Inverness Software Firm Set For Extended Growth

Inverness-based sfG Software has successfully launched a pioneering system that will revolutionise the practice of business mentoring. sfG MentorNet, a paperless method of tracking individuals’ progress, has received critical acclaim from a range of national clients.

Originally developed in a fruitful joint venture with local youth mentoring charity, Day1, the system has also been successfully implemented by the University of Liverpool – initially within the institution’s careers and professional development programme for both MBA and undergraduate students.

Buoyed by the recent developments David Garvie, managing director, said: “The concept of mentoring has increased in popularity in recent years – within both the private and public sectors. We have been extremely encouraged by the feedback received from a range of existing and prospective new clients. sfG MentorNet has had a great impact on increased business efficiency, alongside the positive results achieved by specific end-users.

“We have a steady stream of new clients expressing an interest in sfG MentorNet, across a number of businesses, charities, and universities. The global potential of this product is huge, and we expect to announce a number of new contract wins for sfG within the next twelve months. Our proactive approach is also continuing to win us a number of fresh customers”

Fiona McNamara, Senior Careers Adviser at The University of Liverpool added: “We went through a detailed selection process and found that sfG MentorNet was the best option on the market.  The system is a perfect fit for our current and future needs, as it is user-friendly and pitched at the right level for the effective mentoring of university students. We are very pleased and it has truly captured the attention of our students and their mentors.”

The innovation also looks set to boost the turnover of the Highland firm, which currently employs a team of seven people from its office at The Green House. sfG – small friendly Giant – Software provide companies with responsive IT support and software development services in the Highlands, and across the United Kingdom.

Links:

sfG MentorNet

Day1

University of Liverpool

Testimonials

Abbie McCahill

“As a small team, time at work can be quite precious so when there’s a glitch with a laptop or a computer, it can really be a nightmare. Prior to us having sfG Software to support us, if one of the laptops was playing up, I’d invariably get asked to look at it and the downtime involved would usually be significant. Now, we pay sfG a very reasonable monthly retainer and if anything goes wrong with any of our equipment, we’re all safe in the knowledge that we can pick up the phone to or raise a ticket with one of the experienced engineers and the problem will be sorted out with minimal disruption. I really wouldn’t hesitate to recommend sfG to any customers or associates and I’m really grateful to have sfG Software as an extended arm of our team! Thanks again for supporting us so well!”

Abbie McCahill, Managing Director
Adder Business Ltd, Inverness

Tony Lister

“Having just signed up to get sfG Software to look after our IT needs, I wanted to thank you and your team for what has been an exceptional onboarding process. Andy is a good listener and has very quickly helped increase our understanding of the benefits of Office 365 and helped set up our systems to work more effectively. We have already agreed a gameplan for further improvements and are delighted with his expertise and knowledge. We are confident that as our company expands, we have the right people in place to look after our systems and would happily recommend sfG Software to anyone wanting assistance with their IT needs. We look forward to working with sfG Software for many years to come.”

Tony Lister, Director
Hamish Homes, Inverness

Highland Hospice

“Your response was great including the swift site response and working through the situation to resolution. You clearly identified the fault, where the issue was and put future mitigations in place. All this reinforces our confidence in sfG providing IT support to the Hospice.”

Highland Hospice

Scott Anderson

“Can I also take this opportunity to say that every time we deal with sfG we are always impressed at the speedy, helpful and efficient response we get. In this post-covid day and age I am finding it increasingly difficult to find suppliers who live up to their word, but sfG always deliver.”

Scott Anderson
Masson Cairns Solicitors and Estate Agents

Freda Newton

“I am often reluctant to give references in case it all goes wrong but I have to say that the support from sfG has been the best that we have had and I feel that our systems are much more robust and professional having listened to their advice.”

Freda Newton, Managing Director
Jacobite Cruises, Inverness

Scott Murray

“We have been working with sfG for a number of years now, and have found their service to be attentive and efficient. Nothing is too much hassle, and if they can’t do something they are happy to make a recommendation for someone who can. Their pricing is great and, unlike some companies, we have never had a bill for “extras” that weren’t discussed before a project. All in all, a great bunch of guys to work with.”

Scott Murray, Managing Director
Cru Holdings

David Brookfield

“My experience of IT support companies was that they were broadly all the same and all very mediocre. Since moving our business to sfG I have changed my view entirely.

The changeover from our previous providers was seamless and since then the support we have received has been excellent. The personnel at sfG are very easy to speak to. We receive almost instant responses to our needs and help is provided even if the issue isn’t directly within their remit.

We are kept up to date with our usage and spend via the monthly activity reports which provide excellent statistics for our Board and all at a very competitive price. sfG are certainly a cut above the norm in the IT Support industry.”

David Brookfield, Head of Finance and IT
Centred

Mike Ayres

“sfG have provided IT support services to HighWater since 2011. The broad range of technical capabilities provided by their patient and dedicated support staff ensures that they are always able to respond to our needs in a timely and efficient manner. The accurate data provided by their support desk system ensures that they are able to provide HighWater with a tailored, cost-effective IT support package designed to suit the size and complexity of our company. sfG’s staff have gone above and beyond the level of support that I have typically experienced from other companies when we have had unforeseen out-of-hours IT problems. In summary, I couldn’t recommend them highly enough!”

Mike Ayres, Managing Director
Highwater

Dan Rose-Bristow

“We have used sfG now since 2015 and have always found the service to be friendly and professional. They cover periodic maintenance, ad hoc issues as well as upgrade installations. They often work with 3rd party suppliers and always facilitate any issues that this can bring. sfG look after our Office 365, server and networking, PC maintenance, switches and access points, wireless infrastructure, EPOS hardware and cyber security. I would highly recommend them as a business to work with and we appreciate the service they provide for us”

Dan Rose-Bristow, Owner
The Torridon

Sarah Fowler

“We’re a small charity that has muddled by without any formal IT support for many years, with frustrations and glitches ever growing! Our IT had really started to hold us back and interfere with our day to day work. It took around a year from us initially contacting sfG for us to finally take the leap and enter into an SLA. During that time they were incredibly patient, understanding and always happy to answer any questions we had. We’ve now made the move to Office 365, supported by sfG every step of the way. There’s lots still to do but they’re happy to work with us, at a pace that suits the team, so everyone can get used to changes gradually and avoid any additional pressures. I have no hesitation in reccommending sfG.”

Sarah Fowler, Chief Officer
Thriving Families

Brenda Dunthorne

“sfG have provided us with IT support for a number of years and we are always very pleased with their response time and the outcome of their advice. In addition sfG have supported us in some complex bespoke software developments which demonstrated their skills and determination to achieve the desired outcome. The sfG staff are always very polite and a pleasure to work with.”

Brenda Dunthorne, Director
In Your Element

Sarah Mackay

“Appointing sfG has been a wise business move for us at Canonbury Interiors. Now sfG handle all our IT issues, we are free to focus on our clients and what we do best.”

Sarah Mackay, Managing Director
Canonbury Interiors

Paul Wood

“We’ve been using sfG software for many years now for our back-office, server and IT support. Their fast, knowledgeable and reliable service has ensured IT failures and niggling computer problems are all, fortunately, a thing of the past!”

Paul Wood, Managing Director
West Highland Publishing Company

Dave McLaughlin

“As with most modern businesses we have become totally dependent on IT systems in all areas. Any break in service has a direct cost impact. We have been working with sfG for many years and their support is critical to our business. I would highly recommend their professional service.”

Dave McLaughlin, Managing Director,
Shandwick Supply Co

Daniel Murdoch

“We have been with sfG for just over a year now and their customer service has been first class from the first minute.  Initially, we probably weren’t their ideal client as we were just starting out, however during the first year of a business, the last thing you want to be worrying about is IT.  With a number of new employees and systems coming in throughout the year, sfG have been on top of all our needs and requirements.  Their response to any issue or query is within minutes and any issues which do arise are resolved well within their SLAs.  Their charging structure is very fair which sees us never overpaying for support which we don’t require or use throughout the year.  The team are all very friendly, personable and are quick to come and see us in person if required.”

Daniel Murdoch, Financial Planner
57 North Financial Planning

Bruce Farrell

“Without the help and support from sfG, I would still be staring at a screen now scratching my head.
The support they offer is above and beyond normal.
Extremely friendly staff, very understanding.
We required a specific bit of work done for our company and Andy was extremely helpful and did work behind the scenes that was outstanding.

The work he did will now save us hours of work.”

Bruce Farrell, Rope Access Technical Authority
Ethos Inspection Solutions