We're Moving...

We are excited to announce that we are moving offices in August. Please see our press release below:

BOND IS FIRST THROUGH DOOR AT NEW SOFTWARE CENTRE
A state-of-the-art business location, crafted specifically to nurture software companies as part of the Sunderland Software City initiative, has welcomed its first tenant 2 months prior to its official opening in August.

The new Jupiter Centre at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) aims to offer the ultimate location for software companies to locate and grow, with a choice of thirteen offices ranging in size from 32- 121 square metres.

The centre’s first tenant, Bond Solutions, specialises in technology-based customer relationship management (CRM) and finance solutions, and support services for SMEs.

Upon hearing of the new development, managing director Derek Curtis was immediately drawn to the location as a base to further grow Bond alongside existing offices in Manchester.

Derek Curtis said: "It is important to me that Bond Solutions’ home is in line with the overall aims and directions of the business: we are ambitious and forward-thinking, and always aim to leave an impression. The outline that the Jupiter Centre already carves on the River Wear matches this perfectly. It’s something not just for the present, but beyond this and into the future."

While its foundations rest in the refurbishment of a former conferencing centre at the BIC, The Jupiter Centre has been constructed to offer the highest technical specification currently available. Tenants will be able to choose from offices with balconies, additional annexes, mezzanine floors, and spiral staircases. There centre will also offer two meeting areas, complete with free WiFi and refreshment areas.

David Howell, director of operations at the North East BIC, said: “Whilst it will be an ideal home for burgeoning software companies to further their growth, The Jupiter Centre is also a major element of the larger infrastructure strategy of the Sunderland Software City project. It will offer a perfect location in terms of both technical specification and support services for software companies in the region.”

Bernie Callaghan, chief executive at Sunderland Software City, said: “A huge part of Sunderland Software City’s work is persuading leading software companies to make our region their home. World class, cutting-edge accommodation is a huge attraction to businesses of all sizes and that’s exactly what the Jupiter Centre offers.

“Bond Solutions are well known to us, and we’re delighted that they want to be part of the Jupiter Centre.”

IS SAGE 200 RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

We have noticed a rise in the amount of customers who are looking to migrate from Sage 50 to Sage 200.

Sage 200 helps businesses with a turnover from around £1m+ to co-ordinate their full business through both customer-facing and back-end modules. Made up of Sage 200 CRM and Sage 200 Financials, the product provides a complete solution to the management of a company’s processes.

The migration is generally due to the business outgrowing the Sage 50 package and requiring a more complex accounts and CRM package. There are a number of issues which have been identified as key indicators that a company should be looking at a more diverse package.

These indicators include: the software struggling with high volumes of data, repeated corruption, files locking and reports taking a long time to run. Although there are short term solutions to these issues, migration to Sage 200 can save businesses both time and resources by making these processes more effective.

Sage 200 provides a tailored, managed solution for businesses which have outgrown Sage 50. This solutions will help to resolve the issues outlined below:
• Limitations whilst reporting
• Issues with data segmentation and analysis
• With Sage 200 you have the ability to manage multiple stock locations and suppliers as well as tracking batches of stock and serial numbers

If you would like to discuss Sage 50 or the benefits of migrating to Sage 200 please contact us. Our packages are tailored for each individual customer and our sales team would be happy to help you find the product that best fits your needs.

NOT LONG TO GO UNTIL THE BIG MATCH….

The Bond team is busy gearing up for the big game this afternoon and will be leaving the office at 2.30pm to cheer England on in their biggest match yet.

We will still have limited access to our emails, so are able to pick up any urgent enquiries. We hope you will be joining us in cheering the team on. COME ON ENGLAND!!!

Changes to our Telephone Number

The 08700 number is currently unavailable, until notified otherwise please use 0191 516 6882.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

NEW SOFTWARE HELPS STAFF BLOW THE WHISTLE

We have recently been working with Safecall to develop a bespoke system to help them streamline their business processes. Please see our press release regarding the project below:

A Sunderland-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) company has developed a bespoke software system for one of the UK’s leading whistleblowing companies.

Bond Solutions, which is based in the Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), has worked with Safecall to develop a system that allows its customers to log in and view the progress of their case online.

Safecall, which is also based in the BIC, was established by Graham Long in 1999 and specialises in the reporting of workplace concerns. It provides an independent outsourced whistleblowing service to a range of major public and private sector organisations. The service allows employees to securely report problems in the workplace, meaning employers are able to address issues at an early stage.

The system that Bond Solutions developed provides both employees and client investigators with a unique account where they can log in and see specific information about their case and its progress.

Each account has specific permissions, meaning that only certain information can be viewed by each user. The program also features a range of reporting mechanisms, meaning Safecall is able to provide detailed logs to clients on what concerns have been reported and their progress.

The bespoke system was developed from Sage CRM, one of the market’s leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, which is a web-based application that manages organisations’ relationships with customers. The product was developed by the technical team at Bond Solutions, who worked closely with Safecall to establish their needs and what program could be developed to meet their requirements.

Safecall’s chief executive Graham Long said: "The system that Bond Solutions developed has allowed us to provide our customers with an efficient program where they can manage all concerns raised. There are lots of regulations and legalities to be adhered to when dealing with sensitive issues like this and the system provides prompts to ensure that the correct procedure is followed throughout the investigation process. This has proved to be a fantastic resource for our customers.

"I was not aware that a CRM product could be adapted to meet our specific needs, however it has proved to be very effective and has given both Safecall and our customers improved accuracy and control."

Derek Curtis, managing director of Bond Solutions said: “This is a fantastic example of how CRM software can be adapted into a full working solution to suit any business. The software will allow Safecall to provide added value to its customers as they are now able to manage their processes electronically."

CRM On Your BlackBerry

It’s that time of year again – our new mobile phones have arrived! This year we have opted for BlackBerrys and are now busy installing SalesLogix Mobile, an exciting new application that we have recently launched.

As specialists in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, one of our best selling products is Sage SalesLogix – a system that we currently use in-house. We have recently started selling a new application which allows SalesLogix to be accessed directly from a BlackBerry handset, meaning that staff can access account details and update customer notes etc direct from their mobile phone.

We have so far sold this product to several of our customers and the Bond staff are now looking to enjoy the same benefits.

This application is just one of a number of business programmes that are being released to BlackBerry users and we are constantly looking to source new applications that complement our products.

Being able to update your customer details easily and conveniently whilst on the go is of huge benefit to staff, as well as ensuring your CRM database is constantly up-to-date.

With this in mind, we have decided to upgrade the company phones to BlackBerrys to enable our staff to update SalesLogix in real time.

We will post full information on the BlackBerry application soon, however, if this is something you would be interested in utilising for your business, please call 0870 043 4303 or email sales@bond-solutions.com for further information.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SWIMATHON SUPPORT

We are pleased to announce that the Twimmers successfully completed the world's largest swim last Friday.

The team, which consisted of our managing director Derek Curtis, Heather Baxter of GENI, Mark Easby of Better Brand Agency, Lisa Forster of Angelfysh and Marianne Whitfield of Cobweb, raised over £1100 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored and supported us - and of course the Twimmers team. We would also like to thank Paul Keating of Redboat Photography who took our PR shots.

We plan to participate in further fundraising events throughout the year and will post information about this soon.

Thanks again for all of your support and well done to Derek and the team for completing the swim!

There is still time to sponsor us here.