Technology solutions used worldwide
Based in the small town of Dunoon on the west coast of Scotland, SAMTEQ develops pioneering technology solutions that are used around the world.
Its ‘Genius Family’ of management solutions are all about making life easier for customers, helping them streamline their processes, keep on top of reporting requirements, and save time and money – all at the click of a button.
SAMTEQ is no standard web company. It provides smart web technology solutions for businesses around the world, with its flagship product being the Genius Family management systems. The Genius Family make exceptionally complex management systems beautifully simple for the user.
“The Genius Family is our main focus now,” explains Director Ken Coley. “We offer Distillery Genius, Marina Genius and Task Genius, which is a facilities management tool for hotels – and we do bespoke management systems, too. We still take on some other web technology projects, but they have to need a bit of extra ‘cleverness’.”
SAMTEQ’s impressive founder is Sam Coley, who set up the business in 2009 while he was still at school. The business quickly went from strength to strength – and Sam soon found himself employing his father, Ken, an IT specialist with over 20 years’ industry experience.
“People do sometimes think it’s odd, but Sam has always been very much the boss,” says Ken. “Sam’s still involved, but he’s set up another company down in Manchester, so he’s focusing on that now, and I’m looking after SAMTEQ.
“When we first started out, we needed really technical people to develop our solutions. But our key products are up and running now, so it will be a lot easier to find employees with the skills we need. These days, it’s more about getting people who can promote and support our products, so we’re looking for smart, enthusiastic people who we can train – and that’s much easier to find. In fact, our latest employee just walked through the door to see if we needed anyone. I always think that kind of motivation deserves a chance, so we’re taking him on for a placement while he’s at university.”
Argyll is great as we can expand and grow here much more cheaply as rents and rates are lower than in big cities or further down south. It’s a great place to live, with an excellent standard of living – I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.Ken Coley, Director, SAMTEQ
A touch of genius
The driving force behind SAMTEQ’s Genius Family is simplicity. SAMTEQ takes complicated technology and makes it easy for people to use – saving businesses time, money and stress.
“We developed our first-ever Genius system around four or five years ago for Kilchoman Distillery in Islay. Most of the management systems out there are aimed at massive drinks producers, so they’re no good for smaller companies – and they cost a fortune. We designed our system for the small and medium-sized distilleries and breweries that are springing up all over the place at the moment.
“The reporting required for drinks producers is enormous, so the main function of Distillery Genius is to deal with recording alcohol movement for Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). It also manages other aspects like stock, invoicing and assets. It basically enables companies who are drowning in paperwork and spreadsheets to manage everything at the click of a button. We’re installing loads of them all over the UK at the moment.
“We then went on to develop Marina Genius, which manages things like yachts, berths and invoicing for marinas; and Task Genius, which makes managing facilities management tasks incredibly easy for hotels.
We also have a member management solution, which helps organisations with lots of members manage everything from people and courses to bookings. And we can develop bespoke systems if someone needs something different.”
The Genius Family isn’t the only product that the company offers.
“Everything we do involves web technology, but it has to be a bit different or interesting or complicated,” says Ken. “We’ve even worked for the Queen! We developed the interactive stands at Balmoral Castle visitor information centre. One of us goes every year to check the kit and we always make a day of it – it’s definitely not work! We’ve also done all the systems for an interactive walk at an outdoor museum in Auchendryne. So we do lots of different things all over the UK – and beyond.”
SAMTEQ has Genius Family systems deployed all over the world – from Australia and Majorca to Rotterdam, as well as across the Highlands and Islands.
WORKING TOGETHER IN ARGYLL
"Being located in Argyll is great as we can expand and grow here much more cheaply as rents and rates are lower than in big cities or further down south. It’s a great place to live, with an excellent standard of living.
"We're in a HIE building in Dunoon, it's a great space for us. We share an office with BC Technologies, and we work together a lot, which works well for both of us. " Ken Coley.
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