Third sector software firm seeks expansion
A LONDONDERRY-based social enterprise is aiming to more than double sales of its bespoke software and other services to community and voluntary groups in a project that will provide four new jobs for the city.
Cnamh ICT is a technology business located on the Pennyburn Industrial Estate developing software for the third or not for profit sector. Founded in 2007 it has established a network across the UK and the Irish Republic.
With a 63,000 investment backed by Invest Northern Ireland, it now aims to expand sales throughout the British Isles as managing director Peter MacCafferty explained.
“Our technology has been developed with the specific objective of encouraging and assisting community and voluntary bodies to move from their current dependence on paper-based monitoring systems in particular,” he said.
“We have had success to date with our Social Impact Tracker product. A new online version is a secure web-enabled database that provides organisations with the ability to capture and report on their social impact.
“We are now aiming to increase awareness of its benefits through extensive marketing and promotional activities. This will also involve expanding our existing contacts with statutory and governmental bodies which are increasingly requiring such organisations to move to electronic systems.
“The investment will enable us to exploit our business edge which is based on competitive pricing, our extensive knowledge of and experience operating in the community and voluntary sector, versatile software packages and the networks that we’ve already established.”
Des Gartland, Invest NI’s North West regional manager, said the agency was offering 17,500 to help the business achieve its aim.
“The business plan objective of a four-fold increase in its sales to community and voluntary organisations in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, is certainly achievable through the contacts it has already developed in both these important markets in which such groups make an important contribution.
“Software that Cnamh ICT has developed enables community and voluntary groups to demonstrate the extent of their impact on areas in which they are based. This information should help them when seeking support from donor organisations, an important consideration particularly at this time when pressure on funding from such sources is growing.”
Business generated by community and voluntary bodies in Great Britain is valued at 26 billion and provides employment for around 600,000 people, added Mr Gartland.
“Our objective is to assist Cnamh ICT to develop the products and skills that will enable it to exploit this vast business opportunity.”
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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