Probrand presented with Queen's Award

Founder Peter Robbins is handed trophy by Duke of Kent

VAR Probrand was handed its Queen's Award for innovation by the Duke of Kent earlier this week for its IT procurement platform www.theITindex.co.uk.

The site was recognised for saving firms thousands on product prices and buying processes by eliminating the need to call around suppliers for the best deals and availability.

It updates and compares more than 150,000 products and services from more than 2,500 manufacturers and ranks them by best price and stock availability on a daily basis.

Peter Robbins (pictured receiving the award from the Duke of Kent), managing director of Probrand, said: "We are focused on giving IT buyers the most efficient ways of getting competitive deals on ICT from across a hugely fragmented, multi-level supply chain. We bring a competitive market into one environment where people can buy direct.

"This is the innovation that has interested His Royal Highness personally. It is a huge honour for us to be recognised as a leader amidst the growing and recruiting Midlands technology corridor," he added. "Continuous innovation and investment in the Mercato technology behind www.theITIndex.co.uk is driving the business and supporting our supply chain partners."

David Noble at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) added: "Probrand has been recognised by CIPS for its procurement excellence in purchasing policies and procedures through CIPS certification and it is particularly rewarding to see the first procurement process of its type uniquely recognised with a Queen's Award for innovation."

Chris Haynes, senior civil servant at HM government, said: "The effective management and design of procurement practice are fundamental building blocks for cost-effective government. The capabilities and competencies of Probrand's data, design, architecture, analysis and innovative ways of building marketplaces make the Queen's Award fully justified."