Innovation Alive And Well

MEDIA RELEASE

26 March 2001

INNOVATION ALIVE AND WELL

IT innovation is booming in New Zealand, according to the organisers of this year’s Computerworld Excellence Awards.

Now in its fourth year, this year’s Awards have attracted a record 236 entries from more than 100 organisations, up 43% on last year.

Anne Simpson, Computerworld Excellence Awards event manager, saysIT businesses are becoming increasingly confident about standing tall and shedding a shrinking violet image.

“The Awards were instigated to showcase the high tech IT sector and recognise the contribution IT plays in growing New Zealand businesses,” she says. “IT professionals are the engine room of economic growth and their contribution should be acknowledged and encouraged to support the innovation and entrepreneurial wave.”

Nearly 20% of the entries highlight a burgeoning e-business economy, whilst the education sector represents around 10% of entrants, ranging from schools through tertiary institutions to people developing software for education management and special educational resources.

John Blackham, Director of Trade New Zealand and member of the Prime Minister’s Science and Innovation Advisory Council,says potential export revenue from emerging new companies in the IT sector is very significant.

“The government is now supporting this by putting funding and other infrastructure in place. But public recognition of the sector’s potential is also a key element.

The opportunity for wealth creation by these companies is astounding. Indeed the next Bill Gates could be somewhere in the Computerworld Awards lineup.”

The growing numbers of CEOs who recognise the part that IT plays in their company's success, are the reason for in the 300% increase in the number of entries in the CEO IT Vision category.

Auckland’s Infolink was a winner in last year’s Technology Innovation category, and Managing Director Larry Hill says that the Infolink team saw the win as acknowledgement from peers within the industry.

“Just as importantly, as a company we have gained significant market advantage from the award both here and overseas.

Computerworld is an internationally recognised brand and consequently the award is helping to build brand awareness and credibility for Infolink which is now expanding into the US and Australia on the back of its New Zealand successes"

Finalists in the Computerworld Excellence Awards will be announced in May, at the Computerworld Expo.

"For more info go to http://www.idg.net.nz/cwea/

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For more information:
Anne Simpson, Computerworld Excellence Awards manager, 09 377 6004, 021 277 0246

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