MAY/JUNE 2020 IT IN FOCUS
and Suspended DropDown Sneeze Guard.
They could create the new products quickly
within their existing 123insight system, and
also have the possibility to create ‘divisions’,
allowing them to design alternatively branded
paperwork that can be shipped with the goods.
Ally Bland, director at Tecsew, explains: “We
were able to perform all of the administration
for this entire new product range and
manufacturing process with the same
administration staff.”
With the drastic increase in PPE demand
and the cry for help from the NHS for
ventilators many manufacturers heeded
these calls, quickly reshaping their businesses.
Hull-based Advanced Plastics not only
produced ventilator parts but also worked in
conjunction with Hull University to design and
manufacture level 3 CE-approved PPE face
shields, accredited for use in both the medical
and industrial sectors. “123insight allowed us to
be agile in our approach – we’ve been using it
for so long that we actually take it for granted
that we can do that,” says MD, Rob Anderson.
“We had an instant view of our capacity. We
were discussing designs on the Monday and
in production by the Saturday. Someone from
a much larger company said to me that there
is no way that they could have responded in a
similar timeframe. It’s the fact that 123insight
gives us the vision throughout the business
that allows us to do that.”
123 Insight Ltd itself has also been able to react and reshape
swiftly during the pandemic. Some staff were furloughed, but
all other staff continued to work remotely from home and the
business remaining 100% operational for both customers and
prospects. The company switched from its local Evaluation
Workshops, that allow prospects to see the software, to online
‘INFO Exchanges’ – 90 minute web-based sessions that allow
attendees to understand the 123insight business model, see
the software and ask questions. Aspects of training have been
moved online, using web-based tools to allow attendees to use
the software and see the trainer’s screen simultaneously.
“Our business model and structure are both robust in that
we are able to respond quickly to significant events such as
COVID-19,” concludes Badger. “This is the second ‘disaster’ that
we’ve had to respond to in recent years, after a flood made
our offices unusable for several months – on that occasion we
were fully operational again within a matter of hours. Although
we have seen a slowdown in some areas from both customers
and prospects there are those that have taken this opportunity
to evaluate how to put their business in the best condition to
ride this storm. Our last three online INFO Exchanges have
been well-attended, so it’s clear that UK manufacturing is
itching to get moving again.”
Companies can book to attend the free online 123insight
INFO Exchange session at 123insight.com.
www.123insight.com
Above: Hampshirebased
Buster Rubber
has installed the
123mobile app onto
tablets to enable
safe working
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