Case studies

Read about some of the success stories of the Welsh software and IT services sector, and get an in depth understanding of the kind of benefits companies in the sector have received from their location in Wales and their relationship with the WDA.

Academic

University of Glamorgan, School of Computing - a lesson in excellence

The University of Glamorgan, School of Computing is a highly respected centre of applied research, with particular competences in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), information security and computer forensics. With an international reputation, the School’s experts are called up to provide specialist expertise the world over and consequently it has become a magnet for talented students.

Welsh e-Science Centre at Cardiff University - unlocking the Grid

The Welsh e-Science Centre (WeSC) is pioneering some of the most advanced computing technology in the world today. Based at Cardiff University’s School of Computer Science, WeSC has become a centre for the development of The Grid - a powerful computing and communications infrastructure set to replace the Internet that enables the sharing of raw computing power and resources, including data, instruments, sensors and visualization platforms. Since its formation four years ago, WeSC has attracted a growing band of experts who regularly collaborate with other universities and business partners around the globe.

Business Management

Accountis - a secure future for Internet transactions

Accountis provides flexible document exchange and electronic payments software, and its prestigious customer list includes: Goodyear Dunlop, ICICI Bank and  T-Mobile.  Accountis’ software allows companies to exchange financial documents such as invoices, purchase orders and payment instructions securely.  Exploiting European legislative changes has resulted in early success and Accountis is on course to double its turnover in 2005.

Process management software

Discover e-Solutions - discovering the way forward for big business

After only two years, Cardiff-based Discover e-Solutions (DeSL) has cornered the niche market with its groundbreaking supply chain software. A young company with big ambitions, DeSL has succesfully forged relationships with blue chip companies, including fashion giants Calvin Klein and Marks & Spencer.

Content management

Avantis - sharing digital content in the internet age

Abercynon-based Avantis is a leading provider of innovative solutions to distribute digital content over local networks and the internet. It's products include the best-selling ContentCache product and are designed for the education, corporate and industrial markets. The company has a global reputation, with a network of distributers and partners in Europe and the United States, and also boasts alliances with leading software publishers including Microsoft.

ETL Solutions - profiting from its data transformation expertise

Blaenau Festiniog-based ETL Solutions (ETL) grew out of a management buy-out of Prism-technologies. ETL's sophisticated software and services enable global, blue-chip companies to transform and integrate complex data effectively. ETL's systems are profiting from the ever increasing demand for internet data exchange, particularely in the financial retail and utilities sectors. ETL's relationship with the WDA has been strong from the outset Indeed, the WDA's help was instrumental in establishing the company. Weathering recent tough trading conditions in the technology sector, ETL now has expansion in its sights and sees the WDA as integral to these plans.

Enterprise communications software 

Integral Mobile Data - streamlining business processes in a mobile world

Business expansion in 2004 saw dynamic mobile commerce software applications provider Integral Mobile Data (IMD) move to Wales.  With its strong team of consultants and software engineers, IMD designs software tools for rapid development and deployment of bespoke cost-effective mobile commerce solutions for a number of UK clients.  Support and investment from Finance Wales has helped IMD move to the next stage in its development.

Secure Trading - from a shaky start to a secure future

Secure Trading is one of the Welsh technology industry's great survivors. Developing software that makes buying online safe and easy, the Bangor-based company now boasts a committed workforce and a growing reputation, due in part to its close, long standing relationship with the WDA. Its account manager recognised the potential of the company and helped it find its feet after the dot.com crash in the late ninties.

SmartData UK - Developing global IT solutions from a high-tech regional base

Dynamic e-business software provider SmartData UK (SmartData) was established in Aberystwyth in 1999 and is a spin-out from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Connectivity delivery software

Epitiro Ltd - breaking the speed limits on the information super highway

In today's instant world both businesses and consumers have come to expect fast efficient service at the push of a button, and Cardiff-based software developer Epitiro is helping internet service providers (ISPs) to access up-to-the-minute service performance data. Leading players such as British Telecom, NTL and Tiscali take advantage of Epitiro's unique customer experience monitoring software, ISP-I.

Gamma Projects - network infrastructure management made simple

Leading supplier of telecommunications network infrastructure management software, Gamma Projects is headquartered in the UK and has offices in America and Asia Pacific.  Gamma Projects provides consultancy services and solutions to a number of blue-chip clients.  The company plans to grow the business by 10% this year and increase turnover to £5.2m.

CDSM Interactive Solutions - opening up a web of possibilities

Swansea-based CDSM Interactive Solutions (CDSM) is a leading provider of e-commerce and e-learning systems. Founded in 1998, the company has built a solid reputation for developing easy-to-use interactive solutions that help users make effective use of the internet and learn a range of skills. The WDA has provided extensive business support to CDSM, ranging from marketing advice to funding.

Certus IT - providing innovative IT services through local and global partnersips

Based at the Celtic springs business park in Newport, Certus IT offers an impressive range of managed IT support services to the SME and small corporate sectors. Partnerships are core to its success - it is currently working towards Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status; and extremely prestigious accolade awarded to the industry's best support providers.

FD Systems - comprehensive solutions, comprehensive growth

Fifth Dimension Systems (FD) provides management consultancy and software solutions to a range of blue-chip clients and specialises in providing comprehensive IT support to clients such as Lloyds of London and the Royal Academy of Music. The company has shown consistent year-on-year growth and has appeared in the Welsh 'Fast Growth 50' List for the last three years. FD is proud of its long standing relationship with the WDA.

Imaginet - embracing the challenge of the internet age

Offering its own web development software together with expert advice on effective web strategy, hosting and marketing, Imaginet is riding the internet wave with confidence. An established web service provider, it helps businesses to embrace the power of the internet.

Redbridge Management Services - round the clock network solution

Headquartered in Chepstow, Redbridge Management Services (Redbridge) offers a comprehensive range of end-to-end telecommunications services and solutions. Supplying both network management and equipment from world-renowned vendors such as Alcatel, RAD, Cisco and ATL, Redbridge provides round-the-clock service to its clients. The WDA is currently working on a series of long-term business plans with Redbridge.

Vertical Market Solutions

Comtec Europe - from Dads spare desk to the mother of all travel industry software

Comtec Europe is the market leader for in software for the travel industry. The company is enjoying a period of high growth and continues to expand by acquisition. It enjoys a beneficial relationship with its account manager, who has helped it achieve funding, and advised on the WDA's range of business support programmes.

Ferret Information Systems - ensuring fair play in a complex world

Ferret Information Systems (Ferret) is Europe’s largest providers of
market-leading computer systems designed to provide social rights.  With a client base that includes more than half of the UK’s Local Authorities, for the past 25 years, Ferret has developed systems for use in child support, welfare benefits, legal aid and renovation grants.  Headquartered in Cardiff with offices in London, Edinburgh and the Midlands, Ferret has formed strong links globally with academics and companies alike.

peterevans: a succesful niche player in a competitive industry

peterevans was set up in Cardiff in 1987 and has built a strong reputation for providing complex and secure IT solutions to the financial services sector. The company designs and maintains software that processes millions of pounds worth of stocks and shares every day on markets all around the world. It has offices in Cardiff and London and has received assistance from a number of WDA sponsored initiatives.

Rockfield Software - a high-tech model of success

A global business firmly rooted in Welsh academia, Rockfield Software (Rockfield) is now one of only six companies in the world that creates numerical modelling software. Headquartered in Wales and with offices in Australia and the USA, the company demonstrates the power of having Wales' flagship Technium programme behind it.

Source Software Limited - streamlining financial intermediaries’ access to financial services products

Source Software Limited (Source Software) is a leading provider of comparative quotation sourcing software to the mortgage, insurance and assurance markets. Currently one of Wales’ fastest growing companies, Source prides itself on its progressive employment practises. The company is currently expanding its Penarth headquarters to accommodate its recent extraordinary growth.