BigChange’s big deal helps to promote firm through Europe

Mr Port said he hopes to provide employment in the Leeds area through the BigChange group, with the aim of growing its 10-strong headcount to more than 100 people in the next three years.

BigChange AppsCentre is a web-based portal where companies can sign up to software applications that use its mobile computer technology.

Mr Port said: “The vision of the business is to build up a pan-European mobile resource applications service business that can provide applications, whether they are in development or third party, that fit the customer’s needs using our hardware, our mobile computer.”

Mr Port, the founder of Europe’s largest vehicle tracking company, Leeds-based Masternaut, left the firm in April last year after it was sold to Francisco Partners, a US-based private equity firm. Following his departure, Mr Port acquired the European distribution rights for Israeli company Micronet, to spearhead sales of its mobile data terminals, which are designed to help companies save money.

He recently became an investor and director in the Sheffield software company R2C Online, which helps manufacturers, dealerships, workshops, fleet managers and operators to manage their assets, improve safety and efficiency and keep up to date with compliance issues.

Now, Mr Port has secured a deal with Isotrak which means BigChange AppsCentre acts as its distributor in continental Europe.

Leeds-born Mr Port said: “Not only is Isotrak focused on web-based back office solutions, it has also developed fantastic applications running on our leading edge innovative mobile computer range. We believe we can share these applications with our customers to enhance their business and in such tough economic times help to deliver large end user return on investment.”

Isotrak’s latest development, ATMSi, integrates data from the customer’s back office and links it with real time scheduling for deliveries.

Greville Coe, Isotrak managing director, said: “By signing up to the BigChange AppsCentre, Isotrak will open up brand new markets in continental Europe and the rest of the world. It is a perfect fit to support our expansion plans and we are confident in Martin’s ability to deliver a sound return on investment as he has a fantastic track record in the industry.”

Isotrak has among its client base Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.