Auckland University Honours Peace Software Founder

University of Auckland Honours Peace Software Founder

Auckland, New Zealand ¡V February 16, 2001 ¡V Brian Peace, President and CEO of Peace Software, was named an Alumnus of the University of Auckland tonight. The Award comes in recognition of his role in building a successful international software business based on excellence in computer science. Peace Software, the company he founded in 1988, after leaving the University of Auckland, is a global leader in the provision of e-Business solutions for retail energy companies.

¡§The achievements of my fellow alumni are quite remarkable,¡¨ said Mr Peace. ¡§I¡¦m honoured to be included amongst such prestigious company.¡¨

¡§However, I wish to make it clear that this award reflects the efforts of a great number of people at Peace Software. Any success we¡¦ve had comes from our team strength.¡¨

Peace Software has walls of honour in its company offices where staff can hang their degrees. Universities from all over the world are represented, but by far the largest number come from the University of Auckland.

Many of the people who have been with Peace Software for a decade or more are Auckland graduates. The company has employed around 260 graduates. Of those, some 160 graduated from Auckland.

¡§In a very positive way, this relationship between Peace and the University of Auckland has resulted in real value creation,¡¨ says Mr Peace. ¡§Peace Software regards the Auckland of University as a long-term business partner.¡¨

¡§To me information management seems a perfect marriage between technology and commerce,¡¨ he says.

¡§People leave university skilled on how to ask the right questions, how to break problems down into solvable components and knowing how to learn. When people come to work at Peace Software, we¡¦re committed to see that they continue learning.¡¨

¡§New Zealand has an excellent tertiary education system. The standard of academic excellence at the University of Auckland is high and the Computer Sciences Department attracts internationally recognised lecturers, who have overseas business and research experience. The New Zealand tertiary system combines the best of quality and access. This, together with kiwi cultural values of common sense and determination, means that well-qualified New Zealanders are in high demand wherever they go.¡¨

Asked to give advice to technology students, Mr Peace said, ¡§First, be aware of how evolving technologies have immense impact on commerce, how technology can lever value into business. Secondly find a mentor, someone you respect who can champion and expose you to his or her mentors and influences. Thirdly, find your passion. You will excel in it.¡¨

The University of Auckland Alumni Association introduced the annual Alumni Awards to honour alumni who have made outstanding contributions through their different achievements to their profession, to their communities and to the nation.

ENDS

About Peace Software
Peace Software International delivers the most comprehensive and cost-effective e-Business solutions to the global retail energy market. The industry-leading Energy„· suite is being rapidly deployed in 20 deregulating markets spanning North America and Australasia. Based on industry standards, the innovative and customer-proven Energy suite integrates comprehensive e-Commerce and customer self-service, comprehensive customer care, zero-defect billing and commodity management. Headquartered in Atlanta and founded in 1984, Peace is a global company with offices in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Visit us at www.peace.com.

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