The first phase of judging is over and today we can begin revealing the shortlisted companies for the Ech-backed South Coast Business Awards.

We start with the Taylor Made computer Solutions Award for Best Use of Technology.

The winner of this award will have used technology to create considerable competitive or operational improvement such as improved quality, customer satisfaction and revenue. It will also have demonstrated success through the innovative application of a new idea, product, method or process.

The four in the running for the award are:

Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport is a regional airport owned by AGS Airports Ltd. It serves around 40 direct European destinations with onward connections to the world via Amsterdam with KLM. It benefits from fantastic transport links located just off the M27 and M3 and with Southampton Airport Parkway train station only 99 steps from the main terminal.

In 2017 Southampton Airport celebrated the busiest year ever on record by welcoming 2.08 million passengers, 6.1 per cent higher than the previous year. This year is an exciting one for the airport with new routes to Menorca with TUI and Skiathos with Fly LoLo as well as the return of easyJet flight to Geneva during winter.

Hillcrest Structural

Hillcrest are a specialist steelwork contractor established in 1981. With an in-house design team, production facilities and expert site-team, the company can offer the complete solution for our clients.

Hillcrest undertake work throughout the UK in all construction sectors for an extensive client base, from local builders to the UK’s largest main contractors. Its forte is refurbishment projects.

Working closely with the design team, Hillcrest is able to take the design to completion enlisting its wealth of knowledge to prevent complications thus enabling projects to be completed on-time and on budget.

The team is able to deliver to BIM level 2, whilst the firm's fabrication facilities can manufacture in line with CE Marking up to Execution Class 3.

Measure My Energy

MeasureMyEnergy designs and manufactures intelligent energy meters that measure electrical consumption at circuit and appliance level. Measurements are taken continually and streamed to our cloud-platform in real-time.

This level of visibility allows businesses to discover power-hungry devices that are consuming energy unnecessarily, identifying when plant equipment is in need of maintenance and optimise building controls to improve efficiency and costs. It identifies areas that would benefit from energy-efficient investment and validates R.O.I. by measuring the operating cost before and after installation.

Its solution is like having an itemised energy bill that has allowed customers to save in excess of 40 per cent on their bills.

Appello

Based in the New Forest, Appello has more than 30 years’ experience providing technology enabled care and life safety services that help housing, health and social care providers to enrich the lives of customers, patients and residents.

Appello harness future-led digital technology to create safer and smarter homes that deliver life-improving safety, inclusion and support. At the heart of its operations is the UK’s leading digital telecare monitoring centre, which supports more than 200,000 people across the UK to lead independent, happier and healthier lives.

The awards are sponsored by law firm Trethowans and run in partnership with Business South, Destination Southampton and Santander.

The winners will be announced at the awards dinner on July 13 at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl.

In tomorrow’s Echo we’ll reveal the finalists in the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award and Meachers Global Logistics Export Award.