News: Lee connects with IT specialist

Rotherham-based IT infrastructure specialist Connect-IP has appointed Lee Stokes as the company's new sales manager.

The 36-year-old from North Lincolnshire will be specifically responsible for developing new business within the construction sector.

Lee said: "My 20-year experience in network infrastructure working for installers, distributors and most recently a leading manufacturer, will be invaluable as I continue to raise the profile of Connect-IP's services and solutions within the construction community.

"Connect-IP has developed an excellent reputation for delivering quality systems and it's now time we started to tell everyone about our success. We are starting to see definite signs of activity in the construction market and I believe we are perfectly placed to exploit the potential of this."

Mark Richardson, director of Connect-IP, added: "The business is really starting to take shape now and attracting people of Lee's calibre is testament to the brand we are building. Lee's extensive experience and knowledge of the industry will be crucial as we move through a significant period of growth."

As well as the construction industry, Connect-IP provide infrastructure cabling, wireless, access control and IP surveillance support to a vast range of businesses, including the public and private sectors, finance, banking, education, local authorities and the police.

Based at Vector 31 at Waleswood, Connect-IP celebrated their fifth birthday last year. Since its launch the company has trebled turnover and increased staffing numbers from five to 60.

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News: Connect-IP helps historic school move into the 21st century

A historic West Yorkshire school has continued its transformation into a 21st century facility thanks to the IT expertise of Connect-IP in Rotherham.

The Brooksbank School Sports College in Elland, whose history stretches as far back as 1712, worked during the summer to improve its access control systems to prevent unauthorised entry into the campus for the start of the new school term.

More than 1,600 students attend Brooksbank, along with 110 teaching staff and a further 100 support staff. The new system, by the Wales Bar company, includes eight new access controls to the outer entrances of the large campus.

It is the first school building project for Connect-IP, which is looking at the education market to showcase their expertise in IT cabling infrastructure and surveillance equipment.

Mark Richardson, director at Connect-IP, said: "Every school must assess the usefulness of its security systems, whether it is a new build or an old one. Brooksbank was suffering real frustration with their existing access control system it was too rigid and inflexible.

"Administrating it had become difficult and inconvenient. Our new control system is networked to enable it to be managed from anywhere in the school with the appropriate permission. It is more efficient and will be adaptable to new technologies and future developments, improving the longevity of the system."

Jane Blackburn, school administrator at Brooksbank School, added: "As with all large scale public buildings controlling access is the upmost importance and through the support of Connect-IP, we now have the technology to provide a modern facility to both students and teachers.

"Having the new system in place will now mean that the only entrance for visitors into the school is through reception where they can be properly registered and accounted for. It can be used both in and out of school hours and will be controlled by the administration and premises team."

Staff and sixth formers will be provided with access swipe cards which double up as identity badges to allow them entry to any area of the school.

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News: Connect-IP celebrates five years from start up to success

Rotherham-based Connect-IP, which has trebled turnover since its launch, increased staffing numbers from five to 60 and beat the recession by winning big contracts with blue chip companies, is celebrating its fifth birthday by moving into new markets.

Based at Vector 31 at Wales Bar, the enterprise was founded by Mark Richardson and Bob Allen in 2005 after they saw a gap in the market for a high quality sub-contract cabling company.

Since then they have carried out major projects over a wide range of sectors across the UK and Europe.

Earlier this year saw the launch of a mobile and portable visual security alarm system called RAPIDSENTRY, a battery powered system that requires no electricity, enabling it to be installed anywhere and moved around as the situation demands.

In another move, the company has teamed up with leading global developer Milestone Systems in the development of image processing surveillance software.

However, the rise of the company has not been without a lot of very hard work right from the start.

Mark Richardson, director of Connect-IP said: "We faced a number of challenges coming into this as a new start-up company, everything from finding an accountant, sorting out business premises, banking arrangements and taking on new employees.

"We now carry upwards of 60 staff ranging from permanently based employees and sub-contract engineers to project management and sales staff."

The company's work has covered a vast range of business including the public and private sector, finance, banking, industrial, local education, local authorities, and the police.

Mark said: "We have carried out some major, high profile projects, one of which was a national project for one of the world's biggest insurance brokers which took us through the first 18 months of the business.

"Last year we worked on a very large project for Great Ormond Street hospital, where we firmly established ourselves as their incumbent supplier for IT cabling. We have also carried out projects in Europe, including a major financial institution at their new headquarters in Frankfurt.

"We are now looking to the future, working with cutting-edge technologies and ground-breaking new products, such as RapidSentry."

The economic climate has made it difficult for start-ups, but Mark has positive advice for new businesses.

He said: "The support is out there for new businesses if you can get access to it. My advice would be to use services such as Business Link, and have a look for what could help you. There are plenty of people to lean on.

"You really need to find yourself a good accountant and someone you can have a good relationship with, which has been invaluable to us. Then it's all down to hard work."

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News: Connect-IP develops mobile security alarm system

Rotherham-based Connect-IP has launched a mobile and portable visual security alarm system after spotting a unique gap in the alarm security market.

RAPIDSENTRY is battery powered and requires no electricity, enabling it to be installed anywhere and moved around as the situation demands.

The integrated motion sensor detects intruders and transmits instant video alerts to an Alarm Monitoring Centre via the wireless 3G mobile phone network.

With both indoor and outdoor units available, the system is ideal for construction sites, caravan parks, farm buildings or properties left empty and abandoned following the recession.

Mark Richardson, a director of Connect-IP, said: "RAPIDSENTRY enhances sophisticated surveillance systems, acting as "remote sentries" that can be located anywhere, providing instant video alerts of intrusions.

"Security is becoming increasingly important and we believe by utilising the phone networks we are one of the first companies to enable people to cost effectively protect their property and assets where there is no electrical power or landline communications.

"This is taking alarm systems on to the next level and providing effective security support for even more businesses."

Based at the Vector 31 Networkcentre in Wales Bar, Connect-IP recently became a certified partner of global developer Milestone Systems, to provide the next generation of CCTV to businesses around the UK.

The firm also recently celebrated their fifth birthday. Bob Allen, Director at Connect-IP said: "Given the recent economic climate it is especially pleasing to not only be celebrating entering our 6th year in existance but also another year of growth.

"We are very proud of what we are acheiving here at Connect-IP and would like to thank all of our staff, suppliers and of course our clients for working with us.

"We now have a fantastic base to move forward and we are relishing the exciting times ahead."

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News: CCTV partnership for Rotherham firm

Rotherham-based, Connect-IP is opening up the use of high-end security equipment to small and medium sized enterprises by becoming a certified partner of global developer Milestone Systems.

The next generation system called IP (Internet Protocol) Surveillance, enables companies to keep an eye on their premises from anywhere in the world through a secure online portal or via the internet.

Mark Richardson, director at Connect-IP, said: "This new surveillance technology creates digitised video streams that, when transferred via a computer network, enable remote monitoring to anywhere accessible by the internet.

"This development effectively brings CCTV, an aging security format, into the 21st century.

"These systems are now becoming the standard with large public facilities, like airports, with hundreds of cameras feeding back live streams. However, by working with Milestone Systems, we can now bring this high end solution and this level of security to businesses of all sizes."

Milestone Systems is the leading global developer of open platform software for managing IP network-based video surveillance. It has more than 50,000 customer installations worldwide, from all industry sectors, including retail, hospitality, finance, manufacturing, education, healthcare, transport, government and the military.

Recommended reading: Boosting Local Businesses with Affordable Remote Access Options

Mark added: "The partnership with Milestone is a significant step forward for us as it enables Connect-IP to provide the most sophisticated technology to the local market."

Based at the Vector 31 Networkcentre in Wales Bar, Connect-IP has appointed Chris Louca as business development executive to work with solutions manager John Clegg in raising awareness of the product to local businesses.

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Rotherham

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News: Connect-IP come to the aid of famous hospital

Connect-IP, based at the Vector 31 Networkcentre in Wales Bar, Rotherham has fulfilled a significant contract at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London.

The 12-month project, in conjunction with Cisco specialists Block Solutions, saw Connect-IP assist with a major upgrade to the hospital's IT infrastructure.

GOSH's IT system includes 5,000 users served by 65 communication rooms, across many departments such as paediatric ICU, theatres and pathology. With on-going developments in new technology and software to aid patient care, the hospital needed to modernise its fixed and wireless networks.

Connect-IP worked with the main network consultants Block Solutions, after both companies came together on a similar project for the Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This project involved the upgrade of the communications rooms, linking all areas with fibre optic cables and installing a wireless network around the hospital.

Marc Chang, Block's technical director, said: "As with any major project in a hospital environment, the work wasn't without its challenges. However, Connect-IP helped overcome these with great success and enabled us to complete a significant portion of the work with Great Ormond Street Hospital.

"We have worked with Connect-IP on similar projects in the past and each time they have proven to be a very valuable partner."

Bob Allen, director at Connect-IP, added: "To be working with one of the country's best known hospitals was a massive coup for this region.

"It has taken a year to complete and showcases our credentials in supporting IT redevelopment within the public sector."

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Rotherham

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News: Leading role for Rotherham IT company

A Rotherham company has played a crucial "behind the scenes" role in the refurbishment of a historic theatre in Derby.

Derby Theatre recently completed a five-month refurbishment programme as part of ongoing developments to re-open it as a leading arts venue, following a lengthy closure.

Based at the Vector 31 Network Centre in Wales Bar, Rotherham, Connect-IP was brought in by the University of Derby to renew the building's entire cabling infrastructure.

Connect-IP's work included the upgrade of the data network, to help improve ticket sales, helping to rewire the backstage areas of the theatre, as well as the installation of wireless access points and plasma TV points.

Scott Bradley, senior network infrastructure engineer at the University, said: "Connect-IP has become a valued partner because it provides a reliable service which is timely, documented and tested."

Bob Allen, director at Connect-IP, added: "We have worked with the University of Derby on a number of projects over the last few years. We have become a key partner on the renovation of its buildings, so we were pleased to get involved with this project.

"The Derby Theatre has been through a difficult time over recent years. But under the guidance of the University, it can now look forward to a bright and successful future. We are delighted to be part of this new era for the theatre."

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Rotherham

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News: Cash boost for Rotherham IT company

Rotherham-based Connect-IP has secured a six-figure contract with a well-known national children's hospital.

Based at the Vector 31 Networkcentre in Wales Bar, Connect-IP provides data cabling and IT infrastructure for organisations across a variety of sectors, including health and finance, and has recently gained a number of national contracts.

To support the increase in working capital required to manage the contracts, Connect-IP received a £30,000 loan from South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF).

Mark Richardson, Director at Connect-IP, explained: "The money from SYIF enabled us to secure and deliver phase one of the upgrade for the hospital. We are now embarking on phase two, which will run throughout the next 12 months.

"It's a significant contract for the company and will rapidly increase our turnover for 2009.

"We had seen a number of national contracts come in and the company enjoyed a rapid expansion during a short period of time. The working capital was vital to keep the progress going."


Connect-IP has demonstrated year-on-year growth since being established in 2005.

Grahame Lunt, investment manager at SYIF, said: "We are pleased to support Connect-IP with additional funding to enable them to undertake a substantial contract and for Connect-IP to continue to grow."

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Rotherham

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