News round-up / Tech company commended in Queen’s award, MSP backs local media, SSEN details new way of working
A SHETLAND tech company has been commended after one of its clients won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Innovation prize.
Edinburgh-based SnapDragon Monitoring, which enables companies to monitor and fight fake products online, is one of eight Scottish companies to receive the business accolade this year.
Its technical development has largely been led by Barnaby Mercer of Lerwick company Mesomorphic.
“We thoroughly enjoy working with SnapDragon; a highly progressive company with a positive attitude, and a remarkably talented team,” he said.
“The project is fascinating and covers almost the gamut of modern software development, growing our abilities and experiences.”
SnapDragon Monitoring’s ‘Swoop’ platform searches for copies and counterfeits of products and brands, so that they can be removed from sale.
SHETLAND MSP Beatrice Wishart called on the Scottish Government to ensure that local media are being used to carry public health messages during the coronavirus pandemic.
Communities secretary Aileen Campbell replied during a virtual Holyrood session that local and community media should have access to some of the business and third sector coronavirus financial support introduced by the Scottish Government.
Finance secretary Kate Forbes added that the government is working with the Scottish Newspaper Society on wider industry support and on advertising campaigns.
Speaking afterwards, Wishart said: “I am pleased that government recognises that local newspapers and smaller independent news providers are trusted and essential sources of information for communities, and are especially valued during this pandemic.
“Print newspapers and radio are particularly important for those who are vulnerable or don’t have online access.”
SSEN’s internal resource manager in Shetland has spoken about how the energy company is keeping the lights on in the isles during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rosie Doull, who looks after the welfare of 24 staff in Shetland, said all employees are based at home.
“Across SSEN we’re prioritising operational activities to focus on critical work that ensures a safe, reliable and resilient supply of electricity to our customers, including high priority maintenance and responding to faults, with everyone now heading to the jobs straight from home,” she said.
“All travel is now on a ‘one person one vehicle’ basis unless it’s an emergency and there’s no possible alternative. We’ve also got signs for the teams to take with them on jobs to let the public know it’s critical work and to respect the social distancing guidelines.”
Doull added that SSEN has arranged for extra supplies to be shipped up to Shetland.
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