MAKING AN IMPACT   August 1999

A software company which is making an IMPACT on the emergency services is Keynsham based WPC Software Limited. Growing at a steady rate since they set up seven years ago, in the-past six months they have won over 15 contracts from police forces wanting to buy their specialised software applications.

The company specialises in designing bespoke software for the emergency services, some of which have an oriental flavour; Shogun is a Microsoft based application which a number of police forces around the UK are using to aid the administration and printing of firearms certificates, as well as related certificates and permits. Netsuke is an intranet application for search and find of firearms and shotgun licence information, and can be linked into other police forces using the same package. Tai-Pan comprises a group of intranet applications, which provides a flexible administration system.

Another package which has been acquired by several police forces is Inn Keeper, a liquor licensing application which allows the forces to keep track of all licensees, licensed premises and applications for special licences. There are other smaller applications all aimed at making the policeman's lot an easier one.

Director Elizabeth Walker said:

We are currently developing a number of new police applications- Ferret, a specialised Document Management System, which will interface directly with our other applications such as Shogun and Inn Keeper. Another comprising two main modules, Ferret Scan and Ferret Viewer. Another new development is ELVIS (Easy Link Vehicle Information System) which is being designed for Merseyside Police.

Managing Director Alan Walker added:

WPC is now an established supplier to police forces. In the short term we are keen to develop similar applications for the other emergency services. In the slightly longer term our strategic aim is to subdivide the company into two branches, one of the emergency services and one for local government. The first stage of this is to find a so-called `killer application' for local authorities.