The Kiwi That Roared - Skype's #1 Voice Service

The Kiwi that roared - NZ company is Skype's number one voice service

Kiwi company PAEN Communications Ltd leads the world as the number one voice service available on VOIP sensation Skype.com.

With 171 million users worldwide, Skype has become a household name and NZ's PAEN was quick to take advantage of its popularity with innovative language courses using Skype's technology.

The company's courses are marketed under '1-2-3 PAEN Language Learning' in the 'extras' gallery and currently have had almost 40,000 views. Considering that this was only the first batch of courses and they have received no marketing whatsoever, PAEN directors Dr Andreas Ernst and Rachel Wike are pleased with the positive beginning.

"We've only just wrapped up production of our premium courses targeting the world's most popular languages so await great results when they go live," says Andreas.

Language courses are a natural progression for the company which has expanded from its core business of translation into multilingual audio production, film subtitling and online interpreting services. The Internet has always been a huge factor in the company's growth as email and web servers have made the exchange of digital files around the world feasible.

"In the old days - ie ten years ago - translations were done via fax and there may have one person available to translate that language in the entire country. Now we can use resources and talent all over the world - and we do," says Rachel.

PAEN specialises in searching out the best talent worldwide and projects often travel all major continents before final delivery. With offices in Auckland, Sydney and Berlin the company is excited about worldwide growth and expanding its online services. But quality is not sacrificed in the process, and PAEN was the first translation agency in Australasia to receive ISO9001:2000 certification for its quality management system last year.

The language courses consist of five minute audio files introducing basic topics and phrases in the target languages. The courses are also accompanied by written 'cheat sheets' of the main words and phrases and interactive online tests at the end of each unit. In this way the learner can harness the best of audio, interactive and written styles of learning to maximise their learning outcomes.

The audio productions are also a helpful tool during PAEN's physical classes which are held in their Queen Street office and their Rocks, Sydney location. The company's range of services is designed to give it a broad revenue base and the directors are keen to follow technology developments to further harness worldwide potential.

Who are these guys?

High Street is a long way from the hallowed halls of Harvard, but that's where Dr Andreas Ernst spends 12 hours a day bringing PAEN Communications Ltd to the world. Originating from Germany, Andreas studied in the US and Germany for his PhD in philosophy and then worked in publishing and financial journalism in the UK before setting up PAEN in Auckland.

Rachel Wike met Andreas in the UK while working as a finance editor and found him more interesting than your average Kiwi bloke. Together the couple returned to New Zealand to set up the company and are now trying to teach their two kids German! Together they have built a thriving worldwide business and have managed to avoid ever watching a rugby match - quite a feat in New Zealand.

ENDS

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