The winner will be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony on March 14, at Trafalgar House. Innovative as always, the ceremony will be Japanese themed and Exposed will turn the venue into Sheffield’s own little version of Tokyo!

Voting has been taking place throughout February and the lucky three businesses in with a chance of winning the award have now been announced. The Exposed Awards are made up of 100% reader votes so the Sheffield public make all the difference, and the three nominated businesses are:

My Party Venue UK

Skull and Bones Ltd

Sour Cherry

Digital Region is delighted to sponsor the award. Marketing Manager Scott Castle said:

“We’re delighted to continue supporting the South Yorkshire business community by sponsoring the ‘best online business’ award at the Exposed Magazine Business Awards 2013. Congratulations to the three businesses that have been nominated, I look forward to meeting them on the 14th and presenting the winning organisation with the prestigious award.”

The transformational invention changed the city’s economy forever, making it responsible for 90% of the world’s stainless steel production.

Fast forward to 2013, and Sheffield could be on the cusp of a similar boom period, says superfast broadband network, Digital Region Ltd (DRL).

The world-class broadband infrastructure recently built under the city, and covering 80% of South Yorkshire, has the potential to once again catapult the region into a leading position, according to DRL.

The fibre optic network already makes the region a UK leader in broadband technology, with the rest of the country having to wait until at least 2015 to have region-wide access to the same service.

“If Sheffield businesses embrace the technology at their fingertips now, the region could truly lead the digital revolution, not just nationally, but internationally,” said DRL’s Marketing Manager Scott Castle.

“This opportunity puts South Yorkshire in a prime position to buck the economic trend and carve out a remarkable future, as it did in the early 1900s,” he said.

“The creative and digital industries are currently experiencing growth patterns, despite the economic climate.  By exploiting the broadband network that delivers speeds on average four times faster than the UK average, the region’s internet-based businesses could take our economy to the next level.”

“However, the type of growth seen in the steel industry takes foresight, innovation and investment,” adds Scott.  “So we are encouraging South Yorkshire businesses to take advantage of the investment already made in the network, so that the many innovative businesses we have in the region can really flourish.”

How can broadband improve business?

New markets are available online, with new customer bases, which are ready to be exploited via social media, and directed to next-generation, multi-functional websites. Working in the cloud is becoming the norm, enabling employees and business owners to work wherever and whenever they need to, by accessing files stored remotely.  Even homeworking is starting to be seen as a smart and profitable way to do business.

Marketing, particularly viral marketing and social media, becomes slicker.  And financial and transactional services, such stock ordering, become faster and more efficient. Customer response times can be increased exponentially while the cost savings that can achieved are more than welcome in the current economic climate.

Get connected here.

Browse the internet at superfast speeds

Whether it’s shopping, social networking or working from home, superfast broadband enables you to do whatever you want online, superfast. With no sitting around waiting for pages to load, the internet becomes much more fun. Lots of people get frustrated with slow broadband speeds but a secure connection on the Digital Region network means you don’t have to worry about problems, just browse to your heart’s content.

Online entertainment

Whether it’s HD movies or a repeat of your favourite soap on BBC iPlayer, you can watch them all in high-quality online. CD’s are becoming a thing of the past with more and more people downloading their music instead of buying it from a store. Whether you want to watch your favourite movie or listen to your favourite artists new album, you can download media almost instantly with superfast broadband.

Join the gaming revolution

If you’re into gaming, then it’s all about getting online. Games like FIFA13 and Call of Duty take on a whole new meaning when you can play against people from all over the world. Whether it’s to play with friends, test yourself against the best players from around the world, or just to make sure there’s someone to play against when you’re still awake at 2am, if you’re an avid gamer superfast broadband will enhance your experience.

Communicate with friends and family online

You can take advantage of technologies such as Skype to speak to friends and family who don’t live nearby. Social networks have changed the way we communicate with people and new developments in 2013 are likely to include video, so superfast broadband will make sure you can speak to anyone anywhere over a reliable connection.

Have multiple users online with no loss in quality

How about being able to use all of the above, all at once? With superfast broadband you could be working from home on the internet while other people in the house are watching HD movies online, gaming online, and doing their weekly shop. A superfast broadband connection means you can all be online at the same time.

Until December 31st, South Yorkshire businesses can connect to superfast broadband from Digital Region and pay no connection fee, making it even easier for them to get ahead in the New Year. To connect, click here: http://www.digitalregion.co.uk/get-connected

CLOUD COMPUTING

Superfast broadband enables businesses to make full use of cloud computing services. This means employees and business owners can work wherever and whenever they need to, by accessing files stored remotely. Because this requires high download and upload speeds, the Digital Region network is a great way to make the most of cloud computing for many South Yorkshire businesses.

IMPROVED CUSTOMER SERVICE

Superfast broadband enables you to provide a slicker, faster service, keeping your customers closer. Sarah Simpkins, Managing Director at Sheffield’s Printing.com says her Digital Region connection has improved her company’s customer service capabilities. “Since connecting to superfast broadband, things are running much more smoothly. Files can be uploaded quickly with no stress, meaning customers get the turnaround time we originally give them.”

EXPLOIT NEW MARKETS

Superfast broadband makes it possible to communicate much more quickly and effectively with companies outside of South Yorkshire and all over the world. “One of the key benefits of superfast broadband is the new markets it has opened up for us,” says Adam Gray, Group IT Manager at Doncaster Racecourse. “Whether it’s a gaming event where 250 people need to be online at the same time, or a business exhibition where multiple delegates need to connect to the internet, there are massive markets which we’re now able to explore.”

HOMEWORKING

Studies show that working from home has vastly increased in the last few years – a trend set to continue in 2013. If you’re a start up, a sole trader, or entrepreneur, allowing employees to work from home can bring cost savings to your business. Ross Mason, Head of Technology at Inflecto Systems in Sheffield, said “Work queries can occur for us 24 hours a day so it’s vital that we’re connected to superfast broadband at home as well as in the office. My home connection is worth its weight in gold as it’s enabled me to deal with queries outside of standard working hours at home.”

FUTUREPROOF YOUR BUSINESS

In the blink of an eye, we’ll be looking forward to 2014 and then 2015, when the rest of the country is hoping to be able to access superfast broadband.   With superfast broadband available right now, South Yorkshire is at the forefront of the digital revolution. Connecting to superfast broadband will enable your business to have peace of mind that you will be able to benefit from any future technologies that come along.

The award was given to Rare Creative by Head of Marketing at Digital Region, Scott Castle, at a glitzy awards ceremony at Ponds Forge on Friday 1st February 2013.

The other shortlisted businesses were HR Media Ltd and Switchstance IT, but it was Aizlewoods Mill based Rare Creative who won the award for digital innovation and excellence.

Scott Castle, Head of Marketing at Digital Region, said: “We were delighted to sponsor the award. Digital Region is committed to supporting the digital industries in South Yorkshire and sponsoring awards such as this is a great way to do that. I’d like to congratulate all the businesses who were shortlisted for award, and in particular Rare Creative on their brilliant win.”

Commenting on the award win, Rare Creative Managing Director Steve Bellingham said,

“We are absolutely delighted that Rare has been honoured with this prestigious award. Not only does it recognise the tremendous work conducted by Chris and the digital team at Rare, but also the contribution from our entire organisation including creative designers, client account managers and support teams.”

Cornerstones Education offer creative curriculum solutions for schools which have been described by Ofsted as “improving learning”. 18 months ago the idea for Cornerstones Education first came to Simon Hickton, now the organisation has many more employees and works with schools across the UK.

Internet marketing experts Bigfoot Digital have won the Digital Region ‘Digital Communications Award’ at the 2012 Sheffield Star Business Awards.

Judges were impressed by Bigfoot’s use of next generation broadband technology in order to gain advantage in the marketplace and how the company had achieved measured success for clients through social marketing channels including Facebook and Twitter.

The organisation, headed by Lindsey Watson and Mark Woodcock, is based in Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre which is connected to the Digital Region network, and the team were delighted to win the prestigious award, which was sponsored by Digital Region.

Lindsey said “It’s a real honour to win this award and be recognised for the work we have been doing in the past twelve months”.

“We moved to South Yorkshire and in particular the Digital Media Centre in Barnsley because we knew that the services available would enable us to prosper. The superfast broadband services available here at the DMC are outstanding, we never have to worry about the connection and that allows us to get on with doing what we’re good at.”

Founded in 2010 as a Search Engine Marketing agency Bigfoot Digital identified that online users are increasingly turning to the social space to shop for goods and services and developed a Social Media Marketing arm, established specifically to promote brands through channels such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

By offering this service to clients, Bigfoot Digital is not only able to boost organic search engine rankings for client’s key products and services, but is also able to actively engage with an interested and valuable target market, promoting real time events, offers and product launches as they happen whilst also serving as an extension to clients customer service teams.

The other shortlisted businesses for the award were NetCopy UK and HR Media, RCKT & Wilson Field.

Judges were impressed by Bigfoot’s use of next generation broadband technology in order to gain advantage in the marketplace and how the company had achieved measured success for clients through social marketing channels including Facebook and Twitter.

The organisation, headed by Lindsey Watson and Mark Woodcock, is based in Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre which is connected to the Digital Region network, and the team were delighted to win the prestigious award, which was sponsored by Digital Region.

Lindsey said “It’s a real honour to win this award and be recognised for the work we have been doing in the past twelve months”.

“We moved to South Yorkshire and in particular the Digital Media Centre in Barnsley because we knew that the services available would enable us to prosper. The superfast broadband services available here at the DMC are outstanding, we never have to worry about the connection and that allows us to get on with doing what we’re good at.”

Founded in 2010 as a Search Engine Marketing agency Bigfoot Digital identified that online users are increasingly turning to the social space to shop for goods and services and developed a Social Media Marketing arm, established specifically to promote brands through channels such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

By offering this service to clients, Bigfoot Digital is not only able to boost organic search engine rankings for client’s key products and services, but is also able  to actively engage with an interested and valuable target market, promoting real time events, offers and product launches as they happen whilst also serving as an extension to clients customer service teams.

The other shortlisted businesses for the award were NetCopy UK and HR Media, RCKT & Wilson Field.

The prestigious awards ceremony takes place on Friday 1st February 2013 at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre and will bring together business people from across the region to celebrate the success of businesses in Sheffield in the past 12 months.

Digital Region is a fibre optic broadband network stretching across the whole of South Yorkshire. The area has 1.3 million people, 546,000 homes and 40,000 businesses in and around Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, and the Digital Region network provides more than 80 per cent with access to next generation broadband.

Whilst the rest of the UK faces an anticipated six year wait for superfast broadband, the Digital Region network is already transforming the way businesses in South Yorkshire operate. It offers cost savings, work and productivity efficiencies and the highest level of network security.

Connecting to the Digital Region network can give multiple users superfast access to digital communications tools, content rich applications and cloud computing technologies.

The network supports home working, enabling employees in South Yorkshire to have secure access to files stored on work computers at superfast speeds. It also delivers significant cost savings when compared to ISDN, SDSL or leased line services.

With all eyes on economic growth and transformation, the need for a robust communications infrastructure is vital for towns and cities to flourish. Thanks to the Digital Region network, South Yorkshire is ahead of the curve and is fast becoming a hub for businesses that use digital communications.

David Cowell, Chief Operating Officer at Digital Region, said:

“We are delighted to sponsor this award and recognise the skills and expertise in the digital industries that have places Sheffield and South Yorkshire firmly on the digital map.

“This era of superfast broadband and digital technologies is only just beginning, but it promises to revolutionise our relationship with the Internet and computers. It is an exciting time for businesses and there are huge gains to be made through the skilled use of digital communications.

“Digital Region has provided South Yorkshire with a world class platform and already businesses are moving to the region to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by this next generation network.

“Digital Region is an ambassador for digital communications activity and this is shown by our commitment to sponsor awards at each of the major business awards ceremonies in the region. We look forward to seeing a wide range of businesses showcase their expertise and skills.”

To see the award criteria and to nominate a business for the award please visit the official Sheffield Business Awards website.