This section is Still Under Construction
1978 BL Systems established. …….more
1978 CDC Moons Moat - Cars Data Centre opened.
1980 Alcan first non BL client take-on.
1980 First private videotext service launched - stock locator for BL Dealer network.
1980 Revenue £25.7 million.
1981 First European customer - Heineken. …….more
1981 See Why package wins BCS innovation award.
1981 Granted first Value Added network services licence - enabling launch of Comet - first UK electronic mail service.
1981 BL systems employees risen to over 1000.
1982 Revenue £29.5 million - equipment in CDC valued at £20 million.
1983 Failsafe Joint venture launched with Atlantic Leasing – to provide Disaster Recovery Services.
1983 See Why package Launched in US.
1983 BL Travel Services launched.
1984 BL Systems changed name to ISTEL.
1984 Company beat it’s target of obtaining 30% of it’s revenue from non BL Clients.
1984 First sale to NHS.
1984 ISTEL Automation Limited formed to focus on selling Computer Integrated Manufacturing systems to industry clients
1984 Revenue £49.7 million.
1986 Government announced plans to sell Rover Group to British Aerospace and to sell ISTEL separately.
1986 First £1million order – Horizon Travel.
1986 First sale to RAF.
1986 Revenue £60.8 million.
1987 £1.8 million share offer made to employees – was oversubscribed by a factor of 3. …….more
1988 ISTEL set up new Operating Divisions : Financial, Commercial and Motor Industry.
1988 The following companies were acquired : Viewtel, Abbey Business Consultants, Mycrom and Deritend Computing. ...…..more
1988 Edinburgh office opened.
1989 ISTEL-ATLANTIC Facilities Management Joint Venture formed ...…..more
1989 ISTEL sold to AT&T and AT&T ISTEL launched …….more
1990 School Scholarships programme launched.
1990 Sponsorship of AT&T ISTEL Trophy meeting at Silverstone.
1991 First European acquisition – Infoplan.
1991 Network of regional centres established to house computers to enable customers to connect to services. 29 were planned in 1991 and a further 60 in 1992.
1991 Northern Regional Health authority take on.
1991 McVities £4.5 million contract agreed.
1991 AT&T ISTEL headcount reaches over 4,000.
1991 Sponsorship of AT&T ISTEL Trophy meeting at Silverstone.
1991 Volvo £3million contract agreed.
1991 QA Acquired causing questions to be asked in Parliament …….more
1991 250 jobs announced at risk
1991 Planning permission obtained to install Portacabins at Studley Castle to support staff traininig demands.
1992 Contract with Golden Wonder Crisps signed.
1992 Sterling award received from Rover Group.
1992 Takeover of Littlewoods Operations.
1992 MFI contract signed.
1993 Pay freeze announced and 375 jobs identified at risk
1993 Educational resource rooms sponsored at Gaydon Heritage Museum.
1994 £1.7million AVRO contract signed.
1994 Shropshire contracts with approx. £1million agreed.
1995 £5 million computer management contract awarded by Rover Group.
1995 £2.1 million contract signed with Norwich NHS Trust