Lanarkshire optical software developer has sights set on further success after record growth

A Bellshill-based optical software developer has its sights set on further success after record growth over the last year.

Xeyex, which was launched in 2014, develops and supplies cloud-based patient and practice management software for more than 250 independent retail opticians across the UK and Republic of Ireland. It is also planning to add four jobs this year.

Business Gateway has helped the team refine its strategic marketing approach, providing the firm with a marketing review and implementation programme.

The recent success means that the business is in the process of recruiting and training new employees that will be split across data migration, customer support and learning and development.

Tracy Scott, co-founder, and Grant Cardwell, director and co-founder, of Bellshill-headquartered Xeyex. Picture: Jeff Holmes

The company has also accessed a Coronavirus Business Support Fund signposted by Business Gateway, which has been used to help offset the loss of revenue when customers suspended marketing activity during lockdown.

Xeyex’s software platform enables the recording of medical and clinical records for patient examinations. In addition, it manages online and instore appointments, logs sales records with a digital till system and automates marketing activity through printed post, email and text messaging.

In response to the pandemic, the business has also adapted its services to offer tailored training sessions on safe optometry practices and offered ongoing guidance about the wider implications of Covid-19 on the optometry industry to clients. Through this strategy, it successfully increased its monthly optometry software subscription by 8 per cent over the first three months of last year’s lockdown.

Grant Cardwell, director and co-founder, said “Contacting our Business Gateway office was one of the first actions we took when we started the business. Taking advantage of its free resources, guidance and support, Xeyex has grown from strength to strength.

“We are confident, despite the challenges to the economy from the pandemic, that we will continue to grow throughout 2021. We’re implementing the new marketing strategy and look forward to welcoming new team members to the business soon.”

In 2020, the firm was a finalist of two categories in the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year awards, for Small Business of the Year and Scale-up Entrepreneur of the Year for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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