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

We’re excited to be supporting the Cardiff Business Awards after winning Innovation Business of the Year at last year’s event. After being crowned Innovation Business of the Year in 2021, we’re excited to be giving back to the Cardiff Business Awards by sponsoring the category this year. “As a business at the forefront of tech and innovation in the UK, Vindico has gained a lot of national publicity in the past year. But to be recognised for our achievements in our motherland meant a lot to us,” says Vindico MD Jo Polson. “The Cardiff Business Awards gave amazing recognition to the partnerships, projects, and client collaborations we’ve been part of. It also helped us raise the profile of the exciting work we had in the pipeline following our win, too.” Since winning the award in 2021 we’ve become tech partners for national brands including Walters Group, Worcester Warriors, Ministry of Furniture, and OOMPH! Wellbeing. This adds to an already wonderful client base that includes the Welsh Rugby Union, Principality Stadium, Transport for Wales, and Ministry of Defence. And now Vindico wants to pay it forward by sponsoring the Innovation Business of the Year category for 2022. “The future is bright for Welsh tech,” insists Jo. “We’ve never seen so much innovation and talent coming out of Wales. We’re just not very good at telling the world about it. “My hope is that by shining a light on the category we can support fellow Welsh innovators and encourage more change here in Wales. I see no reason why Wales cannot be the next innovation powerhouse of the UK – and beyond – we just need to get better at shouting about it!” This year’s ceremony takes place on 11 November at Cardiff’s City Hall. The deadline for entering this year’s Cardiff Business Awards is

Vindico MD Jo Polson’s tech talk won over the audience at TheStadiumBusiness Summit. Here’s why (along with a tricky, but catchy acronym). Jo Polson is the driving force behind some of today’s most innovative tailored tech for some of the UK’s most well-known stadiums. Along with Vindico’s Technical Director Ryan Griffiths and a talented dev team, Jo’s helping stadiums, venues, and arenas use tailored tech to solve old problems and prepare for the future. It’s no wonder then that his recent talk at TheStadiumBusiness Summit struck a chord with the stadium owners, operators, and decision-makers who gathered to hear what he had to say. Starting with the impact of Covid (which saw stadiums, sports, and events grind to a halt), Jo, in his tech talk, explains how he and the team used Covid to not just tackle new problems, but also solve the old ones that have been stopping stadiums, arenas, and venues from reaching their potential. And that’s exactly what Jo and the team set out to achieve. Working with everyone from the Welsh Rugby Union to the Elite Ice Hockey League, Vindico’s SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) and its tailored tech helped bring UK sporting events – including the Six Nations and the Autumn Internationals – back to our screens during the height of the pandemic. And the premise of this tailored tech is simple: simple and better. “Since Covid, stadiums are now looking for a more robust tech infrastructure,” explains Jo, “But that infrastructure needn’t be complex – and our approach to tailored tech is proving that we can achieve this.” That means no more data overload (and meaningless data for that matter, too), unnecessary features that never get used or can’t be accessed, no more complex systems, and no more time-consuming processes that stop humans from doing the work they know and love. “We’re using automation to help humans get back to doing what they do best,” says Jo. “It’s simpler, better tech for simpler, better business. It’s giving stadiums the tools they need to overcome their obstacles, while giving them the robust infrastructure they need to handle future challenges.” And – here it comes. “WDKWWDKY!” exclaims Jo. Although the acronym rolls off the tip of the tongue, in its long form it means: We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know Yet. And it’s WDKWWDKY that’s really got the stadium business talking. “We may not know what we don’t know yet, but we can build a robust tech infrastructure that allows us to prepare as best we can,” insists Jo. “Nobody could have predicted the pandemic – and its ultimate impact on stadiums and events. Stadiums were forced to operate without crowds, which meant that many people in the industry had to look for work elsewhere – or even start different careers. “We can cope with small bumps, but bigger challenges – especially the ones we can’t see coming – are the ones that can cause the most damage. “In the case of Covid, there was no time for the normal knowledge transfer that happens organically. That knowledge simply disappeared. So, we need to put the effort into understanding what knowledge we might have, and, using simple, better tech we’re able to use digital knowledge transfer to help us act, adapt, and solve problems quicker. “As Charles Kettering says, ‘a problem well stated is a problem half-solved’ – and it’s a statement that’s crucial for achieving our aspirations. We want simpler tech, better business, greater ROI, strong growth, and the ability to adapt for the future – whatever that may look like.” To hear more from MD Jo Polson, click here to give him a follow on LinkedIn. To find out more about Vindico’s tailored tech, and how it can help you achiever simpler, better business, get in touch with Vindico’s Head of Partnerships, Rhys Perkins

What does the future of tech look like for UK Stadiums? Vindico’s Rhys Perkins sums it up. We have a long history of working with stadiums, venues, and sporting arenas. And we’ve used tailored tech to help some of the biggest names in the business adapt during the pandemic – and after. So, when we travelled to TheStadiumBusiness Summit this month, it was no surprise that the attendees – stadium owners, operators, and developers – were discussing the very same challenges we solve day in, day out. “The same obstacles kept cropping up over and over again,” says Vindico’s Head of Partnerships, Rhys Perkins. “Staffing, loss of knowledge within the sector, keeping fans in the venue for longer, trust, fear, competition, costs – Covid has had a massive impact, and everyone’s looking for a more robust plan for the future.” They’re problems we hear – and solve – every day at Vindico. And most venues are struggling with the same issues. “They want to know how to keep fans returning week after week, and how they can use tech to enhance the fan experience to gain greater emotional buy-in – not just around a team or event, but also around the whole experience. “Everyone wants to make things better and simpler. Whether it’s the work itself, the systems, the processes, the communications, or the delivery of the experience. And that’s where automated tech can help. “We’re using tailored tech to help free up time so staff can do their jobs easier and serve their customers more effectively. Of course, every stadium is unique, but the beauty of tailored tech is that it’s unique to each organisation – giving you only the elements you need for ultimate ease, effectiveness, and ultimately adoption.” And it’s helping stadiums to become greener too. “I heard how Billie Eilish has a ‘green’ rider and wanted to know how venues deal with carbon neutrality, recycling, and waste. And she’s not alone. Gen Z audiences are pushing for greener change, and stadiums are bringing this to the forefront of the business. Our tailored tech is helping our stadium and arena clients to drive greener practices by eliminating the need for hard copies and paper. It also helps to streamline manual processes to further cut emissions.” Key Take-Aways from TheStadiumBusiness Summit   Stadiums are looking for simpler and better technology The fan experience – and keeping fans engaged – is a huge focus Stadiums are seeking smarter, automated tech that helps humans do their jobs better Despite Covid, stadiums have been resilient – and the forward-thinking venues are already exploring tailored tech to plan for the future The environmental impact of stadiums is high on the agenda – and, driven by Gen Z, greener practices are coming to the forefront Purple goes with everything and fits everywhere – which made for some stealthy marketing appearances in almost every event photo (from beer mats on every table to shout outs by event speakers to us, “ThePurple Guys”! Rhys is too tall (he gets this a lot) It’s a really hard acronym to pronounce but stands for ‘What We Don’t Know We Don’t Know Yet.’ And it was the core theme of Vindico MD Jo Polson’s speech To find out more about tailored tech, and how we’re helping stadiums, venues, and arena solve old problems and plan for the future, drop Rhys a line today

Vindico MD Jo Polson will be guest speaking at this year’s TheStadiumBusiness Summit, which takes place 5 – 6 July 2022. TheStadiumBusiness Summit is the world’s leading meeting for owners, operators, and developers of stadiums, arenas, and sport venues. And with a focus on embracing technology, innovation, and transformation post-pandemic, it couldn’t be a better fit for Vindico. We’ve got a long history of collaborating with stadiums, sports teams, arenas, and venues. And when Covid hit, Vindico was the first place many turned to adapt their approach, rethink their processes, and implement the tailored tech needed to reopen safely during and post-pandemic. In the last three years, we’ve helped stadiums including the Principality Stadium, the Arms Park, Parc Y Scarlets, Sixways Stadium, Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, and Ice Arena Wales. We’ve also worked with organisations including the WRU, Scarlets Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Worcester Warriors, the Elite Ice Hockey League, and the IIHF. The reason? Tailored tech. “I sometimes wish we were like other software companies,” says Vindico MD Jo Polson. “You know, companies with that one suite on their shelf. But we’re just not. Our work is as unique as you are. And that means every client is looking for something different.” And that’s where tailored tech comes in. Based on our own innovation – SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) – our tailored tech solutions didn’t just help our clients in the sporting and events field to tackle new problems presented by Covid, they’re also helping them solve old ones, and prepare for any potential challenges in the future. Or, as Jo puts it, “We don’t know what we don’t know yet. But digital knowledge transfer is helping us create solid, robust foundations that are helping our clients operate smoothly, adapt quickly, and all while putting people’s wellbeing first. And we implement these unique roadmaps at our clients’ own pace, on their own roadmaps, to give them what they need for tomorrow.” So far so synergistic, but what will Jo be sharing at the conference? “We’re not attending the event to push anything. It’s about raising awareness of those sleeping speed bumps the industry faces post-covid. And it’s about sharing an idea to make us all a bit better. “A problem well stated is a problem half solved. “I wish we could take that line as my own, but it belongs to Charles Kettering. He’s one of our favourite people to quote, and a wonderful innovator, whose inventions include the electric starter motor for cars and the electric till register. He was a clever guy! “But using his quote as inspiration, I’ll be asking how well attendees understand their own business, and how everything ties together within that structure. “For most businesses, that process map doesn’t exist. And when does, it’s rarely kept up to date. “If we can share knowledge and spark a conversation that helps businesses become a bit better, then I’ll have done my job.” You can catch Vindico’s MD Jo Polson guest speaking at TheStadiumBusiness Summit on 5 and 6 July at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. You’ll also find our team at the event, who’ll be on hand to share even more