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

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

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

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,

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

Glamorgan Cricket adopts Vindico’s SWAPP platform to digitise operations and streamline efficiency at Sophia Gardens  Vindico has partnered with Glamorgan Cricket to help the prestigious Welsh first-class cricket club up their digital game.  Together, we’re set to revolutionise the team’s operations at the iconic Sophia Gardens through our SWAPP platform.  SWAPP is already the go-to platform for many of the UK’s arenas and sports teams, but this latest partnership is Vindico’s first collaboration with a first-class cricket club.  If you’re a cricket fan in Wales, you’re no stranger to Glamorgan Cricket. Since 1967, they’ve been drawing crowds to Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens. This iconic venue underwent a major facelift back in 2007-2008, boosting its capacity to 16,000. They’ve hosted some epic matches and tournaments, including the Ashes test match in 2009 and the Champions Trophy in 2013 and 2017. But Sophia Gardens is not just about cricket; it’s a thriving place for conferences, concerts, and even fireworks nights, too.  So why Vindico then? Glamorgan were on the hunt for a game-changing app-based system that would digitise their processes. They wanted to be able to manage everything from stewarding programmes to live event reporting and event and match day parking all in one easy place.  Glamorgan work closely with fellow Vindico partner, Principality Stadium, and they share many of the same match day staff, including stewards. So, after getting a sneak peek of SWAPP – and how it’s helping drive Principality Stadium’s digital transformation – they knew they wanted to bring it to Sophia Gardens.   Solving problems and boosting efficiency  Glamorgan is ready to embrace a more efficient way of doing things. With Vindico’s SWAPP platform, stewarding programs will be seamlessly coordinated, improving communication among staff members and contractors. Real-time updates and better situational awareness during matches and events will be a breeze with the simplified live event reporting, safety and compliance necessities will be taken care of, and those parking management hassles will be a thing of the past. By digitising match day – and everyday – processes, Glamorgan aims to make things smoother, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone. As George Mead, Operations Manager at Glamorgan Cricket puts it:  “We are looking to move away from the paper-based systems that we currently have in place. This will help us become far more efficient and will help improve our operations at the stadium on a daily basis.  “We are excited to be working with Vindico and look forward to developing the app together over the coming years.”  “As Vindico’s first cricket club collaboration, we can’t wait to see how SWAPP transforms Glamorgan Cricket’s operations.  “This partnership marks a major digital milestone for both Vindico and Glamorgan Cricket” adds Rhys Perkins, Head of Partnerships at Vindico.  “They’re not just embracing technology; they’re setting the pace for the cricket industry. With Vindico’s SWAPP platform, Glamorgan aims to elevate their operations, deliver unforgettable experiences to cricket fans, and establish Sophia Gardens as a true cricketing powerhouse – and we’re here to help them achieve just that.”  By ditching old-school paperwork and adopting SWAPP’s digital solutions, Glamorgan are poised to revolutionise their safety, processes, and operations at Sophia Gardens.  This move to adopt SWAPP showcases their commitment to staying ahead of the curve in the cricketing world and marks the start of an exciting new digital era

Here it is – your first look at the brand-new branding for Vindico Arena.  We know we promised that Vindico Arena won’t just mean a fancy sign on the side of the ice rink – but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have the fancy sign! The new Vindico Arena branding marks a significant milestone in the transformation of one of Cardiff’s most-loved venues – and home to the Cardiff Devils.  A symbol of progress, collaboration, and boundless possibilities, the sleek and dynamic design encapsulates Vindico commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing innovation. “The new branding embodies the essence of progress, collaboration, cutting-edge solutions, and boundless possibilities,” says Rhys Perkins, Head of Partnerships at Vindico.   “It’s a visual representation of our commitment to growth, advancement, and the endless potential that lies ahead for the ice rink. The bold colours and modern design set the stage for an exciting future; one that helps optimise the arena experience for hockey fans, skaters, and visitors alike.” Click here to find out more about our vision for Vindico Arena.  The new arena branding is expected to roll out from late Summer 2023, and will remain in place for the duration of our initial

Jo’s taking on the Wadi Rum Challenge to raise money for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Next week, Vindico MD Jo Polson will be in a hot desert somewhere in Jordan. No, this isn’t an extreme stag night prank a la The Hangover. Jo’s embarking on a once in a lifetime trek in the magnificent Wadi Rum to raise money for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. As part of the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Wadi Rum Challenge Team, Jo’s “wee walk” will see him trekking between 22 – 25km each day through Jordan’s majestic World Heritage. The journey on foot will take Jo through dramatic backdrops (think sandstone domes, rock formations, and granite and basalt striated mountains). He’ll also be camping out in the wild beneath the desert skies, and summiting Um Dami, Jordan’s highest mountain as part of the challenge. Though it sounds spectacular, the purpose of the trip is to raise vital funds so that all soldiers, veterans, and their immediate families can have the opportunity to avoid hardship and enjoy independence and dignity. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity’s range of support is vast. They help very young serving families cope with a sudden bereavement or traumatic loss. They also provide wide-ranging support to wounded soldiers, many of whom will need increasing financial assistance for decades to come. On top of that, the charity also provides help with housing, education, and employment training for soldiers and veterans of all ages, and they’re known for being there for older veterans and their widows or widowers when they find themselves lonely or isolated, too. “I’m doing it for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and all the wonderful work they do for the families of our armed forces,” says Jo. “But Five days walking in the desert and climbing North Africa’s highest peak feels a lot bigger now that I’ve done the Metres to Feet calculation properly – joy!” Vindico is covering the cost of Jo’s trip, so every donation raised on Jo’s JustGiving page goes directly to the charity. You can support Jo and his trek across the desert in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity by clicking here to donate and/or share

Vindico are finalists at this year’s Made in Wales Awards We’re excited to announce that we’ve been shortlisted at the Made in Wales Awards 2022. The awards celebrate the achievements of companies that design, develop and manufacture products in Wales. And, as a company at the forefront of tech and innovation in the UK, we couldn’t be happier to be recognised as a business who’s putting Wales on the map. “This latest announcement gives recognition to the amazing partnerships, projects, and client collaborations we’ve been part of,” says Vindico MD Jo Polson. “It also helps us raise the profile of the exciting work we have in the pipeline, including an expansion of our tech partnerships with Walters Group, Worcester Warriors, Ministry of Furniture, and OOMPH!” These tech partnerships add to our wonderful client base that includes the Welsh Rugby Union, Principality Stadium, Transport for Wales, and Ministry of Defence. Click here to see our recent #ThinkPurple projects. The winners of the Made in Wales Awards 2022 will be revealed at the awards dinner at the Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff, on the evening of 6 October. To find out more about the event,

How diagnostics are helping smart businesses maximise new tech In an age where there’s an app or piece of software for just about anything, it’s easy all too easy to get caught up in new technology. Before you know it, you’ve got 20 sources of data. If you’re lucky, a few will integrate, but often, they don’t. When we’re being pushed by legislation or – ironically – a drive for greater efficiency, we’re all too quick to turn to technology. But too much data, and not enough connections can negatively impact business efficiency and productivity. In a bid to bridge the gap between (too much) data, we see businesses turn to spreadsheets. Spreadsheets can indeed create the management information and reports that businesses need, but there’s a key flaw – spreadsheets only reveal the information someone has manually added. It’s not driving your business, it’s just a manual way of measuring a snapshot. And in 2022, we need more. We need to be driven by tasks, we need to be alerted to change and progress without the need to collate that information retrospectively and manually. Without the risk or human error, and – the horror – distributing the wrong version of a spreadsheet. If this sounds like you, a diagnostic can probably help. “We’re seeing an increased demand for tailored tech that takes away manual tasks and actually does the job well,” Says Vindico MD Jo Polson. “Of course, we can deliver this, but what precedes it all is a meaningful diagnostic.” Diagnostics generally start with a workshop. It’s a chance for key staff to give us a glimpse into the business so we can understand the good and the bad. The next step of the diagnostic takes a deeper dive into the systems you use, how you use them, the data you need, and most importantly the people and processes you rely on. This helps us paint a picture of what’s working, what’s not, and recognise potential gaps for opportunity. We can spot the areas that need digital knowledge transfer, task automation and support so your teams can spend more time proactively creating new information, building connections, and working together. Beyond stripping back unnecessary tech, easing the burden of manual tasks, and enhancing efficiency, a diagnostic paves the way for smart automation and data aggregation. Every business wants to be better at what they do. We get it. And a diagnostic creates a phased, sustainable roadmap to achieve those improvements. Early phases help you remove obstacles through simplifying processes and integrating systems – almost like a spring clean of your systems and operations! Once your tech’s been stripped back, the unused and unnecessary apps have been binned, and your manual tasks have been pinpointed, most businesses benefit from a tailored software platform to bring it all together. This gives you a clear view of the whole business – allowing you to see your business’s capacity, capability, and other upcoming known challenges. It also gives you the robust infrastructure to help drive your business. But perhaps most importantly, a diagnostic is a foundation to build on – especially when you have growth and change on the horizon. A proper understanding of your business sets you up for future success. And shedding what may be holding you back helps you increase efficiency before you manage change or drive growth. A diagnostic can help you at any stage of your business – whether on its own or as part of a larger exercise. And Every aspect of our diagnostic is important. It’s designed to give you the steppingstones you need to reach your business ambitions, and, spoiler alert, it’s more than a little bit purple! If you know you could be doing business more efficiently, and you want to say goodbye to the systems that are holding you back, click here to get in touch and book your