Hi-tech firm’s lift-off for air ambulance

A technology firm in Devon and Cornwall is helping to keep a publicly-funded life-saving air ambulance going.

ITEC, based in Exeter, Plymouth and Redruth, is now providing IT support for Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT) following a rigorous tendering process.

The essential back-up ensures vital computer communications remain robust, enabling the charitable trust to raise the money to fund the helicopter’s 700 missions a year.

CAAT, which receives no taxpayers' money or National Lottery grants, relies on fundraising to raise the £3 million needed annually to keep the lifesaving helicopter and crew flying.

The trust identified the need for a more resilient IT infrastructure and a comprehensive disaster recovery plan.

ITEC, the south west’s largest independent supplier of office print and reprographic equipment, provides industry-leading IT services through subsidiary company Stem Group.

The firm’s Chief Executive Nick Orme said: “We are honoured that ITEC has been chosen to provide IT support to CAAT's fantastic team, so they can focus on what they do so well.”

Paula Martin, Chief Executive of Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust said: “The charity’s IT infrastructure is essential since, amongst other purposes, it safeguards the communications that raise the necessary funds from the public that keep Cornwall Air Ambulance flying. We are delighted to be working with ITEC.”

The trust, the busiest single helicopter air ambulance in the South West and the first service of its kind in the UK, operates in a fast-paced environment and its IT infrastructure is essential to its overall performance.

CAAT prides itself that its fast and highly equipped helicopter – free at the point of need – is on scene at an incident in an average of just 12 minutes.

Kevin Roberts, ITEC’S Account Director Cornwall, said: “As a Cornishman from Hayle, I have always been proud of the excellent service provided by Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.

“With increasingly stringent regulations around data protection and threat management for all types of organisations, the need for robust security and business continuity planning has never been greater.”

As well as the office at Duchy Business Centre in Redruth, and Exeter and Plymouth, long-established ITEC has offices throughout the UK in Bristol, London, Manchester and Bournemouth.

Cornwall Air Ambulance first took off in 1987 and since then has flown more than 25,000 missions, saving countless lives and providing a reassuring presence for half a million county inhabitants and millions of visitors.

ITEC was recently appointed ‘official document technology supplier’ to the Sahara Force India Formula 1™ team.