Refractiv
Refractiv, a software business which offers IT and web solutions including the design, development and support of websites and web applications, moved into the
Round Foundry Media Centre in June 2012.
The company has evolved to stay at the forefront of the latest revolutionary advancements in online technology, becoming specialists in the growing markets of cloud computing and web application development. The business, which also has an office in Birmingham, was founded by Richard Atkinson, who has 24 years of expertise in general management and IT consultancy, and Ian Weatherhogg, who in his 20 years’ working in the sector has successfully brought to market a number of ‘web-only’ software products and components.
Refractiv specialises in offering cloud support services, helping businesses drastically to reduce their IT infrastructure by communicating with clients and suppliers using digital ‘cloud’ technology, while increasing their online presence and interactivity. Refractiv provides the development, integration and support services to deliver this, allowing their clients to work more flexible hours, from any location, using simpler and often smaller devices.
Since 2008, the company has built an international client-base with customers in Canada and Australia, and a staff team of 10. Refractiv has forged strong links with web search giant Google, becoming a leading Google Apps Reseller which enables them to offer training, integration and ongoing support for the ‘Google Apps for Business’ software, a suite of office tools providing online email, calendar and documents which is the market leader in cloud technology and is used by more than five million businesses worldwide.
Refractiv now has three senior developers certified as Google Apps Deployment Specialists and was recently appointed a ‘Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller’, an accolade awarded to companies which have demonstrated strong capabilities. This expansion in both staff and services led to a need to find larger offices and better infrastructure.
Comments Richard: “We wanted to find a more comprehensive set of facilities and a vibrant and stimulating location for staff and visitors with better public transport access. We knew that we wanted to be either in, or near, the centre of Leeds and the Media Centre is well known in the creative business community: I thought it’d be the ideal location to attract both new clients and also industry talent to our team in the future.
“The building infrastructure and ongoing support from the friendly management team are invaluable and, when we moved, the implementation of the IT network was effortless. The broadband speed is extremely fast which is essential to us, as we predominantly interact with our clients via the web across the globe.”
The company has plans for further expansion, continuing to harness the massive potential for growth in the sector as more businesses look to store their digital resources online, developing its ongoing partnership with Google and widening its international client base.