Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 40 | Page 5

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 5 /NEWS Excellent partnership as software innovators install new systems at hub BUSINESS BRIEFS HOUSE BUILD PLEDGE Hundreds of homes are set to be built thanks to a multi-million-pound housing project. Excelpoint managing director Ian Brown with Xcel Centre director Kerina Clark. N ewton Aycliffe firm Excelpoint has been working with Xcel Centre to transform their business processes by the use of software, developing powerful CRM and facilities resource booking systems. The Xcel Centre hosts some of the region’s leading events, from gala dinners for 500 guests, to launch presentations for 1,800 attendees. To support the centre’s ambitious growth plans and expansion into other revenue streams a software system was required, bespoke to their areas of expertise, but capable of adapting, which would enable them to offer a first-class service to their customers and support them in attracting new customers. Utilising a team of highly skilled software consultants, Excelpoint built a new software architecture that would deliver a flexible CRM and resource booking system to meet the needs of the Xcel Centre. The new software integrated the business processes and negated the need for significant retraining. It has provided the centre with an easy-to- use solution to assist in enforcing compliance with best practice and approved processes. It has also streamlined the centre’s administrative process and provided the management team with real-time visibility through a dashboard consisting of graphs, charts and transactions. The centre’s manager Kerina Clark said: T “We understood as a management team that our processes were inhibiting growth and producing inefficiencies across the centre. “We engaged with Excelpoint to help us to understand what we required. They got to know our business, mapping out our internal processes enabling them to configure their software to exactly meet the needs of our business. “We now have CRM and booking software implemented that enable us to offer our customers an efficient and first-class service. “We have realised significant cost-savings as we are working more efficiently, and it has enabled us to increase our productivity and bookings across our various services. “The flexibility and scalability of the software will enable it to grow with us as we continue to offer the region an excellent hospitality facility.” Excelpoint managing director Ian Brown added: “We offer a software system that can manage all business processes which include CRM and sales management, inventory control, manufacturing process, risk management, planning and resourcing, distribution and customer service, amongst others. “Our software can be configured to meet the needs of any business. Our philosophy is to make our software work for our customers, not expect our customers to change the way they work to match the software.” Council’s apprentice drive he region’s largest council is looking to recruit 66 apprentices to a wide range of posts, from entry to degree level. Durham County Council is advertising the vacancies to coincide with the launch of its Apprenticeship Strategy for 2019-22. Representatives from the council and the GMB and Unison trade unions were joined by current apprentices as they signed their commitment to the strategy, which outlines what the council wants to achieve as an employer and the positive action it will take over the next three years to increase the number and range of apprenticeships within the council. Leader of Durham County Council, Cllr Simon Henig, said: “Our apprenticeship programme is an integral part of our approach to address current and future skills needs. Apprenticeships help us to attract and retain the very best talent and to benefit from a skilled, motivated and flexible workforce. “We are committed to investing in the continued expansion and development of our apprenticeship programme. Through increasing the range and extent of apprenticeship opportunities, we can help to improve the skills base of our own workforce and across the county.” Vacancies for 66 apprenticeships, from entry to degree level, are currently being advertised at www.northeastjobs.org.uk. Posts are available in a range of occupations including business administration, ICT, financial management, civil engineering, highways, electrical, bricklaying and horticulture. Newton Aycliffe property developer Homes by Carlton, based at Parson’s Court on the business park, has announced it will work on three housing developments in Durham and Tees Valley during 2019. Homes by Carlton is now undertaking its latest housing development – Cathedral Gates, in Chilton, which will comprise of 14 spacious plots with a mix of three and four-bed detached and semi-detached homes. The project is part of a regional expansion programme creating luxury family homes. TEAM INEOS Team Sky have officially become Team Ineos to reflect their new sponsor, a chemicals firm which owns a huge site in Newton Aycliffe. Broadcaster Sky said in December it would end its decade-long commitment at the end of 2019, during which time the team Sky have won eight Grand Tours. Ineos is owned by Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who’s worth £21bn and had been in talks with Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford. Ineos became the sole owners of the team from May 1. NEW BOARD MEMBERS Destination management organisation Visit County Durham has made two new appointments to its board. Carol Woods, owner of Durham Cottages and Stephen King, commercial director of Go North East, join the existing 10 directors whose role it is to oversee its strategic direction and corporate management. Both new directors bring a wealth of experience and skills to the board, which will further enhance the strengths of its current members. AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS The business magazine for Aycliffe Business Park We’re now working on the 41st issue of Aycliffe Today Business, due out in July. Advertising is from £75, and half-page advertorial features from just £250 (including print and online). Booking deadline is 5pm on Friday June 21 – to get involved call 01325 728024 or email [email protected]