Cloud Net

Please summarise in 100 words what your company does

Cloud Net is the local friendly internet based telecoms company, dedicated to improving the professional communications of its clients. We are real people who you can talk to. Cloud Net owns an internet based telecoms VoIP network and supplies end users with the equipment to run their telephony systems. Cloud Net offers reliable, easy products at an amazing price point, risk free.

In one sentence, describe your main product or service

Cloud Net provide business telephone systems for start-up businesses and SMEs.

When was the company set up and by whom?

The company was formed in 2008 by David Hill

How many people do you employ?

The company employs 6 people and we are rapidly expanding.

What has been the main factor behind your success to date?

Our people are the main factor behind our success. The team that we have combines technical experts in VoIP, telecoms networks and open source.  Through this team, we are able to manage our own telecoms network so ensuring good quality calls. We are also fortunate enough to have a dynamic sales and customer services team that ensures that our customers are happy.  As we work with small companies, they appreciate having access to customer service staff in the UK.

What have been your company’s biggest achievements?

Building our own VoIP telecoms network and going live in October 2009; growing our customer base month on month and educating small businesses about VoIP to help them convert.

What are the three biggest factors that have contributed to your success?

A great team, solid technology and online marketing to generate sales.

What are the advantages of being based in the West Midlands?

There is a great talent pool of relevant technology experts in the Midlands.  We have worked with many technology specialists, from open source to web design, and have sourced them all from the West Midlands. We are also centrally located for anyone wishing to join our Associate Partner programme, so Walsall is an easy place to come to for our induction programme.  

What is your goal for the next 3 years?  

To grow to become the number one rapid, reliable, cloud based IT and communications solution provider.

 

tec3d

Please summarise in 100 words what your company does

tec3d is a 3D Visualisation and Animation company, sub-contracting to clients in the architecture, engineering and construction industry.  tec3d also produces ‘real-time’ Virtual Reality simulations for buildings’ interiors; providing a unique, interactive medium to explore real-life or conceptual environments in virtual 3D. tec3d has close links with several education establishments, and offers a range of 3D CAD workshops for both students and professionals. We always aim to ensure that clients receive the highest quality product to meet their requirements, whether that involves applying for planning permission, marketing a new development, or showcasing the design and functionality of a new product range.

In one sentence, describe your main product or service

We produce photorealistic 3D visualisations and animations for architects, engineers and construction professionals.

When was the company set up and by whom?

tec3d was set up by Tom Clark and Adrian Hawley as a freelance 3D CAD Modelling & Architectural Visualisation consultancy in January 2008.

How many people do you employ?

We have a team of four, including professional 3D modellers, 3D artists, animators and photographers.

What has been the main factor behind your success to date?

We always focus on achieving 100% client satisfaction, through the personal management of each client’s particular needs and our tireless attention to detail.

What have been your company’s biggest achievements?
Our work for the Building Schools for the Future program to produce 3D “Virtual School Simulations”, allowing pupils, parents and teachers to explore the new developments and experience the school’s layout, ethos and identity in an immersive and engaging way.

What are the three biggest factors that have contributed to your success?
1. Close collaboration with all clients to achieve the highest quality bespoke solution.
2. Diversification into alternative 3D technologies, and the development of our own unique 3D simulation concepts.
3. Maintaining a high level of expertise across a range of 3D CAD and VR software products.

What are the advantages of being based in the West Midlands?

The West Midlands has a great industrial heritage and is also now a focal point for the development of exciting new technology businesses. We appreciate the opportunity this offers us to work with clients from a range of industries and backgrounds.

What is your goal for the next 3 years?  

To expand our client base further across the West Midlands, and develop a range of innovative 3D products to suit the wide variety of AEC companies therein.

Acuity 

Please summarise in 100 words what your company does

Acuity Design specialises in enabling accessible corporate communication to the widest audience. We use the latest research and technologies, including Near Field Communication, Augmented Reality, 3D sculpting and rapid prototyping, to create clear, reliable messages that allow people to choose how they use that information. Personal independence relies on making informed choices and these derive from access to comprehensible information adapted to user need. We help to embed technology and skills in both companies and state agencies to make engaging media for all types of people to make the best choices for their own lives.

In one sentence, describe your main product or service
We provide a complete design and manufacturing consultancy solution to companies and agencies to enable their product or communication to meet the needs of people with all types of abilities. Our inclusive design positively benefits people in enabling better lives and allowing companies to meet new legal requirements.

When was the company set up and by whom?

Acuity was set up last year as a spinoff from SomervilleSCAN Ltd., our original company working in 3D design and 3D printing.

How many people do you employ?

We have a core of three designers and bring in additional freelancers when needed

What has been the main factor behind your success to date?

We’re open to both new technology and ideas but willing to reject them if end users find no clear benefit.

What have been your company’s biggest achievements?

We’ve developed several new ways of creating material for the visually impaired: our new printing process is particularly good in enabling the mixing of tactile and visual design on printed media and touch screens.

What are the three biggest factors that have contributed to your success?

1)    We maintain a wide network of people in industry, the third sector and academia in the UK, Europe and US so we can talk about new ideas and projects.
2)    We have a large panel of users to test our work to check it performs as designed and achieves its goals.
3)    We are willing to be wrong. If an idea doesn’t work, we drop it quickly and move on.

What are the advantages of being based in the West Midlands?

Being at the centre of the country, we can easily reach all our clients. Also, the mixture of people working in the West Midlands and coming out of the colleges makes it easy to find new ideas and manufacturing techniques to try out on our projects.

What is your goal for the next 3 years?  

Our main goal is to get clients in both public and private sector to understand how they can use affordable, new technologies and good design to communicate with all kinds of people, whatever their abilities.