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Techniquest: Implementing a Thriving, Pandemic-Proof Digital Outreach Programme...

Helping Techniquest stay connected with schools during lockdown with a digital outreach programme. What was intended as a stop gap until Techniquest could reopen has become a thriving online platform that continues to grow. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Techniquest knew they needed to adapt their approach – pronto. Wales’ leading science museum wanted a way to stay connected with schools during lockdown – and that’s where Vindico came in. Working with Techniquest, we developed a digital outreach platform that lets schools access fantastic science classes and materials. It’s simple, easy to navigate, and lets teachers access tons of relevant teaching materials and resources for their classroom. These include themed videos and teaching materials on a variety of science topics in both Welsh and English. Some materials are downloadable, whereas others are viewable only through the platform. We also developed a bespoke CMS (Content Management System) that allows Techniquest to manage its content, resources, and users. It also generates single-use redemption codes that can be purchased through Techniquest’s existing ticketing systems. With the pandemic shutting businesses overnight, time was of the essence for this project. In fact, we developed both the digital outreach platform and the bespoken CMS for Techniquest in just one month. Yes, you read that right – one month. It was good-to-go by September 2020, starting with just three online classes. Today, it has grown to over 20 science classes, with engagement still rising as schools adapt to the ‘new normal’. It’s become a key platform for spreading knowledge and STEM skills – and its accessible to every school in Wales. It’s now adopted by 131 schools across 21 Welsh counties, and a few over the border in England, too. To date, 15,385 pupils have accessed the fun and engaging classes – and these numbers continue to grow. “Vindico’s forward-thinking approach, and ability to work to an extremely tight deadline, helped us transform the idea into a digital solution that is now delivering content to pupils across Wales,”  says Gareth McTiffin, Head of Commercial Development at Techniquest. “The positive feedback we’ve received has been overwhelming – and we can’t wait to see the full scope of this digital platform as the project evolves.” Does your business need to raise its digital game – and fast? Drop us a line to see how Vindico’s #ThinkPurple solutions can help you

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The IIHF Chooses SWAPP For Olympic Qualifying Tournament...

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) have chosen SWAPP to provide the smart level of safety they need for their Olympic qualifiers. The IIHF‘s adoption isn’t the first time SWAPP has been used for an ice hockey tournament. Our advanced screening platform and safety app was also adopted by the EIHL for their 2021 Elite Series, which took place behind closed doors. Read all about it here. This time SWAPP hit the ice, we quickly turned around a rebrand for the IIHF, making key changes that incorporated the essential processes and legislation for this Olympic qualifying tournament. Outside of ice hockey, SWAPP is already used by some of the biggest teams and leagues in sport – including the WRU, Cardiff Rugby, Scarlets Rugby, and Worcester Warriors. Read all about SWAPP’s latest features here. But this our collaboration with the IIHF is first time we’ve hit Olympic level. And it’s something Vindico MD is slightly excited about! “We’re committed to furthering our relationship with British ice hockey – and the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Olympic Qualifiers lets us do just that. “We’re not only proud sponsors – and supporters – of the Cardiff Devils, but also have a relationship with the EIHL, thanks to SWAPP’s involvement with the Elite Series. Now we can say we’ve taken it to Olympic level! “OLYMPIC! “How many times do you think I can use the word ‘Olympic’ before the content team tell me to stop? Olympic.” To find out more about SWAPP’s advanced screening platform and safety app – and how it can help your team, business, or event stay safe and compliant – drop us a line today. Image

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SWAPP Adds New Features Ahead of The Autumn Internationals...

SWAPP – our Safe Workplace App – adds stewarding, temporary staff management and accreditation features. Vindico’s talented development team have been busy creating some exciting new additions to SWAPP ahead of this year’s Autumn Internationals rugby tournament. The latest features introduced to SWAPP’s core platform include a staff management tool for all stewarding at the Principality Stadium, and a new accreditation system for all pass access. “We’re taking a process run by WhatsApp, email, and texts and bringing it all into on smart place – the SWAPP platform,” says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “The SWAPP platform then provides the management team with live information on staff availability for all events – saving time, effort, and simply making the process easier and better.” These new additions now sit alongside SWAPP’s existing core features. These include a handy QR code scanner, contactless sign in / out access, valuable track and trace, live fire roll call, attendance dashboards, and pre-registration features. It also monitors industry standards, workplace regulations, and industry accreditations – ensuring all members of staff and contractors are up-to-date and meet the current required guidelines. “We used the Covid pandemic as a chance to not just tackle new problems, but solve old ones, too,” adds Jo. “What started as product for a public sector client quickly became an essential tool for changing workforces. And we’ve continuously updated features to stay one step ahead – adding contract management, track and trace, snagging, live fire roll call, and risk assessments to make workplaces safer and more efficient. Promoting digital knowledge transfer (which is more important now than ever before), SWAPP is now one of the most prominent safety apps used in Welsh sport and busines. “SWAPP has evolved rapidly in the last 12 months – going from something useful for providing safe working access to staff during the height of the pandemic, to becoming a key foundation platform that we can bolt on to existing systems, processes and problems. “Simple to use, and smart to run, SWAPP now provides a single portal for management to view essential live information. It also a provided an all-important audit trail of activity. “The WRU signing up for five years shows the faith they have in the platform, and there are yet more exciting plans ahead as we continue to work with the WRU on their development roadmap.” SWAPP originally caught the attention of the WRU in October 2020. It was adopted to safely bring us the Autumn Internationals and the Six Nations during the pandemic. Following its success, it was later adopted by Scarlets Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Sale Sharks, and the Elite Ice Hockey League. Today it helps venues including Principality Stadium, Sixways for the Worcester Warriors, the Arms Park, and Parc Y Scarlets to safely manage staff, teams, contractors, and visitors. It’s also recently been adopted by Andrew Scott and Transport for Wales. For more information about SWAPP – and how it can help your team, business, or event stay safe and compliant – drop us a line

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Prof-Paul-Turns-Purple!

Vindico’s Paul Lewis Appointed Regional Clean Air Champion...

Vindico’s Head of R&D, Professor Paul Lewis, has been appointed regional Clean Air Champion for the UKRI and the Met Office’s Clean Air Programme. As a new regional Clean Air Champion, Paul Lewis joins the existing champions in supporting the national Clean Air Programme – a £42.5 million investment that supports high quality research and innovation to develop practical solutions for today’s air quality issues. It also equips the UK to proactively tackle future air quality challenges. As our Director of R&D here at Vindico, Professor Paul is already driving some of the most cutting-edge research, insights, and innovations around clean air and its impact on local communities. His most high-profile project to date is Think Air – Vindico’s self-funded background air quality monitoring and insights network – of which he is Co-Founder. Think Air is now the largest urban and rural background particulate network in Wales, covering the entire reach of the country. It provides air quality data  that supports agriculture, commercial, residential, and education environments. It’s also on track to being the largest non-governmental background air quality monitoring network in the UK by the end of 2022. Most importantly, it is collecting real-time data that is helping Professor Paul and the team to gain valuable data and insights into local air quality – what’s impacting it, and what we can do to improve it. “I am delighted to become the UKRI Regional Air Champion for Wales, supporting the work of the Clean Air Programme and Strategic Priorities Fund,” says Professor Paul. “The role will allow me to engage with key stakeholders from academia, industry, government, the NHS and third sector right across Wales to help develop new solutions and policies to reduce air pollution and the impacts on our health and wellbeing.” In addition to supporting the nationwide Clean Air programme, Professor Paul Lewis is a member of the Welsh Government Clean Air Panel. He’s also member of the Cross-Party Group for a new Clean Air Act, and sits on several advisory panels including the Wales Air Quality Direction Independent Review Panel and the Domestic Solid Fuel Burning in Wales, Task and Finish Group. You can fine out more about the Clean Air Programme and its regional champions

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Vindico Shortlisted for Innovation Business of the Year at Cardiff Business Awards...

Vindico are finalists at this year’s Cardiff Business Awards. We’re excited to announce that Vindico been shortlisted at this year’s Cardiff Business Awards for a second year in a row. As a business at the forefront of tech and innovation in the UK, we’ve gained a lot of national publicity in the past year – but to be recognized in our motherland means a lot to us. It gives amazing recognition to the partnerships, projects, and client collaborations we’ve been part of – and we hope it will help us raise the profile of the exciting work we have in the pipeline, too. The past 12 months has seen us implement some of our most game-changing innovations to date – working with clients ranging from the WRU and Cardiff Rugby to Worcester Warriors and Transport for Wales. Click here to see our recent #ThinkPurple projects. The seventh annual Cardff Business Awards takes place on 26 November at Cardiff City Hall. And after last year’s shift to virtual events during the COVID pandemic, we couldn’t be happier to attend this year’s ceremony in person (MD Jo loves an excuse to get suited and booted). You can find out more about the awards – and its celebration of Wales’s best businesses

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