Page 38 - Paragon Annual Report 2

34 | Strategic report | Technology at Paragon
Research and development
We are engaged in a continuous programme of research improvement and development in our own use of technology. Programmes are under way for technology platform harmonisation, upgrades and standardisation. Technology investments for the Paragon of the future include factory automation, marketing automation, robotic process automation and big data financial modelling and analysis.
Paragon Customer Communications has developed a significant increase in production and scale along with new capability in big data, artificial intelligence, behavioural analytics and virtual channels.
Our research and development capacity has increased significantly across the group in the
last two years, with close to 100 staff in multiple locations in Europe as well as support from offshore development teams in Ukraine and India. In mobile app development, we have released new brand protection technology, boosting our identification and traceability capabilities.
Paragon’s adoption of technological advancements such as the Internet of Things (IOT) has allowed our developers to create solutions for the connected world. For example, our RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and NFC (Near Field Communication) applications enable blood bags to be traced from the moment of donation to the transfusion to a
new donor, helping to save lives around the world.
Data and compliance
Central to our technology strategy is the correct management of data, security and risk. Paragon’s roots are in secure document production, dating back to the foundation of the Paragon Check Book company in 1886, and this focus on security and integrity is firmly fixed in our DNA.
“ Paragon is recognised as a leader in data security and compliance ”
We recently attained
PCI (payment card
industry) attestation in
the UK, the highest level
of production security,
which gives us a strong
market position in fulfilment
for the sector. This comes at a
critical moment in the market where sensitivity and awareness are heightened after well-publicised cyber-hackings and thefts of customer records.
With the introduction throughout the EU of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in May 2018 as a new legal framework to increase consumer data protection, we have been leading the way in adopting the new, more stringent standards before they come into effect. This requires strict compliance in managing customer information and ensuring international consistency with
our businesses and services across borders.
As a result of our approach, Paragon is establishing itself as a leader in data security and compliance, establishing two new secure data centres in the UK and providing GDPR advisory services to help our clients meet the constantly shifting challenges of data management, security and compliance.
Paragon Group Limited – 05258175