Internet and ICT Award
Apr 17 2009 The Journal
The Internet and ICT Award recognises the creativity and ambition of companies at the heart of the IT sector and those in other sectors who can show they have used the technology effectively. The title highlights the success of the region in leading innovation in the field WINNER DURHAM AND WEARSIDE
Unified Software Ltd
This Houghton le Spring company has been at the forefront of the financial security sector for a number of years, with its technology allowing a number of blue-chip companies to carry out transactions in complete confidence. It recently launched its BankVal UK v2, which allows instant checks to be made in conjunction with new faster payment methods. This has
helped to revolutionise the banking process for its clients.
WINNER TEES VALLEY
Ramsdens Financial
The Internet has allowed the Middlesbrough firm to dispel the misconceptions of the pawnbroking business by introducing an internet-based pawnbroking service.
The internet has also given the company access to a national audience and had a significant impact on its sales figures.
WINNER TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND
Bean Bag Bazaar
Shoppers can buy more than 250 bean bags in all shapes and sizes from this innovative Newcastle online business. The website was launched in 2006 when the business moved from a garage-based start-up into its first commercial premises. The firm uses a state-of-the-art stock management system that is fully integrated with its website, which converts at a rate of three or four times the industry average.
RUNNERS UP DURHAM AND WEARSIDE
Waterstons
Durham-based Waterstons provides technology, consulting and outsourcing solutions for companies around the UK. The firm is nominated for its work on a website for Newcastle International Airport, which saw it design a fresh, new-look website to replace the airport’s previous offering, which had begun to look dated.
Radio Teesdale
Radio Teesdale was established as a not-for-profit company in June 2003 to provide an essential communication service for the people living in the sparsely populated community of Teesdale.
RUNNERS UP TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND
fifiefofum
This business near the village of Stocksfield in Northumberland has built a substantial reputation exhibiting and selling the work of artists and craftspeople from the local area and beyond.
Tyne and Wear Museums
This is a federation which for 25 years has been overseeing 11 museums in Tyneside and Wearside and now has an annual turnover of about £8m and more than 300 staff.
RUNNERS UP TEES VALLEY
Armstrong Direct t/a pondkeeper.co.uk
An impressive 97% of turnover is generated via the internet for this Billingham supplier of pond equipment.
Swiftcover.com
The online insurer employs more than 200 staff in Stockton, As well as being able to buy, customers can manage their policies online without the need to contact call centres to make changes – meaning that they can maintain their policies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its website receives more than 6.5 million hits each month.
