I've just lost 13 days!
Whilst the blog has been quiet for the past two weeks, its author has not. I'm still working through those lists - and each day new items are added.
What is really awe-inspiring right now though is to see the different teams working as one as we close in on 'The Strip'. That's the teams in NZ, the UK, HK and Bangalore. And our first outpost in the US of A.
The past two weeks has seen the recruitment of a non-Executive Chairman for Pingar LP and a massive increase in marketing effort for Vegas. And so to the new Chairman first.
I was delighted last Monday to announce the appointment of Chris de Boer as non-Executive Chairman.
Chris has extensive experience in investment banking, regulation, private equity, venture capital and consulting in London, Hong Kong and Australasia. He was an adviser to the Cable and Wireless Group in Asia/Pacific between 1987 and 2001, director of Optus Communications, Chairman of the Hong Kong Takeovers Panel and an Investment Committee Member of GEMS Oriental & General Fund.
Chris was Chairman of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and Chairman of Phitek Systems. He is currently a director of Macquarie Media Group, a director of Mobilis Limited, Chairman of Sonar6 and Chairman of AngelLink.
I look forward to working closely with Chris in the weeks and months ahead.
On matters marketing, a whole series of initiatives have been planned for the October launch. It has been great working with the team at JML Communications. They have it nailed.
Last Thursday, I was invited to attend the MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards dinner at Sky City in Auckland. It was an uplifting event at which many of New Zealand's future scientists excelled in a series of excellent presentations. The value of greater funding for research in our Universities cannot be underestimated. Thursday night proved that.
This week has got off to an odd start. I have no engagements in Auckland in the week ahead. That means I can focus on all things Tauranga. And that date in Vegas in 48 days time.
Showing posts with label Pingar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pingar. Show all posts
Monday, 31 August 2009
Monday, 17 August 2009
THAT Deal - A Perspective
Since my return to NZ, I have been asked by several people to comment on the Microsoft / Yahoo deal that was signed off whilst I was away.
I have checked back on this blog and the last post which signalled the deal was posted five days before it actually happened. The only surprise is that it took so long to close.
The deal itself is an interesting one since it does not involve an actual M & A. It is built instead on a commercial deal that enables Yahoo to continue to develop its online real estate whilst providing Bing (sorry, Microsoft) with access to Yahoo's advertising sales teams.
It gives the 'Search' capacity of Microsoft a more significant market share. Google is still out there, but the gap has closed and the market is now ready for real innovation to be able to differentiate between the two.
The Search battle ground therefore is now nicely set. And the timing is sweet.
Pingar's time has come. And all will be revealed on 19th October.
On the 'Strip'.
I have checked back on this blog and the last post which signalled the deal was posted five days before it actually happened. The only surprise is that it took so long to close.
The deal itself is an interesting one since it does not involve an actual M & A. It is built instead on a commercial deal that enables Yahoo to continue to develop its online real estate whilst providing Bing (sorry, Microsoft) with access to Yahoo's advertising sales teams.
It gives the 'Search' capacity of Microsoft a more significant market share. Google is still out there, but the gap has closed and the market is now ready for real innovation to be able to differentiate between the two.
The Search battle ground therefore is now nicely set. And the timing is sweet.
Pingar's time has come. And all will be revealed on 19th October.
On the 'Strip'.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Azure Launch Announced
I have blogged a number of times before about Azure, Microsoft's 'Cloud' platform.
It is extremely significant for Pingar. We are basing our global server architecture around the Azure platform so it is good that Microsoft have fronted up with some significant 'launch' news.
November 2009 appears to be kick-off date. I am working my way right now through some of the plans, but this is going to require direct engagement with the Azure Services team. 1 million servers might sound a lot. That number will have to be ramped up significantly.
It is only Day 2 of the Microsoft WorldWide Partner's Conference in New Orleans and already some key milestones have been set. For Pingar, those milestones appear to dovetail nicely into our own launch road map.
Good work, Steve and Ray.........
It is extremely significant for Pingar. We are basing our global server architecture around the Azure platform so it is good that Microsoft have fronted up with some significant 'launch' news.
November 2009 appears to be kick-off date. I am working my way right now through some of the plans, but this is going to require direct engagement with the Azure Services team. 1 million servers might sound a lot. That number will have to be ramped up significantly.
It is only Day 2 of the Microsoft WorldWide Partner's Conference in New Orleans and already some key milestones have been set. For Pingar, those milestones appear to dovetail nicely into our own launch road map.
Good work, Steve and Ray.........
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Office 2010
I guess my blog is bugged.
Shortly after submitting my last post about Office Lite, I get an email from Microsoft Connect inviting me to join the Office 2010 Technical Review Program. I have accepted.
It also reminds me that I have not yet posted about our latest Microsoft engagement. Pingar has been invited to join the Microsoft Wave 14 - Partner Engagement Program. I understand we one of 400 - 500 worldwide partners to be asked.
I did blog about Wave 14 a few weeks back. It is the acronym to describe Microsoft's 14 key product launches in 2010. Office 2010 is one. SharePoint 2010 is another. Pingar will be engaged with both.
So for now, it is time to go through the Connect pages. And time to start downloading part of the inevitable future.
Shortly after submitting my last post about Office Lite, I get an email from Microsoft Connect inviting me to join the Office 2010 Technical Review Program. I have accepted.
It also reminds me that I have not yet posted about our latest Microsoft engagement. Pingar has been invited to join the Microsoft Wave 14 - Partner Engagement Program. I understand we one of 400 - 500 worldwide partners to be asked.
I did blog about Wave 14 a few weeks back. It is the acronym to describe Microsoft's 14 key product launches in 2010. Office 2010 is one. SharePoint 2010 is another. Pingar will be engaged with both.
So for now, it is time to go through the Connect pages. And time to start downloading part of the inevitable future.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Investor Relations
On Wednesday night, we hosted our half yearly Investor Presentation here at The Smart Business Centre.
Having caught 'man-flu' last weekend, it was a challenge both for me and our investors. I stuck to the water whilst they stuck into the goodies. I know which I would have preferred.
Investor presentations are a great way to take stock of where you are and where you are going. I was able to update the team on where I had been and what the road map for the next few months looked like. I think it is fair to say that they were supportive of the plans. Not for nothing, they call themselves 'Good Bastards'. I will leave it to Nick and Toby to explain that one!
As we move forward, communication with the investment team is going to become ever more important. We are trying to apply the same core principals that are required for publicly quoted companies.
Julien Leys from JML Communications spoke to the meeting and outlined our longer term Investor Communication strategy. For a relatively small start-up company, our approach might appear to be a highly structured. Long term however, it puts a process in place that will require little amendment. Transparency and openness now will pay dividends in the long term.
As will the goodies!
Having caught 'man-flu' last weekend, it was a challenge both for me and our investors. I stuck to the water whilst they stuck into the goodies. I know which I would have preferred.
Investor presentations are a great way to take stock of where you are and where you are going. I was able to update the team on where I had been and what the road map for the next few months looked like. I think it is fair to say that they were supportive of the plans. Not for nothing, they call themselves 'Good Bastards'. I will leave it to Nick and Toby to explain that one!
As we move forward, communication with the investment team is going to become ever more important. We are trying to apply the same core principals that are required for publicly quoted companies.
Julien Leys from JML Communications spoke to the meeting and outlined our longer term Investor Communication strategy. For a relatively small start-up company, our approach might appear to be a highly structured. Long term however, it puts a process in place that will require little amendment. Transparency and openness now will pay dividends in the long term.
As will the goodies!
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Online Newspaper Subscriptions?
The timing of the previous blog was coincidental. Minutes after publishing it, I can across the following story from Editor and Publisher.com
The nation's top newspaper executives gathered at a Chicago O'Hare airport hotel today to discuss charging for online content and protecting intellectual property.
The summit was initiated by the Newspaper Association of America in response to the recent hearings on Capitol Hill. John Sturm, the NAA's CEO, told E&P the event's purpose was to bring together top publishers to "discuss how best to support and preserve the traditions of newsgathering that will serve the American public."
Sturm said those gathered discussed such topics as protection of intellectual property rights, as well as possible approaches to Congress and Administration to address these and other issues.
I took this as being a slight nod in the direction of Google and others. Intellectual properly and content rights management is becoming a more central area for online debate. It is one that Pingar welcomes. The Newspaper Association of America's concerns are well founded. Democracies require fiercely independent media. That relies on having the resources necessary to find the stories, research and then publish them. That costs. So revenue generation AND protection becomes more important.
It is a debate to follow.
The nation's top newspaper executives gathered at a Chicago O'Hare airport hotel today to discuss charging for online content and protecting intellectual property.
The summit was initiated by the Newspaper Association of America in response to the recent hearings on Capitol Hill. John Sturm, the NAA's CEO, told E&P the event's purpose was to bring together top publishers to "discuss how best to support and preserve the traditions of newsgathering that will serve the American public."
Sturm said those gathered discussed such topics as protection of intellectual property rights, as well as possible approaches to Congress and Administration to address these and other issues.
I took this as being a slight nod in the direction of Google and others. Intellectual properly and content rights management is becoming a more central area for online debate. It is one that Pingar welcomes. The Newspaper Association of America's concerns are well founded. Democracies require fiercely independent media. That relies on having the resources necessary to find the stories, research and then publish them. That costs. So revenue generation AND protection becomes more important.
It is a debate to follow.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Pingar LP Moves Office
Pingar LP is moving!
Our new address details are as follows:
Pingar LP
Smart Business Centre
Bay Central
65 Chapel Street
Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
New Zealand
Telephone: +64 757 888 00
The Smart Business Centre is the building at the left of the complex.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Palo Alto has Attitude
The meeting in Palo Alto yesterday was upbeat. It says a lot about Americans approach to life. VC start up deals in 'the Valley' might be down by about 25% this year - but they still represent around USD 9 billion of new money. It backs up my post yesterday. It is all about size and scale.
It's also about attitude. Start ups looking for investment today have what was referred to as 'balls'. The fact that they are still actively pursuing funding in this market marks them out. Cheque books in this part of the world are certainly not closed at this point. Word on the street is that one NZ tech company is about to announce a major VC win here.
What I had not fully appreciated until my visit was the significance of the presence of Stanford University. Palo Alto is what it is because of Stanford. Tech spin outs and VCs have clustered around the University campus making this a key play in the US technology market.
The striking thing about this was how it mirrors Pingar's own engagement with the Universities of Waikato in NZ and Swansea in Wales. In both instances it might be small scale stuff by comparison, but the model is right. It reinforces my own view that this is one model that should be actively promoted in NZ. The structure is in place. It just requires significant extra funding. Is this possible?
I believe the answer is yes. Another key lesson learnt from yesterday is a changing perception and attitude towards high growth potential NZ tech companies by Valley-based VC. Our geography is no longer such an issue. The opportunity is. It's a message I will be taking back home. Right now, 'The Valley' is open for business.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Welcome San Fran
I do not know what it is about the States, but they certainly know how to create an impact on arrival (and I am not just referring to the Transit Lounge at LAX - this time).
It is all about size and scale. Although the view from NZ has been one of downright recession / depression here (and that is probably right), it is the pure size of the economy that we Kiwis need to think about. It might be going through a tough patch today, but as I discovered on a visit to LA a couple of years ago, the breakfast takeaway sector here exceeds New Zealand's GDP. That's a lot of chocolate muffins.......
So my focus tomorrow is based on that opportunity and how Pingar can best benefit from it. My meeting in Palo Alto at lunchtime is a follow-up to a couple already held in Auckland. It is not therefore new ground. The timing is good. I will explain why in future posts.
Right now though it is time to bed. The clock here says 7.45pm, Sunday. The same clock in London earlier would now be reading 3.45am, Monday. That's late. It's time for some sleep.
It is all about size and scale. Although the view from NZ has been one of downright recession / depression here (and that is probably right), it is the pure size of the economy that we Kiwis need to think about. It might be going through a tough patch today, but as I discovered on a visit to LA a couple of years ago, the breakfast takeaway sector here exceeds New Zealand's GDP. That's a lot of chocolate muffins.......
So my focus tomorrow is based on that opportunity and how Pingar can best benefit from it. My meeting in Palo Alto at lunchtime is a follow-up to a couple already held in Auckland. It is not therefore new ground. The timing is good. I will explain why in future posts.
Right now though it is time to bed. The clock here says 7.45pm, Sunday. The same clock in London earlier would now be reading 3.45am, Monday. That's late. It's time for some sleep.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Wales Bound
I'm off to Wales today and then look forward to two days in Swansea and surrounds.
It's now almost four months since Pingar first established its presence at the Swansea Technium. With a 'shopping list' of requirements for expanding headcount, it is a good time to re-visit and re-engage.
The 'shopping list' helps. It prices up the cost of funding necessary and the cash flow requirements for the rest of the year. It also emphasises the global basis of Pingar's sourcing opportunities. We can now compare relative costs in the UK, NZ, HK, Bangalore and beyond. Given the ease of international communication, it provides both flexibility and an increasingly natural 'hedge' for the company's offshore business.
The next two days are an important part of that global mix.
It's now almost four months since Pingar first established its presence at the Swansea Technium. With a 'shopping list' of requirements for expanding headcount, it is a good time to re-visit and re-engage.
The 'shopping list' helps. It prices up the cost of funding necessary and the cash flow requirements for the rest of the year. It also emphasises the global basis of Pingar's sourcing opportunities. We can now compare relative costs in the UK, NZ, HK, Bangalore and beyond. Given the ease of international communication, it provides both flexibility and an increasingly natural 'hedge' for the company's offshore business.
The next two days are an important part of that global mix.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Hong Kong Bound
This time tomorrow, I will be heading for Auckland to catch a flight to Hong Kong.
It's almost a year since I was last there and some serious catch-up time is necessary. I am meeting up with both NZTE and InvestHK on the ground.
The Chinese market is in some ways the most interesting, but challenging one that we face. To ensure we have an appropriate market entry strategy in place, it is important that Pingar commissions some locally-generated market research. That I hope is the key outcome from this trip.
I hope to post an update from Kowloon....Before catching the next leg of this offshore trip to Heathrow.
It's almost a year since I was last there and some serious catch-up time is necessary. I am meeting up with both NZTE and InvestHK on the ground.
The Chinese market is in some ways the most interesting, but challenging one that we face. To ensure we have an appropriate market entry strategy in place, it is important that Pingar commissions some locally-generated market research. That I hope is the key outcome from this trip.
I hope to post an update from Kowloon....Before catching the next leg of this offshore trip to Heathrow.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
The Long Weekend
Jazz, wine, chocolate Easter eggs...... and GST returns.
It was a great break, of sorts. Today, it's back to work with a trip to Auckland, an audience at JML and then dinner with Gareth Davies of IBW.
And then tomorrow I am judging the New Zealand segment of the Technium Challenge International 2009. This is both an honour and apt.
Next week sees me heading off to Hong Kong (more about that trip later) and then onwards to the UK and Wales. A key focus of the UK / Wales visit is to manage Pingar's own presence at the Technium in Swansea. There is much to do and therefore tomorrow's judging will be a reminder of what Wales is all about.
It was a great break, of sorts. Today, it's back to work with a trip to Auckland, an audience at JML and then dinner with Gareth Davies of IBW.
And then tomorrow I am judging the New Zealand segment of the Technium Challenge International 2009. This is both an honour and apt.
Next week sees me heading off to Hong Kong (more about that trip later) and then onwards to the UK and Wales. A key focus of the UK / Wales visit is to manage Pingar's own presence at the Technium in Swansea. There is much to do and therefore tomorrow's judging will be a reminder of what Wales is all about.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Google Settle
A interesting article in this morning's National Business Review.
Google has finalised an out-of-court $US125 million settlement with book publishers for scanning their titles without permission, and the NZ Copyright Council has begun taking local claims on the cash.
Copyright Licensing Ltd, the vehicle set up by the Book Publishers Association of NZ for dispersing copyright fees, has just opened its website for New Zealand publishers to make claims under a $US125 million worldwide settlement reached between publishers and Google.
An interesting glimpse into a key difference between the Google and the Pingar business models. Pingar will only search data which is owned by content owners who are contracted to Pingar. Period.
Quality data. Quality returns. And happy content owners....
Google has finalised an out-of-court $US125 million settlement with book publishers for scanning their titles without permission, and the NZ Copyright Council has begun taking local claims on the cash.
Copyright Licensing Ltd, the vehicle set up by the Book Publishers Association of NZ for dispersing copyright fees, has just opened its website for New Zealand publishers to make claims under a $US125 million worldwide settlement reached between publishers and Google.
An interesting glimpse into a key difference between the Google and the Pingar business models. Pingar will only search data which is owned by content owners who are contracted to Pingar. Period.
Quality data. Quality returns. And happy content owners....
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
I'm Free!
And that's not an April Fool......
The financial year end has passed. Not only are we still here, but we are bursting with ideas and plans for 2009 - 2010. What recession?
It's time to dust off the passport again as I prepare to take in Hong Kong, the UK and Redmond, USA for 3 weeks later this month. I will blog daily (well, almost) as we start the commercialisation process and sign up key partners.
Today, really does mark a new beginning. The structure and product are in place. Time for the team to make good on the Pingar road map we have set.
The financial year end has passed. Not only are we still here, but we are bursting with ideas and plans for 2009 - 2010. What recession?
It's time to dust off the passport again as I prepare to take in Hong Kong, the UK and Redmond, USA for 3 weeks later this month. I will blog daily (well, almost) as we start the commercialisation process and sign up key partners.
Today, really does mark a new beginning. The structure and product are in place. Time for the team to make good on the Pingar road map we have set.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
....back to Tauranga
That was one heck of a windy road.
Over 1,000 kms covered in just 3 days, with Taupo being thrown into the melting pot at the last minute. It was also an interesting week.
A text from Wellington on Thursday morning said simply, 'Check the Herald'. We did. And we found a good article about Pingar written by Simon Hendery. A flood of emails ensured and I am spending this morning trying to reply to as many as possible.
A conference call with the UK team this morning and a trip back to the UK (sans Jacqui) is now planned for next month. It includes stopovers in Hong Kong on the outbound leg and Redmond on the return. And a further update on the Technium in Wales. I have been asked to join the NZ judging panel for this year's 'Technium Challenge'. Previous winners include two great NZ ICT companies, Xero and TracPlus.
The long and windy road continues on Monday with another trip to the City of Sails, though that is I hope it for a few days. There is more than enough in Tauranga to keep me and the team occupied over the next few days. Until the next journey.
Over 1,000 kms covered in just 3 days, with Taupo being thrown into the melting pot at the last minute. It was also an interesting week.
A text from Wellington on Thursday morning said simply, 'Check the Herald'. We did. And we found a good article about Pingar written by Simon Hendery. A flood of emails ensured and I am spending this morning trying to reply to as many as possible.
A conference call with the UK team this morning and a trip back to the UK (sans Jacqui) is now planned for next month. It includes stopovers in Hong Kong on the outbound leg and Redmond on the return. And a further update on the Technium in Wales. I have been asked to join the NZ judging panel for this year's 'Technium Challenge'. Previous winners include two great NZ ICT companies, Xero and TracPlus.
The long and windy road continues on Monday with another trip to the City of Sails, though that is I hope it for a few days. There is more than enough in Tauranga to keep me and the team occupied over the next few days. Until the next journey.
Monday, 16 March 2009
On the long and windy road.....
This is probably an apt description of life at Pingar at present.
A number of milestones have been set. All it requires now is for their successful execution. That means meetings and more meetings; with partners, suppliers and customers. Not forgetting of course the lawyers and the accountants.
Whilst the technology platform excites, it is the background business grunt that has to be put into place. That's 'the long and windy road'. In New Zealand, over the next few days, it takes in Taranaki, Auckland and Tauranga. In the UK, it traverses between Norfolk, London and Swansea. There appears to be no end to this particular road. Or the meetings.
Today, it included the BOP ICT Cluster Steering Committee. Tonight, it's an NZTE sponsored dinner. And then about 800 kms down that long and windy road before returning to Tauranga on Thursday.
Whilst it normally takes me 3 - 4 days to fully recover from jet lag following a lengthy offshore trip, it normally takes me 2 - 3 weeks to adjust back to my NZ way of life. 3 weeks have now passed since my last trip. I am therefore adjusted.
Taranaki, Auckland and Tauranga, beware.
A number of milestones have been set. All it requires now is for their successful execution. That means meetings and more meetings; with partners, suppliers and customers. Not forgetting of course the lawyers and the accountants.
Whilst the technology platform excites, it is the background business grunt that has to be put into place. That's 'the long and windy road'. In New Zealand, over the next few days, it takes in Taranaki, Auckland and Tauranga. In the UK, it traverses between Norfolk, London and Swansea. There appears to be no end to this particular road. Or the meetings.
Today, it included the BOP ICT Cluster Steering Committee. Tonight, it's an NZTE sponsored dinner. And then about 800 kms down that long and windy road before returning to Tauranga on Thursday.
Whilst it normally takes me 3 - 4 days to fully recover from jet lag following a lengthy offshore trip, it normally takes me 2 - 3 weeks to adjust back to my NZ way of life. 3 weeks have now passed since my last trip. I am therefore adjusted.
Taranaki, Auckland and Tauranga, beware.
Friday, 13 March 2009
Microsoft SharePoint Conference 2009
Back to earth with a bang. No, I did not fall off!
An email overnight arrived containing details of the Microsoft SharePoint Conference 2009. It is slated for October 19 - 22, in Las Vegas. I hope to be there.
I've not blogged too much before about Pingar and the SharePoint potential. Developing an enterprise solution is right up there in terms of Pingar's roadmap and SharePoint is an obvious collaborator. It squares up nicely with our Microsoft engagement and provides a neat 'route to market'.
In July, there is the two day inaugural New Zealand Community SharePoint Conference, to be held in Wellington. Connecting with the NZ SharePoint community is an obvious first step, so I expect to be there to.
I expect to blog more in the future as this strategy evolves. Employees in enterprises often face exactly the same challenges as consumers in the 'Cloud'. Finding data in a fast readable format is as important in business as it is in the 'consumer' world. Addressing this enterprise need, is a key milestone for the team at Pingar.
An email overnight arrived containing details of the Microsoft SharePoint Conference 2009. It is slated for October 19 - 22, in Las Vegas. I hope to be there.
I've not blogged too much before about Pingar and the SharePoint potential. Developing an enterprise solution is right up there in terms of Pingar's roadmap and SharePoint is an obvious collaborator. It squares up nicely with our Microsoft engagement and provides a neat 'route to market'.
In July, there is the two day inaugural New Zealand Community SharePoint Conference, to be held in Wellington. Connecting with the NZ SharePoint community is an obvious first step, so I expect to be there to.
I expect to blog more in the future as this strategy evolves. Employees in enterprises often face exactly the same challenges as consumers in the 'Cloud'. Finding data in a fast readable format is as important in business as it is in the 'consumer' world. Addressing this enterprise need, is a key milestone for the team at Pingar.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Not that Long!
So it was the Karangahake Gorge for 24 hours. I highly recommend it!
Sadly, my silence over the past three days has not been based on an extended 'Birth Anniversary'. I have been 'on the road', if that's what a couple of days in Auckland is called. It has been a busy time as I have tried to explain to enquiring journalists exactly what Pingar's medium term road map is. The first results of this exercise are now being published.
The same is true in the UK. It has been interesting to compare the comparative take between the two countries. In Wales, the focus has been on the inward investment. In NZ, the focus has been on the positive notion of offshore expansion. Same story, different angle.
Also good has been the coverage of HBI Software in Bangalore over the past 24 hours. Their current work on Acacia has been highlighted as an example of their development prowess. Expect more of that.
That just leaves the small matter of Microsoft Windows 2008 Server and the incompatible hardware RAID disc card. That one can wait until tomorrow. Ahhh...the joys of technology.
Sadly, my silence over the past three days has not been based on an extended 'Birth Anniversary'. I have been 'on the road', if that's what a couple of days in Auckland is called. It has been a busy time as I have tried to explain to enquiring journalists exactly what Pingar's medium term road map is. The first results of this exercise are now being published.
The same is true in the UK. It has been interesting to compare the comparative take between the two countries. In Wales, the focus has been on the inward investment. In NZ, the focus has been on the positive notion of offshore expansion. Same story, different angle.
Also good has been the coverage of HBI Software in Bangalore over the past 24 hours. Their current work on Acacia has been highlighted as an example of their development prowess. Expect more of that.
That just leaves the small matter of Microsoft Windows 2008 Server and the incompatible hardware RAID disc card. That one can wait until tomorrow. Ahhh...the joys of technology.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Microsoft Azure
I have blogged before about Microsoft Azure. It sounded good when I first heard about it. It has just got better.
An email from John in the UK confirms that we are now part of the Program. This has really significant benefits and closes off an important part of our platform planning.
In fact, our partner strategy with Microsoft is getting stronger; period. Pingar has also been invited to join the Microsoft Metro Program in the past couple of days. This is an Early Adopter Program. Since the invitation comes from the UK ISV Developer Evangelist Team, I need to check the availability of the Program in NZ. It looks good.
And then there's the SharePoint Conference in Wellington, early July that I have been plugged into. This has particular resonance at present. More about that later.
In the meantime, the Plan looks almost complete. Needless to say, the 150 ml of rain that fell on Saturday has cleared and being a Monday, the weather is hot and sunny. Just 4 mare days to go then to unleash the power of Sea Horse on those unsuspecting snapper in the Bay...
Frying pan at the ready.
An email from John in the UK confirms that we are now part of the Program. This has really significant benefits and closes off an important part of our platform planning.
In fact, our partner strategy with Microsoft is getting stronger; period. Pingar has also been invited to join the Microsoft Metro Program in the past couple of days. This is an Early Adopter Program. Since the invitation comes from the UK ISV Developer Evangelist Team, I need to check the availability of the Program in NZ. It looks good.
And then there's the SharePoint Conference in Wellington, early July that I have been plugged into. This has particular resonance at present. More about that later.
In the meantime, the Plan looks almost complete. Needless to say, the 150 ml of rain that fell on Saturday has cleared and being a Monday, the weather is hot and sunny. Just 4 mare days to go then to unleash the power of Sea Horse on those unsuspecting snapper in the Bay...
Frying pan at the ready.
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Business Planning - Part 2
Professor Marc Clements - Vice Chancellor, University of Wales
As I update the Plan, I have just started working on the section 'Research & Development'.
This has always been a key part of Pingar's long term business strategy. We have invested heavily in R & D (with the support of The Foundation for Research Science & Technology) and our commitment to it is unrestrained.
Whilst, I was in the UK, I had the opportunity to spend 3 days in Wales. At the Swansea Technium, I met Professor Marc Clements. We talked about the Welsh Techniums (technology / business incubators) and their relationship with Welsh Universities. I spoke about my excellent experience of working with WaikatoLink (University of Waikato) here in NZ. I'm not sure whether it was the rugby, the sheep or the Brains beer, but I was not surprised to learn that 3 ex-University of Waikato lecturers were now based in the Computer Science Dept at the University of Swansea.
The trip to Wales was not accidental. I have been working for several months with Gareth Davies, Australasian Head of International Business Wales (IBW). We have developed a good relationship with IBW and other Welsh agencies and are looking at how to develop these relationships in the future.
The Technium concept is one that I like. It reminds me very much of the Innovation Park attached to Waikato University in Hamilton. In Wales, there are seven. In Tauranga, it would be nice to have one!
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