YEAR IN REVIEW
Over the past 12 months we have cemented our position as one of Europe's most successful, independent business communications specialist.
Rewarded with a number of industry and business awards across the UK and Europe we have continued to develop our product portfolio to reflect the needs of our customers and increase market penetration.
We were acknowledged for our innovation and entrepreneurial success by being named as one of Europe's fastest-growing companies for the second year running. And our financial performance was recognised for the fifth successive year with a listing in the Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Awards.
Our software development gained the Microsoft European Award for Innovation in IT and the quality of our marketing meant we were national runners-up in the Marketing Strategy of the Year category at the 2006 National Business Awards.
Avaya Platinum Partner
One of just a handful of Avaya Platinum Partners in EMEA, we were the only business partner in the UK, Ireland and South Africa to be presented with two awards at the 2006/07 partner event.
We received the title of Business Partner of the Year, a special award presented to the best performing Business Partner in the UK, Ireland and South Africa, for business growth, revenue achievement and general sales and marketing performance and the Most Complex Sales Award in recognition of the design, development and installation of the integrated communications solution for Sunderland County Council.
Operating across all market sectors the emergence of IP has allowed us to implement global solutions and innovative business and marketing strategies remain the key to our continued growth.
Notable Business Wins
Central has achieved a number of notable business wins this year including a five year, multimillion pound contract to design and implement a new cutting edge voice network solution for The Capita Group PLC, the UK's leading provider of professional and support services.
In addition we have signed a £1 million deal for with Cambridge County Council, to include the installation of a 2,500 seat modular messaging installation and a £750,000 commission from Sunderland City Council for the first volume SIP deployment to displace a 2,500 user Cisco solution.
We have a team of around 250 people with more than 1,000 years of telecoms experience between them, so we really know our industry. Customer care and quality of service have always been our key differentiator.
We were recently awarded a framework agreement with OGCbuying.solutions, having been successful during a competitive procurement process, fully compliant with EU Directives. The agreement allows public sector customers to place orders with Central Telecom under the standard terms and conditions of the agreement which followed rigorous tendering and evaluation.
Investment and Diversification
Diversification remains one of the main reasons for Central's continued success. We develop bespoke software solutions for CRM and have established ourselves as a specialist provider of call centre solutions, IP technology, convergence and flexible working solutions.
Investing heavily in new technology, operating systems and personnel, which has continued to bring tangible business benefits, with heightened customer service levels making Central number one choice for businesses looking for the very best in telephony support.
Central has recently increased their portfolio to provide Hosted Services to offer SME businesses a suite of feature rich business applications as a hosted service offering including IP Centrex capabilities over their Voice over IP ready network.
This enhanced solution combines the functionality of a traditional private branch exchange with additional value-added services enabling applications such as call recording, personal numbering and team working to be delivered over the Central Telecom IP network from their hosted service platforms.
Hosted Telephony allows customers to focus on their business goals rather than worrying about the ownership and support of its telephone network.
There is no equipment to be installed. There is no capital expenditure; services are billed on a 'usage' and pay-as-you-go basis. Services can be switched on or off, as and when required.
The foresight and vision of Central Telecom's directors mean that turnover and profitability have continue to exceed all expectations in the face of severe market competition our turnover is on target to top the £30 million mark during the current financial year.
