BUSINESS NEWS
COVER STORY:
THE RISE OF SOFTWARE TEST LABS
Software Test Labs is one of Swindon’ s fastest growing technology firms. Since it was established in 2013 the company has grown from a three-man business to now employing 72 staff in the UK alone.
COVER PHOTO
Success for Arif Shaik, managing director of Software Test Labs
The firm is the brainchild of Arif Shaik, originally from Andhra Pradesh, India. When Arif moved to the UK for a job opportunity, he arrived with just £ 10 in his pocket, fast forward 17 years and he is now the owner of a £ 1.78 million turnover business.
Before setting up Software Test Labs Arif worked as a User Acceptance Test Manager for multiple UK financial organisations, including Nationwide. During this time, he worked on numerous high profile successful projects and made some key insights.
He discovered that there was a significant difference between the initial requirements of a software project and what was finally delivered.
Based on this discovery Arif devised an innovative project test management model created around engaging the user community early in the project lifecycle and asking simple questions of the end-users of the IT system that would save companies millions of pounds in development costs. His Model A™ is the backbone of Software Test Labs.
Software Test Labs focuses on all industries as they believe that their models and services can be applied to any IT project, and they are finding key opportunities in the finance and private sectors.
Talking about why he believes Software Test Labs is finding success Arif said:“ Our people are our most valuable resource. You have to bring the right people into your organisation. Over the last three years we have experienced steady, all be it fast, organic growth through customer retention. Our clients always come first and as a company we go the extra mile.“
We are helping solve the IT skills shortage that is being experienced across Europe. The EU has estimated that by 2020 there will be 825,000 unfulfilled IT roles across Europe. There is currently only one source producing the numbers of qualified workers to fill that gap- India.
“ The challenge is to access these resources effectively to deliver excellence given the well documented issues surrounding off-shoring IT."
We are different from our competitors in that we can provide the most flexible solutions, either on-site, at our delivery centre in Swindon, or offshore to India using our Model 20-50-30™. Typically, our competitors can only do two of these three. Our aim is to be local-globally.”
To achieve further growth Arif and the team are building consortiums with partner companies, using Software Test Labs as a gateway to the UK market. Rather than acquiring companies, they are looking to collaborate with other IT companies with specialist expertise and knowledge. Swindon will remain their UK base, whilst they expand their coverage into Norway, and other countries will follow.
Find out more about them online: www. swtlabs. co. uk
LAUNCH OF VENNPOINT
Wiltshire and the M4 corridor have a new and innovative way for businesses to find flexible talent and business services.
Started by Delia Zanatta and Teresa Fox last year and launched online this year, the Vennpoint marketspace for flexible working is a new service that provides a big step forward in helping businesses of all sizes, from start-up to large corporate, access high quality, professional talent and services on a flexible basis.
Delia Zanatta said:“ In the Vennpoint marketspace, individuals and businesses are matched and introduced based on detailed profiles – think online dating but for recruitment. Individuals pay nothing and businesses only pay if we have made a good match and they want to be introduced – basically it’ s a low risk and low cost approach. Both sides tell us that it is the quality of the matches that stands us apart.”
“ In our marketspace, businesses can choose which other parts of the recruitment process they want help with, when and at what cost, on a“ pick & mix” basis. We have carefully chosen a number of specialist and award-winning partners to deliver this, as well as a broad range of other support and services for individuals and businesses, including personal & business coaching and mentoring, social media training, personal & professional key skills training, company secretary and legal advice, accounting and HR services.”
Teresa Fox added:“ Essentially Vennpoint is the next best thing to word-of-mouth for finding flexible talent and trusted personal and business support.”
Find out more: visit www. vennpoint. com or email hello @ vennpoint. com.
Teresa Fox and Delia Zanatta of Vennpoint
4 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016
“ Creative communications strategies to grow your business” www. geometrypr. co. uk 01255 422051