Ready, Set, Tech! See your business thrive with new tech in 2023  2023 is here – and new tech and automation are taking over!  Although you don’t need to be scared, you do need to be prepared – especially if you want your business to proactively get ahead this year.  That’s right – we said ‘proactively’. After a few years of reactively using tech and automation to navigate the changing business landscape, 2023 is the time to take charge. Embracing the latest tech and automation in 2023 can help you optimise your business processes, boost productivity, minimise errors, maximise time, and stay ahead of the game.  Sound good?  Good. Because not embracing it means you face getting left behind.  One of the biggest challenges businesses will face in the coming months is keeping up with all the new tech platforms popping up. It’s hard to keep track of the latest and greatest, especially if you’re not tech-savvy or don’t have a tech partner. And this can lead to delays, errors, and plenty of lost opportunities. But don’t worry, that’s where Vindico comes in. Our dedicated Vindico AI team have done the deep work, so you don’t have to. And we’re here to help you hit the ground running. Another tech challenge businesses will face in 2023 is the shift to being data-driven. In the age of big data, businesses need to know how to collect, analyse, and use data to make better decisions and stay ahead of the competition. But not all data is created equal. It’s not about lots of data but meaningful data that will help you drive better decisions. How do you know which data really matters? Again, Vindico’s got you covered. You can click here to find out more about optimising your tech and data.  But whether it’s the latest AI tools, automating processes, or optimising your data, our team of experts (or Purple Vinjas, if you will), are here to help you and your business stay up to date with all the new tech and AI in 2023. We’ve also enhanced our client training and support to help businesses build the skills they need to grasp the opportunities and thrive in this highly competitive market. 2023 is the year to embrace change and take control of your business’s tech. And with Vindico by your side, you’ll be well-prepared to face the challenges and take advantage of the tech opportunities that 2023 brings. Ready to take charge in 2023? Click here to drop us a

From high peaks to high temperatures – what a year 2022 has been for Vindico We kicked off the year by expanding our tech partnerships with the wonderful Walters Group, Ministry of Furniture, OOMPH! Wellness, and CK Foodstores. These tech partnerships add to a client base that includes the likes of Welsh Rugby Union, Principality Stadium, Transport for Wales, Ministry of Defence, and Accxel.  We also expanded our work with Coleg Sir Gar and are working with the Royal Veterinary College to help eliminate BVD from all cattle in Wales. And remarkable work needs a remarkable team. And we’re excited to have been able to grow our team and provide job opportunities in the tech sector in Wales in 2022.  We’re also proud to be leading the way for women in tech – with Alice and Emily joining developer Emilie this year, too.  When we weren’t creating tech for good, we were doing good things for the community. From supporting the fantastic Small Business Saturday campaign for the third year running to paying it forward by sponsoring Innovation Business of the Year (the award we took home in 2021) at this year’s Cardiff Business Awards. And then there was that wee walk that took Vindico MD Jo Polson across the Jordan desert to raise money for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.  Now, as we look ahead to 2023, we can’t wait to unveil even more projects that our team of Purple Vinjas has been working on as we take our “simple and better” approach up a notch again.  To our team, our clients, our collaborators, and our lovely business community –

Vindico has teamed up with Wheelchair Rugby to deliver a digital platform ahead of the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship  Vindico’s latest partnership has seen our creative team bring Wheelchair Rugby’s Euro 2023 website to life.  From 3 – 7 May 2023, Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium will play host to the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship. And it’s a big deal. Europe’s top eight teams will battle it out over five days for a chance to take home the gold – and a place in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. But an important event needs a dedicated website. So, when Wheelchair Rugby wanted an online presence that would shine a light on the event, they knew our team at Vindico would have the solution.  “We first began with pencil designs and digital wireframes,” says Vindico Creative Shaun.  “The website is the main point of contact for general interest in the event. It needs to house all the key information about Euro 2023 Wheelchair Rugby – from ticketing info and hospitality packages to team stats and merchandise. A ticketing system and fixtures list would also need to be factored into the mix for a later phase, too.  “But, perhaps most importantly, the website needed to have a simple CMS so that Wheelchair Rugby had the independence to manage and update content as and when they needed to. “Once these were approved, we began building the website over the course of few months.”  And the Vindico creative team went above and beyond to deliver.   “A stand-out feature of the website is the enticing homepage slider with a pop-out effect. On the more technical side, we also created an easy-to-use fixture system, which we built in-house from scratch. It lets the client simply click “Add Fixture” in the back end of the website to bring up a selection of text boxes and image sections to fill out and make live. It’s really that simple.”  “Simper and better” shapes everything we do at Vindico – and this website project for Wheelchair Rugby’s Euro 2023 Championship got the treatment from start to finish.  “We built the website pages to be editable on a bespoke front end, which lets the client change out imagery and content without needing to dig into complicated code,” says Shaun.  “We used a similar system for the news articles, too. Wheelchair Rugby only needs to type into a standard text box, and our system will do the heavy lifting of formatting the page, creating the article, and linking everything up to the news grid featured on the news page.”  Our “Simpler and better” ethos really does drive everything we create!  “It’s been an exciting opportunity to build something for such an interesting sport – especially where they come to us looking for bespoke systems that let us deliver simple solutions and create unique digital experiences that drive better outcomes. I’m just looking forward to seeing how the team GB gets on in the Euro 2023 Championship now!”  Looking for a site that’s simpler and better but still delivers unique user experiences and results? Drop us a line to see how hassle-free it

How Vindico’s tailored tech is helping businesses to streamline systems, and simplify processes for better productivity Vindico’s Dev Team are behind some of today’s most innovative tailored tech.  Led by Technical Director Ryan Griffiths, our user-friendly approach to tailored tech is helping smart businesses in the facilities management sector solve old problems, prepare for the future, and create simpler, better systems. And it’s the ‘simple but better’ element that’s proving a game-changer for facilities management firms across the UK. As Vindico’s Head of Partnership, Rhys Perkins puts it: “Since Covid, these types of businesses now need a more robust tech infrastructure. But robust doesn’t mean complex. It needs to make life easier, and it needs to be adopted by staff and teams for it to roll out successfully. And that’s exactly what we’re facilitating.” In a nutshell, tailored tech means we’re stripping back old, outdated systems (and in some cases digitising complicated, unsustainable analogue processes), getting rid of all the unwanted, meaningless data, binning unnecessary features that never get used or can’t be accessed, and giving the boot to time-consuming processes that stop humans from doing the work they know and love. And that’s where the ‘automation’ bit comes in. “It’s about simplifying the whole process for facilities management firms so that people can forget about mundane tasks and get back to doing the work that adds real value to the business. And that organically leads to the ‘better’ bit,” adds Rhys. Contract management, accreditation and permits, casual staff management, reporting and observations, and having the ability to find documents quickly and easily are just a few of the ways that our tailored tech is helping drive simpler, better business. Combined, these smart processes, intuitive automation, and easy digital knowledge transfer is making tailored tech simple to adopt, and a breeze to use. It’s also helping businesses drive performance while allowing them to bring the ‘human’ touch back to the everyday, client or customer facing aspect of the work. To find out how tailored tech can help you drive your business, drop us a line

Vindico’s Head of Partnerships, Rhys Perkins, explains how a simple #ThinkPurple approach is helping us build solid client relationships If you know Vindico, you know we love purple. Just look around this web page and you’ll see plenty of it. But it’s more than just a colour. Our signature #ThinkPurple approach shapes everything we do at Vindico – and it’s more than just a catchy slogan. It means asking better questions to deliver better outcomes. It’s our ethos, our mission, it underpins everything we do, and it’s what our clients love and trust. Our #ThinkPurple approach has also helped us build solid, long-lasting client relationships that span almost a decade. And the #ThinkPurple word’s spreading. It’s the reason why so many new clients have joined us both during and since the pandemic – and why they trust Vindico to solve some of their biggest problems. “The formula is simple,” says Vindico’s Head of Relationships Rhys Perkins. “We ask better questions to deliver better outcomes. Or #ThinkPurple if you will.” But what really makes clients stick with Vindico? “The key is spending time within our diagnostic sessions to let our client talk about their business,” says Rhys. “We take the time to discuss what they do, and how they do it. We also encourage our clients talk about where they are struggling and identify any barriers they face to sustainable growth. We explain how we work, and you can always see that ‘Aha!’ moment as clients and prospects connect the dots. “The findings from our diagnostic sessions then enable us to build a roadmap so all parties know what the expectations are. This builds trust and helps us get our clients on track to more efficient operations and sustainable growth.” So far so good, but how does more efficient operations and sustainable growth occur? “We look at the full business process and long-term strategy in order to support a business through the change process,” explains Rhys. “Our clients are increasingly seeing the benefits of outsourcing to us, and we are forming more and more tech and transformation partnerships. This type of collaboration requires a lot of trust – and we build on this in our own unique way. This trust and transparency means our clients are comfortable showing us all aspects of the business. It also means we can work together to build future sustainability.” And sustainability is something Vindico knows a thing or two about. Some of our clients have been with us since we started back in 2104, but we are seeing more and more clients coming to us since the pandemic ended “Businesses are now looking for solutions to help them work smarter and more effectively,” says Rhys. “Lockdowns have given many businesses the chance to really look at their processes and see how they can work more effectively, communicate better with staff and clients, and automate processes and systems that get in the way of people doing their jobs. “We are also seeing a lot more businesses looking at how they engage with their staff. Since the pandemic, we are incedingly working with businesses to implement smart technology and systems that brings employee wellbeing to the forefront.” Vindico’s most recent tech partnerships with OOMPH! Wellness and Walters Group do just that. “As we take on bigger tech partnerships, we’re committed to supporting our clients through the process,” adds Rhys. “We also like to remind our clients that no idea is a bad idea, and we can help and guide them through tailored software solutions that will help their sustainable growth ambitions, employee wellness, productivity, and automation ambitions become a reality. It really is tech for good, and our #ThinkPurple approach allows us to create the roadmaps that are now transforming businesses sustainably.” These road maps are now in place for brands including WRU, Principality Stadium, Walters Group, Ministry of Furniture, OOMPH! Wellness, and Transport for Wales. Could your business benefit from some #ThinkPurple insights? Find out more about our diagnostics sessions, tailored software, and sustainable growth roadmaps by dropping us a

Following on from our place on Small Business Saturday’s Small Biz 100 list last year, we’re proud to be supporting again in 2022. Small Business Saturday is celebrating its 10th year – and we at Vindico couldn’t be prouder to support the campaign in 2022. Small Business Saturday celebrates small business success, and Vindico were honoured to make its Small Biz 100 list in the run up to the annual event in 2021. This year’s event promises to be its biggest and best one yet. And with a tour focus on sustainability and zero emissions, it couldn’t be more up our street. As Vindico MD, Jo Polson puts it: “As a company that innovates tech for good, sustainability plays into everything we do here at Vindico. So, this year’s tour theme hits home for us. “We’re so thankful to be able to play a part in helping our Small Business Saturday mentees adapt, innovate, and evolve for the better – and we’re excited to continue this work by once again supporting the campaign this year.” This year’s Small Business Saturday event takes place on

Kevin Hire will use his 32 years of experience and #ThinkPurple attitude to head up Relationships at Vindico. Vindico is growing rapidly, and our latest hire – by name and nature – will use his three decades of experience to build and nurture our wonderful client relationships. Kevin joins us following a successful stint as Business Relationship Manager of Arena Racing and Events (Wales), where he was part of the team who relaunched Ffos Las Racecourse in 2018. Prior to his role at Arena Racing and Events, Kevin worked in several senior managerial positions in press, radio, digital, and events. His experience in building and developing proactive, long-term client relationships is what makes Kevin stand apart from the rest. And it’s this expertise that Kevin Hire will be bringing to his new role at Vindico. “Seeing how Vindico has evolved in recent years to simplify solutions and make the impossible possible means I couldn’t think of working anywhere else,” says Kevin. “My new role means I’ll be working closely with Vindico’s MD, Jo, to reach and introduce new businesses to Vindico. We’ll also be working closely with our current portfolio of clients to help them turn their digital and technical business problems into opportunities. “I believe more in ‘evolution’ rather than ‘revolution’, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in a very exciting future.” Speaking about his latest recruitment, Vindico MD, Jo Polson, adds: “I’ve been lucky enough to know Kev since his time at Parc Y Scarlets, where he worked for Nation Broadcasting. And I always knew he was the type of person we wanted to recruit. “Kev’s focus, despite having sales titles in the past, has always been in creating and sustaining relationships. Listening more than talking, and then making the right connections, makes Kev a perfect fit for Vindico. “He’s been Thinking Purple all along – and he didn’t even know it!” We at Vindico want to extend a huge welcome to Kevin, and we can’t wait to see how he’s going to add tons of #ThinkPurple attitude to his new

Our SWAPP Lite app will ensure the EIHL’s 2021 Elite Series has all the safety and screening it needs to get under way.  Top level British ice hockey is back – and our SWAPP Lite app is helping the Elite Ice Hockey League keep their 2021 Elite Series bubble safe. SWAPP Lite’s EIHL pre-event screening system will make sure that everyone entering Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena has completed a health diary, and has uploaded details of their COVID-19 tests. And although the technology behind it may be complex, we’ve kept the SWAPP Lite app itself as simple to use as possible. Here’s how it works: All players, staff, and volunteers will complete the health diary on their mobile devices before gaining access to the arena They’ll then undergo a further temperature check on arrival The EIHL’s players, coaches, and team officials will be tested every day before entry, and upload their results to the SWAPP Lite app SWAPP Lite then outputs the EIHL’s data directly to the NHS as part of their track-and-trace system     “We are required to submit information about everyone who enters the arena to Public Health England, and this app gives us everything we need to do at the touch of a button,” explained Mike Hicks, Head of Hockey Operations for the EIHL. “[Vindico] have experience of similar-scale events, and have been a vital part of our preparations for the Elite Series. We are delighted to be working with them, and very grateful for their work in such a short space of time.” Our SWAPP Lite app was first rolled out for the Welsh Rugby Union’s Autumn Internationals campaign in 2020. Its success meant it was the go-to safety solution for the WRU’s recent Six Nations championship campaign at the Principality Stadium, too. “Even with games being played behind closed doors, there is still a huge responsibility to keep teams, staff, contractors, and the media safe,” adds Vindico’s MD, Jo Polson. “Bringing SWAPP Lite to the Elite Series in iceSheffield and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham means we yet again get to help sport take place safely. “We’ve taken what we’ve learned from rugby and added new features to meet the unique challenges of this mini tournament. “Additions including accreditation standards, access zones, daily COVID testing, and outputting data direct to the NHS have all been added. SWAPP Lite will continue to evolve to play its part in bring sport back safely, and we’re looking forward to the next challenge.” Aside from developing technologies that keep sports teams safe during the pandemic, we at Vindico are also massive hockey fans. We’ve been supporters and sponsors of the Cardiff Devils since 2016, so this is a dream job for us. Does your sports team, venue, or event need a state-of-the-art yet simple-to-use safety app? Drop us a line to see how SWAPP Lite can help keep you, your teams, and contractors safe and compliant. 

Dragons Rugby’s decision to move three home games in the Guinness PRO14 to Principality Stadium in Cardiff means the Newport-based team will benefit from our SWAPP Lite safety app. The Dragons join the Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff Rugby, and Scarlets Rugby, who have all adopted the SWAPP Lite app for their home fixtures. The SWAPP Lite app – which is currently used at Principality Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park, and Parc Y Scarlets – was created for the Welsh Rugby Union in 2020. It was successfully rolled out at the Autumn Internationals home games at Parc Y Scarlets. It was also used for all of the WRU’s Six Nations home games at Principality Stadium. You can find out how the WRU are using SWAPP Lite this Six Nations here. Even with Welsh sport being played behind closed doors, there’s still lots of people to keep safe – from the teams and staff to medics, contactors, and the media. And SWAPP Lite is helping Welsh rugby teams do just that. The safety app – which is a bespoke version of the original app we created for Transport for Wales – features a handy QR code scanner, valuable track and trace, and pre-registration features. It also monitors standards and accreditations. This makes sure that all members of staff and contractors are up-to-date and meet the current required guidelines. We’re also continually enhancing SWAPP Lite’s safety features. A fire register, and a new look sign in/out book are among the latest app updates. Its adoption by Principality Stadium means it will also benefit events beyond the rugby pitch. “The SWAPP Lite software becomes a real venue asset,” says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “As we gradually ease lockdown restrictions, venues will naturally be looking to optimise revenue streams by reintroducing corporate events, conferences, and general venue hire. “The adoption of SWAPP Lite means that any businesses or organisations hiring the venue will also be able to benefit from its safety features. It offers an added dimension of safety, and gives event organisers a clear vision of who is on site, and compliant. “That in itself is a selling point for venues.” Could your venue, team, or event benefit from our SWAPP Lite safety app? Drop us a line to find out how we can help you operate smoothly and safely both during and after the

Vindico’s Head of R&D reveals the air pollutants of concern to health in Wales at today’s Welsh Government Event. Our air pollution expert, Paul Lewis, was at the Welsh Government’s online event today to reveal the main air pollutants we need to know about. As one of the panel of experts covering the topic of air pollution in Wales, Paul revealed some harsh truths and surprising facts about air pollutants and our health in Wales. He also outlined the proposed guidance for both businesses and individuals. Breaking it down into gases and particles, Paul singled out NO2 and PM2.5 as the two air pollutants we need to be most concerned about. “Most people think of air pollution as coming from transport. But we’re less aware of our own personal behaviours at home and at work,” insists Paul. Although 40% of NO2 and a third of PM2.5 comes from industry, and traffic – particularly in urban areas – is a cause for concern, emissions continue to fall annually. Which is where our personal habits come in. Mainly in the form of wood burning. Domestic and small-scale burning now account for over 40% of PM2.5 in the UK – and it’s a problem. As Paul puts it: “One of the most damaging pollutants, in terms of our health, is fine particulate matter, which is often referred to as PM2.5, and our research reinforces the need to revise PM2.5 limit values and targets as soon as possible.” And air pollution is not just a local issue. Paul points out that our habits can impact air quality many miles away. “What’s more, the PM2.5 that we breathe might often come from many miles away, which means we cannot rely solely on modelled data. There needs to be widespread monitoring of this pollutant to get a full understanding of where it comes from and the harm it causes.” That’s where our Think Air initiative comes in. “Think Air is proving that effective air quality sensor networks don’t have to be costly. It’s also providing us with meaningful data and insights which, led by ergonomics, can be used to develop longer term behavioural change methods that will ultimately benefit the long-term health of people across Wales and the UK.” Originally launched in 2019, Think Air’s sensor network is already live across Wales. It’s helping to gather the data and insights we need to raise awareness and understanding of air quality and Pm2.5 levels across the country. We’ve expanded the network with the support of Welsh organisations including Niche, Scarlets Rugby, Cardiff Devils, and – most recently – Zip World, who are installing Think Air sensors at all five of their sites across Wales. It’s the only project in the UK to take on the challenge of understanding background and wide range air quality on this scale, and it’s changing the way we understand and measure the impact of toxic air at a local level. Today, Think Air is on track to being the largest live air quality sensor network in Wales – and the largest in the UK by the end of 2021. To find out more about Think Air – and how your business can benefit – drop us a line today.