On 27th April 2000 Blueloop Limited was incorporated by Jon Gerdes, Managing Director; Tony Haines, Technical Director; and Robin Barker, Finance Director. Initially the business operated from converted barns in North Perrott, Nr Crewkerne and later relocated to our current Datacentre in Yeovil.
Blueloop’s service offering includes IT Consultancy & Infrastructure, Software, Networks and Cyber Security. Blueloop provides support to businesses in the South West and beyond. The IT support offered is tailored to the specific business requirements of each organisation. Some may have an existing IT team or person on-site and simply need an additional pair of hands for project work or during busy holiday periods. For some other organisations, Blueloop provides a complete managed, cost effective IT service allowing the business to concentrate on their own core services. Blueloop can be flexible positioning a service to match the business need.
The team grew rapidly in the first 5 years employing eight staff. The business has expanded during the last twenty years and in April 2013 purchased Blueloop House in Yeovil and established a fully-fledged Datacentre. From here Blueloop can provide the faster internet services that businesses require today as well as providing resilience and a Disaster Recovery suite for customers.
Blueloop are delighted to be celebrating twenty years of trading this month, currently employing 22 staff. Some of the team are based in Swindon and London but the large proportion of the team are in the South West looking after local businesses. Blueloop have also helped support many local and UK charities over the years including local youth football teams, the ambulance services, local hospices, BBC Children in Need and Great Ormond Street.
“Blueloop has made great progress in our first 20 years” comments Robin Barker, Financial Director. “It’s not easy building a business and we are very proud of what has been achieved. There have been many hurdles to cross not least of which we find ourselves in the midst of perhaps our biggest challenge, but we are determined to prevail and build upon our strong foundations and look forward to a bright future and another enjoyable 20 years servicing the needs of our customers and their IT requirements.”
Technology has changed significantly in the last 20 years. In 2000 the internet was still a new concept. Getting online involved using dial up which was normally used for school or work purposes and certainly not for entertainment or connecting with people. Families had to visit Blockbusters to hire a movie or TV show ensuring it was returned timely to avoid the late fees. Now if you want to watch something, you can reach it on demand anywhere through the growing number of streaming services.
Today there are more than 4 billion people who have access to the internet. The workplace has never been quite so competitive, yet flexible and accommodating and the dynamics have changed immeasurably. While email is still primarily used for business communications, video chat, instant messaging, internet telephony, are all part of our daily regime.
Tony Haines, Technical Director on behalf of the Board, wanted to “Thank the staff for all their hard work and to all our customers who have contributed during our 20 years.”
So, what happens in the future?
Increasing demands for a more automated workplace are starting to show. Business leaders must investigate how the use of AI, smart software and robots can drive efficiencies and advance new solutions. The push for competitive advantage and high performing staff will encourage the creation of shared AI tools and personalised portfolio apps, and smart technology to raise the bar for extreme digital dexterity.
“The future of digital for Blueloop and everyone in the next 20 years is going to be very exciting. Despite the current crisis we will be there to see and drive it,” remarked Jon Gerdes, Managing Director.
