ALRESFORD-BASED technology specialist to the emergency services sector, Opses, is expanding to Europe following significant contracts across the UK and Ireland. 

Opses designs and installs specialist software and hardware into police cars, ambulances and first response vehicles to improve safety and usability. 

The business has expanded with the support of a funding package from Lloyds Bank to facilitate its ongoing product research and development.

Opses integrates essential controls for emergency service vehicles into a main touchscreen display where users can operate sirens, emergency radio and access number plate recognition software. 

The technology significantly reduces distraction for emergency drivers and makes it safer to control their equipment. Previously technology was being screwed into the dashboard, which risked obstructing air bags and were more difficult to use at high speed compared to the software Opses has designed.

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It also reduces costs and installation times for new vehicles, and makes it simpler to decommission, which increases the resell value at the end of their service without any damage to the dashboard.

The business, headquartered in West Tisted near Alresford, is now working with Australia’s police and ambulance services to roll out its integration systems across the country, and it is also planning expansion in Europe following a successful pilot with 100 police fleet in Antwerp, Belgium.

Tom Haye, managing director at Opses, said: “The UK’s police officers, paramedics and fire response crews deal with high-intensity situations every day, and the last thing they need are distracting controls while driving at high speed. We want to help them reach incidents and communicate in emergencies safely and efficiently. 

“We’re using our experience of high-risk situations and have designed an interface that optimises efficiency and minimises distraction. Lloyds Bank’s support has been invaluable, as we’ve had to take time to develop the tech which meets the blue light service’s needs. We’re at that point now and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Tim Gall, relationship manager at Lloyds, said: “For every problem there is an innovative start-up waiting to be created and provide a solution. Opses is a great example of a business born out of a need for safer, easier-to-use technology and its recent rapid growth shows how well it’s delivering that.

“Tom and the team have taken great care to research, develop and refine its tech, working hand-in-hand with blue light services across the country. It’s now cementing itself as the go-to tech partner for police, ambulance and fire organisations across the world and we’ll continue to be by Opses side as it accelerates its growth.”