Having an audit trail around your data is really important Greg Tuohy and Paul Martin Cantec

The Irish Tech News Podcast

Cantec started out as a managed print service provider in 1994 and in 2020, Managing Director Greg Tuohy pivoted the business away from a slowly dwindling industry, by joining forces with Cork-based software provider SmartOffice. Founded by Paul Martin, SmartOffice helps businesses to streamline office processes, providing customised tech solutions across communications, information management and custom software development. During the pandemic , Cantec pivoted and joined forces with SmartOffices, who also pivoted because of Brexit.

Ronan talks to Greg Tuohy and Paul Martin. Greg and Paul talk about what Contec does, joining forces with SmartOffice, how Contec pivoted, data protection, and GDPR. Greg and Paul also talk about ClearanceTec, helping UCC reduce their carbon emissions, and the future for the Contec group and SmartOffice.

More about Cantec and SmartOffice:
One of the main reasons for the success of Cantec is their willingness to pivot the business and adapt to changing times. For example, now a major focus for the business is to paradoxically reduce print requirements for clients. Cantec has helped UCC to reduce their carbon emissions by 36% and 25% decrease in waste by streamlining their print management processes. The merger with SmartOffice and new direction of the businesses was timely with the pandemic acting as a catalyst for businesses large and small to embrace office automation and remote working while also being a time that has seen businesses reliance on printing drop dramatically.

One of SmartOffice's most popular products is their cloud-based Electronic Accounts Payable solution that reduces the cost of processing invoices by up to 80%. It offers businesses a flexible, cost-effective and secure solution, especially with remote working.

With the huge increase in custom clearance declarations as a result of Brexit, the team at SmartOffice were keen to use the software engine of their Accounts Payable Automation solution to automate the customs clearance process for those trading between Ireland and the UK. Over the past year, SmartOffice has been developing 'ClearanceTec' allowing businesses to save up to 20 minutes per declaration.