Sales Technologies expands to Australia

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release

Sales Technologies expands
to permanent Australian office
PeopleSoft agreement opens way

AUCKLAND, August 14, 2000 – Sales Technologies Limited today announced its expansion to a permanent Australian presence, building on its success in establishing operations in that country.

The largest organisation focused exclusively on the provision of customer relationship management (CRM) systems in Australasia, Sales Technologies distributes leading CRM software Vantive in New Zealand, and now Australia.

The move to a permanent Australian presence follows PeopleSoft Inc.’s purchase of Vantive. Sales Technologies, with a staff of over 45, has been the New Zealand distributor for Vantive since 1996 and has for several years undertaken specialist Vantive projects in Australia.

That grounding is now paying off with the signing of an agreement that will see Sales Technologies partner with PeopleSoft to sell and distribute Vantive in Australia, says Sales Technologies managing director John Devine.

“Vantive only had a four-man Australian office when it was acquired by PeopleSoft. PeopleSoft has multiplied the resource it is putting into Vantive by a factor of 10 and has contracted Sales Technologies to help make that happen in Australia.”

“When PeopleSoft reviewed its distribution model in New Zealand it decided against any changes and elected to use our expertise to further expand into the Australian market.

PeopleSoft vice president for Asia Pacific Andrew Barkla commented: “We made a conscious decision not to alter a very successful, professional and respected operation. Sales Technologies has been Vantive’s Asia-Pacific Distributor of the Year for the last two years running. They have the product knowledge and the support team to ensure the best results for our customers.”

“The decision to use Sales Technologies in Australia was an obvious one, given their deep understanding of the product and the fact that they were already doing considerable project work with Australian customers,” Mr Barkla added.

Mr Devine said the agreement with PeopleSoft gave Sales Technologies a significant opportunity to entrench itself on the other side of the Tasman.

“Many New Zealand companies have gone to Australia and for many it has ended in tears. But we are effectively being sponsored by PeopleSoft and the relationship we have with them gives us a sound platform for growth.”

“We are pleased that PeopleSoft has recognised the value of the business we have created and the calibre of the staff and the industry expertise we bring to the partnership,” Mr Devine said.

Sales Technologies first offices are in Sydney and plans to open in Melbourne later in the year.

ends

Editors’ note:
Sales Technologies Limited
Sales Technologies was formed in 1992 and is Australasia’s largest company specialising exclusively customer relationship management (CRM) systems. In addition to selling major CRM products Vantive and Actuate, Sales Technologies trains CRM developers, implements CRM solutions on a project basis and provides ongoing support. Sales Technologies customers include Telecom New Zealand, BAT, Shell Oil, TransAlta, Tower Corporation and Vodafone.
Sales Technologies has a staff of over 45 and is based in Auckland with offices in Sydney

For further information contact

Sales Technologies
John Devine
Telephone +64 (0) 9 300 5500
Fax +64 (0) 9 300 5505
Email johnd@salestech.co.nz
or visit our web site at www.salestech.co.nz

Botica Conroy & Associates
Michael Bartrom
Telephone +64 (0) 9 303 3862
Fax +64 (0) 9 303 3610
Email michaelb@bca.co.nz

© Scoop Media