Q1 2021

133 | Q1 2021 Feb21255 The Company Taking Event Management into the Future With the pandemic seeing changes in how events are managed across the board, software development company Merlinsoft is dedicated to pioneering the sector’s adaptation for this new world. Specialists in business management, admissions, and ticketing systems, Merlinsoft is a software development company that serves a varied clientele. Within its company, it holds to a simple mission statement that permeates every aspect of its business: ‘add value, be kind’. This mantra echoes across all departments within Merlinsoft, and applies to its attitude towards its customers, suppliers, and employees. It is this unified approach that sets it in good stead with all who work for and with the company, as shown by the plethora of positive feedback it receives. The adoption of this philosophy also ensures that all contacts are made with the same level of commitment and empathy in providing its award- winning event and venue management software. Furthermore, it has been purpose-developed to fit within every aspect of a user’s business. Merlinsoft sports an easy to use EPOS or ‘point of sale’ module and powerful back office suite amongst its offerings, meaning that it is excellent for both experienced users and those who are less savvy with complex software. Its support services are also operational and available seven days a week, granting its users peace of mind even after purchase. Merlinsoft has also been developed to improve and increase profit margins. Impressively, Merlinsoft’s flexibility and adaptability as a piece of software has meant that it covers a wide variety of clients across a wide range of sectors. For example, in retail, breakthroughs in this industry led it to design an EPOS system operating through the world’s first wall-mounted touchscreen. Far from just working within event booking and online ticket management, it is constantly working to develop integrated solutions for many more aspects of business, also offering EPOS systems to charities. It is work like this that recently won it critical acclaim for its work in automating Gift-Aid’s processes. Additionally, its clients cover a broad spectrum of establishments each with incredibly different target markets. Included in this roster are heritage railways, cathedrals, theme parks, country parks, retail stores and PYO farms. Making it unique – and drawing many such clients in – is the fact that its integrated systems allows seamless control over retail, admissions, memberships, kiosks, online ticketing, e-commerce, and accounting. Furthermore, all its software is written in-house. Merlinsoft’s staff are a tight knit team that value equity in treatment amongst its ranks, forming a composite team from the apprentices to the board of directors. It uses a flat hierarchy internally, with no formal management structure. Every one of its staff is given a level of responsibility based on their skill level and experience, allowing members to develop at their own pace and at whatever level they are comfortable with. During recruitment, it focuses on attitude rather than aptitude, as this is something it can train for later – first and foremost it seeks people who will fit in with the company’s culture. Due to the continued hurdles presented by the pandemic, the biggest challenges in 2021 for Merlinsoft are predicted to be much like the ones it faced in 2020. Due to lockdowns, social distancing measures, and additional safety rules, all its client’s businesses were facing closure both temporary and permanent. It looks forward to when once again, its users can open their doors after the pandemic has been resolved. In such difficult times however, there has also been opportunity. Merlinsoft found that with increased safety measures came increased need for rigorous event and ticketing management – and that is where Merlinsoft shines. Therefore, Merlinsoft saw a boom in users interested in its services, and it saw its revenues triple over 2020 as a result. Turning its attention to 2021 and its plans for the rest of the coming year, it seeks to further develop its systems to supply additional features appropriate for event management during a pandemic. It has also recently launched Merlin iFood for restaurants, which allows users an online space for their menus that customers can directly place orders through. This cuts out the need for in-person table service, decreasing exposure and increasing safety. With these developments alongside its new digital membership cards, access control system and hardware, Merlinsoft endeavours to blaze a trail to further success in its industry. Company: Merlinsoft Ltd Contact: Owen Gleadall Website: www.merlinsoft.co.uk