It is becoming ever more prevalent for cloud based software suppliers to hold ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification. Software Europe, as an organisation, holds this certification.

ISO/IEC 27001:2005 provides a formal model for a business to manage its data security obligations under management control. It is a very good model and isn’t achieved easily; it took Software Europe over a year of formalising its plans, policies and procedures and as a result we have a structure that delivers very real advantages. ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification is independently audited annually and renewal is far from automatic; requiring an on-going attitude of constant improvement. For our customers and potential customers it means that they can feel confident that their data is in good hands, and their service is being delivered through a recognised and audited standard. 

Software Europe encourages organisations to make sure any supplier they engage with holds the certification themselves and not by association only. Some SaaS providers may suggest they carry the ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification when in fact it is perhaps their hosting provider or data centre that is certified. This would not cover the operation of the actual organisation you are about to do business with. In some cases the words used to describe who is certified are difficult to unravel… there’s an easy solution; ask to see their ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification, make sure it is in date and ensure it covers the solution you are interested in. View our certificate.

Company Cars – advisory fuel rates from 1 December 2011

From the 1 December 2011 the company car advisory fuel rates changed. These figures apply to all journeys on or after 1 December 2011 until further notice. The changes that have occurred apply to the LPG rates.

Click here to see how these rates are calculated.

The end of this month will see a visit from Karl McCartney, our Lincoln City MP, who is keen to learn more about the software solutions we provide. The invitation to visit our offices was extended following our success in the Government’s Innovation Launch Pad which included our visit to Downing Street earlier this year. We will discuss with him how our innovative products have already saved our public sector institutions thousands of pounds each year, as recognised by the Cabinet Office.

As well as providing an overview of the company and services, Neil Everatt, Managing Director, is keen to raise his feelings about the disconnection between school and working practices and how he’d like to build stronger links with schools in a similar way to the strong links that are already established with the University of Lincoln, with graduates and post-graduates being employed.  He plans to use the company’s experience to show students from a young age how to prepare for work, and communicate with potential employers.

Our 35-strong company has shown growth and profitability despite the current economic climate, and looks set to continue this with plans to trade our services in Europe and the rest of the World.  The opportunity to meet with Karl McCartney demonstrates our continued commitment to the local community alongside this.