News

Julie O'Hagan Office Manager at Dixons Contractors commented, "The ISO auditors were impressed with the Invu Document Management system, knowing that all our documents were stored securely. Each one had an audit trail and they were all legally admissible. Everything was in order; they could find any document quickly and easily - because of this we passed with flying colours."

To read the full success story click here

9th August
New Whitepaper: Going green - does electronic document management work for the environmentally conscious?

UK business face an increasing volume of “good to be green” messages, many with related incentives or penalties. The UK Government has signalled its intentions by consolidating seven major programmes into a central Waste & Resources Action Programme. With effect from April 2010 WRAP will focus on four major priorities, one of these being Business Resource Efficiency.

Backing up the collective environmental conscience is a raft of alarming statistics and many of these are pertinent to the electronic document management (eDM) and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) space. Irrespective of the more high tech end of the ECM/ knowledge management arena, it is in the reduction of paper from operations where the fundamental environmental benefits are created. Paper remains the primary information source for a major proportion of businesses.

Organisations implementing green IT strategies must achieve effective ROIs. Our new whitepaper sets out to highlight how eDM/ECM applications sit in this context and whether eDM works for the environmentally conscious.

Download your copy of Going green - does eDM work for the environmentally conscious?

22 July 2010
Derwent Living recaptures a quarter of a year previously lost looking for invoices

Derby-based Derwent Living Housing Association provides affordable living for a variety of lifestyles. The combination of 11,000 properties, increasing tenant numbers and a wide range of suppliers meant that existing manual processes were under strain. Derwent Living also faced a number of other practical issues like dwindling off-site storage and higher staff workloads. This was set against the inevitable background of a cost-control requirement. 

Conservatively, Derwent’s finance department spent at least 30 minutes a day locating invoices for approval – an annual time loss of 12 ½ weeks looking for invoices, a cost of £26,000.

After a review of its key business systems, Derwent Living identified document management as a priority. The systems review pinpointed the need for instant access, secure storage documents and automation of an increasing number of manual processes.

Derwent Living selected Invu Document Management with Invu Workflow. Its scope and simple integration, notably with with QLX were seen as winning features. Following implementation, all documents are stored within Invu Document Management including invoices, training guides, release notes and employee timesheets. The benefits have been outstanding.

The Finance department has capitalised by implementing an automated invoice approval process. Richard Cookson, Head of Accounting and ICT explains, “Our finance department knows exactly where an invoice is in the chain and it’s now impossible for anyone to pass invoices above their authority. This saves time and we can be sure that during the audit process finance regulations will be adhered to.”

Richard has identified key operational, service level, compliance and security improvements, “We are no longer apprehensive of loss of organisational intelligence. Even in the event of a disaster we know our documents are protected.”

Plans for the future include increasing the licence numbers to ensure all staff have access to the software. The additional workflows is also under consideration for expense forms, overtime forms, new starter forms and house completion paperwork e.g. energy efficiency rating documents, gas certificates etc. Richard summarised “By incorporating these workflows, all documents will be available instantly via Invu. No more searching through thousands of documents. This has certainly been a huge step forward for use – it’s hard to imagine how we dealt with a paper system.”

To download the case study click here

28th June 2010
Ten years of success with Invu

Candis magazine 10 years on from implementing Invu: a quarter of a million pounds saved and an additional £100,000 pa revenue.

Hoylake based publisher Newhall Publications Ltd has donated over £53m to charity through it’s Candis Magazine and Club. Since 2000 the business has used Invu to increase efficiencies, accelerate tasks and reduce costs within the organisation. 

Over one million documents are now stored in Invu Document Management. Access times have been transformed – in 2000 average document retrieval times were five minutes at best. With the initial implementation of Invu v5 this dropped to 10 seconds; with the advent of Invu Document Management and more integration, access to documents from the desktop is typically two seconds or less. These improved efficiencies and services levels have directly reduced the need for extra staff. During the 10-year period of ownership employee savings alone are conservatively estimated to amount to over £250,000 after software costs.

Newhall has embedded the Invu solution into its operational processes which have been accelerated through Invu’s direct integration to Newhall’s Myriad publishing administration software. All documents can be viewed in context and staff adoption has been rapid and straightforward, even where there have been significant changes, such as the move to Invu’s .NET product. 

An unexpected side effect has been the reutilisation of unused storage space to house a new call centre operation. In addition to benefitting Newhall’s core business, outsourcing means a new company is on course to generate additional revenues of £120,000 for the coming year.

Chris Harman, IT Director for Newhall Publications Ltd comments, “Invu has allowed us to confidentially shred over a million documents. Its released half the space in the building. Efficiency savings alone have provided a saving of a quarter of a million pounds as a result of Invu’s introduction.”

Chris continued “Utilising the freed up floor space as a third party call centre looks like a real success and we are on schedule to generate an extra income of £120,000 this financial year.”

Colin Gallick, CEO of Invu commented, “There is no doubt that Invu augments the way in which our customers work. By working closely with Invu our customers benefit from continuously developing improvements and efficiencies.”

To download the case study click here 

24th May 2010
Vote for Invu in the Software Satisfaction Awards

Voting has now opened for the Software Satisfaction Awards.

With nearly 20% of the votes, Invu Document Management was shortlisted in the 2009 Software Satisfaction Awards paperless office category. Invu has entered the 2010 awards – let’s see if we can do better.

We continue to listen to our customers to improve the products and we need your help to ensure that Invu gets the recognition it deserves. If you are an Invu customer you can vote online. It only takes a minute of your time, here's the link http://tinyurl.com/3xp8ae8

Voting opens on the 24th May and closes at 5.00pm on Tuesday 14th July 2010.

If you would like further information about the awards visit the website

17th May 2010
Preliminary Results for the Year Ended 31 January 2010

Available to download here

13th May 2010
Invu launches new Invu for SharePoint product

Invu PLC, one of the UK's foremost document management companies and a Microsoft Gold Partner, announces the availability of Invu for SharePoint. Invu for SharePoint is a new addition to the Invu product set and is targeted at businesses utilising SharePoint. It builds on the existing Invu Document Management product and integrates with both Microsoft SharePoint 2007 and the new SharePoint 2010 editions.

Invu Document Management provides a secure and auditable document management capability. It addresses the management issues many businesses face when dealing with high volumes of content, especially if trapped within paper documentation. Gaining a 360° view of, say, a project, a client's affairs or supplier's history becomes possible with Invu Document Management when documents are no longer silo-ed and held in physical files.

SharePoint delivers as the de facto collaboration platform of choice for increasingly large numbers of businesses.

Invu for SharePoint brings Invu's capture, management and discovery capabilities together with SharePoint collaboration for wider business visibility and corporate awareness.

Invu for SharePoint forms an important step in Invu's SharePoint product strategy and will be developed in line with market appetite.

Colin Gallick, Invu CEO, commented "As we have engaged increasingly with mid market prospects and customers we've listened to what they have told us and created Invu for SharePoint. With SharePoint adoption growing strongly, the addition of this product to our portfolio presents an exciting opportunity for Invu. We look forward to delivering more with SharePoint as we develop products to fit the needs of mid market businesses."

5th May 2010
Invu and IRIS join forces for accountancy market

Invu PLC announces a new white-label agreement with IRIS, the UK’s largest private software house. Under the agreement IRIS will sell Invu’s document management product to the UK accountants market as an integrated offering under the IRIS brand.

With 30 years experience, IRIS business critical software and services power the UK accountancy sector - over 14,000 UK accountancy firms rely on IRIS everyday to run their practice.  IRIS offers customers the greatest choice of specialist accountancy software and services managed under three leading brands - IRIS, PTP and Drummohr. With greater than 95% customer retention and 40% of the top 50, IRIS strives to not only deliver great solutions but also provide an exceptional customer service experience.

Colin Gallick, Invu’s CEO commented “The selection of Invu as the IRIS Accountancy Division’s document management partner of choice is a welcome endorsement of the Invu business and products. This partnership is a great fit for Invu. Over 500 accountancy practices have already enjoyed the benefits of using Invu Document Management.  Invu has an excellent pedigree with accountants, working closely with IRIS will strengthen this. We look forward to continued and successful growth in this key market.”

“I am delighted to offer our customers the leading document management solution for UK Accountancy firms, integrated with their IRIS Practice Suite, under the IRIS brand. We believe that the combination of IRIS with Invu for Accountants will deliver significant incremental business benefit for each of them. This is a further example of the innovation our customers have come to expect from IRIS in recent times.” Phill Robinson, MD, IRIS Accountancy Practice Solutions. 

30th April 2010
Invu 6.2c now available

Invu are pleased to announce the release of 6.2c for both Partners and end users.

This version contains:

• Document Tracking
• Improvements to searching
• Administration – Improvements to usability
• Grouping for Audit log results
• New Barcode separator sheet

Please contact your partner for further information 

26th April 2010
Vestra Wealth LLP expands its use of Invu

Vestra Wealth, an Invu customer expands its use of Invu, to ensure it remains one step ahead of compliance requests.

Established in 2007, Vestra Wealth offers financial planning, stockbroking and private banking in an environment that allows investment managers to work collaboratively, without paper. Technology is key to Vestra's success. Invu was chosen due to its advanced character recognition, user friendliness and flexible indexing and re-indexing capabilities. Invu is integrated with Figaro allowing fund managers to know everything about a client on one screen.

During the past two years Vestra has increased and broadened its take up of Invu products and modules and now have a total of 108 users in the company. Invu captures client paperwork, incoming and outgoing email communications, and is now successfully being used in both the HR and Accountants departments integrating with Sage.

Peter Brooker, Head of Planning and Development explained "The regulators aregetting more demanding but with Invu's capabilities we know that we will always be one step ahead on retaining information. We have the information at our fingertips, allowing us to respond immediately to any compliance issues."

Colin Gallick, Invu's CEO commented "Vestra Wealth is a prime example of how Invu can maximise efficiencies in day to day working practices, even in an industry where compliance is exceptionally rigorous."

20th April 2010
Invu welcomes new partner Pillar Solutions

Invu welcomes new Partner Pillar Solutions, one of the leading European distributors of advanced Windows based software tools.

With over 16 years experience, Pillar solutions provide best-of-breed solutions to more than 500 customers, including many Fortune 500 companies and various Government agencies.

Colin Gallick, Invu’s CEO commented “We are pleased to be working with a company with a good solid customer base, backed by proactive marketing. It’s a very encouraging sign for both parties.”

“We look forward to working closely with Invu to further extend their success in the European market.” Victor Dennis MD Pillar Solutions. 

29th March 2010
Invu establishes alliance with Objectif Lune to launch new Invu Content Automation

Invu now offers Invu Content Automation, after establishing alliance with Objectif Lune. PlanetPress Suite will be added to Invu’s product portfolio, providing customers with direct access to trans-promotional and transactional applications.

Trans-promotional activity is proven to enhance customer growth, retention and service levels, and every document sent to a customer is an opportunity for new business.  The new offering, Invu Content Automation, will provides an easy way for businesses to create or enrich variable content documents of any type from Invu’s document management repository. Invu Content Automation also accelerates distribution, speeds up payment processes and even reduces postal costs.

Invu Content Automation will allow customers to import existing business documents created with any Windows application and to interpret their content intelligently for repurposing and enrichment. Data can be mapped onto a template document, and efficiencies are increased with workflow by routing documents for printing, emailing or indexing and archiving into Invu.

For more information about Invu Content Automation click here

17th March 2010
Invu forms partnership with ABBYY to launch new capture technology

Invu has joined forces with ABBYY, a data and document capture specialist, to expand the functionality of its Invu for Business product offering.

The new function, called Invu Capture, is based on FlexiCapture 9.0, ABBYY’s newest data and document capture solution. It allows businesses to scan and capture information from paper as it enters the premises, accurately reading any type of document – including handwritten forms, bank statements, invoices and contracts – in any language or currency. Invu Capture streamlines many business-critical processes by automatically populating back office systems and electronic document repositories. Incorporating FlexiCapture’s capabilities, it works independently in the background to ensure that other tasks are unaffected, and can be used anywhere from a single desktop to distributed multi-site enterprise environments.

Colin Gallick, Invu’s CEO, commented: "We partnered with the best there is to create an unparalleled solution that is precise and intelligent and, most importantly, can integrate seamlessly with any back office system. Put simply, Invu Capture, like all our products, saves businesses time and money. Manual data input becomes a thing of the past, allowing staff to focus on more important functions that add to the bottom line."

"ABBYY FlexiCapture’s intelligent, highly-accurate technology for automated extraction of key field data from a variety of documents and Invu’s document management technologies are truly complementary," noted Jupp Stoepetie, CEO of ABBYY Europe and Director of ABBYY UK Ltd. "Invu offers a powerful product while clearly addressing a significant need in the document management space. Invu's easy-to-manage products help bring document management solutions to a wide audience, and we are very pleased that they chose ABBYY technology out of the many options they were faced with."

Invu Capture forms part of Invu for Business, a product portfolio of intelligent document, information and process technologies that capture, manage and store multiple-source content.

For more information about Invu Capture click here 

9th March 2010
How do you reduce costs by 80%

Established in 1989, Floyd Automatic Tooling Ltd is a family run business, supplying the turned parts manufacturing industry with consumable tooling.

The heavy burden of having to keep documentation on file for seven years was taking its toll on the amount of office space available. A mezzanine was dedicated to filing and information retrieved was increasingly slow. This costly exercise could only escalate as the volume of paper documents rose.

In addition, the prospect of HMRC audit loomed large. Floyd Automatic is required to retain input materials paperwork for its European suppliers and it must also be in a position to make these readily available to HMRC. With resources critical, this situation was simply not tenable.

Speed and ease of information retrieval were driving factors behind the decision to choose Invu as their document management solution.

Terry Smith, IT Manager explained
"An 80% saving in printer toner, paper and postage is a tremendous cost saving for a company of our size."

To find out how they saved 80% download the full case study here

4th March 2010
How do SMEs manage the papertrail?

In this months edition of Staffordshire In Business magazine, Colin Gallick CEO of Invu explains how SMEs often don't have a strategy for document management. "In the early stages this is fine, but it can create problems as businesses grow and the volume of information increases."

Read the whole article to find out how one small business in Staffordshire reduced their administrative overheads by 20% with Invu document management.

View the article http://www.staffsmedia.com/business/