Business case studies
altcom
As a software and web development company, altcom are now experiencing the benefits from adopting flexible working.
Barlows Cycles
Bicycle shop that uses broadband for a website with online ordering and winner of 2005 Cornwall ICT Award for the most improved business through ICT.
Big Wednesday
Leading surf shop that has expanded its online business with the help of actnow accelerator funding of £8600 to develop a fully intergrated eCommerce website.
Bouncy Happy People
Internet based retail company selling the largest range of trampolines and play equipment in the UK, utilising a comprehensive e-commerce website.
Century Print
Penryn printers making the most of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology and flexible working practices to enable the business.
CFP Software
As the UK’s largest supplier of residential property management and lettings software CFP have used broadband to develop web enabled software giving them a competitive market edge. Winner of the 2006 Cornwall Business Award for best use of technology.
Chris Hankey
Chris is an artist based at Towednack, near Penzance who specialises in seascapes and landscapes. With help from actnow, he connected to broadband and subsequently commissioned a website with an online shop for his paintings.
Coodes Solicitors
With seven offices accross Cornwall and North Devon Coodes have found the introduction of flexible working has reaped benefits of increased efficiency and productivity, as well as improving the work life balance of staff.
Cornwall Vacuum Services
When their local broadband exchnage went live Cornwall Vacuum Services were located too far away to get broadband. actnow helped the company to research alternative technologies to ADSL broadband and the company are now benefiting from a wireless broadband service.
The Financial Advice Centre
This company has three offices in Cornwall using broadband enabled VPN to link them and operate a bespoke client management system.
Frame by Frame photographers
Set up last year Frame by Frame have made use of actnow funding for their first PC and are exploiting broadband to send digital photography to clients.
Isles of Scilly Flowers.com
Based at his family farm on St Mary’s, Francis Hoskin now uses broadband at the core of his ‘flowers by post’ enterprise.
Jenny Nightingale
Jenny, a freelance illustrator, uses email as her main form of communication with clients and her website to display her work. Communicating using broadband she can finish projects in half the time and keep on top of things when away from her home on the Isles of Scilly.
Ann Mountford
Registered childminder who has a computer with broadband internet access specifically for the children in her care
Netpack
Netpack is an eCommerce fulfilment house based at Long Rock in Penzance, which has evolved over the last five years from its origins in mail order fulfilment in the 80’s.
Preston Goldburn Solicitors (including video)
This law firm received IT advice from actnow to pioneer remote and flexible working for its employees through a Virtual Private Network facilitated by broadband.
Prophoto Imaging
As a commercial and editorial photography company, broadband has enabled Prophoto to develop a much larger client base by enabling large image files to be sent by email, providing the same service anywhere in the world.
RIG Systems
Provider of technical safety and rescue consultancy services who have been revolutionised by broadband, growing the company substantially.
SAS & Trewartha's Plumbing and Heating
Broadband technology has improved the operation of all areas of this business from training employees online, communication with customers, suppliers and sub-contractors, ordering products and remote networking.
Somar International
Award winning company providing innovative energy saving solutions for commerce and industry. actnow supported the development of a new website that now drives 60% of the company's business.
St Columb Financial Services
Financial services company that has introduced flexible working so they can expand without incurring the expense of larger premises
Sullivan Cuff Software Limited
Leading supplier of anticoagulation computer decision support software who actnow helped with grant support and advice to improve their business efficiency and develop their products further.
sugarvine.com
Broadband technology has improved the operation of all areas of this business from training employees online, communication with customers, suppliers and sub-contractors, ordering products and remote networking.
The Rosslyn Hotel
Broadband technology has assisted this hotel in being the first in Cornwall to offer internet access in each room and as a result boost trade in the winter time. Winner of 2005 Cornwall ICT Award for most innovative use of broadband.
Treasure Trails
Set up in 2005 by husband and wife team Steve and Teresa Ridd, just one year later they were winners of the Cornwall Tourism Award 2006 'Best Leisure Pursuit in Cornwall'.
