IT

New name for MIS supplier

A leading IT company in the sector has made a name change to better reflect its global reach

Hebron has announced a change in the company name to reflect the worldwide school market in which it operates. Effective from March 2009, Hebron will now be known as Double First.

The change in company name reflects the recent increased demand for the company’s management information software overseas, particularly in the Middle East. The company was aware of potential political difficulties and recognises the local cultural sensitivities.

Sensitive decision
Kim Hollamby, director of Hebron, explains the logic behind the move: “Changing the company name is no small decision, but it is a sensible one. The Hebron name is strong, but we recognise that countries in the Middle East are more sensitive to the connections with its geographic namesake.

“Double First is widely known as the company’s original accounts package for schools, so it makes sense to continue with this heritage on which the company was originally built.”

Software products
The Double First suite of products will largely be called the same as they are currently:
• Engage: a school-wide Management Information System for independent, fee-paying schools;
• Accounts:  an accounting package specifically designed for independent schools;
• Admin:  a school-wide pupil administration package, aimed at smaller schools; and
• Payroll:  a self-contained, standalone product which can be linked to Double First Accounts.
Existing customers will not be affected by the change.

Internal views
Sue Allen, one of the company’s customer-facing staff, says: “Increasingly, schools have been asking where the original name came from. Once people understood there was no political or cultural associations, it was very straight-forward. But the new name is less confusing and is closer to what the company is all about – the highest grade in education.”

Commenting on the branding, Simon Jones, group marketing manager, says that the existing brand of the company would continue. “Schools all over the world are starting to recognise the Hebron brand and we are retaining this value with the new name. We’re also keeping the butterfly, which is great news, especially as many schools love the freshness it brings to the world of school software!”

All contact details remain the same.

www.doublefirst.com

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