News From Asidua

Asidua helps make BitC Cares @ Christmas appreal a success

2011-12-09T15:40:10Z

Employees from global IT services company Asidua have helped make this year’s Business in the Community (BitC) Cares @ Christmas appeal a resounding success. The campaign supports the local charity Action for Children, giving local business’ the opportunity to help over 5000 families in need during what can be a very difficult times for those struggling.

As in previous years, Asidua employees have continued to give generously, with an impressive number of gifts donated. With the combined efforts of other companies across Northern Ireland, a total of over £25,000 worth of gifts and toys were donated, making a huge difference to the lives of many children over Christmas.

Asidua would like to thank all their employees who helped improve Christmas for many children across Northern Ireland.

Photograph Caption
Angela Canavan, Asidua Chief Operations Officer joins members of the Asidua CSR Team to help show the gifts donated by Asidua employees for the Business in the Community Cares @ Christmas Appeal.

Asidua employees fast for Concern

2011-11-14T15:33:12Z

During November Asidua employees took part in the Concern 24 hour fast, to help the charity combat children malnutrition in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Keith McGrellis, Marie Donnelly, Louise Ladd and Linda McMahon raised £402.00 to help Concern increase their efforts to prevent the needless death of 3.5million children every year.
Marie commented on the significance of completing the fast: “By the end of the 24hours I was exhausted. Fasting gave us just a mere glimpse of what some people have to deal with on a daily bases, so we would like to thank everyone for their support.”

Concern does vital work responding to major emergencies as well as working on long term development programmes; it operates in 25 of the world’s poorest countries, working with people to achieve major and long-lasting improvements in their lives.

Asidua employee runs the extra mile for TinyLife

2011-11-03T13:57:11Z

Asidua’s John Black went the extra mile recently to help raise vital funds for the company’s current Charity of the Year, TinyLife.
Belfast based telecoms and data integration specialists have continued to place CSR at the heart of its operations with another employee going the extra mile to raise more vital funds for Asidua’s charity of the year, Tiny Life.

Taking part in this years’ Dublin Marathon, John raised £400 for the charity. Speaking on his challenge, John said: “Running the Dublin Marathon was a daunting challenge, but I was determined to complete it after my failed attempt at the Belfast marathon last year, and in the process raise as much money as possible for Tiny Life.” John concluded: “I would like to thank everyone who gave their support.”

The Asidua Charity of the Year initiative was introduced in 2009, to allow the Belfast based telecoms and data integration specialists to support and engage with an employee nominated charity each year. This year, TinyLife, Northern Ireland’s only premature and vulnerable baby charity, was chosen as the company’s nominated charity. The funds raised by John will help the charity continue to provide their invaluable support services for local families.

Photograph Caption
John Black with the medal he received for his efforts in the recent Dublin Marathon.

Asidua help raise vital funds during Macmillan Coffee Morning

2011-10-31T15:17:42Z

Since 2002, Asidua has been a proud supporter of the Macmillan, ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ - and this year was no different. Asidua employees baked a wide range of Halloween inspired goodies to help raise £400.00 for MacMillian.

Over two million people in the UK are living with cancer, and one in three will be diagnosed with it during their lifetime. Macmillan provides practical, medical, emotional and financial support to make a positive difference. They are there for people from the moment they suspect they have cancer, and for their families too.

Being one of the biggest fundraising occasions in the UK, Asidua was delighted to join 43,000 people and help raise over £8million for Macmillan.

Photograph Caption
Members from the baking Club, from left Irene Gates, Stacy Mallon, JamieLee Feeney, Catriona O’Kane, Marie Donnelly and Sophie Gaw.

Asidua secure place on LGSAS framework

2011-10-13T09:20:50Z

Building on recent successes, contact management and integration specialists Asidua, has today announced their successful placement onto the new Local Government Software Application Solutions (LGSAS) framework.

Set up by Government Procurement Service, the LGSAS framework provides local government organisations with a means of procuring a range of sector-specific software and services solutions.

As a key IT services provider to the local government sector, Asidua were keen “to give customers the increased visibility and added security that the Government Procurements Service LGSAS framework provides,” said Bob McClean, Sales and Marketing Director at Asidua.

Following their response to an Invitation to Tender from the Government Procurement Service, Asidua was successfully placed onto 4 LGSAS framework lots – Management & Finance (Lot 1: Revenue, Benefits and Finance Software Application Solutions & Lot 2: Performance Management, Planning and Decision Making Software Application Solutions) & Environment & Public Protection (Lot 8: Waste and Environmental Health Software Application Solutions & Lot 9: Highways and Transport Software Application Solutions).

As a result of their successful placement, Asidua’s key local government IT service offering – Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP) – can now be procured directly via the new LGSAS framework.

Built using the latest Microsoft technologies, the Asidua Customer Contact Platform^TM makes it easier for local authorities to improve customer contact, promote channel shift, maximise one-and-done, minimise avoidable contact and ensure that services are delivered effectively, reliably and with minimal effort.

“Having successfully engaged with a number of local authorities including Chorley, South Gloucestershire and the London Borough of Harrow, the placement of CCP onto to the Government Procurement Service LGSAS framework represents a further significant achievement for Asidua,” continued Bob.

“We feel that this placement is testament to Asidua providing cost effective services at a time when local government is facing difficult financial pressures.”

Bob went on to conclude: “Today as a Government Procurement Service LGSAS framework supplier, Asidua look forward to developing new partnerships to help local government meet these challenges.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Asidua & LGSAS Framework
Asidua has been appointed as a LGSAS framework supplier under the following Lots:

Lot 1: MANAGEMENT & FINANCE - Revenue, Benefits and Finance Software Application Solutions
Lot 2: MANAGEMENT & FINANCE - Performance Management, Planning and Decision Making Software Application Solutions
Lot 8: ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC PROTECTION - Waste and Environmental Health Software Application Solutions
Lot 9: ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC PROTECTION - Highways and Transport Software Application Solutions.

For further information, please refer to Asidua’s LGSAS supplier profile

For local authorities the Asidua Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP), which is built on Microsoft technologies, makes it easier to improve customer contact, promote channel shift, maximise one-and-done, minimise avoidable contact and ensure that services are delivered effectively, reliably and in minimal time.

To discover more about Asidua and CCP, visit www.asidua.com/ccp

About the Government Procurement Service
Formally known as Buying Solutions, Government Procurement Service is an executive agency of the Cabinet Office. Their overall priority is to provide procurement savings for the UK Public Sector as a whole and specifically to deliver centralised procurement for Central Government Departments.

The centralisation, standardisation and aggregation of spend on common goods and services are a key mechanism to deliver significant, sustainable cost reductions to Government. Operating at the heart of Government Procurement, they play a key role delivering expert sourcing, category and centralised data management.

For further information on Government Procurement Service, visit www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk

Media Contacts
Kieran Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Asidua Ltd, 10 Weavers Court, Belfast BT12 5GH
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9072 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9072 5001
Email: marketing@asidua.com

Asidua recognised as leading work-related learning employer

2011-10-11T08:04:09Z

Worldwide integration and embedded telecoms specialists Asidua, is celebrating once again! During the 2011 National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Excellence Awards, the IT services provider was recognised as the leading work-related learning employer in the UK.

Since forming in 2002 Asidua, has played a pivotal role in the ongoing development of local students. Today with the introduction of a number of initiatives, including their successful industrial placement and scholarship programmes, the IT and telecom integration specialist continues to be recognised by both industry and academia alike.

During the recent National AGCAS Excellence Awards, Asidua was crowned winner of the Award for Work-related Learning category. Nominated by the Career Development Centre at the University of Ulster, the national award recognises a company’s effectiveness and success in innovative practice as a placement partner supporting local universities.

Commenting on Asidua’s success at the national awards, Damian McGivern, Director of Student Marketing and Employability at the University of Ulster, said: “Providing an opportunity for students to enhance their employability is a key component of programmes within the University of Ulster. We were pleased to nominate Asidua for the AGCAS Award as they provide a wide range of high quality work-based learning opportunities for students.”

Angela Canavan, Chief Operations Officer at Asidua, spoke of the company’s “delight” at picking up the latest accolade: “As a previous University of Ulster Placement Employer of the Year winner [winner 2009 & commended finalist 2011], Asidua has always placed a strong emphasis on the support and continued development of our local students. Following the University of Ulster’s nomination for this year’s award, Asidua is both honoured and delighted to accept the AGCAS Employer Award for Work-Related Learning.”

During the award ceremony, the judging panel highlighted Asidua’s placement scheme, which provides university students with real experience, employability skills and the opportunity of future employment; a point which Angela was happy to acknowledge: “Asidua values the contribution and fresh insight that all our placement student’s offer. Following a detailed induction, placement students join our existing project teams, allowing them to gain real experience on a worldwide scale. Our tailored CPD (Continual Professional Development) programme then helps ensure that all our students are given the necessary individual support and training that enables them to have a successful career in the IT industry.”

“In addition to helping our students better prepare for their final year [all Asidua placements students achieve a 2:1 or above], we feel that the learning and development culture experienced while on placement with Asidua, is one of the main reasons why 100 per cent of our students choose to apply for a graduate position in the future,” concluded Angela.

Photograph Caption
Philip Houston (centre), Work Experience Development Manager at the University of Ulster joins Asidua’s Angela Canavan (right), Chief Operations Officer (right) and Sophie Gaw (left), HR Department, in celebrating the IT services company recent success at the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Excellence Awards. Following a nomination by the Career Development Centre at the University of Ulster, Asidua was crowned winners of the National AGCAS Excellence Award in the Work-related Learning category.

About Asidua
Asidua, who employ over 120 staff, is headquartered in Belfast and has offices in Dublin and Birmingham. The company delivers world-class software consultancy and services to clients across a broad spectrum of business sectors through two specialised divisions;

Business Services - provide Application & Data Integration (ADI) & Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP) services to large enterprises and public sector organisations.
Device Services - provide specialised WinPath^TM Expert Services (WES) to the telecommunications market

To discover more about Asidua, visit www.asidua.com

About the University of Ulster

The University of Ulster is a multi-campus university which spans across Northern Ireland. Over 25,000 full and part-time students study in campuses in Belfast, Magee, Coleraine and Jordanstown. The University has six faculties - Arts, Art Design and the Built Environment, Computing and Engineering, Life and Health Sciences, Social Sciences and the Ulster Business School and offers an extensive range of full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses with an emphasis on applied subjects and employability. Wherever possible, professional body accredited degrees are offered. The University also boasts 16 research institutes supporting local business and industry. In the UK-wide 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, the University finished in the top third of universities, ranking 45th - up 18 places since the 2001 exercise. Ulster also finished in the top three in the UK for research for three subjects - Nursing, Biomedical Sciences and Celtic Studies. In 11 subjects, Ulster was ranked in the top 20.

For further information on the University of Ulster, visit www.ulster.ac.uk

About the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services
The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) is the professional association for higher education (HE) careers practitioners and those involved in the provision of careers and employability education, information, advice and guidance to current or prospective HE students and graduates.

For further information on the AGCAS, visit www.agcas.org.uk

Media Contacts
Kieran Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Asidua Ltd, 10 Weavers Court, Belfast BT12 5GH
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9072 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9072 5001
Email: marketing@asidua.com

Pauline Reynolds
Press Officer
University of Ulster
Tel: 028 90368310
Email: p.reynolds@ulster.ac.uk

Asidua ‘All-stars’ make successful debut in TinyLife’s Operation Six Pack

2011-10-05T16:22:35Z

To help raise vital funds for the company’s charity of the year, six Asidua employees took part in TinyLife’s Operation Six Pack – an exhausting Orienteering, Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Raft Building and Raft Racing team challenge.

The ‘Asidua All-stars’, made up of Andrew McDowell, David McGimpsey, John Black, Paul Crooks, Dinuka Wijesinghe and Christopher Laughlin raised over £500.00 for Asidua’s Charity of the Year TinyLife, the boys didn’t disappoint coming an impressive third place in the challenge.

Andrew McDowell commented: “We had great fun and everyone helped raised vital funds for TinyLife On behalf of the team, thanks to everyone who sponsored us.”

Every year in Northern Ireland approximately 24,000 babies are born and of this 1,800 are born prematurely. TinyLife, Northern Ireland’s only premature and vulnerable baby charity provides an essential support services to local families.

Photograph Caption
The Asidua ‘All-stars’ take to the water during the TinyLife Operation Sixpack challenge.

Asidua rise to the challenge!

2011-09-28T09:05:39Z

Since announcing TinyLife as their Charity of the Year in May, Asidua has been involved with a number of fund raising activities to help raise vital funds for the vulnerable baby charity.

Recently their fund raising efforts scaled new heights as an Asidua team including Marie Donnelly, Sophie Gaw and Paul Matthews, successfully completed the gruelling TinyLife Slieve Donard Challenge, helping raise £571.50 for company’s charity of the year.

Launched in 2009, the Asidua Charity of the Year sees the IT services company actively engage and support a specific employee nominated charity each year. This year the company’s chosen charity is TinyLife - Northern Ireland’s only premature and vulnerable baby charity. With nearly 2000 babies born prematurely in Northern Ireland last year, it provides an essential service in supporting local families.

This year’s Slieve Donard Challenge – an 850m (2789ft) trek to the highest peak of the Mourne mountain range – took place on Saturday the 10th of September. The Asidua team started the 5.5 mile hike towards the summit by following the Glen River uphill through woodland of Scots Pine, Oak and Birch. After crossing the river and continuing uphill, the team soon reached the famous Mourne Wall. The team finally reached the summit after four and half hours.

Despite difficult conditions - 40mph winds, heavy rain and very poor visibility - the Asidua team’s heroic endeavours were applauded as their combined efforts helped raise over £10k for TinyLife.

Surrey County Council recognised by Asidua for their contact centre training excellence

2011-07-29T08:02:00Z

In recognition of their ‘Delivering the Customer Promise’ training initiative, Surrey County Council were crowned winners of the Asidua sponsored ‘Contact Centre Training’ award during the recent Good Communication Awards.

Now in its seventh year, the Good Communication Awards promotes and encourages the public sector’s efforts towards effective communication with its citizens and its workforce. Hosted by former newspaper editor, writer and broadcaster Eve Pollard, this year’s event was held in the magnificent surroundings of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

The 2011 Good Communication Awards recognised the individuals and organisations that have demonstrated effectiveness, innovation and communications brilliance through four award categories - Print, Public Relations, IT and Telecoms.

As specialists in delivering technology solutions that are focussed on transforming the way local authorities interact with their citizens, Asidua was “delighted to sponsor this year’s Good Communication Awards,” said Bob McClean, Asidua Sales & Marketing Director.

Commenting on Asidua’s involvement with this year’s awards, Danny Wright, Event Content Manager for the Good Communication Awards 2011 said: “Asidua is exactly the kind of forward-thinking company we had in mind to sponsor the awards. It has experience in delivering robust, integrated solutions for Local Government, the Police and Utilities, and its Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP) software has the potential to increase efficiency and deliver real savings.”

In their role as event sponsor, the IT services provider was pleased to support the ‘Contact Centre Training’ award, which is presented to the local authority or central government department that can demonstrate improvements in call handling, customer complaints management, staff training and staff retention.

Following a high number of entrants, three local authorities - Surrey County Council, Wokingham Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council - were shortlisted for the Asidua sponsored ‘Contact Centre Training’ award. From this shortlist, Surrey County Council were selected by the awards panel in recognition of the work carried out in developing their ‘Delivering the Customer Promise’ training programme. In addition to recognising Surrey’s achievements, the award panel also acknowledged the efforts of both Wokingham Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, by bestowing a commended status on both local authorities.

Speaking on behalf of Asidua, Bob McClean congratulated Surrey County Council on their success: “Asidua would like to congratulate Surrey County Council on winning the Asidua sponsored ‘Contact Centre Training’ award during this year’s Good Communication Awards.” Bob continued: “The introduction of their ‘Delivering Customer Promise’ training programme has helped Surrey to both empower their staff and also encourage their teams to deliver excellent customer service.”

Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services Denise Saliagopoulos went on to conclude: “I’m delighted the contact centre is once again being recognised as a leader in its field. The fact that the county council is being highlighted to our peers and the public for examples of excellence and best practice are factors that will contribute to our overall aim of becoming a world class authority.”

Photograph Caption
Former newspaper editor and TV presenter Eve Pollard (far left), congratulates Surrey County Council who were crowned winners of the Asidua sponsored ‘Contact Centre Training’ award during the recent Good Communication Awards, held at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on the 14th of July. The award was presented to the local authority or central government department that demonstrated improvements in call handling, customer complaints management, staff training and staff retention. Pictured receiving their award are Surrey County Council’s Michelle Porter, Trainer/Supervisor (left), Mary Dadabhoy, Training Supervisor (centre left), Tina Barrett, Trainer (centre right) & Jenny Reynolds, Trainer (right).

NOTES TO EDITOR

About Asidua
Asidua, who employ over 120 staff, is headquartered in Belfast and has offices in Dublin and Birmingham. The company delivers technology solutions focussed on transforming the way public sector organisations interact with their customers and how they deliver these services. Asidua solutions are designed to maximise efficiency across business processes leading to significant operational savings without sacrificing customer satisfaction. For local authorities the Asidua Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP), which is built on Microsoft technologies, makes it easier to improve customer contact, promote channel shift, maximise one-and-done, minimise avoidable contact and ensure that services are delivered effectively, reliably and in minimal time. To discover more log on to www.asidua.com/ccp

About the Good Communication Awards
Now in its seventh year, The Good Communication Awards promotes and encourages the public sector’s efforts towards effective communication with its citizens and its workforce. The 2011 event, which was presented by former newspaper editor, writer and broadcaster Eve Pollard, was hosted at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Four award categories (Print, Public Relations, IT and Telecoms) recognised the individuals and organisations that have demonstrated effectiveness, innovation and communications brilliance. For further information on the Good Communication Awards, including a full list of this year’s winners, visit www.communicator.gcawards.co.uk

Media Contacts
Kieran Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Asidua Ltd, 10 Weavers Court, Belfast BT12 5GH
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9072 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9072 5001
Email: marketing@asidua.com

Asidua ‘Give and Gain’ at Antrim primary school!

2011-07-22T08:28:05Z

Give and Gain day, the UK’s biggest employee volunteering movement, this year took place on 24th June. Organised by Business in the Community, the day saw volunteers from over 535 organisations worldwide take part providing over £3m worth of support going to communities most in need.

In support of Give and Gain day, Asidua sent a team of volunteers to Antrim Primary School. While there, the Asidua team were involved in Antrim Primary School’s Sports Day and supervised various activities for P2- P6 pupils throughout the morning and afternoon. Yummy school dinners were even provided for the team! After a long day outside, the weary Asidua team arrived back but had a brilliant and worthwhile day helping with the children.

Lawrence Patterson, Headmaster of Antrim Primary school commented on the day by saying: “It made such a difference to our annual sports day to have the help and support of Business in the Community member, Asidua. The children enjoyed the day immensely and the Asidua team enjoyed their ‘school dinner’!”

He concluded by saying: “All the Asidua helpers agreed it was a very rewarding experience to help with this community event.”

Photograph Caption
The Asidua team of Jude Campbell, Johnny Wylie, Irene Gates and Sophie Gaw having fun testing the sports equipment at Antrim Primary School in between the morning and afternoon sessions.

Asidua appointed ambassador for Northern Ireland Digital Technology sector

2011-07-18T11:40:50Z

Leading local employer Asidua, today further enhanced their commitment to developing Northern Ireland’s future workforce with their appointment as an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Digital Technology sector by School Employer Connections.

Set up by business leaders in 2001, School Employer Connections aims to establish meaningful connections between schools and employers, so that employers can play a part in preparing students for the world of work. In recognition of work carried out to promote the links between education and the local economy, School Employer Connections have appointed Aisdua as an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Digital Technology sector.

Following recent successes, including the University of Ulster Placement Employer of the Year and NCWE (National Council for Work Experience) Awards, Asidua will be seeking to use their new ambassadors status to help address the alarming issues that were identified in a current report by DEL (Department for Employment and Learning) & DETI (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment).

In the report a number of sectors across Northern Ireland (Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Digital Technology, Financial Services, Hospitality and Tourism) were pinpointed as having workforce gaps, gaps which could reach crisis levels in the next few years.

It is a crisis that Director of School Employer Connections, Máire Gallagher, is keen to avoid: “In response to economic data and government priorities, we have sharpened our focus very significantly to the five priority sectors and have identified 50 “flagship” businesses from those sectors, most of whom have been demonstrating their commitment to our cause for many years.”

Since forming in 2002, Asidua has played a key role in both attracting and developing fresh talent into Northern Ireland’s IT sector. Through the introduction of programmes, including their now industry recognised placement and scholarship schemes, the IT integration and telecom specialists have been able to forge strong links with local universities and schools.

“As a global IT services company, we are reliant on the education, skills and enthusiasm of our people. Since forming, we have invested in many programmes and initiatives to help highlight the exciting and rewarding IT career path that is available to our local students,” said Asidua Chief Operations Officer, Angela Canavan.

As an ambassador for the School Employer Connections, Asidua will be hoping to further promote careers in the Digital Technology sector. “By influencing the career choices of students it is possible to increase the quality of future employees and develop new recruitment channels,” continued Angela. “Existing employees also benefit as participation can help develop their management and coaching skills.”

Angela went on to highlight the importance of School Employer Connections: “Participation in student placements results in a range of tangible business benefits for Asidua such as raised profile, increased innovation, and the real outcomes from projects that students work on. Working with School Employer Connections enhances the experience due to their focus on, and knowledge of the priority sectors, their professionalism, and the relationships they have formed with schools.”

Photograph Caption
Angela Canavan (left), Asidua Chief Operations Officer joins by Máire Gallagher (centre), Director of School Employer Connections (centre) and Bernadette Chambers (right) of Santander, Chair of Future Skills Action Group for the Financial Skills Partnership to launch the School Employer Connections new ambassadors initiative. As part of the new initiative, Asidua was appointed as an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Digital Technology sector by the School Employer Connections. In their new role the global IT services provider will help develop Northern Ireland’s future workforce by promoting the links between education and the local economy.

BBC Radio Ulster Interview
A recent interview with Máire Gallagher, Director of School Employer Connections and Angela Canavan, Chief Operations Officer of Asidua, on BBC Radio Ulster can be found below. During the interview Máire and Angela highlight the importance of the School Employer Connections new ambassadors initiative.

Business Services - provide Application & Data Integration (ADI) & Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP) services to large enterprises and public sector organisations.
Device Services - provide specialised WinPath^TMExpert Services (WES) to the telecommunications market.

About School Employer Connections
Previously known as FOSEC (Foyle School and Employer Connections), School Employer Connections was set up by business leaders in 2001 with the aim of establishing meaningful connections between schools and employers, so that employers can play a part in preparing students for the world of work. Today, celebrating ten years in operation, the social enterprise is Northern Ireland’s leading workforce development organisation, with over 5,000 students taking part in their programmes every year, connecting with their network of 500 employers. To find out more about School Employer Connections, visit www.schoolemployerconnections.org

Media Contacts
Kieran Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Asidua Ltd, 10 Weavers Court, Belfast BT12 5GH
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9072 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9072 5001
Email: marketing@asidua.com

Asidua makes every drop count at Weavers Court Blood Donation Day

2011-07-05T10:43:36Z

Accidents and emergencies don’t stop during the summer and with the countdown to our summer holidays already in full swing, worldwide IT specialists Asidua, donated and gave blood to make every drop count at Weavers Court Blood Donation Day

In co-operation with Linfield Properties and the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, Asidua recently organised another successful ‘Weavers Court Blood Donation Day.’ Throughout the day local businesses and residents were encouraged to join Asidua to help make every drop count by giving blood.

Now a permanent 6 month feature in Asidua’s calendar, the day proved successful as large number of donors helped the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service collect 39 units of blood.

Andrea Copithorne, Senior Marketing Officer at the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service commented: “The need for blood does not diminish during the summer period yet it can prove a difficult period for the Service, as attention turns to holidays, gardening and barbecuing.”

Andrea continued by highlighting the importance of blood donation: “In our hospitals around 500 patients receive blood or blood products each and every week, so getting the support of local companies such as those within Weavers Court at this time of year can prove vital to maintaining blood stocks.”

Speaking after the event, Asidua’s Chief Operations Officer, Angela Canavan said; “Asidua were privileged to welcome back the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service blood mobile unit to Weavers Court.”

Angela continued: “Once again, the positive response from Asidua employees and the local community, helped make the event a success with 39 vital units of blood collected during the day.”

Angela went on to conclude by highlighting future planned events: “With our strong CSR connections, Asidua look forward to welcoming the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service back to Weavers Court this December.”.

NOTES TO EDITOR

Business Services - provide Application & Data Integration (ADI) & Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP) services to large enterprises and public sector organisations.
Device Services - provide specialised WinPath^TM Expert Services (WES) to the telecommunications market.

About the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service
The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, established in 1946, is an independent, Special Agency of the Department of Health and Personal Social Services. It is responsible for the collection, testing and distribution of over 64,000 blood donations each year. The Service operates three mobile units at around 250 locations throughout the province. Including headquarters, located on the site of the Belfast City Hospital, a total of almost 1,000 donation sessions are held each year.

Media Contact
Judith Campbell
Marketing Assistant
Asidua Limited, 10 Weavers Court, Belfast
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9072 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9072 5001
Email: marketing@asidua.com

Asidua’s Carrier Ethernet Protocol Stack selected by NEC for its LTE Platform

2011-07-01T07:50:55Z

WinPath^TM Expert Services (WES) provider Asidua, has today announced the sale of their Ethernet Operations, Administration & Maintenance (EOAM) stack to NEC.

In 2009, Asidua and PMC-Sierra (“PMC”), the network semiconductor innovator, announced the availability of a new family of Carrier-Class Ethernet Control Plane Stacks for PMC’s WinPath^TM Architecture based Access Processors.

Following on from their extensive development programme, which was part financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, Asidua launched two new software product lines, WinStacks and WinXtends, to help complement their existing WinPath^TM Expert Services offering.

The WinStacks range, which currently supports Ethernet LAG (Link Aggregation) and Ethernet OAM (Ethernet Operations, Administration & Maintenance), is specifically designed for the WinPath^TM processor family. The stacks are applicable to any solution involving Ethernet interfaces across domains including Mobile, Wireless/WiMAX, Aggregation & Transport, DSL/PON and dedicated Carrier Ethernet deployments.

As carriers on a global basis continue to expand the penetration of ‘Ethernet in the first mile’ EFM services, telecommunications product vendors will continue to add the necessary control plane protocols to their products.

After analysis of the products on the market, NEC has selected Asidua’s Ethernet OAM stack for Connectivity and Fault Management (CFM) for NEC’s LTE platform. Software has been delivered and the integration and test phase is well under way.

“Asidua is delighted to announce the sale of our EOAM Protocol Stack to NEC,” said Eddie Millsopp, Head of Device Services at Asidua. “Since becoming a preferred supplier for PMC’s Wireless Infrastructure and Networking Division, we have experienced a high volume of business wins due to our unrivalled top-to-bottom WES offering.

Eddie continued: “To further enhance our offering and increase our customers’ velocity in delivery of their product roadmaps, we developed off-the-self product ranges that would allow our clients to benefit from increased efficiencies.”

Mr Daisuke Ogura, Project Director for NEC said: “We are pleased to announce that we have selected Asidua’s control stack for NEC’s products. The decision was made after a high level of analysis of Asidua’s technology.”

Steve Brankin, Asidua’s Chief Executive added: “Our WinStacks are specifically designed to allow our clients to reduce costs and delivery times, while still allowing them to fully exploit the hardware acceleration aspects of PMC’s WinPath^TM processor family. NEC’s selecting Asidua’s offering serves to galvanise our position as a preferred control stack vendor for WinPath^TM-based systems.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Asidua
Asidua is endorsed by PMC-Sierra as a preferred supplier for providing a complete portfolio of services focused on the WinPath^TM product family. Asidua’s WinPath^TM Expert Services (WES) help clients achieve their goals of Time to Market, Right First Time and Product Differentiation by delivering solutions across domains including Systems Engineering, Software Services and Board Bring-up. From their headquarters in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Asidua teams have successfully delivered solutions for a wide range of equipment suppliers including Tier 1s & 2s from across the globe. For more information on Asidua, visit www.asidua.com/wes

About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company’s experience and global resources, NEC’s advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information visit NEC at www.nec.com

About PMC
PMC (Nasdaq:PMCS) is the semiconductor innovator transforming networks that connect, move and store digital content. Building on a track record of technology leadership, we are driving innovation across storage, optical and mobile networks. Our highly integrated solutions increase performance and enable next generation services to accelerate the network transformation. For more information visit www.pmc-sierra.com

Media Contacts
Kieran Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Asidua Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9072 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9072 5001
Email: marketing@asidua.com

Asidua aims to make a ‘Big Impression’ with TinyLife!

2011-06-06T08:53:07Z

Following their successful partnerships with Disability Action and the NSPCC, global IT services provider Asidua, is now aiming to make a ‘Big Impression’ with their new charity of the year TinyLife.

Since forming in 2002, the telecoms and data integration specialist’s dedicated CSR policy has continued to be at the heart of its business operations. In 2009 they expanded this commitment further by announcing a new initiative, the Asidua Charity of the Year, which sees the company engage and support a specific employee nominated charity each year.

During a recent launch event hosted in their head offices in Belfast city centre, the 2011 Employer of Choice finalists officially announced TinyLife as their new Charity of the Year.

Asidua chief operations officer, Angela Canavan, opened the event by welcoming TinyLife to Asidua: “Since launching in 2009, the Asidua Charity of Year has allowed us to provide support to a number of local charities such as Disability Action and the NSPCC. Building on those successes, we are delighted to extend a warm welcome to TinyLife, our new Charity of the Year for 2011/2012.”

Angela went on to outline why TinyLife was chosen as Asidua’s nominated Charity of the Year: “Last year there were 24,500 babies born in Northern Ireland. From this, nearly 2,000 were born prematurely. TinyLife, who are Northern Ireland’s only premature and vulnerable baby charity, provide an essential service in supporting local families, during what is an extremely difficult time.”

Commenting on their selection as Asidua’s new Charity of the Year, TinyLife regional fundraising manager, Valerie Cromie said: “TinyLife is delighted to have been chosen as the charity partner with Asidua for the incoming year. We are a small charity and we rely heavily on the generosity of local business so that we can support families who have been affected by premature birth or disability in birth in Northern Ireland.”

In addition to welcoming their new Charity of the Year, the event allowed those gathered to hear how TinyLife services help local families across Northern Ireland. Alison and James Magee spoke about the first class services provided by TinyLife for their twin boys, Alexander and Ben.

“As the parents of twins, we find every single offer of help invaluable and being matched with a TinyLife Family Support Volunteer was a wonderful help,” said Alison. “Our volunteer, Jacqueline, would visit us once a week and help to make everyday tasks that little bit easier. We would take the boys swimming, attend baby yoga and basically help do things that I would have found impossible to do myself.”

Alison’s husband James continued by mentioning the Parents Support Group, another valuable service provided by TinyLife: “The Parents Support Group, which we attend monthly, gives us a great opportunity to meet other parents who are experiencing the same joys, difficulties and challenges as you are.

Alison concluded the family’s story by expressing their gratitude to TinyLife: “At the boy’s baptism and first birthday, we asked family and friends to make a donation to TinyLife rather than buying presents as we wanted to show our gratitude for all of the support they have given and continue to give us.”

Throughout the coming year Asidua will be organising a number of fund raising activities to help TinyLife support more families like the Magee’s. Angela went on to conclude: “Despite having a tiny name, Asidua is aiming to make a big impression with our new Charity of the Year TinyLife.”

Photograph Caption
TinyLife tots, Ben and Alexander Magee, start spreading the news that TinyLife has been selected as Asidua’s Charity of the Year for 2011/2012. Launched in 2009, the Asidua Charity of the Year allows the global IT services provider to engage and support a specific employee nominated charity each year.

NOTES TO EDITOR

Business Services - provide Application & Data Integration (ADI) & Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP) services to large enterprises and public sector organisations.
Device Services - provide specialised WinPath^TM Expert Services (WES) to the telecommunications market.

About TinyLife
TinyLife is Northern Ireland’s only premature and vulnerable baby charity. Last year, there were 24,500 babies born in Northern Ireland, nearly 2000 were born prematurely. There are 2 stillbirths in Northern Ireland every year. TinyLife offers a breast pump loan service, extensive resource library, funds research and has a Family Support Service. TinyLife offer a support group specifically for Fathers who have been affected by premature birth. Many premature babies that we support weigh as little as 1lb and can spend up to 16 weeks in hospital in neo natal care. For more information about TinyLife, visit www.tinylife.org.uk

Media Contacts
Kieran Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Asidua Limited, 10 Weavers Court, Belfast, BT12 5GH
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9072 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9072 5001
Email: marketing@asidua.com

Samara Prentice
Community & Events
TinyLife, 33 Ballynahinch Road, Carryduff, BT8 8EH
Tel: +44 (0) 2890 815050
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9081 5850
Email: samara@tinylife.org.uk

Asidua re-confirmed as Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

2011-05-20T07:44:24Z

Leading Microsoft partner Asidua continued their successful start to 2011 with their re-accreditation as a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, based on new higher standards.

Asidua, who specialise in Application & Data Integration (ADI) services and who have developed the class leading Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP), were first accredited as a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner in 2008. Since then the data integration specialists have been able to stay at the forefront of Microsoft technologies through with their continued re-accreditations.

Together with their Microsoft Cold Certified Partner status, the IT service provider’s honed methodologies and skilled team, gives them an unparalleled ability to architect innovative and transformational solutions based on the Microsoft service-oriented architecture (SOA) suite.

Commenting on their recent re-accreditation, Bob McClean, Sales and Marketing Director at Asidua said: “The process through which an IT company attains Microsoft Gold Partner status is now more pre-defined and rigorous than ever. This ensures that only the “best-of-breed” of partners are granted rights to work with end-users of Microsoft Business Solutions. As such, we are delighted to be able to re-confirm our Gold partner status with Microsoft.”

Since forming in 2002 Asidua has been remained at the forefront of Microsoft solutions, allowing their clients to unlock the full potential of Microsoft technologies such as SharePoint, BizTalk, Dynamics and SQL Server. This has been no more evident than with the Asidua Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP) solution.

“Our CCP solution, which is built on the latest Microsoft technologies, makes it easier for local authorities to improve customer contact, promote channel shift, maximise one-and-done, minimise avoidable contact and ensure that services are delivered effectively,” commented Bob.

“We are confident that our re-accreditation as a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner will continue to ensure that our clients obtain the many business benefits afforded by the Microsoft technology suite,” concluded Bob.

NOTES TO EDITOR

About Asidua
Asidua, who employ over 120 staff, is headquartered in Belfast and has offices in Dublin and Birmingham. The company delivers world-class software consultancy and services to clients across a broad spectrum of business sectors through two specialised divisions;

Business Services - provide Application & Data Integration (ADI) & Customer Contact Platform^TM (CCP) services to large enterprises and public sector organisations.
Device Services - provide specialised WinPath^TM Expert Services (WES) to the telecommunications market.

For more information on Asidua, visit www.asidua.com

About the Microsoft Certified Program
Microsoft Certified Partners are independent companies that can provide the highest levels of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and hands-on skills. Microsoft Certified Partners encompass a broad range of expertise and vendor affiliations and their real world perspective can help clients prioritize and effectively deliver their technology solutions. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners are the top level of Microsoft solutions partners and have access to the tools and support they need to help them stand out in the marketplace.
For more information on the Microsoft Certified Partner program, visit www.microsoft.co.uk

Media Contacts
Kieran Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Asidua Limited, 10 Weavers Court Belfast
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9072 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9072 5001
Email: marketing@asidua.com