Here at ODB Limited we are acutely aware IT companies consume more than their fair share of electrical power. With this in mind we have made a conscious choice to be more environmentally aware in our business. All it takes are small steps to make change happen. As a team we set about setting goals for our Sustainability Journey.

2015 ODB got the opportunity to move from our original office in Blanchardstown. Having looked at various office spaces the decision was taken that the greenest option was to build a Log Cabin. This solution not only made the office building green but reduced the daily commute of two thirds of our current staff.

Green Electricity Another stage in the process was we looked at our energy providers to ensure that ODB was more energy efficient in addition to reducing our environmental impact. Thus we have partnered with a Green Electricity provider to achieve this goal.

2020 The next milestone occurred in September when we installed Solar panels on the office by MySolar.ie.

These panels enable ODB Head Office to be partly run on Solar energy. During the summer months we have had days where we were powered 100% by solar.

Where any excess electricity is produced, we give it to the National Grid.

This is the first stage of ODB’s Sustainability plan which we were able to achieve in 2020.

We are committed to being as environmentally efficient as possible by using all smart technology available to us. We are doing our upmost to become more sustainable these steps are only the start of our journey.

2021 This year the focus was on our usage of fossil fuels. The decision was taken that we wished to reduce our fossil fuel usage. An Electric vehicle was purchased. The VW ID4 car arrived to us Carbon neutral which was an added bonus. As well as purchasing an electric vehicle we plan to adopt a sustainable business travel policy. Thus corporate journeys are only taken where necessary and as efficiently as possible.

As a proud Irish company we have chosen to work work Irish Suppliers where possible.

We have engaged with all employees to define clear goals which will aid us in reducing food and packaging waste with the ultimate goal of zero waste to landfill over the next few years.

The employees have had innovative suggestions including Reuse and recycling where possible.

2022 ODB have signed up to the Microsoft Western European Partner Pledge, focusing especially on 3 of the critical goals: Sustainability, Diversity and Digital Skills. `For further information on the Microsoft Partner Pledge please go to https://partner.microsoft.com/en-ie/connect/local/ie-partner/partner-pledge

More to follow on our journey.

Looking forward to discussing the options available.

March 2022 the ACCS Convention 2022 was held at The Slieve Russell Hotel Golf & Country Club where once again it was great to see and interact with the delegates after two years.

LEO Fingal announced 125 new jobs to be created in Fingal with €500K grant investment.

A €503,000 cash injection has been announced by the Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) through a number of its grant schemes aimed at supporting 47 small and start-up businesses. Fingal Local Enterprise Office has announced that 47 small businesses and start-ups have been approved for financial support. This will result in 25 direct new jobs immediately, with more than 125 new jobs planned over the coming three years in some of these businesses.

The latest funding figures announced by Fingal LEO today will also result in significant additional spending in the local economy, boosting the local supply chain. Announcing the latest LEO investment of over €503,000 in small businesses in the first half of this year, LEO Fingal stated that 2018 has seen significant growth in employment in the small business sector.
Pic Orla Murray/ SON Photo.

A brief overview of this video

Avocor manufacture interactive solutions which are designed to create collaborative workspaces that are extremely user-friendly. The completely agnostic platform works seamlessly with 3rd party hardware and software, such as Skype for Business or Zoom Room enabling you to create the ideal collaborative environment that works for your organisation. These technologies are available through ODoherty.Biz Dublin.

Both Avocor and Microsoft understand that the most effective businesses have a team-based, collaborative culture and are focused on enabling creativity and productivity. And companies that promote collaborative working are five times as likely to be high-performing. In the modern workplace teams come in all shapes and sizes and can be local or spread across the globe. To enable teamwork, you need tools that empower people to seamlessly connect in a huddle room, conference room, or in any team space.

“Microsoft is making teamwork easier than ever before, and the new Windows collaboration displays enable this by providing a room-size display on which people can work together, using apps like Microsoft Teams and Whiteboard to get projects done,” said Ruston Panabaker, Vice President IoT solutions, Microsoft. “We are thrilled that Avocor is working with us to launch the Windows collaboration display category, and that they are bringing a line of innovative displays to market that will be compatible with Windows 10 applications, Touch screen and Inking capabilities.”

Collaboration displays built by Avocor deliver a new level of empowerment for people to work together in real-time and collaborate in efficient and intuitive ways. These brand-new 4K 20-point touch displays will offer flawless pen and inking capabilities that enable people to easily use the best of Microsoft 365 collaboration tools – from Windows and Office to Microsoft Whiteboard and Microsoft Teams – at room scale, all backed by the intelligent cloud.

The upcoming Windows collaboration product line by Avocor will feature integrated cameras, stereo speakers, far field microphones, and pen., and will easily connect to any Windows 10 PC via a single USB-C. In addition to being teamwork devices, Windows collaboration displays from Avocor will include built-in sensors that connect to Azure IoT, so facility managers can utilize the environmental data they collect to make real-time decisions.

“Avocor is changing how people can collaborate and working with a partner like Microsoft accelerates the customer experience so it’s easy and effective,” said Scott Hix, CEO Avocor. “Windows collaboration display products by Avocor will be an ideal solution for huddle spaces, offices and meeting rooms and seamlessly integrate into any Enterprise.”

Although we will not be showing a Windows collaboration displays at InfoComm, The Avocor F series F-6550, an interactive display with inking and touch will be in Microsoft’s Infocomm 2018 booth N2814 and Avocor’s booth N2714. Avocor will also preview a display that will show features of the Azure IOT solutions at InfoComm. Pricing, display sizes and availability for the additional Windows collaboration displays built by Avocor will be announced this summer.