Tauranga Technology Roadshow

Home to the BOP ICT Cluster

I received an email last night from Priority One, the local Western Bay of Plenty economic development agency outlining plans for a Tauranga Technology Tradeshow scheduled for 21st May. It reminded me of some of the great ICT businesses that have chosen Tauranga as their base.

Vision Software produce total commercial property management and corporate real estate management solutions. Not only successful in NZ, Vision also engage with clients in Australia via direct representation across the Tasman. Another local software development company doing great things offshore (UK) are Origen Enterprise Software with their powerful suite of local government software solutions.

Cucumber Software deliver solutions in the secure online solution space deploying their own proprietary software. Radford Software are leaders in bespoke and off the shelf solutions for the horticulture, avocado and pip fruit sectors.

If I was to identify all the great innovative businesses here, this would be a very long post. And with only 48 hours before my own departure for the UK, I am running out of time myself. As soon as I get more information about the planned Technology Roadshow, I will post to the blog.

The Bay's Vision

I had coffee this morning with Mike Dennehy, CEO of Vision Software. Vision Software is based locally in Mount Maunganui. They have been around since 1988 and today focus on developing Property Management and Corporate Real Estate Management Software.

One of the benefits of working in a community of our size is that it is not too difficult to connect with people working in our space. Mike was guest speaker at the last BOP ICT Cluster meeting and he then shared his vision of business development and export opportunities for Bay of Plenty-based software businesses.

A lot of what Mike had to say could have been scripted from one of my own company presentations. Mike provided practical advice on making funding applications to FRST and NZTE and shared his own experiences of establishing a presence in Australia for Vision.

We discussed one of his key points this morning. In order for NZ software companies to make any impact in an overseas market, that company has to make a real effort to spend time in that market. This is an expense that the company has to bear, but a necessary one to establish whatever sales channel and technical support model has been identified.

Within our local BOP ICT Cluster and also Export BOP, there are a small number of software businesses that are directly engaged in export. The Cluster, in particular, provides a framework for the whole ICT sector to meet up on a regular informal basis. From these meetings, bilateral meetings such as that with Mike this morning can flourish. Exporting can be quite a lonely place. Sharing experiences with others in this space certainly helps. You realise you are not alone.

BOP ICT Cluster Tonight

I am joining other ICT companies in Tauranga / BOP for a BOP ICT Cluster meeting tonight.

Mike Dennehy, CEO of Vision Software, will share his experiences of setting up an office in Australia. Mike will also provide practical advice on making funding applications to FRST and NZTE.

Although Tauranga is often seen by Kiwis living outside the Bay as being a retirement and beach destination, there is in fact a thriving ICT sector in the region.

The BOP ICT Cluster has approximately 130 member companies and a number are creating great software applications. Companies I have got to know a little here include Jodie Tipping's Cucumber Software which produce a feature rich suite of products including LawSuite, HealthSuite and GlobalSuite. Roy Simpson and Ray Hunter own Origen, an enterprise solutions company which provides quality software systems to Local Government throughout New Zealand. Radford Software has developed a range of software solutions for the Avocado and Pipfruit industries managing the orchard to coldstore path and beyond.

Having a vibrant regional ICT Cluster (supported by Priority One, the local Western BOP Enterprise Agency) provides a great opportunity for local companies working in this space to network and discuss issues of common interest. Sure - living in the Bay does offer a lifestyle that many might envy. My own belief is that it actually enhances the working environment and certainly provides no barrier to creating really innovative and export-potential ICT businesses.