atlas products international

Atlas takes customers' business continuity seriously with NCC Group's software escrow protection

About
Atlas Products International Ltd (API) is a leading provider of software products that facilitate electronic trading and secure communications. Its integrated products are used to streamline business processes and enable customers to trade with their partners internationally.

Its customer base ranges from SME's to multi-nationals and includes such high profile names as Benetton, Sony Manufacturing, Samsung, P&O and Lloyds TSB.

Challenge

The risks associated with continuing to maintain and develop business-critical software applications in the event of supplier failure can be mitigated simply and cost effectively by having an escrow agreement in place between the supplier, end-user and an independent third party.

Under the terms of an escrow agreement, a third party holds a copy of the source code behind an organisation’s business-critical applications which it depends on but does not own. In the event that its supplier fails to maintain its contractual obligations, it ensures that the source code can be released safely and quickly to the end user, ensuring their business continuity.

A client of Atlas - Bunzl Outsourcing Services UK Ltd - recently requested that it enter into an escrow agreement with them to cover its EDI software.

Bunzl felt that protecting the EDI system under a comprehensive escrow solution was an essential component of their business continuity arrangements.

Atlas was immediately understanding of their requirement and was aware that by protecting its software under an escrow solution, in addition to providing Bunzl with peace of mind, they would set themselves apart from other technology providers with their proactive stance.

Solution

Bunzl had already worked with the world’s leading escrow provider, NCC Group since 2003 to protect other business-critical applications, and were fully aware of the steps involved.

NCC Group’s software escrow solutions provide a smart, simple way of protecting organizations, by covering every business critical application or third party supplied software-as-a-service with a software escrow solution.

“NCC Group made arranging Escrow cover straightforward - our account manager ensured that everything was concluded swiftly and without complication, leaving us to concentrate on our own clients' requirements," commented Allan Gray, Managing Director, Atlas Products International.

Result

For Atlas there are other specific benefits - working proactively with its clients and an independent escrow provider such as NCC Group demonstrates its commitment to best practice and building long term client relationships.

Placing applications into escrow proves to customers that Atlas has confidence in its business, its software and its ability to supply and maintain that software in the future.

As a result of the service, Atlas recognised that offering an Escrow Solution can increase the value of its products to prospective clients and signed up to an agreement that enables multiple clients to register on to one agreement set up between themselves and NCC Group.

Gray concluded: "The key benefit to Atlas from having an escrow solution in place is the degree of comfort it gives our customers. It demonstrates to them that we are completely transparent in our dealings with them and have no concerns about our future and respond positively. NCC Group made arranging Escrow cover straightforward - our account manager ensured that everything was concluded swiftly and without complication, leaving us to concentrate on our own clients' requirements."
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NCC Group is a leading global provider of independent IT assurance, security and consultancy services. As a trusted advisor, we help over 15,000 public, private and not for profit sector organisations, including 92 of the FTSE 100, to make the most efficient use of information and technology and to manage the associated risks.

Quote

"The key benefit to Atlas from having an escrow solution in place is the degree of comfort it gives our customers. It demonstrates to them that we are completely transparent in our dealings with them and have no concerns about our future and respond positively.”

Allan Gray, Managing Director, Atlas Products International

Challenge

A client of Atlas - Bunzl Outsourcing Services UK Ltd - recently requested that it enter into an escrow agreement with them to cover its software

Solution

Atlas partnered with the world’s largest software escrow provider, NCC Group for a protection solution

Results

Working proactively with its clients and an independent escrow provider such as NCC Group demonstrates Atlas’ commitment to best practice and building long term client relationships