Join Thames Valley Connect

Creating the UK's first connected data region

Small businesses within the Thames Valley region can benefit from completely FREE access to the Odatacy app (all features) to store customer details, manage bookings and communicate securely and privately, as well create broadcast promotional campaigns. As part of the Odatacy Thames Valley Connect project you will be able to gain more customers, increase repeat bookings and save time.

Imagine a world where all services from gardening, to window cleaning, to hairdressers appointments are all managed within one application. Pooling data and working collaboratively to the benefit of all within Thames Valley.

Register your interest

We are getting ready to launch Thames Valley Connect as part of Odatacy, with a view to launch in late 2024. By registering today we can ensure you don't miss out and are first in line. You are under no obligation to use the service or pay for any services in the future. All we may ask for as a launch partner is for valuable feedback that may help us improve services for other small businesses.

Securing funding

We are in the process of securing funding to run this experimental project within the Thames Valley region, our mission is to connect small businesses and the wider public to create a unified and safe environment in which to share personal and contact data. This project will enable small business within the region to deliver greater regional and national growth, by means of trade, employment and future investment. A truly pioneering project where businesses and general public can come together for FREE, with trust and security.

Supporting Thames Valley small businesses

The Thames Valley is a key UK growth engine, the largest economic region outside of Greater London. It is vital to the overall growth of the country and with over 55,000 small businesses they represent a key way to unlock greater growth, employment and inward investment.

Thames Valley Connect is open to small businesses within the region employing less than 10 people. So whether you are a full time small business, tradesperson, self employed or a side business owner you can join.

The Thames Valley Connect project covers businesses within the following council areas: Bracknell Forest Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, West Berkshire Council and Wokingham Borough Council areas.

Helping UK small businesses

Helping small businesses

Small businesses represent the backbone within the UK and over 37% struggle to access or manage tools that help with managing customer details or communications. Many revert to using personal devices to store customer details. Tools such as WhatsApp or third party marketplaces are not fit for purpose either.

UK GDPR introduction has also placed a great deal of burden upon all businesses and the need to demonstrate and put in place measures to ensure data is protected. Many small businesses do not fully appreciate how GDPR affects them and how they could be subject to heavy fines.

Addressing data sharing concerns

There is large scale concerns regarding sharing personal data within the wider population. Around 90% of the UK population want the freedom to view and delete data. This isn’t a surprise given about half have been victims of data misuse. When there is greater trust and control the people react positively and are more happy to lean in to work with businesses.

Combined with this is a recent shift towards supporting local small businesses, with over 44% making a conscious choice since COVID. There is an opportunity to combine our renewed love for small businesses with a better way to protect our data.

UK National Data Strategy

The aim of the UK National Data Strategy (NDS) is to drive the collective vision that will support the UK to build a world-leading data economy. It will help ensure that people, businesses and organisations trust the data ecosystem, are sufficiently skilled to operate effectively within it, and can get access to data when they need it.

The NDS will also provide coherence and impetus to the wide range of data-led work across government, while creating a shared understanding across the economy of how data is used.