A hi-tech Tyneside company has recruited the help of a top industry guru to become up to six times more responsive and stay ahead in one of the toughest and fastest moving markets in the world.
Nonlinear Dynamics, based at Cuthbert House in Newcastle, has made a name for itself as a leading worldwide provider of software for the life sciences industry to clients such as GlaxoSmithKlein and AstraZeneca since setting up in business in 1989.
Now, with help from Business Link in Tyne and Wear, the company is shifting up a gear to ensure it becomes increasingly successful when competing for business in a league that includes some of the world's biggest companies such as General Electric.
The firm was put in touch with renowned 'programming guru' Kevin Rutherford for advice on agile programming - the IT equivalent of lean manufacturing.
Chief executive officer Will Dracup said: "In the past we've needed about six months to change direction on big projects but now we can shift approach every month if we need to respond to market developments or activity by our competitors.
"We need to remain on the leading edge of science and technology to compete in our industry and thanks to this expert advice we are now much more responsive and competitive.
"By making relatively subtle changes to the way in which we work we have succeeded in making major differences to our working methods and a fundamental difference to the productivity of our company. The quality of the consultancy was superb and we couldn't have achieved this without Business Link."
Nonlinear Dynamics has worked with Business Link in Tyne Wear throughout the development of the company and on this occasion was supported with a financial contribution towards the expert advice.
Business Link adviser Harold Gartside said: "The improvements resulting from the implementation of the new techniques has significantly enhanced the relationships Nonlinear Dynamics enjoys with its high-profile client-base.
"It has dramatically improved the way in which the company works and the rate of release of new and improved software releases."
Nonlinear Dynamics, which employs 61 people, specialises in writing software for the study of proteins and DNA for scientists and for pharmaceuticals developing new products.
Its customers include all top 20 pharmaceutical companies as well many large biotech corporations, a huge range of research institutes and academic bodies throughout the world.
