Rocketing ahead in spite of the recession
Jan 29 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal
A TECHNOLOGY company named after one of the North East’s most famous inventions is steaming ahead with products it says businesses are prepared to invest in to boost their efficiency during the recession.
Rocket Solutions, based in Newcastle, is named after Tyneside engineer George Stephenson’s most famous locomotive which was designed in 1829, not far from the technology company’s base.
Rocket specialises in business intelligence and performance management so that companies can make informed decisions based on information gleaned from their own data.
It is the sort of information co- founder Justin Short says is in demand as the economy continues to slow and companies consider tightening their purse strings and making best use of their available resources. He said: “The skills we provide for business intelligence are used by many businesses to optimise costs and look at operational efficiency. They are investing in that.
“It’s certainly the data management and business intelligence that is the core at the moment. We can help them with the right information.”
Rocket, which was co-founded by Glenda Freeman and employs five people, bases all its services on the Microsoft technology platforms including Business Intelligence, Office SharePoint Server, Office PerformancePoint Server and SQL Server.
The products allow clients to use their data to analyse and forecast their effectiveness and plan what they need to do to achieve their goals.
Mr Short said: “These are technologies that a large number of companies are deploying.”
Rocket was set up one year ago and has recently moved into new offices in Newcastle’s Charlotte Square, where it is part of a wider IT community.
Mr Short and Ms Freeman, whose CVs include working for organisations including the NHS, the Learning and Skills Council, phone company Orange and the Royal Bank of Scotland, were keen to set up a consultancy offering a combination of services that were not readily available in the North East.
Mr Short said: “I had always wanted to establish a regional business and it was the right thing for us to do at that time. The last year has been fabulous.
“We see our uniqueness because we have a large breadth of skills in the area we specialise in. Previously, businesses would have to go to the Thames Valley, to Reading.
“We are offering a national quality of skills working out of the region.”
Rocket has attracted a varied client base ranging from large public sector organisations to small and medium sized firms, which make up the bulk of its customers.
