The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 40: Dec/Jan 2018/19 | Page 37
Tech tips for 2019
from the team at Purple Lime
As 2019 approaches the growing team at innovative accountancy firm Purple
Lime have been keeping their eyes on emerging technologies to help their clients
embrace the benefits of cloud accounting.
This young company, based at Hartham Park
in Corsham, is now celebrating two years in
business.
During 2018, founders Angela Ashworth
and Oli Thomas have recruited five new
team members and are now working with a
broad range of ambitious companies looking
for a fresh and immediate approach to
accountancy.
These include DenGro Ltd, A Touch of
Tradition Ltd, Interactive Scientific Ltd.
Already a Silver Champion Partner with
online accountancy software brand Xero, the
team are always exploring new tech.
In November they attended Xerocon – the
annual conference in London where Xero
brings together the global leaders in the
world of cloud accounting applications.
Among this year’s keynote speakers
were Ben McBean, a former Commando
and double amputee, who invested his
compensation pay-out into property and
now has a portfolio of around £2million and
Britain’s greatest Olympian Sir Chris Hoy
MBE sharing the highs and lows of being an
elite athlete.
Angela Ashworth, co-founder of Purple
Lime, said: “Xerocon is a fantastic way to
be inspired by people with amazing stories
who are using the kind of tech in their own
businesses or lives that we ask our clients
to embrace.
“It also allows us as a team to explore
emerging technologies in cloud accounting
in one place and in detail. In turn this will
allow our clients to stay ahead of the curve.
We met the creators of these technologies,
and together were able to identify which
applications would bring efficiency with
ease of use to our clients and to spread that
knowledge during 2019.”
Some of their top tech tips are:
*iCompleat – an automated invoice
capture and approval process in a single
application. The functionality is completely
tailorable for the business and its users
which leads to real time cash requirements
and an efficient accounts payable process.
*Iwoca – a fast and flexible credit line
service for up to £200,000 allowing small
businesses to grow. Compatible with Xero,
decisions to extend credit are taken within a
matter of hours in many cases.
*Tide – Aimed at the ambitious small
business market who can now open a
business current account within minutes
online! No monthly fees, pay per transaction
and obtain instant credit if required.
businesses. The SME sector has always
been innovative and they need innovation
when it comes to banking and finance to
enable growth. The traditional routes have
been slow to catch on and I believe these
new tech-based services will see growth
and expansion during 2019 because they are
more responsive and easily accessible.”
For more info:
www.purplelime.uk.com
[email protected]
01249 691360
*Satago – On demand flexible invoice
finance – select the invoice(s) you wish to
finance, and you can potentially receive funds
in your account within 24 hours. Incorporates
a free credit control tool and provides instant
risk insights for your business.
Oli said: “One emerging theme this year has
been around the changing face of business
banking and access to finance for small
ADVERTORIAL
Staying secure in 2019:
What we can learn from 2018 cyber trends
by Ian Sharpe, Senior Account Director, for Jelf in Swindon
Whether it’s preventing a mass data breach or finding ways to comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), the need for cyber
preparedness and resilience is vital. However, a recent survey from the Economist Intelligence Unit revealed that only 13% of organisations feel
that they’ve learned from past cyber-mistakes . It’s worth reviewing some of the things that have happened during 2018 to keep your organisation
safe from future attacks.
42% of small or micro businesses
identified at least one breach or
attack between April 2017-April
2018.
It is a commonly held belief that only larger
companies are at risk of hacking, as they
have more to steal. However, smaller
organisations are as likely – and potentially a
lot easier – to target.
• Lack of IT security: small businesses
may not have the capital or an IT
department to keep up to date with IT
security.
• Cost to hack: despite the rewards being
less than a “big business” hack, the
effort required to hack a small business
is likely to be less so would be an “easy
win” for a hacker.
• Small/medium businesses still have
the data and assets that hackers want
- credit card information, client details
and a need to keep doing business.
Maximum fines for the most
serious data breaches are €20
million, or 4 per cent of the
company’s global annual turnover
(whichever is greater)
The General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR) introduced enhanced rights to
individuals and their data, and places
greater obligations on businesses and other
entities that process personal data. If you
haven’t already it’s worth visiting www.ico.
org.uk for a more detailed overview of your
responsibilities under the GDPR.
Facebook lost $25 billion dollars
from its market value after the
Cambridge Analytica scandal
earlier this year.
Major cyber-attacks that end up in the media
can result in a tarnished reputation for your
organisation.
procedure is in the event of a cyber
security breach.
• Review your insurance policies to check
whether your business is covered in the
event of a cyber attack.
If you could benefit from a review of your
cyber insurance, contact Jelf via Jelf.com.
80% of cyber breaches are
preventable
As with many things it is best to be prepared
• Provide regular cyber security training
• to your staff.
• Install anti-virus, spyware and malware
detection software on all devices.
• Develop a written incident response
plan, which should include what the
For more info:
www.jelf.com
[email protected]
01793 714431
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018
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