Best Use of Technology


SPONSORED BY Winner: accesso Technology Group


The Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards began with Nadine Dereza explaining that this first award category was seeking the best innovators and problem solvers, those producing or implementing ground-breaking software, solutions, systems, hardware or processes.


The three finalists – accesso Technology Group, Volume, and BDO – had plenty of success and operational variety for the judges to contemplate, from ticketing and queuing solutions to global outsourcing provision to worldwide multi-channel marketing.


With giant stage-screen visuals and a dynamic fanfare, Sean Taylor, MD of sponsor Redwood Technologies, a leading provider of cloud communications technology, led off the award announcements.


Accesso Technology Group became the first category winners of the evening, gaining a Platinum award.


“Our winner started off with a simple idea on how to make a family day out more enjoyable, by enabling visitors to a theme park to virtually queue for a ride – without having to physically stand in line. From these beginnings, the concept of Q-bot has evolved and spawned a highly successful business, turning over tens of millions of dollars in multiple countries and still growing,” explained the judging panel.


“Anyone who has been to Legoland and used the Q-bot service has experienced the technology, and benefited from a more efficient and enjoyable queuing experience.”


Twyford-based accesso now leads the way in patented virtual queuing solutions, working with ticketing systems for leisure, entertainment and cultural attractions, while delivering major revenue and visitor satisfaction benefits for clients. Virtual queuing frees amusement theme park and zoo visitors from tedious waiting by allowing them to reserve their place online. Hand-held Q-bots, the visitor’s own smartphone or an RFID wristband at water parks can make the reservation.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 15/JANUARY 16


Leonard Sim, assesso Technology Group, (2nd right) collected the award from Sean Taylor (right), Redwood Technologies


Accesso’s founding director Leonard Sim said afterwards: “This award will be great for the staff, who have got us where we are today, and will say ‘Well done, guys, you made this all possible’.”


He explained that accesso’s innovation is now fuelling its progress. “The Q-bot has produced a lot of good revenue for us and has enabled us to buy into ticketing companies because the synergy between queuing, reservations and ticketing is obvious. So, we are growing our business by using our initial technology to buy new technologies.”


Taking second spot for the second year running


was Wokingham-based Volume, already a proven award-winning global provider of digital content, technology and innovation for channel marketing and business campaigns. Founded in 1997, Volume describes itself as ‘an agent of change and positive disruption, turning business challenges into competitive advantages and opportunities.’


Volume helps established and emerging businesses compete in the ever-evolving digital marketplace. It works closely with leading international clients such as Castrol, Dell, Epson, HP, Oracle, Plantronics and Virgin Media Business, as well as ambitious and fast growing start-ups. Carrie Remington, Volume’s head of learning and development received the Gold award


Ashley Carter, principal, global outsourcing at BDO, received the Silver award on behalf of the Thames Valley team which specialises in coordinating global operations.


Part of BDO International, the world’s fifth largest professional services network, the highly skilled Reading-based team has exploited sophisticated collaborative-working technology to consistently deliver exceptional outsourcing services in the 152 countries where BDO has offices.


The Reading office employs over 200 people – offering a comprehensive range of tax, audit, advisory and outsourcing services – and last year proudly gained the TVBMA “Best Company To Work For” award.


www.businessmag.co.uk


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