Southwold brewer Adnams launches IPad app to help staff

A Suffolk brewer aims to cut print costs and offer a more interactive way of working by launching an iPad application for staff.

Adnams, based in Southwold, has invested in the new app which enables its teams to create quick presentations for customers from a library of brochures and videos.

It is seen by the company as a way of reducing the amount of printed material used by its sales department, as well as providing a more interactive way to work with customers.

Adnams enlisted the skills of Southwold-based company Creative Intent to develop the app, which stores all promotional materials for Adnam's products and hotels.

Sean Clark, head of web at Adnams brewers, which employs about 400 staff and had a turnover of more than �50m last year, said: 'Adnams is a company which is looking to innovate.

'We wouldn't use new technology just for the sake of it, but we would if we felt it was going to improve a process or have an environmental benefit.

'The idea we came up with is to build an internal application which could be used for presentations where the sales team could select different promotional materials. The close interaction it creates with the customer is a massive benefit, but saving paper was one of the key drivers.'

At present, Adnams has equipped 18 business development managers with iPads to take advantage of the new app.

Matt Oakley, technical director and co-founder of Creative Intent, which employs three people and had a turnover of �75,000 last year, said: 'A lot of companies have shown interest in turning their brochures into iPad apps. It makes it easier for people to look through the sales materials.'