It has been a while since I mentioned Wattsie in his lyrca but the time has come again. Following on from the mammoth Land’s End to John O’Groats bike ride last year, the Old Farts are getting back into the stretchy stuff for the London to Brighton bike race in the name of charity.

Gary and Chris are taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride, forming part of the Maris Pipers team, which is raising money for the British Heart Foundation. The bike ride takes place on 17 June by which time Wattsie assures me that the lyrca will be shiny, the day-glo as bright as ever and the Old Farts raring to go. You can sponsor Gary as he gives the cycling one last big push before he reaches 50 on their Virgin Money Just Giving page.
 

Everybody at GWA Cars & Finance is getting behind Wattsie (from nice comfortable seats) and we’ve got a few cars on the forecourt that would make perfect support vehicles. We’ve got a 2007 Range Rover Sport 2.7 HSE (automatic and diesel) for £19,995 and a 2006 Mercedes ML320 CDi SE (automatic ) for £15,495. There’s room for plenty of energy drinks and bars, not to mention a bike or two, in both!
 

To have a chat about buying or leasing a new or used car or van, contact Gary at GWA Cars & Finance on 01243 510 650 or sales@gwacars.com.

It's been a while since our last Blog Post, just over a month in fact! The team here at Centus Systems have been busy developing our new range of performance PCs and Mini ITX Servers. We've had some great results back from our independent benchmark testing, with our new 1U Comms Server outperforming all the major brands, and going on to win Best In Category - Results to follow soon

We've also been busy holding discussion groups, speaking to businesses throughout the UK and talking with major authorities to find out what really works for businesses when it comes to IT.

During the current state of economic stagnation, where businesses are counting every penny, careful attention needs to be paid to the processes involved when procuring IT equipment. It is all to easy too click on to Google, search for the cheapest computer and check out....

.... But what happens when it goes wrong? What is the system warranty like? Do you actually understand the hardware you have just bought? How long will this system last? And have you just purchased equipment you didn't really need?....

Here at Centus, we are dedicated to delivering industry leading system quality, reliability and performance, and providing your business with a cost effective IT hardware solution that offers long and short term value for money.

Our systems build quality, in-depth product knowledge and customer service speaks for itself. When you order a bespoke system from Centus, you're only paying for the hardware and software you actually need.

So the next time you need new IT hardware for your business, don't buy off the shelf, buy Centus Systems for a fully bespoke solution tailored to your exact needs.

If you would like further information on any of our systems or services, of would like to order a system, please call us on 03300 881 656 or email hello@centus.co.uk

Signs of recession were nowhere to be seen at the inaugural gathering of the Tunbridge Wells First Friday business network held at The Wells Kitchen between 12 and 2 on Friday 4th May.

More than 70 people, representing businesses of all sizes, met to make connections, talk about their businesses and find ways of helping each other.

The network is organised by Knibbs, the IT and telecoms specialist, that has recently opened new offices in Tunbridge Wells.

Managing Director, Tim Knibbs, said: “We wanted to make an immediate contribution to the Tunbridge Wells business community and decided that launching a First Friday business network was an ideal way of doing it.”

The people who attended enjoyed the informal nature of the gathering.

“You just buy yourself a drink and chat to the other people who are here,” explained James Neeter, Sales and Marketing Manager with Knibbs. “First Friday is free and the events are come and go as you please, every month.”

Gavin Fisher, Chief Executive of the Children’s Respite Trust said: “I’m really pleased by the number and quality of businesses that are here. Everybody seems to have come in the mood to network and it’s very easy to strike up new conversations.”

Reasons for attending were varied, from the simply curious to the strategic. Collin Adams of Bibby Financial Services said: “I work for the Hastings office in the group, but I see a vibrant local economy in West Kent and want to get to know more people here to expand my network of contacts.”

We are based out of Hastings, but see a vibrant local economy in West Kent and want to get to know more people here.”

Business confidence was high, despite official statistics showing that the UK as a whole is now back in recession.

“There is no shortage of opportunity to present proposals at the present time,” said Martin Long of Sugar Marketing. “Understandably, businesses want to make sure they are getting value for money, but business owners are looking to the future and doing what they believe they have to  do to grow - including investing in their people, their infrastructure and their marketing.”

Tim Knibbs continued: “I am delighted by the turnout, which was generated entirely by LinkedIn and word of mouth. The mood in the room has been excellent and I am looking forward to welcoming even more people every First Friday of every month at The Wells Kitchen.

For more information, join the ‘First Friday – Tunbridge Wells, Kent’ LinkedIn group all ready nearly 100 Business people have!

Rgds,

James Neeter
james.neeter@knibbs.com
07702 162 686