Going places with RWA
RWA is an independently owed software consultancy and solutions company specialising in the travel and finance industries.
The company's clients include Credit Suisse First Boston, Energis, Going Places, Lloyds TSB, MyTravel (formerly Airtours), Rothschild and
Telewest. Mark Bradbury, company director, comments, "For a small company, we have an enviable client list."
Bradbury believes that the secrets behind RWA's success lie in its track record of delivering solutions on time and within budget, and in
its staff expertise at helping bridge the gap that often exists between business requirements and selecting appropriate IT solutions.
Another strengths, says Bradbury, is the company's ability to communicate with its clients at all levels of the enterprise.
"We can work at all levels of a company and are equally at home working with company boards and directors as we are with solution
architects and programmers."
Since it was established in 1989 by Robert Wortham, the company has grown from strength to strength. It became a limited company in 1997,
and is currently steered by directors Wortham and Bradbury.
The Taffs Well company is an established and recognised technology supplier of tailored solutions to the European travel industry. Its
Internet booking engines power over 650 Web sites in Germany alone, while 40% of its business last year was conducted in Europe.
"The European marketplace is important to RWA. The German travel market is second only to the UK in size and in some ways is more
advanced. In fact, two of the top four major UK tour operators are now owned by German companies. RWA will continue to provide solutions
to Germany and will also seek opportunities to expand into other markets as appropriate."
With regard to its future plans, Bradbury believes RWA's recently launched Sell-It Suite will expand the company's offering for European
travel industry to further cater for tour operators as well.
"Sell-It Suite is a compelling and competitively priced solution for tour operators looking to sell holidays online," says Bradbury.
RWA is involved in both TOWARD (Tour Operators and Wholesalers Achieving Real-time Distribution) and TTI (Travel Technology Initiative),
both key initiatives for the travel industry. TOWARD offers Tour Operators and suppliers the chance to help shape the Travel Industry of
the future and, in conjunction with TTI, will help the industry achieve economies of scale, says Bradbury.
And though RWA is in the technology business, and has seen significant benefits of technology during the last 13 years, Bradbury believes
that the company's biggest asset is its exceptional and dedicated staff that takes pride in their work and has the skills to make a
difference.
To start-up companies operating in a similar field, Bradbury offers the following advice: "Work out how to differentiate yourself from
all your competitors. Give your potential customers compelling reasons for buying your products or services."
"My top tips for any companies looking to expand into Europe are to learn about the local market and how it really works. Don't just
assume that because the industry appears the same and that they even appear to do things the same that they really do! Take time to get
to know the subtle differences.
"Secondly, you need a compelling offering. If you don't have a local presence, your product needs to be significantly better than that
which can be acquired locally. Use technology to help you overcome geographical 'distance' e.g. videoconferencing, e-mail, etc.
"And finally, be prepared to communicate in the local language. Even if your potential customers speak good English, make an effort to
talk to them in their own language."
For further information contact:
Mark Bradbury
Tel: 02920 815 050
Email:
enquiries@rwa-net.co.uk
Web site:
http://www.rwa-net.co.uk
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