DDU Newsletter for April 2009: Issue 66
Monthly news and events from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's Digital Development Unit...
Included in this edition:
Free events on the use of mobile technology in your business and gaining advice & information on European Directives
Mercers Toystore opens in Blackburn with state of the art retail and stock control technology, assisted by the DDU
Government announces increased subsidies for employing the long term unemployed
Mobilise your business: The Mobile Phone has changed
No business can afford to waste time or opportunities. Making maximum use of new mobile data solutions is vital to the way we work – not just the necessity of email on the move but also using new technologies and services to access office applications out in the field.
Now you can find out how – quickly and simply – at this free event, seeing first hand how newly developed software and devices can increase the remote users productivity.
Date: Thursday 30th April, 8:30am for 9:00am start, buffet breakfast provided
Venue: Turf Moor Enterprise Haven, Burnley Football Club, Harry Potts Way, Burnley BB10 4BZ
North West Club Europeen
A simple no nonsense approach to compliance
Free to Pennine Lancashire companies, Club Europeen is a series of technical events aimed specifically at bringing manufacturing companies up to date with European directives.
The April event covers the latest updates for Electromagnetic Compliance (EMC), responsibilitlies and legalities around property ownership and looks at the latest news regarding submitting an EU Declaration of Conformity.
Date: Thursday 23rd April, 9:10am to 1:00pm. lunch provided
Venue: Blackburn Technology Management Centre, Challenge Way, Blackburn BB1 5QB
Government subsidies for taking on the unemployed
Employers can now take advantage of £2,500 in Government subsidies if they employ a member of staff who has been unemployed for six months or more. Contact your local Job Centre Plus office to find out more and read more about the scheme on the Department for Work and Pensions website below;
New regulations for April 2009
Each new financial year invariably brings new regulations or changes to existing laws or regulations. Keep updated with all the new changes for 2009 with the Business Link North West website. Select the link below to find out more.
Microsoft warn of Conficker computer worm
Conficker is a highly infectious malcious worm first discovered in October 2008 which can spread itself from computer to computer without any human interaction. Microsoft responded to the outbreak by releasing a security patch to protect any vulnerable PC's from attack. Are you convered? Check the details on the Microsoft support page below and be sure your computers and business is protected from this security threat.
Local News for April 2009
Mercers Toystore
The closure of Mercers department store in Blackburn has given rise to a new independent toy shop on Darwen Street which will keep the famous retail name alive. Mercers Toystore is confident that the new store will be a success and is the only dedicated toy retailer in the town centre.
Opening at the new premises also presented an opportunity to improve the way the store operated and in particular, how it managed and handled its stock. Mercers Toystore approached the Digital Development Unit for advice and guidance on all aspects of stock control and online trading. The Digital Development Unit helped to source a local supplier and with advice and guidance the business has developed a complete end to end retail management system. This system is able to control all aspects of the business such as stock levels, reordering, loyalty cards, point of sale, Christmas club and provide readily available management information. This technology is the latest innovation in retail management and the system went into place as the store opened its doors on the 4th April this year.
Stamp of approval
Kershaws Rubber Stamps has been operating in Darwen for 40 years and specialises in supplying bespoke rubber stamps of all types for clients throughout the UK. Key customers include NHS, County and Local Authorities, library services, schools and colleges, HM Prisons and many businesses in the UK.
The parts for the current design of the stamp called Classmates were sourced from the Far East with only 3 colours available. With advice and guidance and partial funding from the DDU, the new design for Classmates requires only 3 component parts and was able to be produced in Darwen at a saving of 25% on current costs.
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