Concept Software Systems was formed in 1992 by the company’s current President David Spiers. In 1993, Luis Branca, the Technology Director of Vale Do Lobo, one of Europe’s largest golf and Spa resorts, joined the company as Director of Technology & Development. In 2000, Chris Parker joined the board of directors. In 2005, Malcolm Rennie was promoted to General Manager.
At a time when the majority of software companies were continuing to develop products in MS Dos technology, Concept took the bold step to develop products using Microsoft Windows. The company’s first products operated on Windows 3.1 with an Interbase database.
Since those times Concept have designed products with all new versions of Windows, through to the present day where clients are using Vista and other later versions of Windows. The company has also evolved its database technology, with all new Concept clients using either Microsoft SQL or Oracle.
The company’s first install was at the Pinheiros Altos golf resort in the Portuguese Algarve. Some 16 years later, Pinheiros Altos continue to manage all their operations with the latest versions of Concept products.
In Portugal, there are over 50 golf and spa resorts. 90% of them use the Concept system. In the resort areas of Spain, most of the prestigious resorts use the Concept system. Many of these are clients for a period exceeding 10 years.
In 2002, the company was selected by Micros Fidelio, the Worlds largest software supplier of hospitality and food and beverage systems to be their partner for all forms of leisure software. At this time Micros market and distribute Concept products in many regions around the world.
In 2000, Concept developed its first spa and leisure system which is now one of the worlds most used spa products. The spa product was developed in conjunction with three major spa operations: Marriott UK, Stoke Park, and Celtic Manor; who all provided valuable and knowledgeable inputs into the workings of a spa. The North American and Asian version of the spa product was developed in a similar vein, with assistance from Canyon Ranch, Shangri-la hotels, Peninsula hotels and Six Senses Spas.
The company is now totally focused on the global market, and are one of the worlds major suppliers to an exceptionally diverse and varied leisure market, including Golf, Spa, health and leisure clubs, members and dining clubs, medical and salon companies, and country clubs and Marinas.
Directors
David Spiers - Formerly Executive Vice President and Corporate Office Commodore Computers.
Chris Parker - Formerly Managing Director and Chairman Unijet Airlines
Malcolm Rennie - Formerly General Manager Paradise Consulting Group
Luis Branca - Formerly Technology Director Vale Do Lobo group of companies.
Company History
