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Women in Tech: How We’re Closing the Gender Gap ...

This International Women’s Day we’re celebrating all the trailblazing women in tech With a culture that’s built on innovation and inclusivity, Vindico is actively crushing tech’s outdated stereotypes.  When we first wrote about this topic back in 2021, we had to admit that we’re part of an industry that’s bound to an outdated stereotype of male coders. A kind of ‘boys club’ if you will.  But today, we’re proud to continue leading the way when it comes to closing the tech gender and identity gap in Wales. And we’re proving that tech is a place for blue sky thinking. A place to innovate. And a place for everyone.  We want to encourage and inspire even more women to pursue a career in tech. So, as it’s International Women’s Day, we sat down with two of our talented developers – Emilie and Meg – to get their thoughts on career goals, stereotypes, challenges, and advice for other women looking to enter the tech space.  What made you pursue a career in tech? Emilie: It just kind of happened! I was previously working as a ticketing supervisor, which involved setting up and managing all events and tickets for the company, as well as managing the ticketing site.  I became interested in the more technical aspects of the process and eventually started studying for a computing degree through the Open University. Through this role, I met Vindico’s MD, Jo Polson – he brought me onboard and the rest is history! Meg: I’m passionate about pursuing a career in tech because it offers a unique blend of creativity, problem-solving, and constant learning. Technology is at the forefront of driving positive change in the world, and being part of this dynamic field allows me to contribute to innovative solutions that directly impact people’s lives. What are your views on the tech industry as a whole?  Emilie: I am incredibly proud, especially as a woman, to be working in this ever-changing industry. However, I still think there is a long way to go.  Women are often underrepresented in the tech industry, particularly in leadership roles and technical positions, and I think this lack of representation can lead to feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome for women entering or working in the industry, which I have definitely felt in previous roles.  Meg: I think the software industry responds swiftly to societal needs and technological advancements, therefore, creating an environment where curiosity and adaptability are celebrated. The collaborative spirit within the industry, which I have experienced at Vindico, allows diverse minds to collaborate to build intricate systems and cool projects. Have you ever come up against gender / identity obstacles?  Emilie: I can happily say I have not come across these issues within Vindico, but I have experienced gender obstacles in previous roles.  I’ve seen managers disrespect the women in their team, undermine their decisions, and claim ownership for their creative ideas, too.  Meg: I’ve experienced microaggressions in the industry: subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory comments or actions which, in turn, created an unwelcoming work environment and made me lose my confidence in my ability prior to joining Vindico.  What are your goals / ambitions?  Emilie: I still don’t have any clear cut goals, but I do know I want to progress as much as possible, as well as gain as much experience as possible in a variety of areas within the industry.  Meg: To become an encouraging team leader and inspire more women into software development.  How is Vindico supporting these – along with inclusivity as a whole?  Emilie: Vindico has offered so much support to make sure I’m reaching my goals. I have regular meetings with my manager to make sure I’m progressing, which also gives me an opportunity to talk about the next steps – and I’m proud to be able to pursue these with Vindico.  When it comes to inclusivity, Vindico completely recognises that there is an issue surrounding women in tech, and we’ve had multiple discussions on what we can do to keep challenging this.  Meg: Vindico is supporting these through their inclusive environment, their appreciation for new ideas, and the work environment being a friendly, motivational, and empowering place to be in.  What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering the tech space?  Emilie: I would say to not care what other people think and to just do it! When I was a student, I felt a lot of pressure to pursue other career paths, but I was adamant that I was sticking to my decision to pursue a career in tech – and I’m so glad I did. Meg: don’t give up and stay resilient, challenge stereotypes, be proud of yourself and don’t be embarrassed or anxious to celebrate any achievement – no matter how small.  We at Vindico really are proud to be paving the way for inclusivity and women in tech – and if you’re also looking to join us on the journey then we’d love to hear from you.  You can drop us a line here or email us at hello@vindico.net.  Happy International Women’s

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Vindico Turns 10...

We’re celebrating our 10th Birthday – and 10 years of driving tech and innovation in Wales March 2024 is an extra special month for Vindico. 10 years ago, Jo and Ry came together to form the foundations of the Vindico brand that you know today.   Their mission?  To ask better questions to deliver simpler, better outcomes.  They called it Think Purple.  And it was more than just a catchy slogan. It’s an ethos that to this day underpins everything we do here at Vindico.  It’s an ethos that’s taken us from a handmade sign taped to the wall to seeing the Vindico brand light up Cardiff Bay on the side of the Vindico Arena.  It’s a drive that’s taken us from a tiny office to two major locations at Vindico Arena in Cardiff and Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli.  It’s a magnetism that’s attracted the best tech talent in Wales to join us on our journey.  It’s a commitment to pioneering simpler, better solutions that’s seen us join forces with some of the biggest names across the UK.  It’s a process that’s seen us help businesses innovate game-changing and award-winning products.  It’s a dynamic approach that allowed us to develop tech that would bring sport back to our screens during a pandemic.  It’s a dedication to excellence that’s placed us at the forefront of tech and innovation in Wales.  And it’s 10 whole years of Jo and Ry at the helm of this wonderful place we call Vindico.  After 10 years of growing and evolving, we look a little different today, but our core mission and ethos remain the same.  And, as we look around and face an overload of data, apps, programmes, screens, and stimuli – our simpler, better approach has never been in such high-demand.  So, to our team, our partners, our collaborators, our supporters, and our clients, here’s to another 10 years of driving simpler, better business – and plenty

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Another Six Nations Win for SWAPP...

SWAPP is once again enhancing the Six Nations experience at Principality Stadium – amplifying safety, efficiency, and communication behind the scenes. As Principality Stadium gears up for another packed Six Nations rugby tournament, Vindico’s SWAPP will be working hard behind the scenes with enhanced features for the upcoming clashes. Having initially caught the attention of Principality Stadium and the WRU in 2020, SWAPP became a trusted companion for managing events while optimising safety and efficiency.  For the upcoming Six Nations, we’re introducing a fresh wave of improved features and updates for SWAPP, which are specifically tailored to optimise match days. These include an enhanced accreditation feature and media portal.  “Our talented developers are continually enhancing SWAPP with our signature ‘simpler and better’ ethos in mind,” says Rhys Perkins, Head of Partnerships at Vindico.  “These added features have been customised specifically for the WRU and Principality Stadium to make the overall SWAPP experience even more valuable for both match days and beyond.”  The enhanced accreditation feature and media portal join a host of our SWAPP platform’s signature features, which have been specifically designed to support simpler and better safety, staffing, communication, and overall experience.   And as SWAPP prepares to start its third Six Nations campaign for the WRU and Principality Stadium, we’re delighted to be playing our part behind the scenes. As Rhys puts it:  “It’s fantastic to see SWAPP play such an important part supporting the WRU and Principality Stadium for yet another campaign.  “As the Six Nations fever takes over Cardiff for the next few weeks, SWAPP is a testament to our tech’s positive impact, not only in enhancing safety protocols but also contributing to the overall efficiency and excitement of this iconic Welsh sporting event.”  To find out more about SWAPP – and how it can be seamlessly integrated into your organisation to enhance your processes – click here to get

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SWAPP: Elevating Workplace Efficiency in Today’s Dynamic Workplaces ...

SWAPP is revolutionising the way businesses operate, with seamless efficiency and enhanced collaboration. But let’s rewind to look at how it got here.  We created SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) as a direct response to the pandemic – to help the WRU bring rugby back to our screens behind closed doors, keeping everyone safe while complying with strict government guidelines.  Click here to read about SWAPP’s success with the WRU. It quickly emerged as a pivotal force, ensuring the smooth execution of the Autumn Internationals and the Six Nations at Principality Stadium. We quickly realised that SWAPP wasn’t just solving new safety issues posed by a pandemic – it was also a platform solving old efficiency issues too – and it’s been used at every live event for the WRU and Principality Stadium since.  SWAPP was such a success that Parc Y Scarlets, Scarlets Rugby, Sale Sharks, Cardiff Rugby, Cardiff Devils, Vindico Arena, and Gloucester Rugby have since adopted the platform to streamline their processes. Glamorgan Cricket has also signed up for SWAPP.  Although SWAPP spent its first two years as a niche platform within the sport and stadia sector, 2023 saw it evolve into an indispensable tool for a diverse range of industries – from construction and transportation to civil, legal tech, and everything in between.  What sets SWAPP apart is its ability to streamline communication processes previously scattered across various channels like WhatsApp, email, text messages, Excel, and paper ledgers, consolidating them into one intelligent platform.  Click here to find out 10 common problems with Excel. As Rhys Perkins, Vindico’s Head of Partnerships puts it, “Our SWAPP platform takes a process run by various digital and analogue channels and brings it all into one smart place.”  In essence, SWAPP enhances efficiency, simplifies operations, and elevates overall business processes. And, as SWAPP gears up to make even more of an impact for businesses, it’s introducing a suite of new features aimed at optimising day-to-day processes and ensuring operational excellence. The application remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing time management, operational efficiency, meaningful data accuracy, and overall user experience. SWAPP’s core features for businesses include: As more businesses turn to SWAPP, the platform is proving to be more than an application; it is a sophisticated tool that’s enhancing workplace efficiency, safety, and collaboration – and it’s giving businesses an edge.  To find out more about SWAPP – and how it can be seamlessly integrated into your organisation to enhance your processes – click here to get

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A LOOK BACK AT 2023 – AND A VERY PURPLE YEAR FOR VINDICO...

From game-changing tech to turning Cardiff Bay purple – 2023 has been a historic year for Vindico  We started the year on a high – implementing all-new features to our tailored tech for clients including WRU, Principality Stadium, Walters Group, OOMPH! Wellness, the MoD, Transport for Wales, Always Responsive, and Atlas FM.  As the year progressed, we also welcomed new partnerships with tech savvy clients looking to enhance their productivity and gain an edge over their competition. Cardiff Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, Welsh Athletics, Glamorgan Cricket, and GS Verde all turned to Vindico to get the job done.  2023 was also a year that we continued our support for charities including ABF the Soldiers Charity, The Veterans Awards, and the Megan Mai Foundation.  This year also saw Vindico gain more recognition than ever before. The media were kind enough to deem our 2023 successes headline worthy. We were also finalists for tech and innovation awards at the Insider Media Made in Wales Awards, Cardiff Property Awards, Wales STEM Awards, and Cardiff Business Awards.  Vindico was also named Technology Business of the Year at the Cardiff Business Awards.  As a company committed to driving tech and innovation, it’s an honour to be recognised for the impact we’re having – and it’s all thanks to the work of our remarkable team.  Last but not least, 2023 was the year that we put our name on an arena.  That’s right, this was the year we saw Cardiff Bay light up in purple as we sealed a five-year naming rights deal at Vindico Arena. Read all about the deal here.  As a sponsor of the Cardiff Devils for five years, we knew when we hit 50% growth last year that we could do so much more.  As MD Jo Polson put it: “We’re long-time ice hockey fans and Devils supporters, and we work with many brands in the sport and stadia space, so it was an organic steppingstone for Vindico as a brand. We know we’re already adding so much value to the ice rink and the overall arena experience, and it’s amazing to be able to call it our home.”  So, as we look ahead to 2024 from our home at Vindico Arena, we can’t wait to unveil even more projects that our talented team has been working on as we evolve our “simple and better” approach.  To our team, our clients, our collaborators, and our wonderful business community: thank you for a fantastic 2023 – and here’s to an even

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Vindico Wins Technology Business of the Year Award ...

Vindico is named Technology Business of the Year at the 2023 Cardiff Business Awards  We’re excited to announce that Vindico has taken home the Technology Business of the Year award at this year’s Cardiff Business Awards. As a tech company that’s committed to supporting – and driving – tech talent in Wales, it’s an honour to be recognised for the work we’re doing here in the Welsh capital. This latest achievement 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 and bold business moves to date – especially in Cardiff.   Our stadium tech (SWAPP) is now being used across major stadiums and arenas across the Welsh capital – from Principality Stadium and the Arms Park to Sophia Gardens and our namesake Vindico Arena.  We’ve also grown our dev team to include even more of Wales’s most promising tech talent, and we’re so committed to our work within the sport and stadia sector that we signed a five-year, six-figure deal to take over the naming rights of our Cardiff HQ – Vindico Arena.  This latest award win shows us we’re on the right path to making even more of an impact – and we owe it all to our talented team, our collaborators, our forward-thinking clients, and our super supportive peers. We also want to extend a massive thank you to the team behind the Cardiff Business Awards for not just recognising our accomplishments, but for delivering such a superb awards process from start to finish. You can find out more about the awards – along with a full list of

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VINDICO ANNOUNCE FOURTH STADIUM PARTNERSHIP IN THE WELSH CAPITAL...

Vindico joins forces with Cardiff Rugby as part of a long-term deal to enhance the team’s security and stewarding at the Arms Park. This latest sporting collaboration is Vindico’s fourth major stadium deal in Cardiff, following long-term contracts with the WRU and Principality Stadium, Glamorgan Cricket and Sophia Gardens, and the Cardiff Devils and our namesake Vindico Arena.  Cardiff Rugby will now join a growing number of teams, stadiums, and sporting organisations turning to Vindico to enhance their safety, operations, and match day experiences. Alongside our Cardiff clients, Vindico’s tech partnerships in the sector also include Gloucester Rugby, Sale Sharks, Scarlets Rugby, and Welsh Athletics.  The partnership will give Cardiff Rugby the latest tech tools they need through Vindico’s sport and stadia tech platform, SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application). The platform is transforming the way teams, venues, and organisations in the sport and stadia sector operate by digitising, simplifying, and enhancing previously complicated and time-consuming tasks.  At Cardiff Rugby and the Arms Park, SWAPP will help optimise the management of staff availability, digital knowledge transfer, observations and safety reports, communication, and accreditation. It will also streamline and optimise the safety and stewarding processes to keep fans, staff, contractors, and media teams safe and compliant, while optimising efficiency, and the overall match day experience. As part of the partnership, visitors will see Vindico’s signature purple branding on the match day stewards and the search tent – signalling the shift to a simpler, better, safer experience.  “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the exceptional team at Vindico,” says Cardiff Arms Park Stadium Manager Jamie Muir. “We have worked with Jo for several years and Vindico’s support during the Covid-19 pandemic was invaluable. Their SWAPP solution allowed us to smoothly transition back to hosting fixtures and other events at the Arms Park.  “The enhanced capabilities on the new SWAPP, will help elevate our safety and operational processes while maintaining and improving the exceptional match-day experience.  “We remain very grateful to everyone at Vindico and look forward to growing our already strong relationship.” Vindico’s Head of Partnerships Rhys Perkins adds: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Cardiff Rugby to enhance the safety, stewarding operations, reporting, and overall match day experience at the Arms Park.  “Joining forces with Cardiff Rugby is a huge milestone for us at Vindico. It’s our fourth major stadium deal in Cardiff – and it gets us one step closer to our goal of creating simpler, better, safer environments at all the Welsh Capital’s top venues.”  To find out more about SWAPP – and how it can transform your team or venue – click here to get in touch with

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VINDICO SCORES PARTNERSHIP WITH GLOUCESTER RUGBY ...

Vindico joins forces with Gloucester Rugby as part of a long-term deal to enhance the team’s tech capabilities at Kingsholm StadiumThis latest sporting collaboration sees Gloucester Rugby join the likes of the WRU, Scarlets Rugby, Glamorgan Cricket, Welsh Athletics, and the Cardiff Devils as part of a growing number of sports teams and organisations turning to Vindico to enhance their safety, operations, and match day experiences. It’s a shared vision for both businesses and will see Kingsholm Stadium transform into a showcase venue for Vindico in England, bringing to life our sport and stadium tech solutions, including SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application).  The partnership will give Gloucester Rugby the latest tech tools they need to help keep fans, staff, contractors, and media teams safe and compliant, while optimising processes, efficiency, and the overall experience for staff, sponsors, and supporters at the Club.  The first of the tech solutions to roll out at Gloucester Rugby will be a new online stewarding system and an accreditation check-in portal which will simplify and streamline the process by helping the Club to organise, manage, and book stewards.  Later phases will optimise the management of staff availability, digital knowledge transfer, observations and safety reports, communication, and accreditation. See the other ways SWAPP is saving teams and venues time here.  Visually, it’s no surprise that the partnership will include plenty of purple! Vindico’s signature purple branding has been added to the roof of the famous Shed at Kingsholm Stadium, which supporters will have seen for the first time at the Club’s 150th anniversary celebration match against the Barbarians. “It’s fantastic to get Vindico on board for the coming three years, and hopefully beyond,” says Gloucester Rugby Sales Director Huw Warren.  “They’ve already got a great track record working in sport, and we’re looking forward to working with them to deliver a better Kingsholm experience across the board.” “We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with Gloucester Rugby,” adds Vindico MD Jo Polson.  “As an organisation, their reputation speaks for itself, and so it’s no surprise that a club known for its excellence is embracing the evolution of tech to transform their operations and enhance their match day experience. “We originally created our sport and stadia tech, SWAPP [Smart Workplace Application], as a direct response to the pandemic, but today it’s optimising efficiency and safety for the stadia sector – and it’s changing the game for our partnered venues and teams. “Vindico as a company has worked hard to solidify its place at the forefront of tech and innovation in the sport and stadia sector, and it’s great to see so many teams taking control, building robust infrastructures, and embracing change. Gloucester Rugby exemplifies this, and we’re looking forward to a long-term partnership.”  To find out more about SWAPP – and how it can transform your team or venue – click here to get in

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7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM JO POLSON’S 2023 THESTADIUMBUSINESS SUMMIT TALK...

Vindico MD Jo Polson took to the stage at the 2023 TheStadiumBusiness Summit to shine the light on the stadium tech revolution.  In this popular talk from TheStadiumBusiness Summit, Jo delves into the transformative power of Vindico’s Think Purple approach – a philosophy that goes beyond the ordinary to deliver exceptional results – and how this is revolutionising tech and the sport and stadia sector across the UK. Here, we unravel the key insights from the tech entrepreneur’s presentation, exploring the shift in spreadsheet usage, the challenges of complexity, and the strategic diagnostic process that’s changing the game for sports teams and venues. Here’s an exclusive recap of the seven key take-aways from Jo’s talk that’s setting the stage for unparalleled technological advancement in the stadia sector.  1. Think Purple Vindico’s mantra is “Think Purple”. To “Think Purple” means asking better questions to deliver better outcomes. And it’s more than just a catchy slogan. It’s a philosophy that shapes everything Vindico does. From creating SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) to help the stadia sector get back up and running during Covid, to developing easy-to-use tailored tech and software platforms, which are designed as a foundation for customisation. Every Vindico product is led by innovation and emphasises simplicity, seamless integration, easy adoption, and enjoyable use.Click here to see Vindico’s journey with Principality Stadium. 2. Focus on Understanding and Customisation Delivering solutions for the unique operations of stadiums, arenas, and other sporting and event venues involves a deep understanding of each business’s needs. Whether it’s streamlining event operations, improving team efficiency, simplifying the stadium accreditation process, or enhancing communications with stewards and the casual workforce, tailoring an easy-to-use central platform is key to optimising event day efficiency.   3. Beware the Rise of the Spreadsheets Vindico has observed a 60% increase in newly created Excel spreadsheets post-pandemic. That’s a lot of data and processes trapped in spreadsheets that previously would have been dealt with differently. And the Stadia sector is not exempt. The rise of more individualised spreadsheets could be attributed to familiarity with the format, a lack of formal training, and remote work isolation. Of course, spreadsheets have become a universal tool for task tracking, reporting, and data management. Used correctly, they can work well. But they also create silos: with everyone using different lists for different things. These individualised lists also means that businesses are at risk of a loss of data and / or understanding of that data should an employee leave. Click here to see ten common Excel problems – and one easy fix. 4. The Rabbit Hole of ComplexityThe rise of Excel spreadsheets isn’t always a bad thing. But it becomes a dangerous rabbit hole when layers of complexity are required. When complexity enters the mix, these tasks often get routed to the finance team. The problem is that finance experts are highly skilled in Excel. But the rest of the organisation / users are generally not. Intricate spreadsheets that are not automated and require manual updates and input from experts means that knowledge access and transfer throughout the business can also become a problem. This highlights the importance of asking “Should we do this in Excel?” instead of just “Can we do this in Excel?” 5. A Diagnostic Approach to Stadium TechWe don’t have a time machine to go back and stop the Excel overload, but diagnostic sessions come close. In fact, they’re a starting point for every Vindico project in the sport and stadia sector. Using the signature “Think Purple” method, the diagnostic phase delivers a clear understanding of processes, software, integration opportunities, pain points, and resource constraints. This helps paint a clear picture of what the “good” looks like, and how to align it with budgets and phased implementation.Find out more about the importance of a diagnostic here. 6. Automation, Integration, and BeyondOnce the diagnostic phase is complete, it’s possible to take that understanding of the “good” and add layers of automation to drive tasks, integration to ensure data is correct, live dashboards to show progress – with nudges and alerts – and simple snapshots of key processes. We’ve even built in training and e-learning directly into some projects. Some other recent projects include AI-driven plans, improved communication, and training platforms, and staffing management at the Principality Stadium.See how tech is fuelling stadium safety here. 7. The Future Although we first created tech and software platforms for teams and stadiums during the pandemic, we quickly realised that they weren’t just solving old problems brought on by COVID, but were also helping to rethink, solve, and game-change existing challenges within the sectors too. To date, we’re helping teams and venues across the UK spanning football, rugby, cricket, ice hockey, and athletics. And, as venues look to operate smarter and more efficiently, the demand for simple, adoptable, and easy-to-use tech is becoming even more in demand.  Want to join the other stadiums and teams who already “Think Purple”? Get in touch to see how we can help adopt the tech you need to optimise everything from everyday operations, stewarding and contract management, compliance, team culture, event day experiences,

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VINDICO ARENA LIGHTS UP CARDIFF BAY ON OFFICIAL LAUNCH NIGHT...

Vindico Arena illuminates the Welsh capital to mark a new era for the city’s ice rink The arena – which is home to the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team – has lit up in purple for the first time to mark a new era for the iconic sporting venue.  Aerial images from our launch night show the arena light up the capital’s Bay area following an initial launch party, which saw the Vindico team, along with our VIP guests from across the UK gather to celebrate the new era for the arena.  The new era is a result of a six-figure, five-year deal that saw the Cardiff Bay ice rink renamed as Vindico Arena as of May 2023. Read all about it here.  In addition to the name change, the ice rink’s website and social media handles have also adopted the new Vindico Arena name and our signature purple branding.  Visitors, skaters, and ice hockey fans will also see the popular sporting venue’s new purple branding everywhere from the entrance foyer to the big screens, lounges, and bar area.  However, Cardiff Devils fans will be happy to know that on match nights Vindico Arena will light up in red as a nod to the team’s

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