Wokingham-based IT intelligence and training company PTR is celebrating 35 years in the town.
The family business on Peach Street has grown from the seed of an idea back when desktop computers were a novelty, to a thriving business of 15 employees today.
There have been three family generations involved in PTR, bringing business intelligence and data analytics training and consultancy to companies as diverse as the Met office to Warburton’s bread.
Managing director Mandy Doward said: “In those 35 years, we’ve been on an incredible journey.
“We have seen a tremendous evolution of technology, an enormous growth in the volume of stored data, and a continued desire in businesses to make sense of their data and develop a data literacy and data driven decision-making culture within their organisations.”
PTR said that data analytics is not well understood by most of us, but companies are using it every day to predict the future with surprising accuracy – it can even tell you what kind of pizza you’re likely to order based on your past choices!
From the early days of personal computing to today’s interconnected, AI-driven world, we now create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data daily. The cloud has brought powerful computing resources to even the smallest companies and AI is reshaping our lives with futuristic developments like self-driving cars and robot surgeons. It can even bring well-loved celebrities back to life.
Mandy’s business partner, and brother Ian Roberts, added: “Since PTR was founded in 1989, we have gone from spreadsheets and basic databases to sophisticated data analytics platforms that use cutting edge technologies, like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
“Companies can now predict market trends using the vast amounts of data they gather daily.
“This means they can make much better decisions about where to focus their efforts and become more efficient and competitive in the process.”
Third generation family member, and PTR consultant Will Doward-Jones, said: The fact that we are a family firm makes a real difference to the service we offer.
“We help customers make quick, sensible decisions, giving them the support they need to be self-sufficient.”
