IT specialist Blueloop Limited is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has seen many changes over the years.
Blueloop Limited was incorporated on April 27, 2000, by Jon Gerdes, Managing Director, Tony Haines, Technical Director and Robin Barker, Finance Director. Initially the business operated from converted barns in North Perrott, near Crewkerne, and later relocated to the firm’s current datacentre in Yeovil.
Blueloop’s service offering includes IT consultancy and 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 and can include a complete managed, cost-effective IT service.
The team grew rapidly in the first five years, employing eight staff. The business further expanded and, in April 2013, purchased Blueloop House, in Yeovil, and established a fully-fledged datacentre. From there Blueloop provides the faster internet services that businesses require today, as well as providing resilience and a disaster recovery suite for customers.
Today, Blueloop currently employs 22 staff. Some of the team are based in Swindon and London but the large proportion are in the South West looking after local businesses. Blueloop has helped to 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,” said 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 four 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.
Jon Gerdes, Managing Director, said: “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.”
Tony Haines, Technical Director, added: “On behalf of the Board, I wanted to thank the staff for all their hard work and to all our customers who have contributed during our 20 years.”
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