Vindico welcomes Dan Keane as the brand’s new project manager Vindico is gearing up for even greater heights, and having Dan on our team will help us deliver even more excellence as we prepare to reach new milestones in our tenth year of innovation.   Dan brings with him a wealth of experience from his impressive career at Swansea University’s School of Management, where he honed his skills in leadership, project management, strategic growth, cultural development, and corporate social responsibility. Before his stint in higher education, Dan spent a decade serving in the military, shaping him into a resilient and adaptable leader. His diverse background provides him with a unique perspective and a robust skillset that’s perfectly suited for his new role with us at Vindico. Dan’s appointment comes as we celebrate our 10-year milestone. Over the past decade, we’ve experienced remarkable growth, defying challenges to achieve year-on-year, recession-proof, pandemic-proof expansion. As Vindico’s new Project Manager, Dan will be responsible for overseeing our processes, procedures, and governance structures to ensure smooth project delivery. He will also work closely with the Senior Management team – including Jo, Ry, Rob, and Rhys – to ensure that Vindico has the necessary resources to excel and continues to meet its strategic and operational objectives.Click here to read about our remarkable 2023. “Over the years, I have kept in touch with Jo and have been impressed by Vindico’s consistent growth and the diverse range of projects,” said Dan.  “The company’s momentum, and the impact of their work, made this an exciting opportunity that I eagerly wanted to be a part of. I’m now looking forward to bringing my unique background and skillset and contributing to Vindico’s future success.”  Ryan Griffiths, Vindico’s Technical Director, shares the enthusiasm about Dan’s addition to the team.  “We are thrilled to welcome Dan Keane to the Vindico family,” says Ry.  “His extensive experience and proven track record in project management, coupled with his exceptional leadership abilities, make him an invaluable addition as we continue our journey of growth and innovation.” Dan’s got a big job ahead of him – and is eager to get stuck in. But what will be helping him to excel every day? “I’ve already outed myself as a Jaffa Cale addict at Vindico HQ, so it’s that on the snack front.  This coupled with about 4 black coffees before one o’clock (don’t tell my wife!) normally sets me up and keeps me going!” At Vindico, we’re renowned for hiring based on unique experiences and skillsets, often seeking talent from outside the tech space to foster a diverse and innovative culture. And Dan’s appointment underscores our dedication to this principle. As we prepare for an even bigger period of growth this year, we’re actively on the hunt to expand our diverse team. If you think you have the talent or skillset that translates into the tech and innovation space, you can get in touch with us here, or by emailing us

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

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

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

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

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

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

The top problems we’ve heard about Excel – from real businesses taking part in Vindico’s diagnostics sessions.  Excel has long been a go-to tool for data management and analysis in the workplace. But, despite its widespread use, it’s not always the ideal solution for a business – and it might even be holding you back. Complexity, fragility, limited accessibility, and a hindrance to growth and collaboration are just some of the problems with Excel we’ve heard from businesses during our diagnostic sessions. Here’s what businesses looking to gain a digital edge are saying.  And one simple fix… Tailored tech is the way forward for digital transformation. Often perceived as complicated and expensive, we created SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) as a direct response to businesses looking for a simpler, better way to manage their business data, systems, and processes. Vindico’s Dev Team are behind some of today’s most innovative tailored tech. But innovative doesn’t mean complicated. Completely modular, our user-friendly approach to tailored tech is helping smart businesses to solve old problems that Excel simply can’t fix, prepare for the future, and create simpler, better, more accessible systems and processes. To find out more about our diagnostic sessions, SWAPP, and tailored tech solutions that can fix your Excel woes, click here to get in touch with one of our

Vindico Arena won’t just be a fancy sign on the side of the ice rink – it’s our new home and tech hub that will offer next-level experiences.  Back last month we announced a five-year deal with Ice Arena Wales – home of the Cardiff Devils – which will see the ice rink renamed as Vindico Arena from Summer 2023. But it’s more than just putting our name on it. For us at Vindico, this move signifies the creation of a new home, a thriving tech and innovation hub, and a next-level experience for visitors and Cardiff Devils fans alike.  We want Vindico Arena to become a symbol of progress, collaboration, and boundless possibilities.   A New Home for VindicoVindico Arena isn’t just our Cardiff headquarters; it’s a place where Vindico’s vision and values will come to life. We’re already beginning to invest in state-of-the-art facilities at our workspace to provide an inspiring environment for our team. With a vibe that mixes collaborative working and cutting-edge technology, we’re creating a hub where our talented team can unleash their full potential and drive tech and innovation. And it doesn’t stop here – we want Vindico Arena to embody the spirit of innovation that defines our company’s culture, too. Which brings us to…  A Thriving Tech and Innovation HubWe’re not just putting our name on Vindico Arena, we’re creating a catalyst for growth in the tech and innovation sector, too. At Vindico, we’re known for our cutting-edge solutions and forward-thinking mindset, and we aim to transform the arena into a vibrant ecosystem that fosters collaboration, creativity, and breakthrough advancements. We know the importance of community and collaboration, and we’re bringing together tech startups, industry leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs together under one roof. The arena hosts events that bring people together, from tech workshops and conferences to innovation summits and fundraisers. Our commitment to making a positive impact also extends beyond the walls of the arena. We’re all about establishing meaningful connections with the community and driving positive change. Speaking of which… A Next-Level Experience for Visitors and Devils FansWe’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: We’re not just a thriving tech an innovation business – we’re sports fans, too. Specifically, we’re massive Cardiff Devils fans. For this reason, we want to make sure all visitors and Devils fans get a next-level experience at Vindico Arena. We already provide the WiFi for the arena, but we’re taking it up a notch. Over the coming months, we’ll be implementing cutting-edge tech to help drive an optimised fan experience, while updating the signage and branding, too. From the moment you step through the doors, you’ll be greeted with an atmosphere that’s unparalleled, whether you’re here for an event, brushing up on your skating, or attending an electrifying Devils match night. Vindico Arena is setting the stage for unforgettable experiences that will leave a lasting impression.  For us, Vindico Arena represents the merging of technology, innovation, and community. It is a beacon of progress and a visual reminder of our commitment to pushing boundaries and creating exceptional tech and tech experiences. Beyond being a name on a building, Vindico Arena embodies a new era of possibility, where tech innovation flourishes, a sense of home is created, and unforgettable moments

Vindico’s SWAPP at Principality Stadium has been shortlisted in for Venue Technology at the 2023 TheStadiumBusiness Awards  TheStadiumBusiness Awards are the only awards to recognise a whole spectrum of achievements from across the global stadium industry.  And, as a company at the forefront of tech and innovation in the stadia sector, we couldn’t be happier to be recognised with our partner, Principality Stadium, in the Venue Technology category this year. We created SWAPP 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 venues and teams.  SWAPP originally caught the attention of Principality Stadium and the WRU in October 2020. It was adopted to safely bring us the Autumn Internationals and the Six Nations during the pandemic. Following its success, it’s now been adopted by several teams, including Welsh Athletics, Scarlets Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Sale Sharks, and the Elite Ice Hockey League. Today it helps venues including Principality Stadium, Sixways Stadium, Glamorgan Cricket, and Parc Y Scarlets to safely manage staff, teams, contractors, and visitors. It’s also been adopted by businesses including Andrew Scott and Transport for Wales. Click here to see how SWAPP is helping Principality Stadium to optimise the experience on match days. “Being shortlisted among global brands at this year’s TheStadiumBusiness Awards gives recognition to the amazing partnerships, projects, and client collaborations we’ve been part of,” says Vindico MD Jo Polson. “Vindico is all about tech for good. But we’re not just tech pros – we’re massive sports fans, too. So being able to support stadiums, arenas, venues, and teams by giving them the tools they need to help keep fans, staff, contractors, and media teams safe, while optimising processes, efficiency, and overall experience is a dream for us. And being recognised for this within the industry is even better.” Vindico couldn’t have been shortlisted without the help of Technical Ryan Griffiths and the incredible Dev Team who are constantly adding new features to keep SWAPP one smart step ahead for our stadia clients.  Recognition for SWAPP isn’t just for us at Vindico – it also helps us shine the light on our forward-thinking stadia clients who are embracing and implementing this tech to stay one safe, efficient step ahead.  TheStadiumBusiness Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony at this year’s annual TheStadiumBusiness Summit at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on 29 – 30 June, where Vindico MD Jo Polson is also a

Vindico has signed a five-year deal with Ice Arena Wales – home of the Cardiff Devils – which will see the ice rink renamed as Vindico Arena from Summer 2023We teased that we had big news to drop – and it doesn’t get much bigger than this! The ice rink has been Vindico’s Cardiff HQ for a few years, and now we’re putting our name on it! In Along with the name change, the ice rink’s website and social media handles will all adopt the new Vindico Arena name.  Visitors, skaters, and ice hockey fans can also expect to see plenty of Vindico’s signature purple branding – from the ice to the screens to the staff uniforms to the lounges – at the arena from Summer 2023. And the changes aren’t just visual ones. Vindico is already a sponsor and tech partner of the Cardiff Devils and the ice rink, and we’ll be enhancing their tech and digital offering from Summer 2023. We’ll be taking over all internal tech and installing cutting-edge digital changes to enhance both the staff and fan experience.  “This is more than just a business deal for us at Vindico. I’ve loved ice hockey since I first played the NHL game on the SEGA Mega Drive back in 1990,” says Jo Polson, Managing Director of Vindico.  “I don’t measure Vindico’s progress in the same way that many business owners do. For me, it’s always been about how much we can support the Cardiff Devils and the arena. We’ve been a sponsor for five years, but we started small with a player sponsorship. By last year we were supplying Wi-Fi, tech and digital signage for the arena, match night sponsors of the Devils, as well as the official partner of the team’s school and community programme.  “When Vindico exceeded 50% growth last year, I knew this could open an opportunity to do even more. When Todd [Kelman] mentioned that the arena deal was an option, I knew we couldn’t refuse.  “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’ll be able to add so much value to the ice rink – and the overall arena experience – and we’re looking forward to calling it home.” Todd Kelman, Managing Director of the Cardiff Devils added:  “The Devils and the rink have been partners with Vindico for five years now. They’re not just a great business but great people too. When the deal came up, we knew that Vindico would be a perfect fit. They’ve constantly supported us as a team and a business over the past five seasons, adding more and more value each year. I’m looking forward to working together to transform Vindico Arena this summer.” A bit about the arena… The soon-to-be Vindico Arena is the official home of the Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey team who play in the professional British Elite Ice Hockey League – the top-level league in the UK.  Its a world-class facility with a capacity of 3,100 and houses an Olympic-sized ice pad that plays host to Cardiff Devils match nights. It’s also where the city’s figure skaters, junior ice hockey teams, and the public come to practice and skate.  The arena also houses a climbing area, corporate lounges, a gymnasium, a bar, office spaces, and a café – all in the heart of Cardiff Bay’s Sports Village.  We hope to see you all

Tech is the future of stadium safety – and Vindico is proud to be leading the way!  We have a long history of working with stadiums, event venues, and sporting arenas. But our relationships with stadia clients really ramped up during the pandemic, with our in-demand tailored tech platform playing a crucial role in bringing British sport back safely to our screens, and fans back into stadiums.  Our tailored tech platform, SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application), originally caught the attention of Principality Stadium and the WRU in October 2020. It was adopted to safely bring us the Autumn Internationals and the Six Nations during the pandemic. Following its success, it was later adopted by several teams and stadiums, including Scarlets Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Sale Sharks, and the Elite Ice Hockey League. Our tailored tech gives venues the simple tech they need to implement safety measures that keep staff, contractors, and visitors safe. And today it helps venues including Principality Stadium, Sixways Stadium, and Parc Y Scarlets to safely manage staff, teams, contractors, stewards, and visitors. It’s also been adopted by businesses including Andrew Scott and Transport for Wales. Click here to see the highlights of Vindico MD Jo Polson’s talk at the 2022 TheStadiumBusiness Summit. Stadium safety in one smart place  Our tailored tech platform brings all the necessary safety tools and protocols into on smart place.  It eliminates complicated, laborious safety and compliance tasks to give stadiums live information that supports management team with safety, staffing, and customer experience.  It also saves time and energy in organising and engaging with teams, contractors, and stewards – making for a simpler and better process.  A handy QR code scanner, contactless sign in / out access, valuable track and trace, and pre-registration features also make working with – and managing – stewards, contractors, and temporary staff easy and efficient.  It also monitors industry standards, workplace regulations, and industry accreditations to make sure that all members of staff and contractors are up-to-date and meet the current required guidelines. “What started as a product for a pandemic quickly became an essential tool for changing workforces in the stadia sector, and we’ve continuously updated features to stay one safety step ahead” says Vindico’s Head of Partnerships Rhys Perkins.  Features and updates for SWAPP include: Moreover, we purposely made our tailored tech easy to use, accessible to all levels, and with a focus on promoting digital knowledge transfer (which is more important now than ever before!).  SWAPP is now one of the most prominent safety platforms used in the UK sport and stadia sector. And with new updates and features constantly being added into the mix, we’re committed to keeping it one safe step ahead of the rest.  To find out more about SWAPP, and our tailored tech products for sports and stadia, click here to get

Head of Partnerships Rhys Perkins looks back at a year of developing tech relationships at Vindico It’s been a whole year since Rhys joined the Vindico team to head up our tech partnerships – and one year on, the relationships pro reflects on a whirlwind 12 months and a whole lot of purple.  Vindico: How did you end up joining the purple side?  Rhys: It started as all things do – with a good steak and a chat! I’ve known Jo for many years and have always met up for coffee and events and watched the growth, culture and fun that he was creating at Vindico. Then, just over a year ago, Jo called to invite me to come on board. After explaining the journey the business was on, I jumped with two feet into the new role of Head of Partnerships.  Vindico: Seems like a typical ‘Jo’ onboarding approach! What exactly does the Head of Partnerships role involve? Rhys: I lead Vindico’s overall engagement strategy for the business. This involves supporting both internal and external projects, liaising with our wonderful existing clients, finding and engaging with new businesses who haven’t heard about Vindico yet and don’t currently ‘Think Purple’, and starting conversations that help businesses to better understand tech – and to show them how it can simplify and optimise each unique business scenario. Vindico: Sounds like there’s plenty of variety. What do clients have in common?   Rhys: The clients we work with come from all sectors and industries but have a few things in common. They want to grow their business, they’re passionate about what they do, they’ve come to a point where they have too many ‘productivity’ apps and systems that don’t talk to each other, and they need to create a better way of working. Essentially, they want to make their working lives simpler and better but don’t know how. Vindico: What tech trends are you seeing / using to help businesses achieve simpler and better ways of working?  Rhys: One of the biggest emerging trends of 2023 is the rise of AI, and how it can be used by businesses to help support business growth. Part of my role involves showing clients that it’s not something to fear, but a tool that lets us to ask better questions to deliver better, data-driven outcomes.  And, speaking data, that’s another big trend. Data is something every business has, but so many aren’t using it effectively to drive business growth. It’s not about tons of data, it’s about meaningful data that businesses can understand and utilise to help drive better business performance. Vindico: What does a typical workday look like?  Rhys: A normal day starts with walking my dog by the river, and normally get covered in mud before I start. I also have three kids, including a 14-week-old baby, so I try to make sure I get them ready and to school on time, and I make my wife a coffee in bed every morning before my Vindico duties begin. My workday is really varied and involves a mix of meeting clients and prospects remotely and in-person, engage with our team to understand where we are with projects and timelines, consuming lots of coffee, and trying to get someone to give me tickets to the NFL! Vindico: When you’re not working, how do you unwind?  Rhys: Unwind? I have three kids!  But seriously, I love to cook and feed people, and I love watching rugby, the NFL (the packers are my team, and ice hockey (of course I support the Cardiff Devils).  Vindico: Lastly, why is purple your favourite colour?  Rhys: Purple is something that defines our business at Vindico and it’s what we’re recognised for wherever we go. I’m known as the tall purple guy, and at events people talk about “those purple guys”. It’s a total conversation starter and it leads to people talking with us and wanting to get to know us.  You can find out more about Vindico’s lovely clients and tech partnerships here. Haven’t already started Thinking Purple? Click here to get in touch

Vindico has signed a new sponsorship deal with Pontypridd United  Vindico is excited to announce a brand-new partnership with Pontypridd United FC.  Pontypridd United are the only club in RCT to have played men’s and women’s football at the highest level for the past 25 years. It’s great news for the community, and the club is going from strength to strength – signing four local Welsh players to the men’s side this month. And with that came an opportunity for Vindico to sponsor the talented Ben Margetson. Margetson joins Pontypridd United from from Kidderminster Harriers FC, and will be available for selection from 11 February, when the team go up against Airbus UK Broughton.  “We are immensely proud to be supporting Pontypridd United FC,” says Vindico’s Head of Partnerships Rhys Perkins.  “The ethos and ambition of the club are truly inspiring, and they’re actively supporting young children to engage with sport, which is something we as an organisation are passionate about. “We wish Ben Margetson every success at the club and look forward to watching him play as our sponsored player.” We at Vindico are avid sports fans, and although sponsoring Pontypridd United is our first foray into the highest level of Welsh football, it’s not our first and only sports partnership. Vindico is also proud sponsors of Scarlets Rugby and the Cardiff Devils ice hockey club.  We’re also known for our tech partnerships with sports teams too, working with the likes of the WRU, Wheelchair Rugby, Sale Sharks, and Team GB ice hockey to name a few.  So, for now, when we’re not donning rugby shirts or hockey jerseys, you’ll catch us loudly cheering

Principality Stadium is using Vindico’s SWAPP app once again to keep fans, staff, and contractors safe this Six Nations  Following a string of successful sporting and music events, Principality Stadium is again turning to SWAPP to keep everyone safe during the upcoming Six Nations rugby tournament. SWAPP originally caught the attention of Principality Stadium and the WRU in October 2020. It was adopted to safely bring us the Autumn Internationals and the Six Nations during the pandemic. Following its success, it was later adopted by several teams and stadiums, including Scarlets Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Sale Sharks, and the Elite Ice Hockey League. Today it helps venues including Principality Stadium, Sixways Stadium, and Parc Y Scarlets to safely manage staff, teams, contractors, and visitors. It’s also been adopted by businesses including Andrew Scott and Transport for Wales. And for this Six Nations campaign, SWAPP’s adding a whole new batch of improved features and updates to help optimise match days at Principality Stadium.  “Our SWAPP platform takes a process run by WhatsApp, email, and texts and bringing it all into on smart place,” says Vindico’s Head of Partnerships.  “The SWAPP platform then provides Principality Stadium with live information that supports the management team with safety, staffing, and customer experience. It also saves them time and energy in organising and engaging with their teams – making for a simpler and better process.” As we enter our third year of partnering with Principality Stadium and the WRU, we’re excited to be rolling out even more new features to help the venue optimise time, efficiency, accuracy, and experience.  “We are proud to be able to partner with Principality Stadium and the WRU to support yet another exciting Six Nations campaign,” adds Rhys.  “Vindico is all about tech for good. So, being able to support this incredible Welsh sporting event, while giving the stadium the tools to help keep fans, staff, contractors, and media teams safe is what we’re all about.”  For more information about SWAPP – and how it can help your team, business, or event stay safe and compliant – click here to get in touch with

Streamline Your Training, Enhance Your Team’s Skills and Stay Ahead of the Competition with Digital Knowledge Transfer Digital knowledge transfer is all about sharing information and skills through the latest digital platforms and tools. And, in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, it’s become essential for organisations to adopt digital knowledge transfer strategies to stay one step ahead.  One big benefit of digital knowledge transfer is that people can learn at their own pace and from anywhere. This is especially helpful for employees who work remotely or in different locations. Another advantage is that digital knowledge transfer allows businesses to reach a bigger audience. Instead of only teaching a small group of people, companies can use tailored tech to teach everyone at once – which, in turn, saves businesses time, too.  Digital tools also make it easy for leaders and managers to keep track of how well employees are learning and to give them personalised feedback. This not only helps companies make sure their training programmes and processes are working well but can also lead to greater employee performance and satisfaction, too.   It goes without saying in 2023 that it’s important for companies and employees to stay on top of the latest industry trends and tech. As digital technology and business practices change rapidly, it is essential for businesses to keep their employees informed and skilled in the latest practices. Digital knowledge transfer allows organisations to quickly and easily share new information and skills with employees, keeping them informed and up-to-date. Finally, using digital methods to teach employees can help build a culture of continuous learning and development (CPD). When people have access to training materials and resources all the time, they’re more likely to take ownership of their own learning and development. This helps add to a culture of continuous learning, where employees are motivated to learn new skills and advance their careers.  All in all, digital knowledge transfer is important for companies to stay competitive and help their employees grow. It’s faster, easier, and reaches more people than traditional methods. If you’re not already making the most of digital knowledge transfer, the good news is it’s not too late. Vindico’s diagnostics are designed to help you recognise tech and digital gaps so you can implement the simple, tailored tech you need to stop your business falling behind in the digital age.  No matter what industry or sector you’re in, Vindico can provide you with the tools and resources you need to improve your employees’ performance and drive your business forward. Get in touch to find out more about how we can help you take your digital knowledge transfer efforts to the

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

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

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 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

Digital technology has become non-negotiable for businesses – and outsourcing tech has become one of the biggest trends of 2022. To hire or to outsource is an age-old dilemma for businesses. But in an era where basic IT systems just don’t cut it – tech partnerships are thriving. Of course, IT is essential to every organisation, but forward-thinking businesses are realising that IT software and support just isn’t enough. Businesses today want efficiency, connectivity, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing markets and scenarios. And that’s where tech partnerships come in. Outsourcing tech was previously a luxury for big companies with huge SaaS budgets, but this has changed. In 2022, tech is easier and more accessible than ever. Here’s four ways outsourcing tech can benefit your organisation in 2022:   Efficiency – We’ve all used software, sometimes expensive software where only 10 – 15 % of it gets utilised by the business – either because it’s not clear how to use it, or because it’s not relevant. Sometimes that’s all we need. But in 2022 it’s survival of the quickest, and off-the-shelf software just isn’t enough. That’s where SWAPP comes in. SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) is Vindico’s own software platform that’s been specifically designed to facilitate the speed, efficiency, productivity, and connectivity that businesses are looking for post-pandemic. It’s also the foundation platform for the tailored tech that’s facilitating business and digital transformations for our clients in sectors ranging from sport, civil, and transport to hospitality, manufacturing, and retail.   Money-saving – The cost of hiring an in-house dev team can be high. The cost of hiring an exceptional in-house will be even higher. But outsourcing your tech and digital requirements means you can save money on hiring and get access to the experience and expertise of an entire company – not just a dev team. At Vindico, our clients have access to our dev team, web team, a dedicated business development manager, and full tech support. It’s like a swiss army knife for your business.   Resilience – Working with a tech partner to understand both short-term and long-term goals means you gain a fresh, outsider view of the business. This, in turn, can help you quickly and efficiently flag and diagnose roadblocks to success that may not have been apparent. Your tech partner will then help you implement tailored digital and tech solutions that will give you a robust platform for maximum adaptability, efficiency, connectivity, and scaling up – all while you navigate changing markets and scenarios.   Productivity – A direct – yet often-overlooked benefit of outsourcing your tech is that a small in-house IT team simply can’t achieve what a dedicated tech company can. When it comes adding value, outsourcing tech to the experts gives you access to tailored tech features and services that can enhance your organisation’s productivity. Whether it’s tools to help your employees work remotely, connectivity features that enhance collaboration, safety protocols that eliminate longwinded process, or optimising staff wellbeing – outsourcing tech to the professionals can help you boost productivity, enhance company culture, and bring employee wellbeing to the forefront.   Whether you’re a start-up with a great idea, a business looking to scale, or a large organisation with multiple existing systems and processes that could be streamlined – outsourcing tech could be the answer. As the outsourcing trend continues, many of Vindico’s latest projects have seen us become development and technology partners – where our tailored tech and expertise is fully integrated into our clients’ long-term goals.   To find out more about tech partnerships with Vindico, drop us a

Tailored tech is helping businesses access the features they need to thrive in ever-changing environments. Tailored tech is just that. It’s technology that’s built just for you – and it’s designed to do exactly what you need it to. Previously a luxury for big companies with huge SaaS budgets, now tailored tech is easier and more accessible than ever. And it’s the reason why forward-thinking businesses are shunning pricey off-the-shelf software in favour of tech that’s designed specifically to meet their unique business ambitions. “It really puts businesses in the driving seat,” says Vindico MD Jo Polson. “We’ve all used software, sometimes expensive software where only 10 – 15 % of it gets utilised by the business – either because it’s not clear how to use it, or because it’s not relevant. Sometimes that’s all we need. But in 2022 it’s survival of the quickest, and off-the-shelf software just isn’t enough.” That’s where SWAPP comes in. SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) is Vindico’s own software platform that’s been specifically designed to facilitate the speed, efficiency, productivity, and connectivity that businesses are looking for post-pandemic. It’s also a foundation platform for the tailored tech that’s facilitating digital transformations for our clients in sectors ranging from sport, civil, and transport to hospitality, manufacturing, and retail. “SWAPP has been a great catalyst for these kinds of platforms,” adds Jo. “It delivers impact swiftly, it’s easy to adopt, and provides clients with instant benefits. But it’s designed to be that foundation that gives businesses so much more.” And in an age where there seems to be an app or piece of software for anything, Vindico is seeing an increased demand for tailored tech that actually does the job well. “Our clients are now fed up with separate systems, and everything being harder than it should be. Yes, there’s an app for most things, but businesses need more for it to integrate seamlessly and be adopted for success. “When we visit prospective clients we’re seeing too much data, and not enough connections. SWAPP provides this as a foundation platform – and it’s giving our clients a single source of truth for all the meaningful data they need, with simple visualisation.” Although SWAPP provides the basic features that are handy for your business – it’s its tailored tech capability that’s really giving clients a competitive edge. Whether it’s an aggregator of lots of different business systems or a completely automated process-driven management system delivering what your business needs, SWAPP’s tailored tech capability is now helping businesses to automate processes, streamline their approach, and visually see the results. “Since Covid, businesses are now looking for a more robust tech infrastructure,” adds Jo. “Meaningless data and outdated systems that don’t tie together have been holding many businesses back. And tailored tech is like a spring clean that’s helping businesses transform the way they operate – for the better.” Along with its existing tailored features, SWAPP’s latest tailored tech modules include stock management, job allocation and rota, staff wellness questionnaires, temporary staff recruitment and management, increased project visibility, and a tailored sales flow – from leads to invoice. These latest modules have been designed to give businesses an advantage when it comes to productivity, efficiency, visibility, and connectivity. But the benefits of tailored tech don’t stop there. Since Vindico started to roll out SWAPP’s tailored tech in 2021, clients have reported: More integrated, streamlined software that actually works A single easy-to-access view and status of all meaningful data The ability to spot – and address gaps in the business Important data that’s just a click away Increased efficiency and productivity New opportunities presented A resilient core platform that’s robust enough to handle market changes Better data, better decisions, quicker data, and quicker decisions Meaningful data that drives better business processes and practices A more engaged workforce Enhanced employee wellbeing Better time-management Elimination of menial tasks, thanks to automation Optimum employee safety   These are just a few of the benefits that our clients have reported, and as Vindico’s dev team continues to evolve our tailored tech – led by market demand – we’ll keep making sure our clients stay one technological step ahead. To find out more about Vindico’s tailored tech solutions – and how they’re helping businesses, sports teams, stadiums, and events get an edge – drop us a line to speak to our

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

The tech landscape is changing in Wales, and Vindico is proud to be ahead of the curve The number of women working in tech is on the rise – and Vindico developer, Emilie, is proud to be setting the example in Wales. From working her way up from a supervisor to playing a key role in the development of some of Vindico’s cutting-edge tech solutions, Emilie talks about her tech journey so far and why she’s encouraging other women to follow their tech ambitions. Vindico: How did you land your job with us? Emilie: I was working as a ticketing supervisor at Scarlets Rugby, who are a client of Vindico’s, so I was already working alongside the team and knew a lot about their offering and their renowned #ThinkPurple vibe. Vindico: What does your role as a developer involve? Emilie: I’m part of Vindico’s team that includes some incredibly skilled developers who help me learn and hone my skills every day. We work together to build and deliver Vindico’s apps, and the tailored features that go with those apps. Vindico: What’s the best part of your job as a developer? Emilie: The best part about being a developer at Vindico is definitely the people. Don’t get me wrong, I love the work, but knowing I get to work with such a great bunch of people every day makes it that much easier to get up in the morning! My biggest project so far has been working on a version of SWAPP for A&R Services. SWAPP is Vindico’s own Smart Workplace Application, which is helping businesses to enhance efficiency, safety, and wellbeing – and it’s really taken off since the pandemic ended. We’re now developing tailored technologies and features that enhance this base platform for our clients – and this one for A&R Services has been an amazing project to work on. It has definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but I have learned so much from the project, and it certainly feels like a great achievement to now see the app being used. Vindico: How have we helped you develop? (No pressure here!) Emilie: Without the support of Vindico I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today. I didn’t have a lot of experience prior to joining the team – I just knew that tech was something I wanted to pursue. Vindico has given me opportunity after opportunity to gain invaluable experience, pushing me to better my skills while also having created a safe space to ask for advice whenever is needed. My current goal is to continue developing my skills as a developer – I want to be the best I can be! Vindico: What does it mean to you to be part of the team? Emilie: It means so much to be a part of Vindico. In my previous role I worked alongside Vindico and knew a lot of the staff. I was always an admirer of the company’s #ThinkPurple culture and being part of the team has gone way beyond my expectations! Vindico: How does it feel to be paving the way for other women in tech? Emilie: Being a female developer in the field, I do feel a sense of responsibility to lead by example. I hope that there are plenty more females out there who see the opportunities and want to join me. Vindico: What advice would you give to women wanting to enter the industry? My advice would be just to go for it! There are plenty of opportunities out there and there really is no boundaries – so follow your dream. We’re currently hiring for developers. It would be great to see some more females join our dev team and see how much they can thrive in our #ThinkPurple culture. Vindico are currently on the lookout for star talent to join our team. We’ve got openings for front end and backend developers – and if you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d love to hear from you. You can find out

Two exciting job opportunities at Vindico for a Front End Developer and back End Developer to join our award-winning team Vindico is growing – and we’re on the lookout for star talent to join us. We’ve got two openings for a Front End Developer and Back End Developer to join one of Wales’ fastest growing tech and innovation companies. You can read all about the roles here, but what’s really important to us at Vindico is that you’re looking for a role that will develop with you as you achieve your own growth ambitions. We know how important that life/work balancing act is, and we put everything we can into getting that right for our team. From cupboards stacked with your favourite snacks to cold beer in the fridge, and of course flexible hours and the option to work from home. If you’ve got what it takes – and you want to be part of an inclusive team who are working on some of the UK’s most cutting-edge projects, drop us a line today. You can find the full low-down on the roles and apply for jobs at

As businesses look to become more efficient – here’s how SWAPP’s helping organisations to streamline their processes and save valuable time. We created SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) back in 2020 as a direct response to the pandemic. But it quickly became apparent that we weren’t just solving new safety issues posed by COVID. We were also tackling old efficiency issues that were costing businesses valuable time, manpower, and money, too. Fast-forward to today, and as we return to workplaces, SWAPP’s become a key feature for business transformation. Because businesses ranging from start-ups to enterprise-level organisations to arenas are driving change, with maximum efficiency, optimum safety, and employee wellbeing at the forefront. Here’s seven ways that SWAPP’s helping businesses to streamline their processes and save valuable time, too: 1. Automated contractor and sub-contractor management The gig economy is having a bit of a moment. But managing contractors, sub-contractors, and freelancers has never been easy. SWAPP’s simple dashboard is giving brands including the WRU, Principality Stadium, and Transport for Wales full visibility of every person on sight. An added permit module also offers pre-approval and communication and allows gig workers to register in advance and confirm that they’re safe to attend a venue. 2. Simple sign in/out feature Manually signing in and out of workplaces, sites, arenas take time. And all those extra minutes add up. SWAPP’s easy sign in/out feature can be rolled out across all offices and sites, for staff, visitors, and contractors alike. It’s also helping some of our clients get rid of old-fashioned sign in books for good! 3. Accreditation (and permit to work creation)  Managing Access is critical for large businesses and venues – especially ones with restricted areas. SWAPP’s accreditation module allows third parties to manage their staff access requirements, which can then be approved by the business before staff attend the site. It then lets businesses generated passes in both digital and / or printed formats. 4. Casual Staff Management Whether it’s labourers, media, hospitality workers, or stewards, SWAPP allows the management of casual staff for all types of events. Once you’ve created your event, SWAPP lets you send a notification to all staff, allowing them to declare their availability for the event – which gives organisations a more accurate picture of staff availability.  Linked with the SWAPP In / Out feature, you can track staff before an event and when they arrive. This also links to payroll to get a timestamped start and end time for shifts. 5. Site dashboards (providing info on who is where, and key project information) Custom dashboards give staff and management a data-led visual view of how their business is running. It allows management to make quick decisions and lets staff efficiently react to incoming requests. Designed to run on mobile, desktop, and TV, the dashboards can be designed to suit specific department, or to specific data requirements, which lets users to drill down to the detail they need. Our VindiShow TV signage platform can also be used to enhance SWAPP’s dashboards –allowing you to visualise your organisation’s information in useful, actionable charts and numbers. 6. Reporting and observations One of SWAPP’s most widely used features, the simple reporting function within the app allows all staff and contractors to take pictures and make notes on a variety of business-related tasks and topics. Whether it’s cleaning or maintenance issues, accidents and incidents, near misses, or IT related problems, this useful feature lets businesses address, adapt, and solve quickly and efficiently. 7. Integrated document viewer How many times have you searched your inbox for an attachment or piece of information that you can’t seem to place? Our SWAPP clients had the same complaint – and it was using up time that could be better used elsewhere. SWAPP’s integrated document viewer means you can get your hands on the right documents swiftly and easily – without having to hunt for them. Could your business be saving time and operating more efficiently? Click here to drop us a line and see how SWAPP can transform your

Vindico have partnered with Walters Group to drive the brand’s business transformation. Vindico is excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Walters Group to implement the smart technologies the brand needs to drive a sustainable business transformation. This new partnership focuses on sustainability, employee safety and wellbeing, and a better work / life balance for every employee at Walters Group. It’s an evolving project that focuses on two key areas for Walters Group’s tech transformation: The website – which covers user experience (UX) and the brand’s overall digital presence SWAPP – our Smart Workplace Application The website is a project we’re rethinking from the ground up. Walters Group is experiencing significant growth, but as the brand transitions from SME to a larger enterprise, the forward-thinking business wants to keep its focus on its sustainable future – without losing its family heritage. Stripping it back and rebuilding the website with the user experience (UX) in mind, we’re focusing on Walters Group’s great achievements so far, and perhaps more excitingly – the important work that’s on its way. With Walters Group’s more holistic approach to recruiting star talent at the forefront – along with its core values, family heritage, sustainable future, and The Walters Way at the core – we’re focused on developing a website that can evolve alongside Walters Group as they transition into a larger enterprise. As for SWAPP. Where do we start? SWAPP (Smart Workplace application) is streamlining Walters Group’s systems and processes to give the business a more pro-active information network system that goes beyond IT support. SWAPP’s safety features are efficiently keeping employees and contractors safe across Walters Group’s sites. It’s automating and streamlining everything from a regulatory and accreditation perspective while maintaining site health and safety requirements. SWAPP’s key features include: Automated contractor and sub-contractor management, including approval and communication Sign in/out (across all offices and sites, for staff, visitors, and contractors) Site dashboards (providing info on who is where, and key project information) Fire roll call (for each site) Staff directory (with bios, click-to-email function, and contact info) Inductions Notice board Reporting (of accidents, incidents, and snagging) Accreditation (and permit to work creation) Integrated document viewer (so no more searching through emails for the right attachments) For Walters Group’s employees and contractors: SWAPP’s accessibility means that every employee or contractor can access the platform using their own preferred devices – which results in easier, more seamless adoption. For Walters Group’s management: SWAPP’s digital experience provides live dashboards that offer a complete overview of each site. These dashboards are also allowing the business to manage, monitor, and report – using meaningful, intelligent data to drive better, more sustainable decisions. “We at Walters Group are setting the standard for sustainability, safety, and excellence – and joining forces with Vindico is helping us stay one step ahead of the game,” says Huw Richards, Group Chief Operating Officer of Walters Group. “SWAPP was a natural fit for the Walters Way, and it’s helping us to connect more efficiently with our teams on the ground while we also enhance both safety and efficiency. Digitising many of our processes and protocols isn’t just helping us to deliver better outcomes, but it’s also allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint and drive significant business growth with sustainability at the forefront.” We at Vindico are committed to driving sustainable change through our smart tech solutions. So, Walters Group’s eagerness to evolve their business, and enhance sustainability, while focusing on the health, safety and wellbeing of its teams meant it was a perfect match for Vindico. As Vindico’s Head of Partnerships, Rhys Perkins, puts it “We’re incredibly proud to be working with Walters Group as their Business Transformation Partner as they continue to drive change and build for their future.” To find out more about SWAPP, and how Vindico’s smart tech and innovations can help transform your business, click here to speak to one of

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

Vindico’s SWAPP platform is helping big names across sport and business to optimise safety, compliance, and wellbeing. Here’s how… SWAPP (which stands for Smart Workplace Application) is a platform Vindico originally created to meet the safety and compliance demands of Transport for Wales back in 2021. But what started as product for a public sector client quickly became an essential tool for changing workforces. Since launching, SWAPP’s been in such high demand that our dev team, led by Technical Director Ry, have been hard at work adding even more features to help the growing safety and compliance demands of businesses, stadiums, arenas, and sports teams. “We used the Covid pandemic as a chance to not just tackle new problems, but solve old ones, too,” says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. And one of the key problems SWAPP is solving is safety and compliance – especially as we prepare for Covid restrictions to be lifted. Here’s how: SWAPP collates an organisation’s up-to-date practices, processes, and policies into one user-friendly app Providing a streamlined approach, SWAPP gives optimum visibility for businesses, while also taking care of all the measures needed for optimum safety, compliance, and wellbeing It covers everything from inductions and snagging to incident reporting and accreditation checks. It also monitors every project and job on site – whether it’s a depot, an arena, or an office SWAPP’s key features include: Sign in/out (across all offices and sites, for staff, visitors, and contractors) Site dashboards (providing info on who is where, and key project information) Fire roll call (for each site) Staff directory (with bios, click-to-email function, and contact info) Inductions Notice board Reporting (of accidents, incidents, and snagging) Accreditation (and permit to work creation) Integrated document viewer (so no more searching through emails for the right attachments) Contract management Track and trace Snagging Live fire roll call Risk assessments “We’re continuously updated features to stay one step ahead – and to make workplaces safer and more efficient,” adds Jo. “SWAPP has evolved rapidly in the last 12 months – going from something useful for providing safe working access to staff during the height of the pandemic, to becoming a key foundation platform that we can bolt on to existing systems, processes and problems.” Fast-forward to today and SWAPP is now one of the most prominent safety apps used across the UK. Simple to use, and smart to run, SWAPP now provides a single portal for management teams to view essential live information, while optimising safety and compliance. Its seamless integration has seen brands including Walters Group, OOMPH!, Ministry of Furniture, and One Central Square adopt the platform in 2022 alone. To find out more about SWAPP – and how it can help your organisation streamline its approach to safety and compliance – drop us a

How Vindico’s SWAPP Platform is helping Transport for Wales maximise safety and compliance Transport for Wales came to us to help them comply with the changing regulations. They also wanted to make sure their workplace was as safe as possible. And we knew we could provide the solution. But let’s rewind for a second. Transport for Wales and Vindico have a relationship that goes way back. Vindico has been providing digital signage, WiFi, and live customer information for the Transport for Wales for the last five years. And this relationship has taught us a lot about how Transport for Wales works. It’s also given us insight into the challenges of controlling access to their depots throughout Wales – especially as they navigate changing Covid regulations. What we pitched wouldn’t just solve these problems for Transport for Wales. It would become a catalyst for brands across all sectors to achieve so much more. Enter SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application). Working closely with Transport for Wales for over nine months, we were able to collate all of the brand’s up-to-date practices, processes, and policies into one user-friendly app. Finally going live in August 2021, SWAPP is now used to streamline their approach, while providing optimum safety for everyone on site. The platform doesn’t just control access to each of Transport for Wales’ sites. It also runs their inductions, snagging, incident reporting, and monitors every project and job on site. SWAPP’s key features include: Sign in/out (across all offices and sites, for staff, visitors, and contractors) Site dashboards (providing info on who is where, and key project information) Fire roll call (for each site) Staff directory (with bios, click-to-email function, and contact info) Inductions Notice board Reporting (of accidents, incidents, and snagging) Accreditation (and permit to work creation) Integrated document viewer (so no more searching through emails for the right attachments)   Digitising the experience means the old sign-in book is gone for good. Live dashboards that offer a complete overview of each site have also replaced endless email chains that provided only a singular view of projects and incidents. SWAPP has also simplified the process for contractors and team members. A single portal allows them to upload all relevant safety certification and Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS) in advance. It also manages work requests and advanced screening – giving Transport for Wales ability to manage and assess contractors before they are permitted on site. “Vindico over-delivered,” says Kieran Hickman of Transport for Wales. “The scope kept changing and they continually added the requests to the system with smiles on their faces. SWAPP has totally transformed and improved contractor and visitor management for us at Transport for Wales – especially from a safety point of view in a very safety critical industry.” SWAPP has made the entire process simpler and better for Transport for Wales. It’s become their key contact system, and its innovative capabilities have satisfied unions and other departments along the way. Although this foundation is leading the way for smarter, safer workplaces, Vindico’s development team are continually updated and improving SWAPP’s features to keep it one step ahead. New features and modules soon to be added will range from asset tracking to rota management, so WATCH THIS SPACE! To find out how SWAPP can help your organisation streamline its approach while optimising safety and compliance, click here to get in

Vindico is pleased to announce our latest tech partnership with Oomph! Vindico’s latest tech partnership will see us collaborate with Oomph! to drive Oomph! On Demand and its related services. As the UK’s leading wellbeing business for older adults, Oomph! is on a mission to positively change the impact of ageing. They aim to do this through nationwide training, support, solutions, and days out. And as tech partner, Vindico will now be lending an innovative hand to help Oomph! do just that. The partnership will cover all aspects of tech related to Oomph!’s On Demand services. Led by Technical Director Ryan Griffiths, Vindico’s Purple Vinjas will be using their expertise to help Oomph! streamline the brand’s digital approach whilst also enhancing the customer experience. Speaking of the new tech partnership, Vindico MD, Jo Polson says: “Their wonderful offerings already bring massive improvement to the lives of those in care so the opportunity to be part of this evolution and create an even bigger impact makes all of us at Vindico delighted to be part of the future journey of Oomph!” Adding to this, Ben Allen, CEO and Founder, Oomph! Wellness says: “We are delighted to be working with Vindico to refine and develop our technology solutions for care teams. This exciting partnership will enable us to step up our offering and bring a whole new level of wellbeing to the sector.” Could your brand be enhancing the customer experience with better tech? Drop us a line here to find out how we can streamline, digitise, and elevate your brand experience with our bespoke tech

We at Vindico are reversing the trend, closing the gender gap in Wales, and celebrating the wonderful women in tech. 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 it wasn’t always this way. Whereas some industries have closed the gender gap, tech is one field where women have actually lost ground. A recent Forbes article points out that in 1984, 37% of computer science graduates were women. By 2015, this had dropped to just 18%. In the UK, women have accounted for – give or take – just 16% of the tech workforce during the last decade. And this percentage is decreasing. What’s more, A PwC research report found that just 27% of female students in the UK would consider a career in tech, compared to 62% of their male peers. But we’re here to make a change. We’re actively crushing tech’s outdated stereotypes. And we’re proving that it’s no longer an all-male industry that’s solitary, technical, and uncreative. It’s a place for blue sky thinking. A place to innovate. A place for everyone. We’re committed to closing the tech gender gap in Wales. We’re proud to be paving the way for women in tech, and if you’re a developer who’d like 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

Rhys Perkins will use his wealth of business development experience to head partnerships at Vindico. Vindico is growing rapidly, and our latest recruit will use his exceptional experience to build and nurture our wonderful client relationships. Rhys joins us following a successful career in the insurance industry. His previous roles include business development manager at Jelf, development leader at Marsh Commercial, and business development associate at UKGI Group. Rhys’s track record of building and engaging in long lasting relationships clients – as well as helping to build future-proof solutions for businesses – means he’s a perfect fit for Vindico. “I’m genuinely thrilled to be joining Vindico at this time,” says Rhys. “I’ve admired the company and culture ever since I met [Vindico MD] Jo four years ago. I’ve seen the team grow and thrive year on year, and I’m excited to see how I can help Vindico along the journey.” Rhys will now be using his skills to engage with new clients and sectors, while also building on our existing client relationships – with our #ThinkPurple ethos at the core. In case you haven’t heard yet, #ThinkPurple means asking better questions to deliver better outcomes, deliver better outcomes by asking better questions. And it’s more than a catchy slogan. It’s our ethos, our mission, it underpins everything we do. It’s what clients such as the Welsh Rugby Union, Oomph!, Penderyn Distillery, and Transport for Wales know and trust. But we digress… Rhys now joins our team of 22 of the finest thinkers and innovators that Wales has to offer. And Vindico MD Jo Polson couldn’t be happier. “I first met Rhys about four years ago – when he came to Vindico HQ to try and sell us insurance,” says Jo. “We ended up selling him the #ThinkPurple dream instead and have kept in touch ever since. Those conversations grew and with every coffee we were even more sure that he’d be the perfect fit. I’m delighted to be able to count Rhys among our ranks now as we build our team ready for the year ahead.” We at Vindico want to extend a huge welcome to Rhys, and we can’t wait to see how he’s going to add tons of #ThinkPurple attitude to his new

Want to know what it’s really like to get hands-on tech experience? Vindico intern, Rory Durrant, spills the beans on his tech placement. Tech is having a bit of a moment. As businesses and households alike all shift to a more digitised approach, there’s never been a better time to consider a career in tech. But what’s it really like to get stuck into the fast-paced world of an ever-changing industry? We sat down with our very own tech intern, Rory Durrant, to get the low-down on his experience so far. Vindico: How have you found your tech placement with us so far? Rory: The placement so far has been outstanding, I never expected to be able to contribute to so many different projects. Each one’s been completely different from the last, requiring its own set of skills. I’ve gained so much experience and learnt a ton from the amazing and insanely skilled team here at Vindico. Vindico: What did you expect from the tech placement? Rory: I wasn’t completely sure what to expect from the tech placement. I assumed I would be working on either a single project or lots of different versions of the same thing. Coming from development experience in the public sector, I assumed it would be very similar, leaning towards older techniques and battle-tested technologies. Vindico: So, did this match the experience? Rory: Not at all! I’ve never worked on so many different, interesting projects in such a short amount of time! Every single week has been something different, or something new and upcoming. Plus, the emphasis on fast and new technologies was a game-changer for me. It’s allowed me to gain experience that will future-proof my development skills, rather than stick to already established practices. Vindico: Best bit about the placement? Rory: It has to be the people. Jo has built such an amazing team with the best workplace atmosphere I’ve ever been a part of. Everyone is incredibly skilled at what they do and is willing to support and guide you – even if you’re a complete newbie like me. Vindico: How has the tech placement compared to any other jobs or experience you’ve had? Rory: It’s been a world of difference from previous development jobs I’ve had. From the pace of development and the use of faster, cutting-edge tech to the team and workplace ethic. So far it has been a blast to work and learn here at Vindico. Vindico: What would you say to anyone thinking about a year in industry with Vindico? Rory: If you get the chance to take on a tech placement with Vindico then I’d highly recommend it – especially if you want to build your skills in web development and server-side applications. Interested in taking on a tech placement at Vindico? We’re always on the hunt for tech talent to join our expanding team. Drop us a line here to find out more.

Vindico joins forces with Tech Wales Advocates to support the nation’s fellow tech leaders. We at Vindico are excited to announce that we’ve become Tech Wales Advocates. Tech Wales Advocates is a grassroots community of tech leaders who have joined forces to support the tech ecosystem in Wales. The non-profit supports founders and entrepreneurs in Wales and provides a platform that helps them connect with investors. So, it ticks all the boxes for Vindico. We at Vindico are champions for change. Change is a huge part of everything we do. From taking a unique #ThinkPurple approach to the projects we deliver to promoting greater equality and opportunities within the tech sector. We’re committed to using our position as Tech Wales Advocates to not just throw the spotlight on these issues, but to be a driving force for change. And we do this through leading by example and shouting about it as loud as we can. The future is bright for Welsh tech. Never have we seen so much innovation and tech talent coming out of Wales. We’re just not very good at telling the world about it. But why? Although the sector may be small in Wales, we at Vindico really believe that our size is a benefit to innovation. “Small wheels turn faster than big ones,” insists Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “They also have a greater ability to stop, pivot, and adapt to change than larger, more cumbersome competitors. “If we can use this fully to our advantage, 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!” You can find out more about how we at Vindico are driving big change through our smart software and tech solutions by

Ministry of Furniture are digitising their approach to scaling up with the help of SWAPP Ministry of Furniture are experts in creating workplace and educational environments. And as we return to offices and classrooms after the COVID peak – they’re a brand that’s in demand. So much so thar they’re about to move to bigger space to increase their manufacturing capability – and that’s where Vindico and our SWAPP platform comes in. Ministry of Furniture’s new site houses cutting edge tech – from 3D models to augmented reality – and SWAPP will providing the foundation platform they need to access and adopt these latest innovations into their business. SWAPP will bring a new level of efficiency to Ministry of Furniture. It will allow the growing business to efficiently scale up, increase their product portfolio, and automate many manual processes. SWAPP will also help the brand speed up customer service and engagement. This project is a biggie for Vindico and our SWAPP platform. And it started the way all good projects do – with coffee and pastries! The Vindico team were instantly drawn to Ministry of Furniture. Aside from their excellent reputation, impeccable service, and customer care, it’s hard not to notice the big purple branding (talk about synergy!). Using our established SWAPP platform, Vindico will be creating bespoke modules for stock, customer CRM, quoting, and order building. Bringing together data from multiple suppliers, in multiple formats, is a constant challenge in this industry. To solve this, we’ll be creating a data profiling tool that will streamline the process and enable easy addition to the new Ministry of Furniture product database. This means that customers will get the quickest possible access to Ministry of Furniture’s new additions and services. The difference SWAPP will be making is huge. And we really mean huge. Ministry of Furniture has a team who are all working really hard – but time is always an issue. SWAPP’s automation will free the team from time-consuming manual tasks, so they so they can spend more time doing what they really want to be doing – looking after their customers. On top of this, SWAPP will give Ministry of Furniture live oversights and dashboards to each department – so the relevant key drivers are just a glance away. Click here to find out more about how SWAPP is helping teams and businesses of all sizes and structures to digitise and

Vindico has signed up for another season of platinum sponsorship with the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team. Sure, Vindico are tech and innovation experts and problem-solvers, but we’re also massive Cardiff Devils fans, too. In fact, we’re not just a proud sponsor of the Cardiff Devils, we love the team so much that you’ll find our Cardiff HQ at Ice Arena Wales. Speaking of the partnership with the Cardiff Devils, Vindico MD, Jo Polson, says “It was such an easy decision to continue our sponsorship of the Cardiff Devil’s. We’ve even gone one step further this season by becoming the Innovation Partner for Ice Arena Wales – which is a perfect fit for our company and ethos. “It obviously helps being a fan of the Devils as well, but it’s brilliant to have a different offering for clients and friends that isn’t just the traditional rugby and football. We actually have a staff rota in Vindico because the demand for our place in the Devils Corporate Lounge is so high!” You’ll mostly find The Vindico team vying for those coveted match night seats – in between solving all of your tech problems,

The 4th of December is Small Business Saturday – and Vindico’s official spot on the campaign’s Small Biz 100 calendar. Vindico MD, Jo Polson, is being profiled as part of this year’s Small Business Saturday! We teased back in Summer that we made the line-up, and now we can reveal that our official profile date on the Small Biz 100 calendar is Small Business Saturday itself – the 4th of December. Small Business Saturday celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities. This year it’s calling on the nation to share a ‘big thank you’ with small firms to recognise their vital role throughout the pandemic. So, as a business who’s spent the last 19 months helping clients to adapt, innovate, and evolve during challenging times, it’s an absolute honour to  be selected as one of the campaign’s prestigious Small Biz 100 line-up, which highlights inspiring, independent businesses from across the country. On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses. Many small businesses also take an active part in the day by hosting events and offering promotions. “Our campaign mission to support and celebrate small businesses has never been more important, as small firms face considerable challenges to get back on their feet, but will be absolutely vital to the UK’s recovery,” says Michelle Ovens, CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday. “The pandemic brought home just how central small businesses are to our communities, so we’re encouraging everyone to get behind them on Small Business Saturday and use it as a way to send a big thank you!” Urging other local small businesses to get involved in Small Business Saturday, Vindico’s MD, Jo Polson, adds: “Small Business Saturday is really easy for small firms to get involved in, and a great way to engage customers. It is completely free and open to all small independents, many of whom collaborate with other local businesses on the campaign. Business owners can download marketing materials via the website and get involved in the conversation online using the hashtag #SmallBizSatUK.” In its ninth year in the UK, last year Small Business Saturday achieved record-breaking success with an estimated £1.1 billion spent with small businesses across the UK on the day, according to estimates from campaign founder and principal supporter American Express. The campaign attracts huge attention, with an impact that last all year. Last year it trended at number one in the UK on Twitter, with the Prime Minister, leader of the opposition and the Mayor of London among those publicly supporting the campaign. Over 90% of local councils also supported the campaign. To get involved in Small Business Saturday 2021, click here.

Vindico attended a swanky afternoon tea in London for Small Business Saturday’s Small Biz 100. We revealed back in the summer that Vindico made this year’s Small Biz 100 line-up. The annual list celebrates the UK’s top 100 small businesses in the run up to Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday, which takes place this year on 4th December, celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities. This year it is calling on the nation to share a ‘big thank you’ with small firms to recognise their vital role throughout the pandemic. As an innovation business, we’ve spent the last 19 months helping clients adapt to change, digitise, and succeed during these unpredictable times. From creating a digital outreach programme for Techniquest to helping the Welsh Rugby Union bring live rugby back to the UK, we’ve been the purple machine supporting our clients throughout. So, this year’s Small Business Saturday theme hits home for us at Vindico. We’re so thankful to be able to play a part in helping businesses adapt, innovate, and evolve – and we’re excited to continue this work in 2022. “It’ been a whirlwind of a year,” says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “We made it to No 10 Downing Street this summer to present to Boris Johnson at the launch of the Together for Our Planet campaign, and now we’re having afternoon tea at the House of Lords as part the Small Business 100! “If you’d have told me I’d be doing all this a year ago, I’d have laughed. Sure, I’d have taken it, but I still would have laughed! “What a way to start the week after winning Innovation Business of the Year at the Cardiff Business awards on Friday,

Vindico has been crowned Innovation Business of the Year at this year’s Cardiff Business Awards. That’s right, we won the award! After being shortlisted for the second year in a row, Friday saw us take home the Innovation Business of the Year award at this year’s Cardiff Business Awards. 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 means a lot to us. It gives amazing recognition to the partnerships, projects, and client collaborations we’ve been part of – and we hope it will help us raise the profile of the exciting work we have in the pipeline, too. The past 12 months has seen us implement some of our most game-changing innovations to date – working with clients ranging from the WRU and Cardiff Rugby to Worcester Warriors and Transport for Wales. Click here to see our recent #ThinkPurple projects. The awards night at Cardiff City Hall was packed to the brim with talent. It was also an extra special one for us as we got to bring along some of our best business pals to celebrate with us. Once again, we want to thank all of our wonderful team, collaborators, clients, and peers for their incredible support. 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.   Here’s to

Vindico’s Director of R&D, Professor Paul Lewis, gives us the rundown of COP26 – and what’s next for carbon emissions and air pollution. COP26 was heavily focused on carbon emissions and the drive to net zero (also referred to as carbon neutrality). We heard a lot about the impact of carbon emissions on our planet, the environment, our businesses, and our sustainability. But carbon emissions can also directly relate to air quality – and ultimately our health and well-being, too. We sat down with air quality expert Professor Paul Lewis to find out more. Why is COP26 so important for air quality? Air pollution experts have shown a lot of interest in COP26. The reason why is because the main sources of carbon emissions are very often the biggest contributors to air pollution. This is especially true for fine particulates, often referred to as PM2.5, and Nitrogen Dioxide – two of which cause the greatest impacts on our health. What about coal burning? Coal burning was on the agenda for the first time at COP26.  Although this was a step forward, right at the last minute, there was the lack of a commitment to ‘phase-out’ coal use worldwide. Instead, 196 countries agreed to ‘phase-down’ coal. On the positive side, we’ll see a reduction in coal-fired power stations. But we won’t see the complete removal of coal in countries such as India. How does this impact air quality in the UK? Although the UK has been proactive in restricting coal-burning, a lack of a total commitment from other countries raises concerns over air pollution from our neighbours. Germany still has around 30 coal-fired power stations that won’t be phased out until 2038, while Poland still operates around 50. So, although the UK has only a few coal-burning power stations left, our concern is the fine particulates blowing over from the power stations actively operating in Northern European countries like Germany and Poland. Believe it or not, this can significantly impact our health and wellbeing. In  fact, our own modelling in Think Air has shown how PM2.5 can blow in from these countries, directly causing higher levels of air pollution in areas of Wales. What’s the deal with methane? Methane is a major source of ground-level ozone, which can be a real issue for people with asthma and other respiratory diseases. To tackle this, US President Joe Biden has launched the Global Methane Pledge at COP26, which is asking countries to cut their methane emissions by 30% by 2030. How will we help developing countries? Air quality is a global issue, so it was positive to see the Glasgow Climate Pact commit to doubling adaptation finance for poorer countries. For the first time, both the US and China agreed to contribute to this fund – so this is a major step forward. It means more support to reduce air pollution in those areas, and a request for countries to submit even more ambitious climate pledges at COP27 next year. Lastly, what about electric cars? COP26 also pledged an agreement to encourage both countries and major car manufacturers to aim for zero-emissions vehicles by 2035. This applies to new sales of both cars and vans in leading markets. The UK has signed this agreement, but other major countries, including the US, Germany, and China haven’t – at least not yet. To find out more about the impact of air pollution on your business, industry, and community – and for live updates – visit our sister

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

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

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

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

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

This week is National Coding Week – and it couldn’t be better timing for TASK. As its presence in Primary Schools continues to rise, TASK’s introduction to coding is helping pupils and teachers to embrace STEM in the classroom. But let’s rewind – what exactly is TASK? TASK is the UK’s first air quality activity kit designed just for kids. Pioneered Vindico’s Director of R&D, and UK air quality expert, Professor Paul Lewis, TASK is a science lab in a box that covers all areas of the curriculum in England and Wales. With a focus on learning by doing, TASK’s interactive experiences help raise awareness of air pollution in a way that’s easy to understand, measure, and report. It covers all six key areas of learning and experience in the Welsh curriculum, and supports numerous programmes of study in the UK curriculum. But back to coding. TASK’s drag-and-drop coding is the ideal introduction to computer coding and logic – and it’s been designed especially for key stage 1 and 2 (years 5 and 6). Once the air quality sensors are attached and operating, pupils can create alerts and triggers when different levels are exceeded. Imagine an alarm sounding when air quality drops, or a class becomes too rowdy! Beyond building the sensor, pupils use the same intuitive tool to create live dashboards (outputting via HDMI) with the same drag-and-drop interface. In fact, it uses the same methods and tools that create live sensor-based automation platforms in industry and construction. Pretty nifty, right? And the learning doesn’t stop there. When kids learn to code, they gain tons of other skills too. Coding helps primary school pupils to build their digital skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and teamworking skills. It also gives creative skills, too. TASK’s platform has also been designed to make sure knowledge is transferable to higher learning and activities beyond the classroom. If your classroom is new to coding and want to give it a go, you can find out more about TASK’s benefits

COVID has brought many new challenges for businesses. That’s where SWAPP (Smart Workplace Application) comes in. We’ve shouted a lot about SWAPP playing a crucial part in bringing British sport back safely. But SWAPP also provides the safety measures to keep staff, contractors, and visitors safe across all industries. But let’s rewind. What is SWAPP? SWAPP is our unique software platform that features a handy QR code scanner, contactless sign in / out access, valuable track and trace, and pre-registration features. It also monitors industry standards, workplace regulations, and industry accreditations. This makes sure that all members of staff and contractors are up-to-date and meet the current required guidelines. It’s also the app behind bringing many sporting events – including the Six Nations in Wales and the EIHL’s Elite Series – back safely in the UK. How did it come about? SWAPP was originally developed to meet the accreditation needs of Transport for Wales. But we used a new problem (COVID) as a catalyst to not just solve new issues but fix old ones, too. SWAPP then caught the attention of the WRU. So we developed it to meet the demands of sport during the pandemic. It was adopted to safely bring us the Autumn Internationals and the Six nations. Following its success, it was later adopted by Scarlets Rugby, Cardiff Rugby, Sale Sharks, and the Elite Ice Hockey League. Today it helps stadiums including Principality Stadium, the Arms Park and Parc Y Scarlets to safely manage staff, teams, contractors, and visitors. It’s also recently been adopted by Andrew Scott. “We used the Covid pandemic as a chance to not just tackle new problems, but solve old ones, too,” says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “What started as product for a public sector client quickly became an essential tool for changing workforces. And we’ve continuously updated features to stay one step ahead.” New features and updates for SWAPP include contract management, track and trace, snagging, and risk assessments to make workplaces safer and more efficient. Promoting digital knowledge transfer (which is more important now than ever before), SWAPP is now one of the most prominent safety apps used in Welsh sport and business. It will also soon be rolled out at every train station in Wales, too! Got a business, venue, or team who could benefit from SWAPP? Click here to drop us a line.    

Vindico has made the prestigious Small Biz 100 line-up, which showcases inspiring, independent businesses from across the country. Now in its ninth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday celebrates small business success. It encourages us to ‘shop local’ and support businesses in our communities – especially as we navigate the pandemic. Vindico will be highlighted on social media on 4 December 2021 as part of the 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday UK. “It’s been a challenging time for small businesses everywhere, and we’ve all had to work smarter and harder to make it through,” says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “For us, making the Small Biz 100 line up is recognition that we are on the right path and are set up ready for the next stage of our growth and development. “It’s about more than just our story though, this is an opportunity to learn from and collaborate with 99 other fantastic small businesses in the UK – and that’s something that excites us massively!” This year, ahead of the UN Climate Summit COP26 in Glasgow, the Small Biz 100 features small firms with a passion for sustainability, to demonstrate the important part small businesses play in tackling climate change and helping the UK to achieve net zero. And our self-funded Think Air project is helping businesses and individuals to do just that.  It’s on track to being the UK’s largest live background air quality monitoring network – and it’s changing the way that schools, businesses, and the agricultural sector approach – and manage – activities related to air pollution. With a pledge to go net zero, Think Air is helping to raise awareness of air pollution and encourage positive behaviour change for better – more sustainable – outcomes. “Throughout the crisis we have been reminded of the special role that small firms play in local areas, looking after their customers, communities and the planet,” says Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK. “We are excited to be kicking off this year’s campaign to show our thanks to amazing small businesses like Vindico. As firms recover from the challenges of the pandemic we are calling upon everyone to get behind the campaign to make it our most impactful Small Business Saturday yet.” A grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, Small Business Saturday was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010. It remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK, as part of its ongoing championing the UK high street and commitment to encourage consumers to shop small. On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Many small businesses take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions. Small Business Saturday attracts huge attention on the day itself, with an impact that last all year. Last year the campaign trended at number one in the UK on Twitter, with the Prime Minister, leader of the opposition and the Mayor of London among those publicly supporting the campaign. Over 90% of local councils also supported the campaign. Click here to get involved in Small Business Saturday

Think Air has officially launched – and we’d like to thank everyone who tuned in to support this virtual event.   This week saw Think Air officially launch – with hundreds of climate-conscious businesses tuning in to find out how they can make a difference to air quality in the UK.   The Welsh air quality sensor network – which has already been piloted at several locations, has had the thumbs-up from Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and has been shortlisted for a national Small Award – is now rolling out to organisations, local authorities, research projects, and schools across the UK.   Hosted by Barry Kirby of K Sharp, the launch featured conversations with experts including:   Professor Paul Lewis – Head of R&D at Think Air and Professor Emeritus at Swansea University   Jo Polson – Award-Winning Tech Entrepreneur and MD of Think Air   Catherine Lloyd-Jenkins – Former Head Teacher, and Education Consultant to TASK   Sam Lewis – R&D at Think Air, and Swansea University PHD Student   Robin Cammish – Entrepreneur and Chairman of Think Air   The insightful one-hour virtual launch also highlighted the health, wellbeing, and environmental risks of air pollution – particularly PM2.5, PM10 and CO2 – as well as the benefits of real-time monitoring. Professor Paul Lewis also presented new and unique data and insights about air quality in Wales.   Of course, the focus always returned to the solutions – the three Think Air products being launched: Internal Air Quality Monitors, External Air Quality Monitors, and TASK (Think Air Schools Kit). The latter of which has been specially created with former head teacher Catherine Lloyd-Jenkins to fit seamlessly with the current national curriculum for Key Stage 2. It has also been developed to fill the STEM void in the current Welsh curriculum.   We’d like to, once again, thank everyone who joined us online for the Think Air launch event.   All three Think Air products are now available via the Think Air online store. You can also speak to one of the team to find out more about Think Air – and how it can help your business, organisation, or school – by clicking

Think Air will launch on 22nd June 2021 at Parc Y Scarlets with a FREE virtual event. Think Air has had quite the year so far. It now powers the largest non-governmental external Air Quality network in the UK. It’s also transforming public and private sector workplaces by internally monitoring CO2 for optimum health, wellbeing and performance. It made the shortlist at this year’s national Small Awards, and it was also presented to Prime Minister Boris Johnson at No 10 Downing Street.   Now – after a whirlwind 2021 so far – Think Air is officially launching – and we’re inviting forward-thinking organisation, individuals, and school who care about climate change to be the first to see why we need to think air.   Air pollution is a major concern in the UK – and this virtual event will reveal how the air around us is key to driving better outcomes – for businesses, stakeholders, schools, communities, and the next generation.   This free virtual launch event – which takes place on 22nd June 2021 – will give you an insight into: Air quality in the UK – and why it’s never been so important The benefits of external air quality monitoring (PM2.5 and particulate matter) Internal air quality monitoring (and the impact of CO2 on health and wellbeing) Think Air for Schools (TASK) and its seamless integration into the national curriculum (Key Stage 2)   You’ll also learn: What air quality monitoring can do for your business, your targets, your productivity, and your community How low-cost local monitors can help organisations drive measured improvement Why it’s crucial that we measure PM2.5 – and the need for background monitoring How it impacts the next generation – and what you can do to become a champion for change There will also be a live Q&A, where you’ll be encouraged to send questions in advance for: Professor Paul Lewis – Head of R&D at Think Air and Professor Emeritus at Swansea University Ryan Griffiths – Technical Director of Think Air Jo Polson – Award-Winning Tech Entrepreneur and MD of Think Air Catherine Lloyd-Jenkins – Former Head Teacher, and Education Consultant to TASK   We all have a responsibility to create a better future and now you’re invited to join other environmentally conscious organisations and see how you can play your part, too. Click here to get your

This week marked the first Cross-Party group session for the Clean Air Act under the new parliament – and Paul Lewis was there to lend his advice. The Clean Air Act Cross-Party Group was formed in January 2019 to deliver a Clean Air Act for Wales. Originally chaired by Dr Dai Lloyd MS, the membership included Members of Senedd (MS) across major political parties, Professor Paul Lewis (representing Swansea University), and representatives from non-governmental organisations. These include British Lung Foundation, Sustans Cymru, Friends of the Earth, Living Streets, British Heart Foundation Cymru, Royal College of Physicians and Renewables UK Cymru. More than just a meeting, these groups provide an important opportunity to bring academia, the public sector, and commercial enterprises together to find tangible solutions. “Cross-Party Groups provide an opportunity for Members of Senedd to engage with external stakeholders on a particular subject,” explains Vindico Head of R&D, Paul Lewis. “Given the major and growing concerns about air pollution in Wales there was an obvious need for politicians and experts to engage on a regular basis to help deliver and change and improved legislation.” Meetings are held quarterly. The Clean Air Act for Wales sessions usually involve a presentation from an expert on air pollution, followed by important discussions on strategies for clean air zones in Wales, transport improvements, and awareness campaigns. Following the 2021 Welsh Parliament elections, the group was reformed with a new chair, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, who now leads the group to debate the needs of the Clean Air Act – and how air pollution continues to impact on the health and wellbeing of people in Wales, and its biodiversity. The first meeting of the reformed group took place on 9th June 2021, and Vindico’s Head of R&D, Paul Lewis, was there to advise on air pollution patterns in Wales, and the impacts of pollutants – such as fine particulates – on health and wellbeing. “The Cross-Party Group – A Clean Air Act for Wales – through its members – have played a significant role in discussing air pollution problems in Wales, and what the requirements should be for new legislation,” says Paul. “Following the introduction of the Clean Air Act White Paper in January, the group now has a critical role in ensuring that the Act is delivered as soon as possible by the new Welsh Parliament. “The group will strive to ensure that Members of Senedd and Ministers are kept informed of new evidence on how air pollution impacts lives through continued engagement with experts until at least the Clean Air Act is delivered.”   And leading the way for the essential data needed to shape these decisions is Think Air. The largest non-government urban and rural background particulate monitoring network in the UK, Think Air is now live across over 100 locations in England and Wales. It officially launches on 22nd June 2021. Click here to find out more.    

Vindico Managing Director Jo and Technical Director Ryan were at Downing Street on Friday to help Boris Johnson launch the new ‘Together for Our Planet’ campaign. The event at No 10 Downing Street launched the nationwide campaign that will roll out across the UK in the run up to the UN Climate Summit in October. With the aim of encouraging small businesses to commit to cutting their carbon emissions, the campaign celebrates small businesses – like us at Vindico – who are taking steps to decarbonise their businesses. Only eight small businesses from across the UK were in attendance, and we were over-the-moon to be chosen as a UK Business Climate Leader for our leading air quality monitoring and measuring network, Think Air. Officially launching on 22nd June 2021, our Think Air network is already gathering live data across Wales and England. It’s also the largest non-governmental particulate monitoring and measuring network in the UK. Following months of research and development, we used Friday’s event to unveil our latest Think Air product: “TASK” (which stands for ‘Think Air Schools Kit’). We developed the latest product alongside head teachers – so it sits in line with the current Welsh and English curriculums. And it’s been specially designed to get children aged 9 to 11 building, coding, and measuring the air quality around them – at school, at home, and on the daily commute. Who was the first person outside of Vindico to get their hands on TASK? Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, of course. The PM not only built the product, but also praised Vindico’s vision and commitment to the next generation. “I’m not just a business owner, I’m a parent as well. And I, like many parents, want a better, more sustainable world for my children,” said MD Jo. “It’s our job to make sure that children have the tools and knowledge to deal with the challenges ahead. TASK delivers this in a practical and fun way, while learning about the importance of sustainability. “Sustainability spreads – and we’re lucky that we get to work with some of the UK’s most carbon-conscious clients. But now’s the time to help spread the message to the next generation. “Being a part of the Together for Our Planet campaign, and being able to present at Downing Street, has been a huge opportunity for us as a small business. By committing to Net Zero, we’re just trying to do our bit, and to be recognised for our carbon-conscious efforts is incredible.”   Click here for more information about Think Air, TASK, and our official

Vindico’s SWAPP app and the WRU will be partnering once again to keep players, staff, and contractors safe.   Following successful Autumn International and Six Nations campaigns, the WRU are again turning to SWAPP to keep everyone safe during their upcoming Wales U20 Six Nations tournament.   SWAPP’s latest adoption by the WRU follows the EIHL’s successful Elite Series tournament at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.   It will also be the first to extend SWAPP’s track and trace capabilities beyond the stadium.   “This latest gig for SWAPP will see it being used by the WRU’s teams and staff at Principality Stadium, as well as the teams looking after players and staff at each of the six allocated hotels in the city,” explained Vindico MD, Jo Polson.   “This latest extension will not only keep everyone at the stadium, both and off the pitch, safe and compliant, but will also make sure that all staff at the hotels are safe to work and make contact with the tournament’s teams and staff.”   “Additions including accreditation standards, access zones, daily COVID testing, and outputting data direct to the NHS have all been added. SWAPP will continue to evolve to play its part in bringing events back safely, and we’re looking forward to the next challenge.”   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. Its latest features include accreditation standards, access zones, daily COVID testing, and the ability to output data directly to the NHS. A fire register, and a new look sign in/out book are among the latest app updates.   SWAPP is playing a valuable part in bringing sport back safely to stadiums and arenas across the UK. And as we gradually ease lockdown restrictions, we’re looking forward to seeing this valuable app continue to evolve.   Got a team, organisation, or venue that could benefit from SWAPP? Drop us a line to see how its tailored features can help you stay safe

We’re buzzing about Think Air’s new collaboration with UK honeybee experts, Thriving Hive.  Thriving Hive is a Coventry University project that will see scientists and beekeepers work together to help bees in the UK to thrive in their environment. Honeybees today face many threats to their environment – and air pollution could be a key contributor.   We don’t yet know how much air quality impacts our bees – but Think Air is about to help change this.   Up until now, air pollution has been the subject of little research, but our collaboration will help us top understand the direct effect of toxic air (especially fine particulate matter, or PM2.5) on honeybee health and productivity.   How?   Well, it’s not an easy task, but Think Air will be working with Thriving Hive to map particulate presence across the UK. The project will help us to monitor – and better understand – the impact of small particle air pollution on the honeybees, their hives, and their hive products.   60 beekeepers from various locations across the West Midlands will take part in the project. Each one will receive a Think Air sensor to record local air pollution. They’ll then work together with Thriving Hive’s team of scientists to analyse results and put measures in place that will help UK honeybees thrive.   We’ll be reporting back with the latest buzz on this project when it gets under way.   You can find out more about our cutting-edge Think Air sensor and software network here, or by dropping us a

How we’ve created a community of the right people, doing the right roles, to transform client ideas into remarkable, results-driven creations.   Innovation. Not a week goes by without the buzzword popping up somewhere. From LinkedIn posts to strategy meetings to the mainstream evening news, innovation is having more than it’s fifteen minutes.   But behind the most successful innovations is a remarkable team. A team that brings together the essential roles, responsibilities, and blue sky thinking an innovation needs to succeed.   And that’s exactly what our Think Purple approach achieves.   Because anyone can have an idea. It’s what you do with that idea that makes all the difference.   Innovation is about transforming ideas into concepts, concepts into prototypes, and prototypes into products that change the way businesses operate – for the better.   Here at Vindico, we call it: Thinking Purple.   It means asking better questions to deliver better outcomes. And it’s more than just a catchy slogan. It’s our ethos, our mission, it underpins everything we do, and it’s what our clients know and trust.   Our Think Purple approach doesn’t just apply to our clients – we use it to shape everything we do inside the Vindico brand, too – including selecting the right people, for the right roles.   An innovation dream team (or, as we call them, ‘Purple Vinjas’) is a key to our framework.   We’ve created an award-winning community of Wales’ finest creative thinkers, engineers, and technologists to deliver real innovation, at pace.   Innovation also means staying ahead of wider trends – and a shift to digital adoption has seen Vindico add three new web dev experts to our team in the last few weeks alone.   It’s this forward-thinking, agile approach that lets us continue to design – and implement – the technologies that transform inspiring scenarios client success stories like no other.   Because, amidst the creativity, innovation is ultimately about results – and our Purple Vinjas have a track record of working together to turn exciting topics into concrete, commercial results.   And we do it all while predicting – and continually innovating – solutions that help our clients to navigate the ever-changing tech landscape.   Today’s environment can be challenging, but innovation (there we go with that buzzword again) is key for succeeding in challenging times. And we’ve got the team who can help you implement the solutions you need to adapt, grow, and thrive in today’s changing environment.   Want to start turning your ideas into tangible results that will give your brand a competitive edge? Drop our Purple Vinjas a

A coroner has called for a change in the law after air pollution led to the death of nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah. Vindico’s Head of R&D, Professor Paul Lewis explains why this is the right decision. According to the BBC, the inquest found air pollution “made a material contribution” to her death, adding that there’s “no safe level of particulate matter”. And we couldn’t agree more. Ella is the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as the cause of death on their death certificate. And it’s a trend we could see escalate if we continue to produce – and breathe in – particulate matter (PM2.5) at our current levels. But the report is a new milestone in the drive to get the UK government to adopt the WHO recommendation of a PM2.5 annual limit value of 10ug/m3. It means that some areas of the UK could be in breach of legislation in the future, and legal action could be taken against governments – in a similar way to what we have seen for NO2 over the last few years. The major area of concern from this report though is that people don’t know where to find information on air pollution. The adverse impacts of air pollution on patients are also not being communicated properly by carers and healthcare providers. We know that this needs to change, and we’re actively promoting air quality measuring and awareness through our Think Air network. Think Air is 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 – particularly PM2.5 – 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

SWAPP Lite was originally developed for sporting arenas, but as society begins to open up – and small gatherings resume – there’s even more need for our track and trace technology.   Our SWAPP Lite app was originally developed for the for the Welsh Rugby Union back in 2020. It successfully allowed both the Autumn Internationals and the Six Nations Championship to go ahead at their home stadiums during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it’s helping venues of all sizes to do the same beyond sport. SWAPP Lite is already used at Principality Stadium, Manchester Motorpoint Arena, the Arms Park, and Parc Y Scarlets. And, as we gradually ease lockdown rules, the safety app is quickly becoming an asset for corporate venues, hospitality, and events. But how does SWAPP Lite work? SWAPP (Safe Workplace APP) is a bespoke version of a technology we created for Transport for Wales. It features a handy QR code scanner, valuable track and trace, and pre-registration features. It also monitors standards and accreditations to make sure that all members of staff and contractors are up-to-date and meet the current required guidelines. Our developers are continually enhancing SWAPP Lite’s safety features. Area Access Control, fire roll call, and a new in / out board dashboard are among the latest app updates. We – like you – are eagerly waiting for crowds and gathering to return. We also know that it’s important for venues to optimise revenue streams by reintroducing corporate events, conferences, and general venue hire that’s safe and compliant. Adopting SWAPP Lite means that – along with the venue itself – any businesses or organisations hiring the venue will also be able to benefit from its safety features. For venues – it’s an attractive selling point that will put organisers, and attendees at ease. For event organisers – it provides an added dimension of safety and offers a clear vision of who is on site, and who’s compliant. 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

Vindico have been chosen as a finalist for Britain’s best environmentally sustainable business. Our commitment to air quality in the UK through our self-funded Think Air network means we’ve been shortlisted for the UK’s best environmentally sustainable small business at this year’s Small Awards. Think Air is on track to being the largest live air quality sensor network in the UK. It’s already helping to gather the data and insights we need to raise awareness and understanding of air quality and Pm2.5 levels across the country. And it’s also supported by Welsh organisations including Scarlets Rugby, Cardiff Devils, Niche, and Zip World. “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,” Says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. Think Air’s success means that Vindico has been chosen as one of five finalists for the new ‘Net Hero’ Small Award, launched in the run-up to this November’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), to recognise small firms demonstrating exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability. Now in its fifth year, the Small Awards is a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. It’s organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK. With eleven unique categories, the Small Awards celebrate the dynamism of the UK’s small business sector, across everything from longstanding family businesses and innovation-led start-ups, to social enterprise champions. “After what has been a difficult year for the whole small business community, it has been inspirational to hear about phenomenal small businesses across the UK,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain. “The Small Awards exist to celebrate and champion the amazing contribution of fantastic small firms like Vindico. We received a record number of applications this year, with an incredibly high standard of entry, so all of the small businesses shortlisted should be rightly proud of this achievement.” Judged by a panel of leading enterprise experts, the winners of all award categories, along with the overall winner of Small Business of the Year, will be announced on 13th

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.

How much does your fashionable wood burning stove contribute to air particle pollution? The result of that ‘homely feel’ may surprise you, says Professor Paul Lewis.   Recent government data shows that domestic wood burning has become the single biggest source of small particle air pollution in the UK. Although trendy wood burning stoves are used by just 8% of the UK population, they produce three times more small particle air pollution than road traffic. Why is it such a big deal? Tiny particle pollution is harmful to our health as it can enter the bloodstream and negatively impact everything from our lungs to our eyes. The government isn’t planning a ban on wood burners just yet, but a ban on the retail sale of wet wood will come into force on 1st May 2021. Bags of house coal will also be banned from 1st May 2021. These changes are the first such restrictions since the clean air acts of the 1950s. A domestic wood burning stove can triple the level of harmful pollution inside the home. It also accounts for 38% of the pollution particles under 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5). Despite this, a new Government report reveals that the most common reason for using a wood burner is for aesthetic reasons. “Thanks to illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide stealing the headlines in recent times, most people think of traffic and industry when they think of air pollution,” says says our Head of R&D Paul Lewis. “But, most will be surprised to hear that wood burners cause more than three times as much PM2.5 than traffic across the UK. “The new report reveals that people burn wood at home mainly for aesthetic reasons, with little appreciation of how much they contribute to air pollution throughout their neighbourhood and beyond. “Governments are aware that banning wood burners is controversial so they’re actively looking at how new regulations on the type of wood burnt, such as dryer logs, can reduce PM2.5.”   4 key take-aways: The retail sale of wet wood and house coal will be banned from 1st May 2021 in the UK   Domestic wood burners produce three times more small particle air pollution than road traffic   Domestic wood burning can triple the level of harmful pollution inside the home   Wood burning stoves account for 38% of the pollution particles under 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5)   Although we seek that cosy look or hygge feel in the home, it can come at a price. So, if you’re lighting up that fire, make sure you’re thinking of the impact, using dry wood only and being a good neighbour. You can find out more about Think Air – our clean air initiative –

Having a digital presence has never been so important for charities and third sector organisations. Here’s how we’re helping. A charity, voluntary, or a community group’s website has never been so important – especially in these socially distanced times. Luckily, we know a thing or two about creating a digital presence for charities. And we’re continuing to use our tech savvy for good in 2021. Our Purple Vinjas are known for making all singing, all dancing websites with UX in mind. But we’re less known for donating our skills to causes and initiatives we support. That’s right, we at Vindico donate our skills to causes and initiatives we support. And we do this by increasing the digital presence of charities throughout the year – year in, year out. “It’s an important part of our ethos,” says Vindico MD, Jo. “We never turn down an opportunity to help someone if it’s possible. Our ability to support important causes has grown with our capabilities. What started as simple tech support for initiatives that we support has grown to full websites and even applications. Speaking of which, we’ve donated several websites to worthy charities, non-profits and causes over the years. Our most recent websites include Welsh Rugby Former Players Association, Burry Port RNLI, and volunteer group S.A.N. Our first donation of 2021 is a website for Your Black Dog – a Welsh non-profit that’s tackling mental health. “Your Black Dog is a wonderful example of a cause we’re particularly passionate about,” says Jo. “Mental health is a hot topic thanks to the sudden change, social isolation, unemployment, and general unrest that the COVID-19 Pandemic has brought. We as a team couldn’t be prouder to work with founders Marc and Andrew on this new project. “What’s cool about the team at Vindico is, not only do they take their time to get to know what you are trying to achieve, but they do so whilst investing their time getting to know you as a person too,” says Your Black Dog Co-Founder Andrew McCarthy. “They’ve been accessible virtually 24/7, really interested in what we are trying to achieve, and have become true partners in what we are going to deliver.” “There may be certain limitations in what we can offer,” adds Jo, “but we are always looking for the next worthwhile cause to support.” Do you have a worthwhile cause in need of better digital presence? We’d love to hear from you. You can drop us a line and tell us about your cause by emailing us at

A new report from the British Lung Foundation (BLF) and Asthma UK says that about six million people aged over 65 in England are at high risk of health issues such as lung damage and asthma attacks. The culprit? Toxic air. The report finds that older people, those with lung disease, and the most vulnerable to the effects of pollution are often the most exposed to toxic air. Air quality is an area that we’re particularly passionate here at Vindico. It’s also the reason why we created our Think Air initiative. Led by our Head of R&D, Paul Lewis, Think Air is helping to provide a more accurate picture of  background air pollution levels. This, in turn, helps make local air pollution-reducing initiatives more achievable. “This latest report on toxic air is further evidence of the impacts of particulates on the health of more vulnerable people in society,” says Paul Lewis. “It reinforces the need to revise PM2.5 limit values and targets as soon as possible. It’s alarming when you see the figures for care homes, GP practices, and hospitals. The potential exposure of the elderly and patients to PM2.5 levels above the limits recommended by the WHO is also alarming. “I echo Professor Alistair Lewis’ comments. The PM2.5 that we breathe might often come from many miles away. This is one reason why we can’t 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.” And that’s exactly what we’re hoping to achieve with Think Air. It’s already on track to being the largest live Air Quality sensor network in Wales. We’ve also started to expand to counties across the border in England, too. Think Air is changing the way we measure, monitor, raise awareness of air quality. It’s also driving positive change, which, in the wake of this new report exposing the impact of toxic air on our health, it’s more essential than ever.   You can find out more about Think Air and our commitment to better

The Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets join the Welsh Rugby Union by using our SWAPP Lite app for their upcoming home games. This follows the WRU’s successful rollout of SWAPP Lite. It’s been used at the Autumn Internationals at Parc Y Scarlets, and at this year’s Six Nations home games. You can find out how the WRU are using SWAPP Lite this Six Nations here. But back to the story. 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, contractors and the media. And SWAPP Lite will be helping the Cardiff Blues and Scarlets do just that. The safety app is a bespoke version of the original SWAPP app we created for Transport for Wales. It features a handy QR code scanner, valuable track and trace, and pre-registration features. It also has the ability to monitor standards and accreditations. This lets organisations make sure that all members of staff and contractors are up-to-date and meet current required guidelines. As our MD Jo puts it: “When we were developing SWAPP Lite with Welsh rugby in mind, it was important for us to not just focus on the new problems the pandemic has brought us. We also wanted to fix some old problems, too. “We’re actively using these new challenges as a catalyst for positive change. We’re delivering something that will continue to add value, even once restrictions are lifted.” In true #ThinkPurple fashion, we’re always thinking ahead. Additional features and enhancements are already being added to SWAPP Lite. “We’ve recently added a fire register and have replaced the sign in/out book,” says Jo. “This provides the venue with simple contact management for staff and contractors, all while ensuring a safer working environment that’s fit for today’s challenges. “It creates a fantastic platform for further development, integration and utility. It’s also making the most of the changing state that we’ve all been forced to adopt. “When life gives us lemons, we make some pretty cool lemonade!” Want to turn lemons into lemonade? Or – in this instance – help your organisation adapt and navigate these changing times? Drop us a line to find out how SWAPP Lit can help you and your workplace operate smoothly and safely both during and after

Following a successful rollout at the Autumn Internationals, the Welsh Rugby Union are using our SWAPP Lite app to keep their teams and staff safe during this year’s Six Nations. SWAPP Lite (which stands for Safe Workplace APPlication) is a unique app. It’s been developed to meet the strict COVID-19 safety guidelines of both the WRU and the Welsh Government. How? Well, SWAPP Lite allows the WRU to track and trace at home games. The app also has an added permit module that allows teams, staff, broadcasters, and contractors to register in advance. This lets them confirm that they’re safe to attend each event. This is the second time the WRU will be using SWAPP Lite. It follows a successful performance during the Autumn Internationals at Parc Y scarlets. Read more about the initial rollout here. “With people travelling from all over the country to make the Six Nations happen, the Welsh Rugby Union’s focus is to deliver the best possible event with the safest possible working environment. And that’s why they came to us,”  says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “It’s brilliant to continue our work with the WRU and build on what we delivered for the Autumn Internationals at Parc y Scarlets. “Even with games being played behind closed doors, there is still a huge responsibility to keep teams, staff, contractors, and broadcasters safe. “Bringing SWAPP Lite to the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park means we yet again get to help sport take place safely in Wales. “There is definitely more to come from our SWAPP Lite app in the coming months. We have created a really simple tool with huge scope that can just as easily be used to help our kids get back to school – something I know my Wife would like very much!” And the WRU aren’t the only sports organisation rolling out the SWAPP Lite app. Following the recent success of the app, both the Llanelli Scarlets and Cardiff Blues will adopt the SWAPP Lite app for their home games at Parc Y Scarlets and the Arms Park. But how did it come about? Good question. Swapp Lite is a bespoke version of our SWAPP app, which was originally created for Transport For Wales. The app is tailored to each unique scenario to provide a safe way to control access to venues and workplaces. Aside from a handy QR code scanner, valuable track and trace, and pre-registration features, the app also monitors standards and accreditations. This, in turn, makes sure that all members of staff are up-to-date and meet current required guidelines. Could your team, organisation or workplace benefit from SWAPP Lite? To find out more about SWAPP – and how it can help your business or event meet the latest Government or industry safety criteria – drop us a

A large UK study has linked air pollution to eye health – and a higher risk of irreversible sight loss. Yes, you read that right. The study shows that even small rises in pollution can increase the risk of irreversible sight loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We already know that poor air quality has a negative impact on almost every organ in the body. But this study is the first to dive into the impact of air pollution on eye health. As our head of R&D – and professor emeritus – Paul Lewis puts it: “In terms of its impact on health, air pollution is traditionally associated with respiratory and heart conditions. It’s also known to shorten the life of some people with these conditions. “But this new study shows that air pollution – especially fine particles like PM2.5 – can impact our health and wellbeing in ways perhaps we as scientists wouldn’t have believed a few years ago.” The air pollution problem is real. Both the World Health Organisation and the UK Government tout air pollution as the largest environmental health risk we face today. Air pollution causes as many as 24,000 premature deaths each year in the UK. Poor air quality is also linked to heart and lung disease, low birth weight, and children’s lung development. There’s also increasing evidence to suggest that poor air quality also contributes to mental health issues and overall wellbeing. “The impact is not just physical,” says Paul. “There is growing evidence pointing to the negative effects of air pollution on our mental wellbeing. “This highlights the importance of having real data available everywhere. But this can only be achieved by having more low-cost air quality monitors across the country.” And this is what we’re hoping to achieve with Think Air. Our very own air quality sensor network is a literal breath of fresh air. It’s already live across many parts of Wales. It’s also on track to being the largest live air sensor network in the country. As evidence continues to reveal the negative impacts of air pollution on our health and wellbeing, Think Air has never been so important. You can find out more about Think Air and our commitment to better air

We’re excited to be collaborating with the Llanelli college that has played an important role in Vindico’s evolution. Coleg Sir Gar is the place where almost half of the Vindico team gained their skills as students or apprentices (including our brilliant, blue-sky-thinking Technical Director Ryan Griffiths). It’s also shaped some of the finest thinkers and innovators in Wales. Vindico’s latest project is a collaboration with both Coleg Sir Gar and the Agriculture Research Centre for Wales. The task? To build a bespoke software platform that collects and analyses sensor data on a multi-site project. The software will measure everything from the weather and soil moisture to leaf wetness and everything in between. It will provide a simple visualisation of complicated data in the field (literally!). It will also prompt the correct actions to take for optimal results, as well as logging these activities. The environment is an area that we’re particularly passionate about here at Vindico. In fact, this project ties in perfectly with our existing clean air initiative – Think Air. Keep your eyes peeled for a full case study on this exciting Welsh eco project. Click here  to find out more about our clean air sensor network – and how it can help your environmental impact

Vindico is kicking off 2021 with an exciting new digital project for Penderyn Distillery. It’s not the first time Vindico have partnered with Penderyn Distillery. We first worked with the famed Welsh whisky makers in 2016 – back when their tour bookings system was as aged as their bourbon. But thanks to some #ThinkPurple attitude, we worked with the hugely talented whisky-makers to digitise their distillery tours and vouchers. To date, this new system has raised almost £1m in revenue. The dreaded bookings diary is also finally gone! In fact, it’s been such a hit that, since going live, the new site and booking system has now been translated into Welsh, French, German and Chinese. But fast-forward to today, and we couldn’t be happier to work with Penderyn again. This time around, they’re putting the Penderyn e-commerce site in our hands. With UX (user experience) at the forefront, we’ll be combining the existing standalone site with our current digital platform to deliver a single, intuitive shopping cart experience to all visitors. Watch this space for a full case study. Cheers

This week, the Welsh Government released their Government’s Clean Air (Wales) Bill. But what exactly does it mean for you, your business, and your CSR? Our head of R&D – and Professor Emeritus of Swansea University – Paul Lewis sums it up. In a nutshell, the Clean Air (Wales) Bill shows a clear commitment by the Welsh Government to reduce the harm caused by exposure to air pollution. There are clear benefits not just to people’s health but also the environment. The key points to take away are: New powers for local authorities to implement Clean Air Zones or Low Emission Zones Some control to tackle fine particle air pollution from domestic burning New guidance for inter-sectoral workforces to tackle air pollution, and to protect the health and wellbeing of employees, while simultaneously delivering benefits for decarbonisation As Paul puts it: “At Vindico, we’ve had extensive dialogue with companies who already recognise the need to better protect the health and wellbeing of their workforce. “The new guidance and clarity will help those discussions enormously by answering the ‘why’s’, the ‘what’s’ and the ‘how’s’. It will also allow us to better tailor monitoring solutions for our clients.” Clean air is cause that we’re passionate about here at Vindico. To find out more about our Think Air initiative – and how it can help your business –

When Tai Ceredigion and Mid-Wales Housing Association merged to become Barcud, they knew they needed to get creative. The housing association was undergoing a complete brand transformation. And that called for a new website design that would set them apart. That’s where we came in. “We were looking for a company with innovative ideas,” says Barcud’s  Communications Officer, Janice Thomas “We needed a company who took all the different platforms into account. One who had the capacity to fulfil a very tight deadline, and who approached the project with a positive ‘can do’ attitude to problem solving.” They had us at “problem solving”, but it was up to us to prove that we could deliver. “Jo blew us away during the interview,” says Janice. “We over-ran on what we thought was a very generous time slot! “But he gave us ideas and possibilities and made us look at the project in a different way.” On to the project. In true Purple Vinja style, our Lead Creative, Kieran, worked closely with Barcud to understand what they wanted to achieve. He also used in-depth analytics from both current websites. These provided the concrete evidence we needed to inform key decisions throughout the entire website design process. Or, as Janice puts it: “Websites can be frightening things for muggles, but he put us at ease! “Kieran came up trumps. He worked with us, took our ideas on board, and provided justified reasoning behind why some things could, and could not, work. “In effect, Kieran had to work with two different organisations as the merger had not been completed. This meant juggling different ideas and priorities. But he dealt with it all in a professional, calm and diplomatic manner – even at the 11th hour, on a Sunday night, with a launch looming within hours!” The result? A new organisation with a clear, easy to navigate, fresh-looking website that sets Barcud apart from all other housing associations. “It’s different to all other housing association websites”, says Janice. “We’ve been praised for how easy it is to navigate, and how clean and sharp it looks. It’s everything we set out to achieve and we’re very happy with the outcome.” Could your website be performing better? Drop us a line to see how our #ThinkPurple approach can help you look at your site in a different way – for maximum

More than just lockdowns, Zoom meetings and face masks – 2020 was full of #ThinkPurple innovation for us at Vindico. 2020 was a tough year for so many businesses. We could never have imagined that COVID would impact on the corporate landscape in the way it has. But in times of change, innovation thrives. And #ThinkPurple innovation is what we do best. Our team of Purple Vinjas have quickly became the go-to problem-solvers for businesses looking to adapt and evolve – especially during challenging times. It’s no surprise then that we’ve been extra busy since COVID-19 hit. Here’s just a snapshot of what our #ThinkPurple innovation mavens accomplished in 2020: We created the new Llanelli Scarlets website – complete with bespoke game analysis software. We put Gaia Group UK’s smart distribution IOT idea through our incubator. The result is a product that helps over a dozen construction sites save over 50% diesel usage. We produced an online visualisation tool for the University of Wales Trinity St David. It assesses after-care programmes for cancer patients, and flags signs of depression and anxiety. We helped Techniquest adapt to the pandemic with the help of a Digital Outreach platform. This lets them deliver classes and experiments straight into classrooms during socially restricted times. We created SWAPP (Safe Workplace APPlication). Our very own sign in/out system with an accreditation and concern reporting tool optimises the safety of staff, contractors and visitors. It will be rolled out across Transport for Wales’ depots – and every train station in Wales – by 2021. We worked with the Welsh Rugby Union to develop SWAPP Lite. This tailored version of our original SWAPP app allowed the WRU to safely continue with their Autumn Internationals rugby tournament behind closed doors. We further developed our Think Air initiative. Our low-cost sensor and software platform not only raises awareness and understanding of air quality, but it’s also helping to drive behavioural change. It’s now on track to become the largest live air quality network in Wales. Read more about Think Air’s progress here. We also got Shortlisted for TWO business awards for our tech and innovation (or, as we like to call it, “Thinking Purple”) successes. We moved back home to Parc Y Scarlets. The Llanelli stadium our home from 2014 until 2018 – when we had to admit that we’d outgrown our office space. So, when we heard that larger office space was available, we jumped at the chance to return. It’s such a great location that we even persuaded our partners, K Sharp, to along with us. Read all about our move here. We also roped Paul Lewis – Vindico’s Head of R&D and Professor Emeritus at Swansea University – to join us full time. As for 2021? More Thinking Purple for us at Vindico, of

Paul may be joining us to head up R&D full time from January 2021, but he’s not fully cutting ties with academia just yet. The former Director of the Centre for Health and Environmental Management Research & Innovation will continue to be a spokesperson for Swansea University on the subject of (no points for guessing here) Air Quality. Paul has been heavily involved in research an innovation at the university since he became a professor at both the Medical School and School of Management in 2015. By 2017 Paul was Director of the Centre for Health and Environmental Management Research & Innovation (CHEMRI), which carries out research into how air pollution impacts on health and wellbeing.  Sound familiar?  It should do. This is what led to us collaborating on Think Air  – which is heavily influenced by Paul’s scientific interests and expertise. Paul’s role as spokesperson means he’ll continue to lend his expertise on air quality to press and publications – so you can expect to see and hear him across media outlets when the subject of air quality pops up. As well as this spokesperson role, Paul will also continue to sit on a number of Welsh Government panels and committees – where his expertise is helping to shape objectives, awareness and policies related to air quality. But back at Vindico, you can catch Paul’s signature work from January 2021. Got a project that needs Paul’s professional input in 2021? Drop us a line to see how we can take transform your next idea, concept or product into

Paul will head up R&D at Vindico on a full-time basis from January. Bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise, Paul – who became a Professor at both the Medical School and School of Management at Swansea University in 2015 – will be helping us kick off the New Year in true Think Purple fashion. This new role expands on Paul’s existing work with us – which involved lending his expertise to develop Think Air. In case you haven’t already heard by now, Think Air  is on track to becoming the largest live air quality network in Wales – and you can find out more about that here . But back to Professor Paul… Think Air was hugely influenced by the Paul’s specialist interest in air pollution – and its impact on our health and wellbeing. In fact, Paul is a Geneticist by degree, and carried out his PhD at Swansea University (which was a mixture of research into evolutionary Genetics, cancer genetics and molecular modelling). After his PhD, Paul began a career in genetic toxicology, modelling how nasty chemicals in cigarette smoke actually cause cancer by attaching to our genes and damaging them. I was also a martial arts instructor in the university and interested in the importance of lung health, breathing techniques and the whole concept of ‘good air’ required for peak performance. As Paul puts it: “My entire career since has mainly focused on studying the air that we breathe through respiratory health diagnostics, data analytics and technology development. I went on to work in the University of Wales College of Medicine as well as Cardiff University before returning to Swansea as a Lecturer in the new Medical School in 2004, where I led the Respiratory Diagnostics Group. “In 2015, I became a Professor at both the Medical School and School of Management. In 2017, I became the Director of the Centre for Health and Environmental Management Research & Innovation (CHEMRI) where we carry out research into how air pollution impacts on health and wellbeing.  “I first met Jo about two and a half years ago at the university’s Centre for Research Innovation and was blown away by Vindico’s whole philosophy. I was heavily involved in innovation at the university and had already spun out a diagnostic company as well as an air pollution technology company with my son, Sam, so was looking to partner with external companies. “I met with Ryan as well, there was an obvious synergy with what we were all doing, and real potential to develop sensor technologies and networks. “They ended up sponsoring Sam as a PhD student, developing new environmental sensors and Think Air was born. Vindico has provided a huge commitment in taking Think Air forward towards commercial success and after many happy years in academia I’m jumping ship to help them deliver it! “I’ll be heading up R&D, so I’ll be well in my comfort zone. We’re heading for a busy year developing the environmental management arm within the company so that will be my main focus. “I’ll also be bringing health technology IP into the company, and we’ll be looking at ways to further develop new healthcare management systems. “Aside from the technology development, my real interest is building the AI, data analytics and modelling capabilities within the company to provide new services and products. “What I love about Vindico though is the whole Think Purple approach to developing ideas and being able to literally visualise the pipeline from concepts to solutions – it’s very different to the slow slog of innovation from academia! Best of all though I get to work in Parc Y Scarlets. My boyhood dream was to play for the Scarlets and now I can go and play there every day!” Speaking of Paul joining the team, Vindico MD Jo Polson added:  “We’ve worked with Paul for 2 years now and he’s been instrumental in the evolution of Think Air. “He’s brought in a level of expertise you almost can’t buy, and we are blessed to have him join our team officially and full time on January 1st, 2021. “It’s quite a coup! “But it’s not just in Air Quality, Paul brings an extra Secret Sauce of Statistical Analysis and R&D expertise to our Defence and visualisation work too. “He’s going to be a busy boy!” Keep your eyes peeled for some of Paul’s signature work from January 2021.   Got a project that needs Paul’s professional input? Drop us a line to see how we can take transform your next idea, concept or product into

Our partnership with K Sharp has come a long way since a chance meeting in Llanelli. We’ve collaborated on several high-profile projects, we’ve joined forces to carry out top secret work for the MoD, and now we’ve taken our (business) relationship to the next level by moving in together. But who exactly are K Sharp? And why are we so proud of our partnership? Here’s why they’re kind of a big deal. K Sharp is a Human Science Research and Human Factors consultancy founded by husband and wife team, Barry and Amanda Kirby. They’re all about understanding and optimising the relationship and interaction between people and technology. “We believe in bringing interesting people to work on fun projects,” says Barry. They’ve got experience in everything from Blue Sky Research (which explores what soldiers will look like in the future) through to the design of next-generation systems (including how can we control an armoured vehicle or a submarine), and also lend a cultural and behavioural understanding of cyber and social media, smart cities and wearable technologies. K Sharp works mostly in the defence industry, and their clients include Dstl, the MoD, BAE Systems, GD UK, and QinetiQ. Sound cool? It really is. Our first collaboration was the MoD’s UKDEf500 project. For Vindico, it’s been our first experience in the military domain, and for K Sharp it’s meant working with a similar mindset, but from dramatically different background. Our collaborations don’t end there. K Sharp continue to bring their expertise to a number of our projects. They’ve most recently lent their expertise to our SWAPP app – our very own safe workplace application that’s proven so successful that we recently rolled out a bespoke version on behalf of the WRU. So how exactly does Human Factors lend itself to design? Well, we’re all about our #ThinkPurple mantra here at Vindico. It means asking better questions to deliver the best outcomes, and Human Factors (HF) provides a vital human focus that helps us do just that. “It’s surprisingly easy to forget just who you’re designing your product or service for,” says Barry. “But HF methods allow you to step back, gain a common understanding of the problem space, and develop measurable requirements that keep the project focused on providing the best output for the end user.” And the benefits of HF don’t stop there. Focusing on what’s really needed leads to cheaper product development, less rework and, and most importantly, greater customer satisfaction. We continue to develop our partnership from our new joint home at Parc Y Scarlets , so expect to see even more collaborations led by HF methods over the coming months. But for now, we’ll be adopting those same tools to optimise our office space. You can find out more about K

We’ve officially moved into our new home at Parc Y Scarlets – and we couldn’t be more excited to be back. Our MD Jo has built a 20-year working relationship with the Scarlets – and we love them so much that we originally moved the Vindico HQ to Parc y Scarlets  back in 2014. We stayed until 2018, when we had to admit that we’d outgrown our office space. But we’ve now returned to the stadium. Our team has doubled since we left, so this time around we’ve filled a new, bigger workspace with even more tech talent and innovation experience. We’re also bringing our partners, K Sharp along with us. Speaking of the move, Scarlets COO Phil Morgan said: “Our relationship with Vindico MD Jo goes back to Stradey Park, before the game turned professional. He’ll be the first to say that, back then, it was held together with ‘yogurt pots and string’. “As Jo’s team grew, we benefitted from this accumulated skill and experience, and we like to think we also played an important part in the development of Vindico. “It was a symbiotic relationship that produced some wonderful innovation, and Vindico are still a crucial part of the delivery team here at Parc Y Scarlets. “We are delighted to welcome Vindico back to the Parc, and we have already begun planning even more innovations to work on together. We are equally delighted to welcome K Sharp, and it will be exciting to see what effect this Human Factors expertise can add to our already first-class development and processes. “Parc y Scarlets is at heart of the community within the region, so to bring in-house one of the leading tech innovation companies in Wales is a great fit for the Scarlets, while adding the potential of high-tech job roles to the area. In these challenging times it’s great to play a part in a local success story.” You can find out more about our 20-year partnership with the

This expansion means we’re on track to having the largest live air quality network in Wales! The next two weeks will see Think Air  expand its network across Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Newport, Caerphilly and Suffolk. No points for guessing the odd one out. No, Suffolk isn’t in Wales (or at least it wasn’t the last time we checked), but it’s an exceptional project (and a little bit special), so we’ll reveal the details in a separate blog post very soon. But back to Wales… These locations have been carefully selected to add to our urban/rural monitoring sensor web, which tracks particulates locally as they travel across Wales. Sounds technical, doesn’t it? And it is. In fact, it’s the only project in the UK to take on the challenge. It’s changing the way we understand – and measure – the impact at a local level. It’s also helping us recognise the factors that are out of our control – such as pollution blowing in from the South and East of England, as well as Northern Europe – and how we can better prepare for these circumstances. The latest expansion of Think Air will help provide a more accurate picture of background air pollution levels, which, in turn, helps make local pollution-reducing initiatives more achievable. You’ll be able to find out more about this in an upcoming white paper. But on to the expansion… “The engagement with local businesses who want to play their part in our project has totally blown us away,” says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “We are yet to speak to a single business who doesn’t want to help if they can.” Our latest locations include Llety Rafel Farm in Neath, which is home to Bee1 , who are dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of bees for our ecosystem. They work with schools and businesses across Wales, and they also happen to make the most fantastic honey we have ever tasted! They’re also a corporate partner of Niche , who will be providing us with our superb new Think Air location in Newport. The forward-thinking independent financial advisors are leading the way for corporate social responsibility in their field. They’ll also be helping us broadcast live Air Quality information direct to their digital billboard that faces the M4. Further West Mark Davies of Kanso Business will be providing us with the location and power to bring Think Air to Cross Inn near Laugharne in Carmarthenshire. These new locations mean we are on track to reaching our live air quality network targets, but we still have opportunities to partner with other forward-thinking business across Wales. Want to get involved? Click here to drop us a line to see how you can do business for good by being part of

Rugby is coming back to Wales, and we’re lending a helping tech hand in more ways than one. Live Welsh sport is creeping back onto our screens (hurray!). But even with games being played behind closed doors, there’s still a huge responsibility to keep staff, contractors and broadcasters safe. With people travelling from all over the country to make the Six Nations – and the Autumn Cup – possible, the Welsh Rugby Union’s focus is to deliver the best possible event with the safest possible working environment. That’s why they came to us. The WRU needed an app that would safely control access to the stadium, while tracking and tracing everyone signing in and out for each game. They’d seen a system being used by Tottenham Hotspur, but we knew we could do better. What happened next? On Friday 16th October, we presented our SWAPP app (link to: https://www.vindico.net/swapp/). They loved our unique innovation, but needed something that they could take on the road, and would be able to take on the wider challenges of the upcoming rugby internationals. The solution? SWAPP Lite. A version of our original SWAPP app that features an added permit module that allows the teams, staff and contractors to register in advance – and confirm that they’re safe to attend. By Monday 19th October (no, we don’t mess around!), we’d agreed the user journeys and visuals. But this entire new system had to be good to go that Friday. What did that mean? Coffee. Lots of coffee. With such a tight turnaround, there was no room for error – and we had to get it right first time. Nothing could get in our way – not even a fire that broke out in our Lead Developer Claudia’s building. Really? Yes, Really. But, ever the professional, Claudia calmly took her laptop outside and continued to work out in the street until 10pm that night. Yes, that’s the level of commitment we have here at Vindico, and YES we’re so lucky to have her. That Friday, we delivered the final product to the WRU – and they loved it! It went live that weekend to broadcasters, press and contractors, and it’ll be used to help keep everyone safe at over 20 of the WRU’s events and match days over the next six weeks. And that’s not the only Vindico innovation helping to make tomorrow’s Wales v Scotland game a reality. Aside from using our new SWAPP Lite app, tomorrow’s six nations game at Parc Y Scarlets will also be using Vindishow for all the big screen content. There’ll be five of our team on site to make sure the broadcaster feeds and in-game animations run smoothly. The biggest challenge will be stopping our Scottish MD, Jo, from hitting the “try” button every time Scotland get close. To find out more about SWAPP – and how it can help your business or event meet the latest Government or industry safety criteria – drop us a

Business partnerships that last 20+ years are rare – especially in the fast-paced world of tech. But it’s precisely these types of working relationships that we’ve become known for. Just ask our clients. Our unique #ThinkPurple approach (in case you missed it: that means asking better questions to deliver better outcomes) means we continue to work with our clients year after year – and the Llanelli Scarlets is a prime example. We’ve been working with the rugby team since 1999 (back in the days when they were known as Llanelli RFC). By 2001 we lent our tech expertise to every match day at the old Stradey Park. When the team moved to the newly constructed Parc Y Scarlets  in 2008, we were the people behind the design, build and management of the stadium’s entire tech infrastructure. It was this project that led to the development – and continuous evolution of – our Vindishow system, which is used to control every digital screen within the stadium including the large pitch side screen. You can find out more about how we continue to enhance match days here. We loved our partnership with the Scarlets so much that we even moved our offices to Parc Y Scarlets in 2014 – and we stayed until we’d outgrown the space in 2018. By 2019 we’d also taken on the Scarlets website  – creating bespoke game analysis plug ins and helping them skyrocketing their online footprint. Today, we continue to take care of almost all tech solutions for the Scarlets. We’re so proud of the partnership we’ve built – and the work we continue to do – that we’ve also been the West Stand sponsor for the last three years. Those words “West is Best” mean more to us than just branding – It’s with tons of pride that we continue to sponsor that stand – and we’ll keep doing so for as long as we can. But what’s next? Well, as 2020 draws to a close, we’re already looking ahead to 2021 – and we’re planning to move back home. Yes, that’s right. Vindico will be returning to PYS. Our team has doubled since we left – but we’ll be filling this new (larger) workspace with even more tech talent and innovation experience. Want to start building a partnership that stands the test of time? Click here to find out more about our #ThinkPurple ethos – and how it can transform your business for years

Vindico’s Think Air project has started to roll out more than 50 Air Quality Sensors across Wales. In fact, in the coming months we’ll have the largest live Air Quality Sensor Network in the country. It’s a project we’re really proud of, and it’s helping us drive positive change like never before. But let’s rewind. What is Think Air? Good question. We created Think Air with one simple mission in mind: to make the latest technology in air quality accessible, affordable and easy to understand. Why? Well, you see, air pollution is responsible for approximately 24,000 premature deaths every year in the UK. What’s more – poor health as a result of air pollution costs the NHS up to £20 billion a year. £20 billion? Yes, really. £20 billion. But there was a problem. Traditional sensors are very expensive – not to mention being highly limited. What does that mean? It means that most of our nation’s air quality has been modelled using only a handfuls of sensors. That is until now. Think Air is changing the way we measure, monitor, raise awareness of air quality. It’s also driving  positive change across Wales. “It’s been a labour of love of two years!” says says Vindico MD, Jo Polson. “Understanding the issues and changing behaviour starts with accurate measurement. “But more than that, the data needs to be accessible, affordable and easy to understand. “We’ve spent two years developing the unique sensors and software platform behind Think Air, and we’re now on track to having the largest live air quality network in Wales by the end of 2020.” How is Think Air funded? Glad you asked. Proceeds from every Vindico project go towards funding the development of Think Air throughout Wales. “We couldn’t have come this far without the support of our clients who have all contributed to Think Air through their contracted projects with Vindico. “As a great example, proceeds from the new Scarlets Rugby website will go towards sensors and raising awareness in their region and beyond.” Click here to find out more about Think Air – and how it’s driving change for good

This air pollution awareness campaign focuses on an area that’s close to home for us at Vindico. Here’s why…    Air quality. It sounds like a topic that’s reserved for the smoggy cities of Central America, congested Asian capitals and the bushfire zones of Australia. But it impacts on us all here in Wales every single day. It sounds far-fetched, but the stats are real.  Clean Air Day (link) aims to raise our awareness of the harmful effects of pollution – and how air quality impacts on our everyday lives. As the developers behind Think Air , it’s a subject that’s close to home for us. You may be surprised to know that air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK each year.  It’s also responsible for as many as 24,000 premature deaths each year. In fact, both the World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Poor air quality causes heart and lung diseases, it’s linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development , and may even contribute to mental health issues and wellbeing. Our Think Air project is something we’re really proud of, and we love any opportunity to shout about it. Here’s how our MD, Jo Polson, sums it up: “This project has been a source of inspiration for us. “The more we learned about the effects of poor air quality, the more we knew we wanted to use our skills to promote understanding and drive change. “We were tasked with making the latest air quality technology accessible, affordable and easy to understand, so we’ve spent two years developing the unique sensors and software platform behind Think Air.  “We’re now on track to having the largest live air quality network in Wales by the end of 2020 – so raising awareness of this topic is a breath of fresh air for us.” Want to hear more about our innovative air quality sensors – and how they’re leading the way in Wales? Listen to our MD Jo Polson and Professor Paul Lewis reveal how air quality impacts on human performance on this week’s episode of the 1202 – The Human Factors Podcast. Click here to listen Side note: There’s a great reason why the podcast is called 1202 – and it’s well

Our #ThinkPurple approach to tech and innovation has landed us on the shortlist for two awards this week. There’s never a dull moment in the tech industry – and this week’s been no exception. Not only have our Purple Vinjas been busy Vinja-ing away on some exciting (top secret, for now) projects, but we’ve kickstarted the week by making not one, but TWO award shortlists. First up – we’re excited to reveal that we’re finalists for Innovation Business of the Year at this year’s Cardiff Business Awards (link). As a business at the forefront of tech and innovation in Wales, we’ve always focused our efforts on being the best in our field. So much so, that it’s left us no room, until now, to shout about the national changes we’ve been driving – so this shortlist means a lot to us. It gives amazing recognition to the partnerships, projects and client collaborations we’ve been a part of – and we hope it will help us raise the profile of the exciting work we have in the pipeline, too. Click here to see our recent #ThinkPurple projects. The Cardiff Business Awards – which celebrates the Welsh Capitals’ best businesses – takes place virtually this year on Friday 13th November (yes, Friday the 13th – we thought the same). And as if that’s not exciting enough, we’re also finalists at this year’s Business Evolution Awards (link). This event recognises and celebrates the best and newest business thinking and practice from across the world – and it’s for businesses and organisations who are delivering remarkable results. The awards presentation takes place online on Wednesday 14th October 2020 as part of the Zokit Biz

Our MD Jo Polson talks air quality, pollution, and its impact on human performance. It’s one of our favourite subjects here at Vindico, so we jumped at the chance to talk about air. Yes, really! It’s an area that we’re  incredibly passionate about. We developed Think Air (link) – our own low-cost sensors and software platform – to raise awareness and understanding of air quality, and drive behavioural change. In fact, by the end of 2020 Think Air will be the largest live air quality network in Wales – and the largest in the UK by 2021. You can find out all about it – and why clean air is important for our health, our wellbeing, and our day-to-day performance over on the podcast. Click here to listen Side note: There’s a great reason why the podcast is called 1202 – and it’s well

We have begun installing more than 50 Air Quality Sensors across Wales, and in the coming months we will have the largest live Air Quality Sensor Network in the country. Think Air has been labour of love for more than 2 years, not to mention the blood, sweat and tears along the way! We couldn’t have come this far without the support of our clients who have all contributed by contracting various services to Vindico. As a great example proceeds from the new Scarlets Rugby website will go towards sensors and raising awareness in their region and beyond. Understanding the issues and changing behaviour must start with accurate measurement. That data must be accessible, affordable and and simple to understand. Sneak peak at our app and dashboards

We are humbled and delighted to play a tiny part in bringing rugby back to Scarlets Our Temperature Screening cameras are set up on entry, NOW BRING ON

We are delighted and proud to have completed this project with University of Wales Trinity Saint David as part of a KESS-funded PhD studentship in partnership with Tenovus Cancer Care. We’ve created an interactive platform to help manage data on the success of cancer support services/initiatives offered by Tenovus Cancer Care and added simplification and visualisation to reports and dashboards to identify flags for anxiety and depression. “KESS-funded PhD studentships have a strong focus on building partnerships with industry and local companies, so the opportunity to engage with Vindico on this project has added an extra element of collaborative innovation which we hope we can continue to build on in further work” Dr Ceri Phelps, Academic Director: Psychology and Counselling It’s wonderful to be able to deliver a piece of work like this, so a huge thank you to Dr Ceri Phelps and UWTSD for bringing this opportunity to

This week we installed our Data capturing WiFi in Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Grill Swansea ahead of their launch today, integrating live with their marketing team and MailChimp to deliver exclusive content and offers to their customers. We were lucky enough to sample the food ahead of time and it’s simply amazing! We highly recommend the polenta… We often forget to push our WiFi offering as we’ve had it so long but a quick check today has shown we have captured more than 250,000 email addresses in this area alone. Get in touch if you’d like to know

We miss hockey…. But loved the opportunity to talk about our air quality project Think Air!

Humbled to be doing our small bit to help out. We have been working today to provide the managed Tech infrastructure for the NHS kit and WiFi at Parc y Scarlets. To see what has been accomplished in such a short space of time is incredible, we tip our hats to all involved. Stay safe everyone, hope we don’t need places like these but very glad we

Delighted to entertain a delegation of Chinese officials today to discuss the challenges of Air Pollution and what we are doing here in Wales to bring low cost accurate sensor data to the masses. It was incredible to hear exactly the same stories, the trip to school, the car idling issue, the complication of understanding the data, just on a much larger scale. I’ve always been of the opinion that if you can make something work in Wales you can make it work anywhere, we are like a wonderful biodome of innovation, and our Chinese friends were in agreement. We have more announcements coming in the next few weeks as we are starting to gain significant ground in this sector. Exciting

This is such an exciting project to be involved in, we are going to have lots of fun working with the team headed up by Lesley Kirkpatrick at Techniquest and I’m sure we will deliver a significant positive impact in the months to come. My inner geek screams for joy on this one 🙂

Our children are the most important to us, and we’d do anything to keep them safe. The impact of pollution not only depends on how it’s emitted, how dangerous it is, but it also depends on where it’s emitted, how long it stays in the atmosphere and finally where it ends up and who is it exposed too.` 5.4 million people in the UK have Asthma, 1.1 million of those are children, and with more and more construction sites popping up all over our towns and cities, it’s getting a lot harder to protect our little ones. We are learning more and more every day and moving from just measuring to awareness and understanding. The Action will be the most difficult yet crucial stage. We’ve partenered up with Gaia Group UK to deliver a project that fits firmly into the action phase in the construction sector. The reductions will be both pollution and costs 😉 More news to follow very

Great quote from Jonathan Edwards MP on our Think Air launch. Jonathan Edwards MP said, “I was delighted to be invited to attend Ysgol y Bedol for the launch of the ‘Think Air’ initiative in raising awareness of air quality through user-friendly technology. “I was grateful to meet with Jo Polson, the co-founder of Vindico and a local constituent, who has developed this idea with his colleague Ryan Griffiths and Professor Paul Lewis of Swansea University who is also an adviser to the Welsh Government on Air Quality. “I witnessed the fantastic learning opportunities for the children who were present, to better understand the science and importance of clean air, and, interact with innovative digital technology “It appears this initiative has incredible potential for both businesses and the wider public.” Well said 🙂 If you’d like to know more get in touch, it’s an exciting area and we think we are doing great

Delighted to be here at Ysgol y Bedol as we launch our Air Quality Sensor network here in the Amman Valley. Rob is teaching the children on the effects of air quality while sharing live sensor data from here and other sites across Wales. It’s doing to to be a fun day, expect more posts soon!! A huge thank you to Vindico Aspire2Be and Wawr to make

Nice to see Jonathan Edwards MP supporting our launch in Ysgol Y Bedol. Kids having fun too it’s great to see the appetite for learning more about air