The key to business success is often being in the right place, at the right time. That was certainly true for Tania McLean-Tabor, who was working as a software engineer, consultant and trainer for more than two decades, including seven years with Zen Internet.
When Zen’s CEO and founder, Richard Tang, launched a business incubator scheme, she put forward her idea for a new enterprise. Tania McLean-Tabor (pictured right, on the right) and her business partner and operations director Fiona McLean-Tabor (pictured right, on the left) presented their vision for the company to Tang and his finance director, Matt Kay, and won them both over.
As a result, in 2019, TechSmart Software Solutions was born. Fiona McLean-Tabor explained to Comms Business the idea to develop The Channel Connect Hub was as a response to observing a gap in the market for an all-in-one solution for all sizes of resellers and ISPs to manage their entire estate of broadband provisioning, from availability checking, order placement and management to services and diagnostics.
Fiona McLean-Tabor said, “We offer a white-labelled software solution, which is integrated with multiple suppliers APIs, including, but not limited to Zen, TalkTalk Business, CityFibre and All Points Fibre.”
TechSmart Software Solutions specialises in broadband services, software engineering and consultancy services. Working alongside the McLean-Tabors is another permanent staff member and a contractor, while Tang works with them as an advisor.
As a new business owner, Fiona McLean-Tabor said that the biggest barrier was gaining recognition and establishing the company. But her strong connections with Zen made this process easier.
The company has already built a portfolio of clients, including Fibre1, CityFibre, Fidelity Group, Sharp Gaming, TalkTalk and its initial supporters, Zen. But its ambitions don’t stop there, according to McLean-Tabor.
“Our product development is steered by user input and so our solutions are practical as well as having the functionality that our users require,” said McLean-Tabor. “We build strong and durable relationships with our customers by engaging with them regularly.”
Key trends
Among the key trends that McLean-Tabor is currently seeing is a heavy focus on fibre broadband expansion, with initiatives such as Project Gigabit, led by the likes of BT, Openreach and CityFibre. She believes that this is critical as the UK transitions from copper-based infrastructure to full-fibre networks.
Additionally, she has seen an increase in competition between suppliers due to the surge in altnets. She said that this has been driven by Project Gigabit and other private investors coming on board, as well as the added risk of infrastructure overbuild as suppliers race to be first past the post in certain areas.
Other developments that have come to the fore, McLean-Tabor said, have been 5G, sustainability and digital transformation.
In terms of opportunities, McLean-Tabor said that with suppliers increasingly being expected to provide better service, upgrade their digital infrastructure, and offer incentives and price-matching in order to compete, companies should be looking to integrate with as many suppliers as required, and provide resellers, ISPs and altnets with an automated solution for their broadband provisioning needs.
Game-changer
The Rochdale-based company’s flagship product, the Channel Connect Hub, said McLean-Tabor, has been a game-changer for resellers and ISPs alike. The portal can be used to streamline broadband provisioning and increase sales through a unified, white-labelled platform.
By connecting to multiple ISPs, it enables smaller partners to compete in a market dominated by larger players. By segregating the system, TechSmart has enabled these smaller players to place orders through third parties and to directly access improved deals with altnets.
TechSmart’s reach extends to large integrators too. They can place orders seamlessly through its API without the need for a direct relationship with major suppliers, working instead with partners further down the supply chain, thus transforming how they interact and grow in the broadband sector.
As a female-led tech company, TechSmart’s success is notable at a time when there is increasing focus on gender diversity. Reflecting on the company’s journey, McLean-Tabor was quick to acknowledge the hurdles it has overcome, challenging the status quo and proving that, with the right vision and partnership, anything is possible.
“I wholeheartedly recommend TechSmart Software Solutions, both for their broadband and leased line automation solution and their bespoke software engineering services,” said Tang. “It’s fantastic to see how Tania, Fiona and the TechSmart team have turned Tania’s original idea into a successful and growing business.”
Moving forward, McLean-Tabor said that the plan is to increase the customer base, with further features being developed within the Channel Connect Hub, aligned with customer requirements. She also wants to explore further opportunities for partnerships and collaboration.
This interview was included in our January 2025 print issue. You can read the magazine in full here.