CRIAMOS SISTEMAS MULTIPLATAFORMA

OUR CORE-BUSINESS

Technological Solutions for Process Webbing

The Company's core-business is in process webbing, developing proprietary information systems which are completely designed in-house. Among the systems developed by Vector21 the following stand-out:

• Portal management;
  
• CRM Systems through Newsletters Online community development and management;
  
• Client management;
  
• Online shop development and management;
  
• Digital storage;
  
• Intranets.
  

HOW HAVE WE EVOLVED

The company was created in 1994 by two friends (Luís Novais and  Raúl Pentieiros) who resigned from their positions with Technological Institute in order to found the undertaking. The starting capital used to set-up the company came from the sale of two partners automobiles.

In December 1999, Luís Novais bought his partner's share and, in September 2000, opened 33% of the Share Capital to an Investment Company.

With this new capital, the firm opende an office in Lisbon, increased its investment in Brazil where, in the meantime, it had set up a subsidiary, and recruites new staff members.

In February 2001, during the aftermath of the stock exchange crisis, the unavailability of investing shareholders led to a broad reshaping of the company's structure and project: the operations in Brazil were abandoned, the Lisbon Office was closed and a substancial part of the staff had to be laid off.

Vector21 managed to overcome the difficult times and, in 2004, its indicatorswere as follows: 700.000€ in revenues, 280.000€ net profit,325.000€ operational cash flow (net profit plus amortisations), 350.000€ EBITDA and 32% return on permanent capital (equity plus debit).

Today, Vector21 is a rather profitable SME which submits its accounts on a monthly basis, is in the process of obtaining Quality Certification and possesses highly qualified and motivated Human Resources. It is, therefore, ready to make a quantitative leap and it has the necessary ambition to do so.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Vector21 ensures the seamless interconnexion between their Information Systems and the Web platforms that are implemented by creating integrating interfaces between the various systems.

In this way, we ensure minimal disturbance for the organisations.

Vector21 develops and markets the following products and services:

Vector21 Site Dinâmico® (Dynamic Site)

This is a tool for dynamic content management on the Internet, an online Portal manager with various functionalities such as: management, work-flow management, etc.

Vector21 Gestor de Newsletters® (Newsletter Manager)

This is a CRM tool for forwarding e-Newsletters. Its main goal is to provide support to Internet-based client relation ship strategies. Among other functionalities, it allows the segmentation of targets for each edition, direct use of the Site Dinâmico content and the creation of html-format Newsletters.

Vector21 Communis®

This is an online community and discussion forum manager. Through its BackOffice, the administrator is able to create and typify debate communities, accept registrations, etc.

Vector21 Gestor de Clientes® (Client Management)

It allows sharing information about clients among the members of a gergraphically spread sales force, working as an extranet which is accessible from any computer connected to the Internet. It allows creating new users with various access levels, creating new clients and processes, invoicing historical report, among other functionalities.

Vector21 Intranet WebMaster®. Intranet and Extranet implementation system.

This system allows integration and sharing with any of the previous solutions.

Vector21 MGM®.

Is a tool for the development of CRM and Member Get Member campaigns using the Internet.

Vector21 Gestor de Inquéritos® (Survey Manager)

Online query and survey system.

TECHNOLOGICAL MODEL

All Vector21 developed products work on an ASP (Application Service Provider) principle, representing 90% of its market.

All software can be run from the client's server, but it will still follow the same lease principle. To this effect we have created the Intra ASP® brand.

It is in the ASP business area that the company's larger clients can be found, such as:

• UNICRE, cartão Internacional de Crédito, S.A. (the company holding exclusive rights over the management of Visa and MasterCard's acquiring network in Portugal);
  
• UNIBANCO (Visa card issuer);
  
• MAPFRE (Iberian Peninsula's largest insurance company with a strong presence throughout Latin America);
  
• Presidence of Portuguese Republic;
  
• Ministry of Public Works, Transports and Communications;
  
• Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education;
  
• Ministry of Education;
  
• University of Minho; The Science and Higher Education Observatory;
  
• EPUL - Public Undertaking for the Urbanization of Lisbon;

among many others.

VECTOR21 MARKET RESEARCH®

Besides developing information technologies aimed at process webbing. Vector21 has a second business area which plays a central role within its communication policy directed at market opinion-leaders. This provides the firm visibility and allows it a distinctive positioning in relation to its competitors.

This is the area of Digital Research. Vector21 undertakes studies regarding eCommerce in Portugal which stand as the main national reference in the sector.

The development of this business area grants Vector21 the ability to offer its clients continuous innovation through a permanent analysis of new Internet trends and of the markets that make most extensive use of the Web.

With this in mind, the firm also undertakes benchmark studies at an international level. Its last effort in this area focused on the presence of international Acquiers Entities that, in each country, manage the acceptance of debit cards on-line and physical commercial shops on the Internet.

As a result of this success, in 2002, Vector21 rolled out the “Digital Marketing Research” brand which establishes the company’s pioneer-status in the area and allows a response for research in the digital area.

Main Market Research undertaken by Vector21:

• Report “The Portuguese and Internet Shopping” (7 consecutive annual annual editions for VISA and MasterCard’s acquire in Portugal);
  
• Report “The Portuguese eShops” (7 consecutive annual editions for VISA and MasterCard’s acquire in Portugal);
  
• Report on “B2B in Portugal” (Project undertaken on behalf on ONI, the country’s second largest Telecom);
  
• Report “The Portuguese Hotel Sector on the Internet” (6 consecutive annual editions) and Report “Travel Agencies and the Internet” (undertaken on behalf of ICEP – body of the Portuguese Government in charge of the country’s tourist promotion at the international level);
  
• ”Digital Potencial Index” (developed for the Portuguese Government);
  
• Report focusing on “The Impact of the Internet on the Portuguese Press” (undertaken on behalf of the Portuguese Press Association).

MARKET APPROACH

Although Vector21 is an Information Technologies company, more than focusing on the technological component of the web, we think that it is important to develop it as an interactive means of communication, without which it will be unthinkable to overcome the challenges raised by the Sociedade do Relacionamento (Relationship Society).

This core philosophy has already received praise from a number of entities, both national and international, of which a summary is shown below.

Vector21 - Titles and References:

1998 - Vector21 enters the Guiness Book of Records with the World record for Viral Marketing, for being able to gather at the Parque das Nações (Lisbon) the largest number of people ever assembled in one place through the exclusive use of email invitations.

2000 - Vector21 - "Portuguese Success Enterprise" - For the first time, Vector21 receives the title of "Success Enterprise of the Information Technologies and Electronics Sector", granted by ICEP Portugal.

2001 - Vector21 enters GrowthPlus Europe's Top 500 - In May 2001, GrowthPlus selected Vector21, from a group of 5000 companies as one of the 500 most noteworthy Europeean enterprises due to its enterpreneurship, growth capability, pioneer spirit and innovativeness.

To be counted among the 500 most entrepreneurial companies in Europe means being chosen, after a through selection procedure, from the midst of tens of thousands of companies throughout Europe. GrowthPlus is an independent body that uses partners all over the world to research entrepreneurial companies with strong growth.

CLIENT PORTFOLIO

Vector21’s business philosophy has already attracted the trust of high-profile clients and partners both in the Portuguese and international markets, such as:

In Banking, Financial Markets and Insurance Markets

• UNICRE, S.A.
• Unibanco Card
• REDUNICRE
• Banco Comercial Português
• Mapfre – General Insurance, S.A.
• ASFAC – Association of Financing Companies for Credit Aquisitions

In the Telecommunications and Information Technologies Sector

• ONI SGPS
• ONI – Forum Comércio
• ONI WAY

 In the Associative Sector

• AEP – Entreprise Association of Portugal
• EXPONOR – Oporto International Fair
• CCP – Portuguese Commerce and Services Confederation of  Funchal (Madeira)
• ANJE – Natinal Young Entrepreneur Associaton

In Public Administration

• Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education
• Ministry of Public Works, Transports and Communications
• Ministry of Education
• Lisbon City Hall
• Gaia City Hall
• Guimarães City Hall
• ICEP Portugal – Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office
• The Science and Higher Education Observatory
• University of Minho
• Foundation of Science and Technology
• UMIC – Innovation and Knowledge
• Mission Unit

 In the Media Sector

• Intermeios – News Agency
• AIND – Portuguese Press Association