Synergy re-names as Fronde

Synergy re-names as Fronde to drive international growth

1 February 2007

New Zealand IT company Synergy International Limited is changing its name to Fronde Systems Group Limited (Fronde) to support its international expansion and growth. The change takes effect from 1 February 2007.

“There are practical and symbolic reasons for the change,” says Fronde Systems Group Chief Executive, Jim Donovan. “As strong as the Synergy name has been in New Zealand, it’s also used by many companies in other countries, so it makes sense to change our name to something more distinctive. In Fronde we not only have a distinctive name, but one that captures the essence of what we do - that is, to assist our clients to thrive in the future of business; a future that is increasingly enabled by internet and mobile commerce and the ability to transact anywhere, anytime, anyhow,” he says.

Derived from the time of the French Revolution, today the word ‘fronde’ relates to the spirit that inspires people to challenge orthodox thinking and provoke change.

The move to re-name the company follows the company’s decision, announced in February 2006, to focus on industrial strength business transaction and payments systems. “A year ago we refined our focus following an assessment of our expertise and our local and global market opportunities.

“The rapid evolution of the technology environment in this time has validated this decision. Fairfax signalled the value of online business models through its purchase of Trade Me, while the evolution of the ‘web 2.0’ idea has reinvigorated belief in the potential of internet and mobile based-commerce. It’s an exciting time to be a technology business,” says Donovan.

Under the new Fronde banner, the company’s professional services business becomes, Fronde Synergy, its managed services arm becomes Fronde Always and its specialist mobile commerce solution business becomes Fronde Anywhere.

Fronde Anywhere will continue to lead the company’s push into off-shore markets with a focus on mobile banking, while the newer Fronde Always team is the result of investment in the company’s capability to support live business applications, including managed security and hosting solutions. Fronde Synergy continues the company’s legacy as one of New Zealand’s most respected professional IT services businesses. At home, Fronde continues to grow its presence in both Auckland and Wellington.

The company is celebrating its new name at customer events in early February. The events will feature a light-hearted debate between business, technology and media personalities as to whether we’d be better off if IT people ran New Zealand businesses.

“We decided that this is as much of a celebration of our history and the people who have worked to get the company to this point as it is a launch of a new company name.

“The debate is a fun way to look at what is really a serious topic; that is the way business people and technology people work together in organisations to drive innovation, productivity and value,” says Donovan.

Synergy was established in Lower Hutt in 1992 by David Irving and Chris Comber. Today Fronde has annual turnover exceeding $30 million and employs over 200 people in Auckland, Wellington, London and Singapore.

ENDS

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