Bastion was built by a UK-based web development team, initially for internal use. Although successfully profitable, the companys management wanted to know in detail which activities generated most profit, which clients, and which staff - so that improvements in efficiency and a better focus for the future could be established. But after scouring the market, no suitable software could be found to do the job.

So basic requirements were specified, and production began in 1999. A series of prototypes was tested in daily use, and constantly revised and developed, until the system was introduced for all staff and management on a daily basis.

And some of the results it threw up were quite surprising! Some of the biggest-spending clients were barely profitable at all, when all the time spent servicing their demands were taken into consideration. Similarly some staff who seemed to work hard and for long hours were less productive than had been thought, and some supposedly core activities were clearly being undersold when estimates were being prepared.

So after a year or so of developing this analytical tool, the business quickly changed the way it worked; not fundamentally, but enough for the benefits to make a sizeable difference. We showed the product then to Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, who immediately saw the potential for Bastion to improve the profitability of businesses in the region, and particularly in the Digital Cluster. YF funded a further stage of development, specifically enhancing the products project management capability.

After a further period of development and trials, which involved working closely with video games developer Revolution Software, Bastion was finally brought to the market, and its now available for you. Try it for yourselves. You are entitled to a full refund if you wish* - but somehow, we dont think you will!

*Within 30 days of purchase. Software licence fee and system hosting only. Fee for services provided including installation, training, bespoke development and technical support will still be payable.