Guiding app may find way to award

Leamington-based Black Pepper Software’s ‘Companion’ is among finalists in the BCS & Computing UK awards for most innovative mobile app of the year.

The app tracks its location at venues and events and combines mapping and routing services with content management and social networking to help people find their way around.

Launched in 2011, it has been used at the BBC Good Food & Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC and The Ideal Home Show in Earls Court.

With upcoming shows including the Motorhome and Caravan Show, Classic Car and Classic Motorbike Show and BBC Good Food Show Winter, the firm is working with Aston University to make it the easiest to understand of all its competitors.

The app will be up against software developed by industry giants such as Telefónica UK, but Black Pepper’s head of solutions Adam Wright is confident Companion will be a contender in the awards, at Battersea Park Events Arena on Wednesday November 14.

He said: “We are thrilled to be a finalist for the Mobile IT Innovation of the Year award. It is great to be recognised for the successful development of Companion, which is set for further progression in 2013.”

David Clarke, chief executive of BCS, the chartered institute for IT, said: “Congratulations to the finalists; they can be proud of their achievements in reaching this stage.”