Coronavirus: Edinburgh's Appointedd offers free software services for SMEs hit by outbreak

An Edinburgh software provider is offering free services to small business affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Appointedd's scheduling software enables businesses to take customer bookings online and integrates with video conferencing software and payment processors

Appointedd, an online booking and business management tool, has announced it will provide complimentary support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the crisis.

The company said Covid-19 “is hurting businesses all over the world”, particularly those reliant on in-person interactions and appointments as a source of revenue.

Appointedd’s scheduling software enables businesses to take customer bookings online at any time, integrates with video conferencing software to allow virtual meetings and partners with payment processors to facilitate money transfers.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus the business has helped a global accountancy firm switch to fully remote working and has assisted an international call centre in quadrupling its availability to cope with an upsurge in customer calls.

It is also working with a foodbank to enable it to continue serving the public.

Founder and chief executive Leah Hutcheon said: “The coronavirus crisis has hit everyone, including ourselves. We’re in a fortunate position in the sense that we don’t rely on in-person services for our revenue. But we know that so many businesses do and we want to help support those small businesses who have been the worst affected.

“Small businesses are the backbone of society and, together, we will play a huge part in the world’s recovery. I believe now, more than ever, we need to look after each other in any way we can, and this feels like something meaningful we can do to help.”

Appointedd has also put together an online resource, known as the Covid-19 Business Survival Toolkit, which outline the steps companies of all sizes can take to adapt to the current situation.

Join our Facebook group Coronavirus in Scotland. Whether you know of a vulnerable person who is in need of help, a local community proactively helping others or a group offering their services to those hit hardest, this is the place to communicate it.