Our Story
From bedroom start-up to international success.
Every business starts with an idea…
From his home in Glasgow, Scotland, Dr Barry Wood recognised the limitations of the financial programs in the market so set about creating his own. To this day, Turnkey remains a family-run business shaping the possibilities of business systems. And our founding principle remains – everything we do is about finding ways to help our customers work smarter.
A history of Turnkey Group
1980
1980
Turnkey Computer Technology Limited established by
Dr. Barry Wood in East Kilbride, Glasgow, specialising in financial and bespoke software development. Business users could also purchase desktop computers such as Superbrains. Early customers included East Kilbride Development Corporation and Coopers & Lybrand.
1982
1982
Growth meant an office move to Charing Cross, Glasgow. Turnkey shared 10 Somerset Place with Grainger & Co., Chartered Accountants and Insolvency Practitioners (who quickly became Turnkey customers). The range, services, clients, staff and turnover grew over the next three years.
1985
1985
Turnkey’s unique Insolvency Practitioners System – better known as IPS – was launched in 1985 in DOS format. With clients operating in this sector, Barry knew a tailored software solution could greatly improve efficiency for IPs and their staff. Early adopters included Coopers and Lybrand (Edinburgh), Arthur Andersen (Glasgow) and Douglas Laing & Jackson (Glasgow). Turnkey become authorised Compaq re-sellers.
1989
1989
First IPS Annual User Group Meeting is held.
1993
1993
The business moves to Thornton Lodge, East Kilbride in Glasgow. Microsoft Windows NT is Released.
1994
1994
Turnkey appoints Core Technology Solutions PTY limited as their agent to market IPS in Australia and New Zealand.
1995
1995
IPS continues to evolve with the introduction of IPS for Windows incorporating drop down menus, point and click technology and the ability to export data to other industry standard Microsoft products such as Word and Excel.
1996
1996
Tony Wood officially joins the company to manage the development team. Turnkey becomes an authorised Navision Solution Centre (6th in the UK), customising Navision software modules to meet the precise needs of any business. CORE customers upgrade to IPS for Windows.
1997
1997
Installation of our first Windows NT based network at Home Hardware Limited. Home Hardware was also the first Turnkey client to adopt Navision and remains a Turnkey customer to this day.
2001
2001
Turnkey sponsors Insol Conference in London. IPS boasts 2200 users and 420 client sites.
2002
2002
Tony Wood is appointed Managing Director and Dr. Barry Wood becomes Chairman.
2003
2003
Microsoft acquire Navision UK, rebranded as Microsoft Dynamics NAV. CORE Technology now known as CORE Australia Pty Limited.
2005
2005
Turnkey and CORE sponsor Insol 2005 conference in Sydney. The company celebrates 25 years of success.
2006
2006
IPS for Microsoft SQL Server is launched offering greatly enhanced functionality and a superior platform for further system development. Seamless integration is now possible between IPS, Microsoft Office Suite and other third party products. We are certified as a SILVER Microsoft Partner for Business Software and Infrastructure. Turnkey Group acquires CORE Australia PTY. Jim Downey FCA is appointed Director.
2007
2007
Turnkey appointed GOLD Microsoft Partner.
2008
2008
Turnkey Infrastructure Solutions appointed ESET Partners.
2010
2010
The Turnkey Group is formed.
Turnkey announces a new corporate structure for each of the three key divisions in the business.
- Turnkey Computer Technology
- Turnkey Business Software
- Turnkey Infrastructure Solutions
The IPS Creditor Portal is launched – enabling online interaction between all stakeholders in the insolvency process.
Turnkey’s 100th Microsoft Dynamics NAV site goes live.
2011
2011
Microsoft Small Business Specialist Accreditation.
2013
2013
Sponsored Sunshine Coach for Variety, the Children’s Charity, donated to Hazelwood School.
2014
2014
For the first time Turnkey Business Software supports over 1,000 Microsoft Dynamics NAV users. Turnkey Infrastructure Solutions become a GFI/AX focus MAXMail partner.
2015
2015
Accredited GOLD Microsoft partner for Enterprise Resource Planning. (Supply & support of Microsoft Dynamics NAV).
Accredited SILVER Microsoft partner for Midmarket Solutions. (Supply and support of infrastructure solutions.)
Hosted version of IPS available on Turnkey’s Cloud platform.
390 businesses using IPS globally spread over 750 sites with 6,500 users across the world.
2016
2016
Second Sunshine Coach donated to Newlands Junior College. For tenth consecutive year, CORE Australia proudly sponsors ARITA Conference.
2017
2017
Sponsoring Insol 2017 in Sydney. Current totals for the IPS Creditor Portal – 44,555 cases, 36,653 documents accessed by 42,822 creditors.
2017
2017
Turnkey Business Software support extends to more than 2,000 Microsoft Dynamics NAV licensed users and more than 100 customers!
2018
2018
Dynamics NAV is renamed Dynamics 365 Business Central as Microsoft offer customers the choice of on-premise or in-the-cloud solutions. Turnkey Business Software implement their first three cloud subscription solutions.
2018
2018
Turnkey Group achieve Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. Providing evidence and confirmation to our staff and our business partners of Turnkey’s commitment to high levels of internal security.
2019
2019
Turnkey announces the appointment of Kenny Doole, Commercial Director for Turnkey Business Software. Kenny brings over 15 years’ experience in the B2B software arena. His passion lies in Business Growth Strategies and Account Management, using innovative approaches combined with technology to help customers become successful.
2020
2020
Turnkey Group announces the appointment of Deborah Baxter as Commercial Director for IPS. Deborah joins from KPMG where she was most recently focused on driving a digital transformation agenda across all aspects of their Restructuring practice. Deborah brings over 20 years’ experience in driving technology and strategic change.
2020
2020
Turnkey Group Announces Expansion with c£1.5M Investment Plans. As a business we are investing in our product suite, increasing staff and extending and enhancing our office premises to accommodate our exciting business growth plans.
Corporate social responsibility
Many of our key people have been with the business for a long time. Being a tight-knit team we recognise the need to put something back into the communities in which we’ve worked. Each year we commit to different charitable goals, and take great pride in seeing the Turnkey funded Sunshine Coaches driving around Glasgow, enabling disadvantaged children to visit places and experience activities they would not otherwise enjoy.