Merlinsoft Ltd is based in Barnsley and was founded in 1981 to supply retail management systems to independent, multi-branch retailers. Since then the company has developed its products into other sectors, specifically visitor attractions and events
“We recently caught up with Merlinsoft to find out how they have found this challenging year…”.
Q: What were the immediate impacts of lockdown on your business?
A: “Though this was a challenging time we looked for the opportunities it presented, using the time to add new features into our software, many of which had been put on the back burner due to the daily pressures of supporting existing systems. Staff also had time to upskill themselves in a variety of areas and started to look forward to what opportunities there might be once the lockdown was eased.”
Q: Was there anything unique you were able to offer to businesses in the SCR?
A: “I knew we had the talent and could provide the solutions people needed to comply with the requirements of lockdown, one opportunity we identified was creating an online booking system for Pick Your Own Farms, this has since been taken up by a variety of businesses requiring a booking system for customers to pre-book a slot or service offer”
Q: How did the improvements in technology offered by Merlinsoft help your customers and what impact has it had on the business?
A: We have had an all-time high in revenue with sales up by an impressive 524% on the same period last year. Our customers have been able to remain open, comments like “it’s so easy to set up”, “we had it all working in an afternoon”, “it’s just perfect for what we need” made us realise we had found the solution they needed – true innovation at work.
Q: How did you get Merlinsoft through the pandemic to where you are now?
A: Having the time to sit down and plan the way forward, using our skills and innovative techniques to find a solution was a great benefit. I put it down to some business advice I was given many years ago when I was told that you don’t sell products, you find problems and sell solutions.
Regional businesses supported by Merlinsoft include:
- Rother Valley Country Park – Rotherham
- Thyrbergh Country Park – Rotherham
- Farmer Copleys – Pontefract
- Swithens Farm Park – Leeds
- Kemps PYO – Leeds and Malton
- The Balloon Tree – York
- Pink Pig Farm Park – Scunthorpe
