Latest technology on show for Bay business people

Latest technology on show for Bay business people

Bay of Plenty business people will have the opportunity to discover the latest innovative technology that could transform their business and underpin its growth at the 2014 Technology for Smarter Business Expo, being held in Tauranga on Thursday 29 May.

Facilitated by economic development organisation Priority One on behalf of the Western Bay ICT Cluster, the free expo provides a ‘one stop shop’ for business people to discover new technology that can reduce overheads, increase productivity, lift company profiles and help build staff knowledge. Priority One’s project manager, Annie Hill, says “This is the fifth year we have held the expo, which is specifically focused on technology to support business growth. Technology has long been recognised as having the ability to lift productivity and enable businesses to work smarter, not harder.”

Over 20 companies will be exhibiting at the expo, with all stands having a strong focus on products and services to maximise business potential. This includes the latest solutions to manage information, enable better decision making, streamline business processes and work remotely. The flexibility offered by open source software will also be covered, as well as business graphics to make brands look good and maximising business and sales opportunities through savvy websites. Annie says “We will even have the Robotics team from Otumoetai College at the expo, demonstrating the skills that saw them take out second place at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Los Angeles recently.”

The Christchurch earthquake highlighted the importance of protecting business information to ensure businesses can remain viable following small or large disasters. A number of exhibitors will be showcasing the latest Cloud computing solutions and demonstrating how to integrate different systems. In addition to disaster recovery, Cloud solutions are particularly relevant for small businesses owners that want to keep their capital costs down, as well as tradespeople that need to communicate with staff on the road.

The expo also provides an opportunity for local opportunity for local ICT companies to showcase their products and services to businesses in the Bay of Plenty. In particular, it is to encourage small and medium sized businesses that currently access ICT goods and services from outside the region to give local suppliers a chance to provide the same. In addition, the support of the region’s larger businesses will increase the opportunities for local ICT businesses to grow.

Adam Hughes, director of Think Technology Group, was a first time exhibitor at the last Technology for Smarter Business Expo, which was held in 2012. He says “The bottom line is we won business directly from being at the IT expo. We also met potential clients that we just would not have done otherwise. Businesses also came along with problems to solve. It was a great experience for both the exhibitors and expo visitors.”

The free expo will be open to the public from 12.30pm to 5pm on Thursday 29 May at the Baycourt Exhibition Hall, Durham Street, Tauranga. Business

ENDS

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