up merchandise stores hosted on its fast-growing platform.

ClickASnap, which was founded in 2014 and is based in Dorset, is a digital platform which hosts over 16 million images, enabling users to showcase and sell their pictures.

More than 1,800 photographers have set up stores in the first month of the venture.

Items are being shipped from Merchr’s integrated facilities in Middleton, Greater Manchester, and Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as through other production partners.

Peter Hallett, co-founder of Merchr, said: “This exclusive partnership gives ClickASnap photographers access to the Merchr technology, enabling them to monetise images through their own free webstore that features canvas prints and merch showcasing their content.

“It’s an exciting strategic move for both parties, as it enables ClickASnap users to further monetise their photographs by leveraging Merchr’s software combined with their own creativity.

“Initially, the partnership is being rolled out to ClickASnap’s premium members, with a focus on supplying canvas and framed canvas and prints across Europe and North America.

“ClickASnap members can create their webstores in sterling, US and Canadian dollars and euros, depending on where they wish to sell their images.”

Jason Hill, chief executive of ClickASnap, said: “Our partnership has got off to a superb start, with over 1,800 photographers signing up in the first month.

“We look forward to seeing the number of stores grow on our platform to give more people the opportunity to sell their pictures.”

Merchr helps individuals and groups to build their brand and reach new global audiences by creating their own, personalised bespoke merchandise collection to sell in an eco-friendly, risk-free way without the need to hold stock or worry about the logistics of production, printing and shipping.

Its wider portfolio of products includes clothing, hats, towels, blankets, mugs, placemats, phone cases, coasters, hot water bottles, tote and make-up bags, pouches and highlighter pens, water bottles and tumblers.

The company uses water-based inks and BPA-free plastic bottles, and organic cotton in its garments.

Merchr also manages the supply chain and print-on-demand for a host of online retailers.

News, Technology

Egress and Make-A-Wish UK announce pioneering tech partnership to scale the charity’s impact

Leading cybersecurity firm Egress has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Make-A-Wish UK, a non-profit organization granting lifechanging wishes to critically ill children in the UK. The year-long collaboration aims to leverage technology to enhance the charity’s capabilities and further their impact. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Egress becomes the first-ever tech partner for the esteemed charity. 

As part of the initiative, Egress has donated 23 computers to the Make-A-Wish UK team to help them process and organize more wishes. Egress is also providing essential tech skills to empower Make-A-Wish UK in scaling their technological infrastructure.  

An additional feature of the tech partnership involves providing technical guidance and consultation for Make-A-Wish UK ‘s team to ensure they are utilizing the best technology for their requirements. This education-centric approach underscores Egress’ commitment to fostering a sustainable, long-term impact through knowledge transfer. 

Make-A-Wish UK is known for its dedication to creating life-changing experiences for children battling critical illnesses, bringing them joy and empowering them to fight their conditions with renewed strength. With Egress joining as a tech partner, the charity will gain access to cutting-edge technological solutions and expertise to streamline their processes and amplify their impact. 

Tony Pepper, CEO at Egress, comments: 

“Every child deserves the chance to experience joy and hope, and fulfill their dreams, and Make-A-Wish UK embodies this completely. By partnering with Make-A-Wish UK, Egress has the opportunity to combine our world-class technical capabilities with their remarkable vision, making a lasting difference in the lives of these courageous children.  

“We’ll be announcing details of further tech initiatives throughout the year and we’re looking forward to using skills from across our company to help the incomparably dedicated Make-A-Wish UK team.” 

Sarah Watson, Director of Finance and Technology at Make-A-Wish UK, comments: 

“We are truly excited about this collaboration with Egress and Make-A-Wish UK. Their commitment to our cause and their team’s technical capabilities will undoubtedly propel us forward, enabling us to grant even more wishes and bring happiness to the lives of children who need it most. 

“If we can make the process of applying for a wish as simple as possible for families with critically ill children by improving our tech capabilities, the tech partnership will be a great success, and I have no doubt that Egress will deliver.” 

News

Workforce management app introduces ‘Messenger’ for improved communications on the frontline

New chat functionality from Quinyx will enhance company-wide collaborations

In response to frontline teams struggling with fragmented communication channels, juggling multiple apps, and facing difficulties in connecting with their colleagues – Quinyx has today launched a new chat tool, Messenger.

Developed specifically for frontline teams, Messenger is a seamlessly integrated chat solution which aims to transform frontline conversations and enhance collaboration within organisations.

Through Messenger, frontline teams can engage in two-way conversations and communities directly within the Quinyx app, where they already have their work schedule. This integration eliminates the need for third party apps and centralises work-related discussions and meaningful connections in one unified platform. Resulting in no more searching for contacts or worrying about missing out on important conversations.

One of the key advantages of Messenger is its full integration with Quinyx. Leveraging the existing roles, permissions, and hierarchy structures, Messenger ensures centralised access, a clear overview of workflows, and easy upkeep.

“We understand the importance of seamless communication within frontline teams,” said Erik Fjellborg, CEO of Quinyx. “With Messenger, we aim to empower organisations to build strong communities, foster collaboration, and enhance productivity. By providing an integrated chat solution, we want to streamline communication processes and eliminate the complexities that frontline teams often face.”

Key benefits of Quinyx Messenger include:

  • Instant, targeted conversations: Enjoy direct or group chats, boosting two-way conversation, building communities and engagement.
  • Easy access & maintenance: Maintain access and permissions within Quinyx’s existing structure.
  • All-in-One Platform: Messenger seamlessly integrates within the Quinyx app for streamlined and transparent communication.

For more information about Quinyx Messenger and its features, watch the latest product innovation keynote presented by Laurence Painell, CPO at Quinyx, here.

News

Virtual business card Zappify breaks records in milestone year

The entrepreneurs behind the Zappify virtual business card are celebrating a record-breaking year as they embark on their next phase of expansion.

Keith Robinson and Paul Smith launched Zappify during the first Covid lockdown in the spring of 2020 as a fully digital and green alternative to traditional printed business cards.

During 2023 they achieved several milestones, as businesses continue to seek ways to strengthen their environmental credentials.

Zappify is now being used in more than 40 countries across six continents, and over 250 companies employing 75,000 staff worldwide have adopted the technology.

The final quarter of 2023 saw Zappify actively used more than 30,000 times by businesspeople across the globe, representing a year-on-year increase of 273 per cent and up 149 per cent compared with the previous three months.

Zappify’s client base ranges from individual freelancers and start-ups to multinational companies. Users include accountants and solicitors, architects and property developers, and companies involved in sectors such as manufacturing, consulting, leisure and hospitality, oil and gas, creative and media, fashion, jewellery and telecoms.

Clients range from chartered accountancy firm Saffery, law firm Gateley, food wholesaler Bidfood and specialist lender Leumi UK to valve manufacturer Severn Valve, Bazooka Candy Brands, the maker of the famous bubble gum, and energy and marine consultancy ABL Group.

The Zappify card is contactless and enables users to swap contact information in person or over video conferencing platforms, email and messaging apps on their smart phones via a unique QR code or personal URL.

Clients pay an annual subscription to use the Zappify platform, and all data is held securely in compliance with GDPR requirements and with endorsement from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Keith said that with increased functionality, including the options to share promotional corporate videos and generate personal video introductions, plus links to websites and platforms such as LinkedIn, social media accounts and YouTube content, Zappify is evolving into a powerful digital marketing tool rather than being solely a business card.

Zappify’s research shows that it takes almost seven litres of water to create 10 business cards. Each year, 10 billion business cards are printed globally, and 88 per cent are thrown away within a week. Over six million adult trees are destroyed each year to produce paper cards.

The upsurge in activity for Zappify, which is based in Bury, Greater Manchester, meant more than a million litres of water were saved in 2023.

Keith said: “Last year was a record-breaker for Zappify. Awareness is growing as companies and individuals everywhere put greater emphasis on the need to implement more sustainable practices and see the benefits of adopting ways to go digital.

“We saw exponential growth in the number of active users, and our global reach now stands at 265 companies operating in 41 countries.

“Our clients understand that virtual business cards are a cheaper and greener option than printed ones, with the added advantage that digital contact information can be shared more extensively using modern technology and devices, and can easily be updated when people move locations or positions.

“We have invested to further develop the platform by fully integrating Zappify with Apple Wallet, introducing an offline mode so that contact details can be shared on smartphones even where there is no signal, and enabling contact information to be displayed in any language, which increases our global appeal.

“Recently we have introduced a Platinum product offering a fully bespoke design experience, covering the virtual business cards, administration platform and user app. This is being rolled out after a successful trial late last year with a major UK-based property development company.

“Our growth means businesses are able to save more trees and water and conduct their affairs in a more digital, convenient and cheaper fashion.

“This year we are delighted to be launching an important initiative to encourage people to recycle their old, printed cards.

“By actively promoting recycling, this will further emphasise the sustainability message in business and demonstrate that every individual can make a difference, even if only in a small way.

“The ‘Zappify Pledge for the Planet’ will highlight that every contribution is valuable and will facilitate further savings of trees and water by putting back into the production process for alternative recycled paper products.

“This year is hugely exciting for Zappify as we continue to grow rapidly and see the digital card and platform become a one-stop digital marketing tool for our users.”

News, Retail, Retail & E-commerce, Retail Tech

Supermarket giant Iceland puts colleague welfare first by partnering with VoCoVo

VoCoVo, the retail communications specialist, has today announced a partnership with UK supermarket chain Iceland which will see every store within the retailer’s estate provided with access to the latest cutting edge communication technology.

Following the recent launch of VoCoVo’s Series 5 Pro headsets, designed to provide a significant boost to operational efficiency, colleague safety and customer experience, the headsets will be made available in each of Iceland’s 1,004 UK stores. The decision to provide every store with the technology forms part of Iceland’s commitment to ensure the safety, wellbeing and optimum working experience for all colleagues.

VoCoVo and Iceland worked in collaboration to deliver a solution that met each of Iceland’s unique needs. Following a resoundingly successful trial in select stores, the Series 5 Pro will play an important part in Iceland’s customer experience plans moving forward.

“The investment in VoCoVo headsets is a real step forward in improving the efficiency, communication and safety of our store colleagues, which are all paramount to our current and future plans,” says Kristian Barrett, Iceland’s Group Retail Director.

Opting for the Series 5 Pro headsets followed a rigorous vetting process by the supermarket, with the VoCoVo product best meeting all Iceland’s requirements for a durable and innovative solution that would transform the colleague working experience.

Spanning all areas of Iceland’s retail stores, including shop floor, back areas and home delivery services, colleagues can use VoCoVo to efficiently collaborate on store operations, helping to maintain Iceland’s high standards of operational efficiency. Staff are empowered to meet customer expectations, alongside the ability to quickly resolve queries for an optimum customer experience.

“On our store floors and beyond, we’re committed to improving our customer’s experience when shopping with us. Our partnership with VoCoVo will directly support this commitment and we’re excited to grow the solution once the headsets are installed. This will include specific APIs that will integrate with our in-store technology and notification systems, enabling us to quickly update our store colleagues on certain business activities that are happening,” says Louise Dhaliwal, Iceland’s IT Director.

“Iceland’s commitment to protecting its colleagues and prioritising their wellbeing through the power of voice communication was apparent from the moment we engaged with them. Iceland stores already operate with high efficiency and we’re delighted that our technology will help take this further and cement Iceland’s position as one of the UK’s most loved retailers. We’re looking forward to a successful rollout and collaborative future,” says Rob Gamlin, CEO, VoCoVo.

The compact design of the Series 5 Pro headset allows colleagues to communicate with each other in crystal clear audio quality, while being discreet enough to ensure customers are not deterred from approaching staff on the shop floor. Its fully adjustable design also makes for a more comfortable experience when worn and the rapid charge feature provides 50% battery charge in just 30 minutes.

Iceland is also making use of a full suite of custom-developed video content to help train staff on how best to make use of the new solution. VoCoVo will provide ongoing support as the partnership evolves, with further integrations in the planning. The rollout is expected to be complete with VoCoVo technology active in all Iceland stores by April 2024.