MICROSOFT RECOGNIZES CENTRAL TELECOM UK FOR ITS MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF IT
Europe's 500 high growth companies honoured for their outstanding performance.
Microsoft recognizes Central Telecom UK for its most Innovative Use of IT
Barcelona, Spain, 20 November - CEOs, founders and key senior management from amongst 500 of the fastest growing European companies were recognised tonight for their outstanding performance and contribution to employment, during the prestigious Europe's 500 Gala Awards Dinner in Barcelona.
Together, the high growth companies that qualified for the 2005 Europe's 500 Listing, created some 130,000 jobs across Europe and increased their turnover by 28.8 billion euros, recording an impressive average annual growth rate of 14% over three consecutive years. "The Europe's 500 Listing shows that high growth is not dependant on industry sector but rather is created by entrepreneurial-driven companies who seize opportunity, take risk and motivate their staff to succeed. Europe needs more of these champions of growth," commented Martin Schoeller, President of Europe's 500 Entrepreneurs for Growth, during the Awards Ceremony.
Particularly honoured in Barcelona was Central Telecom from Burton on Trent in the UK for its 'Most Innovative Use of IT'. Recipient of this Europe's 500 Special Award presented by Microsoft, Central Telecom was ranked number 384 amongst the 500 companies from 19 European countries. Microsoft was particularly impressed by the company's use of IT as an engine for its growth.
Presenting Central Telecom's Marketing Director, Julie White, with the Microsoft Award, Gabriel Indalecio, Regional Senior Director, SMS&P, Microsoft EMEA said: "We have chosen Central Telecom for the 2005 Microsoft 'Most Innovative Use of IT' award because Central Telecom has demonstrated tremendous innovation through IT, developing a number of solutions for their customers."
Mr. Indalecio further noted that "Their commitment to innovation and growth has resulted in heightened levels of customer satisfaction and an increase of more than 35% in the value of their customer base. Their approach focuses on solutions which are web-based using open standards, making them re-useable, operating either as individual applications or working in close harmony with existing applications. Of particular note is Central Telecom's intelligent use of IT to streamline their performance review process, to plan and manage training courses, to eliminate administrative problems experienced with timesheets and expense claims, to produce a 360° view of the customer and to empower a mobile workforce."
