Day: 4 January 2020

Promotion for Andy as he marks 21 years at PCS

It is a double celebration for Andy Sutherland who has been promoted to Development Manager at PCS Publishing as he marks his 21st year with the company.

Andy joined PCS in 1998 and has worked his way up the ladder from Junior Software Developer to his new role in a managerial position. Andy said the 21 years at PCS have flown by, as the buzz of working with cutting-edge technology has ensured each day is different from the last.

“I love the variety I get from my job,” said Andy. “No two days are the same because you have the immediate changes that need to be made for clients as well as longer-term developments, adding additional features to create software that meets the clients’ future needs. I learned everything I know while working at PCS and the change in technology over the years has been incredible.

“I’ve been actively involved in the cutting-edge development of our software and I feel privileged to work with such leading-edge technology. It is a massive learning curve, as there is no manual – we are creating exciting new software that hasn’t been seen before. It’s why working at PCS is such an exciting job that has kept me gripped for the last 21 years.”

PCS prides itself on being one of the country’s leading publishing software development organisations. For the last 46 years, the company has developed a portfolio of solutions for publishers that allow them to streamline their work across editorial, advertising and circulation. Andy said since he joined the company, he has mainly been working on the advertising software. “I joined PCS after 18 months of a computer science and electronics degree when I decided I preferred the software side of the course rather than the electronics,” he said. “I started at PCS as a Junior Software Developer, and at the time I was working on advertising systems and fixing any issues that came up. Until now I’ve stayed on the advertising side of the business, but my new role will change that.

“As Development Manager, I will work across the full range of products – not just advertising but also editorial, production and circulation. Also, I will be managing a team of people, who are all committed to ensuring each client has software built to meet their needs. Reaching 21 years with PCS is a fantastic milestone for me.”

04/01/2020
PCS strengthens its team with a key promotion.

PCS Publishing has announced further investment in its Midlands-based team with the promotion of Matt Mansell to Editorial Product Manager.

Matt has worked at PCS for the last six years and the new role will see him take a leading hands-on role with clients. He said “One of the great things about working at PCS is being part of a strong team – each person has a wide range of knowledge as a result of previously working in both software development and publishing.

On the client-side, I’m looking forward to working with a range of people from the end-users, right the way through to the management teams, to see how we can adapt the software to meet their current and future needs, ensuring they always have the best systems possible.”

PCS is one of the country’s leading publishing software companies. Based in the heart of the Midlands it works with publishers large and small across the country. Matt said: “For the last few years I’ve been a product specialist, working closely with Iliffe Media, SPP Media Group and the NFU.”

“I’ve been putting in place editorial solutions, which meet their publishing requirements, followed by hands-on support. For some of our long-standing customers, which includes Midland News Association, Newsquest and Racing Post, I’ve been supporting them as they introduce new workflows which lead to even greater efficiency. I enjoy putting project plans together, working closely with the client to design a system and workflow that not only meets but exceeds their requirements.”

Matt used to work for the NHS, starting as a ward clerk and then taking a job in data entry and analysis. He gained a degree in business and management from the Open University and has enjoyed his last six years with PCS.

“When I started out with PCS I trained users and provided phone support, I then progressed to become a product specialist,” said Matt. “I have always been customer focussed and I’m looking forward to taking on more responsibility in this new role and working closely with the internal development team.”

PCS continues to stay ahead of the game, creating state of the art software in a competitive market while never taking our focus off our leading customer service.

04/01/2020
Alison celebrates promotion as she marks her second decade at PCS.

It is an exciting start to 2020 for Alison Seawright, who has been promoted to Product Manager at PCS Publishing as she celebrates her 20th year with the company.

Alison (Known to her customers and colleagues as Ali) joined the Midlands-based PCS in 2000 where she has been able to focus on one of her biggest passions – creating software solutions for advertisers.

“Advertising is my passion because I absolutely love the people that work in that field,” she said. “They are such enthusiastic individuals, who are totally devoted to their jobs. I’m a people person and so enjoy working with teams that have the drive and ambition you see every day in advertisers.”

Alison joined the company as Contract Manager and during her time at PCS she has seen the system updated to one which ditches uniformed solutions, and instead uses cutting-edge technology to create unique software that is tailor-made to meet clients’ current and future needs.

“One of my first jobs with the company was rolling out the previous advertising software to publishers, however a few years ago we realised that this wasn’t working any more for our clients,” said Alison. “We wanted something that didn’t have the restrictions imposed when they were bolting on new programmes to an outdated system. This has now been replaced with Knowledge Prospect – which is an exciting and user-friendly solution for our customers. We are able to tailor the system to the advertisers and sales teams’ needs.”

Alison said she gets a lot of satisfaction when she receives positive feedback from new users. Endorsement from those actually using the systems show that that her years of “listening and learning”, when working with both customers and prospects alike, has paid off with the creation of features within the system that really do meet the customers’ needs.

Alison said her background has always been in pre-press software for advertising and so it has been wonderful working for PCS. “Being able to supply cutting-edge technology that fits the client and allows them to work at the top of their game has meant I’ve been in my dream job,” she said. “Also, the whole ethos of PCS is that we partner with our clients. They aren’t customers – instead they are partners and we are involved in their company’s journey.”

Alison said that as Product Manager she works closely with the PCS development and sales managers to ensure clients’ needs are met. “I work with the customer to ensure the software doesn’t just fit their way of working, but enhances it,” she said. “Also, I keep up to date on current trends to ensure our technology is leading the way and a no-brainer solution for publishers and other new markets.

“Everyone at PCS is easy-going and friendly and we work together as though we are a small company. However, we come under the parent company of the Claverley Group, which means we are part of something bigger as well. The last 20 years have flown by and I’m looking forward to many more years of working with the passionate and highly devoted individuals I speak to every day in advertising and sales teams across the country.”

04/01/2020
News: Promotion for Danni as PCS invests in its team.

Graphic designer Danni Richards said she has secured her dream job after being promoted to Content Marketing Specialist at PCS Publishing.

Danni works within the marketing team at the Midlands-based company, which provides software solutions for publishers, both large and small, across the country. It was seven years ago that Danni joined PCS and she said her skills in graphic design were soon utilised by marketing director Hannah Lloyd.

“I trained in graphic design at school and college because I really enjoyed it, so I knew early on that I wanted to have a career as a graphic designer,” she said. “However, when I looked at going to university, I was unsure if I would be learning anything new as it repeated a lot of what I’d studied at college. I didn’t want to waste three years when I could be out at work getting real-life experience instead. Looking back, it was definitely the right decision, especially as I’ve now landed a fantastic job where I can use my graphic design skills every day.”

Danni joined PCS as a customer support and production assistant for their Property Net system, which focusses on property newspaper advertising. Danni explained: “The solution is great because, with the use of InDesign, we can create templates that can easily be used by estate agents via a browser-based platform. They select their properties from the Property Net database, pick out a design and then, with the use of a drag and drop functionality, it allows them to produce their advert. After a while, I became a key contact for one of our customers. Although I was heavily invested in Property Net, I was still able to help out with company design requests.”

“When Hannah joined PCS and saw the work I was producing, she asked me to help out with the marketing material. This then led to website design and eventually allowed her to assign me as a designer to the marketing team. I focus on keeping the PCS brand consistent across the whole company, as well as aiding the developers with UI/UX design and creating marketing material, eBooks and other external communication.”

Danni said “the flexibility the company offers is worth its weight in gold” as she suffers from Lupus, which is a chronic autoimmune condition that can lead to a range of symptoms including painful joints, fatigue, and rashes. Danni explained: “Lupus mainly affects my joints and skin and it can be very painful at times. Because PCS has a flexible work policy I can work from home when I need to, which personally has made a massive difference.

“At PCS I have the freedom to be creative and use my initiative – they are also a great team of people to work with and we always have a good time. It is great to be part of a supportive, friendly team where my graphic design skills are so highly valued.”

04/01/2020