Science & Technology
Published: December 19, 2023 | Updated: 19th December 2023
An Alresford-based technology specialist to the emergency services has its sights on European expansion off the back of major contracts in the UK and Ireland.
Opses designs and installs specialist software and hardware into police cars, ambulances and first response vehicles to improve safety and usability.
The business, which doubled its annual turnover to £1.4 million in 2023, has expanded with the support of a funding package from Lloyds Bank.
The funding will facilitate its ongoing product research and development.
Opses integrates essential controls for emergency service vehicles into a main touchscreen display where users can operate sirens, emergency radio and access number plate recognition software.
The technology significantly reduces distraction for emergency drivers and makes it safer to control their equipment.
Previously technology was screwed into the dashboard which risked obstructing air bags and was more difficult to use at high speed compared to the software designed by Opses.
It also reduces costs and installation times for new vehicles and makes it simpler to decommission.
This can increase the resell value at the end of the vehicle’s service without any damage to the dashboard.
Opses currently works with 11 police forces across the UK, including Surrey Police, Sussex Police and Gwent Police, as well as two fire services.
It’s gaining significant traction in the ambulance sector, meaning Opses’ technology is now used in over 1,200 vehicles across the blue light market.
The company is planning to boost its 12-strong workforce by 50 per cent.
It has recently worked with the Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP), a national scheme providing new communications technologies to ambulance trusts.
This will see Opses’ tech available to all ambulance trusts’ vehicles across the UK.
The business is now working with Australia’s police and ambulance services to roll out its integration systems across the country.
It is also planning expansion in Europe following a successful pilot in Antwerp, Belgium, and is also targeting growth beyond the emergency services sector following a successful trial with the RAC in the UK.
Tom Haye, Managing Director at Opses, said: “The UK’s police officers, paramedics and fire response crews deal with high-intensity situations every day.
“The last thing they need are distracting controls while driving at high speed.
“We want to help them reach incidents and communicate in emergencies safely and efficiently.
“We’re using our experience of high-risk situations and have designed an interface that optimises efficiency and minimises distraction.
“Lloyds Bank’s support has been invaluable, as we’ve had to take time to develop the tech which meets the blue light service’s needs.
“We’re at that point now and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
Tim Gall, Relationship Manager at Lloyds Bank, added: “For every problem there is an innovative start-up waiting to be created and provide a solution.
“Opses is a great example of a business born out of a need for safer, easier-to-use technology and its recent rapid growth shows how well it’s delivering that.
“Tom and the team have taken great care to research, develop and refine its tech, working hand-in-hand with blue light services across the country.
“It’s now cementing itself as the go-to tech partner for police, ambulance and fire organisations across the world and we’ll continue to be by Opses side as it accelerates its growth.”
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