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Finding all the right notes for music fans
Still hankering for the days when you could spend hours admiring record sleeve artwork? Deputy Business Editor Greg Wright reports on a software company that has found its natural home in Yorkshire.
Remember Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and other unforgettable psychedelic record sleeves from the 1960s?
It's one treat the MP3 generation seemed destined to never experience. Technological advances killed the old vinyl record, and forced many sleeve designers to take their talents elsewhere.
Software service company Isotoma is helping to revive the lyrical beauty of sleeve notes. It's also highlighted the attraction of Yorkshire's commercial property market.
Isotoma is the latest addition to York's growing IT and digital business community. It has moved from its original London base to new offices in Tower House, Fishergate, York.
The company's owners, Doug Winter and Andy Theyers, were attracted to York by the communication links and strong technology community.
Since arriving in York the company has won a contract with telecommunications company Orange to develop a prototype of a new consumer service called "Sleevenotez".
The service will enable customers to access information which is normally unavailable when they download music as an MP3 file.
It draws together all the elements of each record's sleevenotes from the internet, including song lyrics, photographs, credits and dedications.
Previously only found on CD sleeves, this information is then presented in an easy to view format on the "Sleevenotez" website.
Mr Theyers said: "While London has been a great place to work, our vision of how we wanted to both work and live in the future just did not suit that environment.
"Today's technology means we can be based anywhere, and we now have great offices in the heart of York.
"The transport links to the rest of the country cannot be bettered, the potential for developing close working relationships with companies who need our services in the region is fantastic, plus we can bring our families up in a much calmer environment."
One of Isotoma's most prestigious projects is "The Source", which can be seen on BBC Business News when reports are made from the central lobby of the London Stock Exchange.
Designed by artists Greyworld, Isotoma was commissioned to provide technological support to maintain this three-storey high installation.
It has 729 electronically controlled glass spheres suspended on wire, which light up to reflect activity at the exchange that day.
Unveiled by the Queen at the opening of the new Stock Exchange in July 2004, The Source can also create random patterns, words, numbers and shapes.
More recent projects include the development of an intranet for Littlewoods Shop Direct, online business directories for Business Link Suffolk and Business Link Kent, and a commission from EMI to produce a "musical library" which allows producers, writers and artists to access studio recordings to use in remixes and new works.
Denise Dodd, chief executive, of inward investment agency york-england.com, said: "Isotoma are very focused on providing a professional, high-quality service to their clients and they have an enormous amount of expertise in this rapidly developing field."
Andy Gurnell, business promoter at Science City York, said: "It's great that Isotoma has chosen to relocate to York and we look forward to them becoming actively involved in the growing IT and digital York cluster."
Theresa Lindsay, head of Inward Investment and Marketing for Yorkshire Forward said: "Isotoma is an excellent example of a company which has seen the benefits of relocating to this region.
"As well as a vibrant business community with excellent facilities and transport links, the region offers a way of life that is becoming increasingly attractive. I am sure Isotoma will thrive in York and wish them every success for the future."
greg.wright@ypn.co.uk
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