Advanced Computer Software Group plc Annual report 2013

The Group actively participates in the recycling ofoffice waste and waste paper and appropriate facilitiesare provided in all offices. Electronic equipment isrecycled via WEEE-compliant recycling companies.The Company also recycles mobile phones, expiredbatteries and light bulbs, which are collected anddisposed of by authorised recyclers.The Group recognises that some business travel isnecessary for the effective management of the business.However, it encourages the use of conference calls andvideo conferences wherever possible and facilitatesworking from home, where appropriate.Environmental initiativesV1 Limited, the document management softwarecompany which is part of the Business Solutions division,continues to lead the way with its green initiativeby planting more trees during the year. In June 2012,Cheadle Hulme School students teamed up withV1 to plant 340 trees in the school grounds as part ofV1’s environmental initiative, which supports the school’scommitment to green principles and its aim to reduceits carbon footprint year on year. Tree planting formspart of V1’s environmental initiative and ties in withthe company’s development of ‘paperless office’ software.V1 has been planting trees in school grounds andsustainable forests throughout the UK since 2006 andhas planted 4,657 trees to date.Advanced Business Solutions continues to promoteCarbon Accounting which automatically tracksand budgets organisation-wide carbon emissions.The solution, which is integrated with Advanced’sOpenAccounts financial management system,enables businesses to measure carbon emissionsquickly and easily and to more effectively budget foremissions through integration with the OpenAccountsbudgeting system.Environmental awardsDuring the year, V1 was recognised for its positivecontribution to the environment, winning a number ofawards including the Green IT Award 2012, Green Heroand Green Apple Awards from The Green Organisation,an independent, non-profit environment group dedicatedto recognising, rewarding and promoting environmentalbest practice around the world. V1 also won thePaperless Office & Document Management (Corporate)category of the prestigious Software Satisfaction Awardsfor the third year running. The Software SatisfactionAwards are run by Sift Media in collaboration withIntellect, the UK’s largest technology association.Advanced Business Solutions, was awarded anInternational Green Hero Award in recognition ofthe environmental benefits of its Human ResourceSelf-Service solution. It also won the EnvironmentalAccounting & Management Software of the Yearcategory of the Green IT Awards 2012 and GreenApple Award for its Carbon Accounting product.EthicsAdvanced actively promotes integrity in its dealingswith all its stakeholders.The Group promotes high ethical standards in carryingout its business activities and has clear guidelines fordealing with gifts, hospitality, corruption, fraud and theuse of inside information. All employees must complywith the laws and regulations of the country in whichthey operate as well as with Group policies.The Group has a whistleblowing procedure whichenables any employee or third party who feels that thenormal reporting channels through line managementare not appropriate, to confidentially report any issuesaround dishonesty, fraud, bribery, malpractice, bullying,unfair treatment or unsafe working practices. All suchreports are notified to the Human Resources Director andare independently investigated by senior managementwho are not connected to the report. The outcome ofany investigation is reported to the Chairman of theAudit Committee.The Group is committed to achieving the highest levels ofcustomer service and satisfaction in line with deliveringhigh quality, reliable products and services. AdvancedHealth and Care provides clinical and back-officesoftware and services to customers in the healthcaresector and is conscious of its responsibility to providerobust solutions that positively impact the livesand wellbeing of patients and vulnerable peoplerequiring care.Advanced Business Solutions is registered to theinternational quality standard, ISO9001:2000.Advanced 365 holds the ISO27001:2005, InformationSecurity Management System (ISMS) certificationfor its business activities.Overview Business reviewGovernance FinancialsAdvanced Computer Software Group plcAnnual Report 201319