Managing Director, Josie Morris discusses how Woolcool benefited from a funded placement student through SDIPs to overcome technology challenges.
Company Overview
Woolcool was founded in 2009 and the company produces insulated packaging using sheep’s wool, a sustainable alternative to polystyrene. Their primary goal was to overcome a technology challenge, as most of their processes were done manually. What they wanted to see was reduced errors and increased efficiencies to save costs.
Funded Business Support
Woolcool accessed the 'Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships' (SDIPs) programme.
Being a local business, working with a local university with an excellent reputation was important to Woolcool. Staffordshire University brought a wealth of knowledge and funded the business to employ a talented student temporarily (who was later extended to full-time) to bring in lots of skills and knowledge of software development. The student supported in building a software that would increase efficiencies and allow to automate the business processes, saving time for colleagues to work on other sides of the business.
Project Outcome
The project has exceeded expectations, reducing the number of system errors, which have saved Woolcool money and time. The correct products are leaving the warehouse, so there’s less money and time spent on refunding or replacing products. Also, there are now more efficient stock counts, meaning that more time can be spent on other projects. Overall, the SDIPs programme has allowed Woolcool to develop software that works more efficiently, giving them more freedom to focus on the people of the team.
Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships (SDIPs) is a collaborative project between Staffordshire University and Staffordshire County Council; funded by Staffordshire University, Staffordshire County Council and the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020.
I would 100% recommend the SDIPs scheme for a number of reasons. We’ve seen such a benefit of the business for our software to be automated in the way it has been. We’ve seen so many efficiencies, but I think one of the key things shown is how important it is for academia and businesses to work together. Not only that, but it’s also to give a local student an opportunity to come into a local business and test out their skill set.