Appointedd, the online booking and business management software firm, is offering SMEs free access to its products to help them deal with clients during the coronavirus crisis.
The Edinburgh-based company said companies that rely on face to face meetings and appointments as a source of revenue are being particularly hard hit by social distancing measures around the world.
Appointedd’s software enables users to take customers' bookings online 24/7, integrates with video conferencing software to allow booked meetings to happen virtually, and partners with payment processors to enable businesses to get paid.
The firm’s founder Leah Hutcheon said although the crisis had hit every firm including hers, it was in a relatively fortunate position as it doesn’t rely on in-person services for its 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 said it had also seen a surge in approaches from larger businesses as they look for ways to manage virtual bookings in the new climate.
Hutcheon said the Appointedd team reacted swiftly to the outbreak, vacating their Edinburgh office last Wednesday, with all staff operating fully remotely ever since.
She said the experience is now being used as it helps clients in shifting their operations online.
Over the past few days, it has helped a global accountancy firm switch to fully remote, assisted an international call centre in quadrupling availability to cope with the recent upsurge in customer calls
Appointedd has put together a Covid-19 Business Survival Toolkit, outlining the steps companies can take to adapt to the current situation.
