New Business Development Manager to boost Intergence’s reach in UK IT optimisation sector

Intergence, a prominent independent IT optimisation consultancy based in Cambridge, has appointed Steve Bulman as Business Development Manager.

Steve brings a wealth of industry experience; his most recent role being Business Development Manager at PLC listed recruitment group InterQuest Financial Markets, the £50m turnover brand within the group. Steve was responsible for gaining and developing new accounts within the Investment Banking and Asset Management sector, owning the request for proposal and bid process before handing over to a delivery team for fulfilment.

In his new role at Intergence, Steve will be responsible for major account management and new business development across a broad range of verticals within the UK sector. Steve will also focus on selling Intergence’s leading software products, Hyperglance and Actual Experience, as well as it’s full range of professional services.

Reporting to Rob Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Intergence, Steve, who will be based in the UK, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for the company and I am delighted to be joining the team. My past experience includes the management of many challenging and complex projects which involved winning and transitioning managed services, and selling people solutions. This is backed by my sales experience within the telecommunications industry at New Zealand’s preeminent carrier, Telecom New Zealand. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to use my skills and experience to contribute to the company’s growth within the IT optimisation industry”.

Commenting on this latest new appointment at Intergence, Rob said, “I am delighted to welcome Steve to the Intergence team and look forward to working with him. There is a great deal of opportunity for Intergence and this new appointment will help build the reputation the company has forged in recent years and allow us to further extend our reach in the UK sector.”

hybris platform for MoneySupermarket.com

hybris, a leading provider of multichannel commerce and communication software, has announced that it will be working together with MoneySupermarket.com, the UK’s leading price comparison website, to develop a platform powered by hybris B2C Commerce.

The relationship will allow hybris to make its first move as a platform provider to a company focused entirely on the financial services sector, and it will work closely with partner, Sceneric, which specified the hybris platform for MoneySupermarket.

MoneySupermarket provides a free, easy to use online service that allows customers to save money on all of their household bills. They can compare a wide range of products in one place to find the one most suited to their needs. Revenue for the company comes predominantly from fees paid by product providers when a customer clicks through to their site and applies for, or purchases, a product.

Speaking about the new relationship, Ariel Lüdi, CEO of hybris, said: “We are delighted to be working together with the UK’s leading price comparison website. We have already built a strong profile in the online retail market, but it is particularly rewarding that our first financial services sector customer in the UK should be a company of the calibre of MoneySupermarket.”

hybris delivers enterprise software for multi-channel commerce, product information management and order management that helps retailers, manufacturers, telcos and publishers of software, games and digital media to innovate, sell more and create perpetual digital relationships with their customers. Both principal industry analyst firms rank hybris as a “leader” and lists its commerce platform amongst the top three in the market. hybris software is based on open standards,is more extensible, more efficient for global deployments, and offers lower TCO.

The same software is available on-premise, on-demand and managed hosted, giving merchants of all sizes maximum flexibility. Over 400 companies have chosen hybris, including global B2B brands CheckPoint Software, Grainger, TransUnion, Houghton-Mifflin, 3M, GE and Thomson-Reuters as well as consumer brands P&G, Coca-Cola, H&M, Toys R Us, Costco, Levi’s, Starbucks and Gymboree. hybris has operations in 15 countries around the globe. hybris is the future of commerce™.

For more information, visit www.hybris.com

Target Business Assist Discuss Pros and Cons of CVAs

In the tough financial times we are facing and with many businesses struggling with cash flow problems Nick Cookson, Business Development Manager at Target Business Assist, talks frankly about the option of putting your company into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), what it is and how it might help revive a struggling but viable business.

“Many people are wary of Voluntary Arrangements and some are not even aware of CVA's as an option” says Nick “Target Business Assist has a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge to help and assist your business through the whole process with complete confidence”.

Nick explains, “A Company Voluntary Arrangement is a legally binding agreement between a company and its creditors negotiated by an Insolvency Practitioner. It creates what’s called a 'moratorium' which is essentially a legal barrier around the business which will stop creditors harassing you

If you can’t meet your debts and are struggling to pay creditors, entering into a CVA will help avoid a winding up order or administration and will improve your cash flow almost immediately. Whilst being prepared it will also alleviate any tax, VAT and VAT issues. An arrangement of affordable interest free, monthly payments is negotiated over a maximum period of 5 years. In most CVA's over 50% of debts are written off.

The board directors and shareholders are generally able to stay in control although they must be committed to saving the business and moving forward."

Nick believes it will become one of the UKs most important business lifelines.

Advanced launches Advanced Business Finance for flexible IT purchasing

Advanced Business Finance has been launched in partnership with Syscap

The Commercial Division of Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) today announces that it has launched Advanced Business Finance to enable purchasers of its software and services to pay using flexible payment methods. This financing model, which is being delivered through UK independent IT finance provider, Syscap, has been launched in response to challenging economic conditions, especially for commercial sector organisations within the mid-market.

Advanced Business Finance is a leasing model that offers a diverse range of payment options as an alternative to the traditional upfront cash purchasing model associated with IT implementations. With Advanced Business Finance, commercial organisations that are currently unable to commit to upfront capital can still afford to invest in IT solutions and enjoy the associated cost and efficiency benefits.

Simon Fowler, Managing Director of Advanced Business Solutions (Commercial Division), says, “Against a backdrop of tough economic conditions, organisations can be forgiven for wanting to put their IT investments on hold. However this doesn’t need to be the case. Advanced Business Finance enables repayments of up to five years meaning that organisations no longer need to ‘make do’ with antiquated IT systems that deliver no real business benefit.”

Advanced Business Finance is being delivered through finance partner, Syscap, which has 20 years’ experience providing financing options to UK organisations.

Philip White, Chief Executive from Syscap says, “We are delighted to be partnering with Advanced Business Solutions to deliver its finance offering. Advanced’s commercial sector customers are now able to spread the cost of their IT investments and preserve their cash, which is essential in a weak economy.”

About Advanced Business Solutions www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/abs

Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) provides leading integrated business applications and services that enable public, private and third sector organisations to retain control, improve visibility and gain efficiencies whilst continually improving corporate performance. Advanced prides itself on getting close to its customers by understanding their businesses and responding to their evolving needs.

Advanced’s software systems comprise core accounting/financial management, procurement, human resource and payroll systems, integrated with a range of collaborative, document management and business intelligence solutions to extend the value and effectiveness of the finance, human resource and payroll departments. These can be delivered as a managed or bureau service.

Customers are from both the public and private sectors and include Companies House, Newcastle City Council, WH Smith, Royal Bank of Scotland, Aer Lingus, National Express Group, DFS, RSPB and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust.

About Syscap http://www.syscap.com

Syscap is a provider of smart, cost effective finance solutions. The company partners with many of the UK’s brightest and most ambitious organisations in the commercial, professional services and public sectors.

Oil and Lubricants Company Rescued from the Administrator by Crown Oil

National fuel and lubricants distributor Crown Oil has acquired the key assets of Samuel Cooke a leading North West fuel supplier. Crown Group managing director Matt Greensmith explained, “The Samuel Cooke name dates from 1845 and is associated with good service so we will continue to trade on this while assuring all existing customers close attention and service. Crown and Cooke are both long established family-owned businesses that have built sound reputations that are so often the hallmark of independent companies.”

Following the merger into Crown Oil, Samuel Cooke customers will have access to a wider range of advanced low carbon fuels and speciality lubricants. In line with Crown Oil’s environmental commitment all Sam Cooke’s delivery mileage by road tankers will now be fully carbon offset.

Crown Oil general manager, Mark Andrews, noted, “Crown Oil has grown significantly in recent years and this is a perfect opportunity for us to reinforce our position as one of the UK’s largest independent fuel and lubricants suppliers.”

A handful of former employees from Samuel Cooke have already joined Crown Oil and the company is hopeful that there will be more employment opportunities as the former Samuel Cooke business is consolidated into the Crown Group. Additional staff will be based at Crown Oil’s administrative headquarters and depot, The Oil Centre adjoining the Bury exit on the M66.

Among the new services available to Samuel Cooke customers, Crown Oil offer technical services to blend products to meet specific client needs. A mixed fleet of tankers optimises load delivery and systems to automate delivery to ensure continuity of supply for larger users. In addition to fuels and lubricants, the Crown Group can also provide business customers with electricity, gas and telecommunication services and a raft of services for utility connection and upgrade.

Samuel Cooke customers can call 01282 775431 for further information.

Forrester recognises RAPP

RAPP, a leading multichannel marketing agency network, has been recognized as a "Business Transformer" by independent research firm Forrester Research, Inc.

In Forrester's most recent survey of digital agencies — "The New Interactive Agency Landscape," published July 17, 2012, and authored by Principal Analyst Jim Nail — RAPP was recognized alongside agencies Acquity Group, R/GA, Razorfish and SapientNitro as a "Business Transformer" that will "help companies change their business model, invent new products, or enter entirely new businesses by envisioning how digital capabilities enable firms to enter adjacent spaces."

The article points out that these select "Business Transformers will define potential or redefine the value exchange." Forrester Research, Inc., publishes these reports based on its independent, fact-based insight to help guide IT, marketing and strategy, and technology industry leaders.

"We're thrilled that RAPP was chosen by Forrester as one of their 2012 'Business Transformers.' It is always an honor to be recognized along with our peers," says Loren Grossman, RAPP's Global Chief Strategy Officer. "We aspire to be more than a communications agency. We enhance the product with experiences that make the product more valuable. We see beyond the traditional agency lines."

RAPP (www.rapp.com) is one of the world’s leading multichannel marketing agency networks. RAPP creates brand experiences that change how people think, talk, act and feel about brands. These experiences utilize traditional, digital, social and mobile media, as well as new technologies and invented media. The network is composed of more than 50 offices in 30 countries. RAPP is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.

Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes more than 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

Omnicom Group Inc. (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to more than 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

Overhead Crane Contributes to Life Saving Marine Helicopter Escape Training

An overhead crane that enables trainees to safely practice life-saving escape from a helicopter ditching into the sea is in daily use at the Fleetwood Nautical Campus (FNC) of Blackpool College. The fixed position goal post crane with a lifting capacity of four tonnes was installed by, Street Crane Company, Britain’s largest industrial crane maker. The Fleetwood centre is one of the few centres in the UK providing North Sea, military and emergency services personnel with vital marine helicopter escape training.

EDM, a company specialising in simulators for aviation training, was the main contractor for the safety systems. They made the helicopter under water escape trainer HUET, a mock up helicopter cab with realistic seating, seat belts, doors and glazing, just like a real helicopter. The rear of the simulator is open for access by divers who are in the water during the test should any trainee get into difficulty and the instructor can also auto release all seat belts from the console if needed.

“This must be the most unusual application that we have had for one of our cranes,” explained Andrew Pimblett, Street Crane managing director. “The engineering is straightforward, this is a fixed position, four tonne crane with only lateral and horizontal movement. A single beam, supported on A frames, has an underslung hoist to hold the HUET. The unusual item is a dual coil spring that controls the fall and enables the module to be suspended over the water before release at one metre above.”

FNC is a dedicated facility with a specially constructed pool where one metre waves, darkness and rain can be simulated. The crane spans the pool and side apron. Up to four trainees, with an instructor, strap themselves in before the simulator is hoisted and moved out to the centre of the pool. From this position the HUET can be lowered onto the water, immersed in the water or immersed and rolled over. Trainees then have to unstrap themselves, put on respirators and make a safe exit.