0133 Delays Launch Pending System Trials

Monday February 1, 2011

0133 Delays Launch Pending System Trials

Press Release

0133, the new free-to-call business directory announced today that it has delayed its launch until the end of March while the company continues building and testing its systems. 0133 was to go live on the 31st January, but the company says there is still more work to do on the network interface with other carriers before the service can be launched to the public.

“Callers on Telecom, Vodafone, Telstra and Compass networks and all landlines will be able to make free calls to the service,” says Prentice Robb, one of the founders of 0133. But some of these are only just now being activated and need to be tested before the service can be made available to the public. 2 Degrees has yet to activate the number, but expects it to be live in the near future,” he said.

“We are a couple of months behind our suggested schedule but it is a strategic delay to ensure that our service standard isn’t compromised. When 0133 goes live with our public launch every consumer and business owner can expect a quality experience every time,” says Robb.

Robb says that business subscribers have also been slow to update their business data due to the summer holiday break and the company is keen to get that data updated before launch so that callers get a complete service from 0133.

Meanwhile the company has been busy continuing the development on the back-end system to support the massive database that drives the 0133 service, plus a new registration portal and more comprehensive website, www.0133.co.nz that will also go live soon.

“It has only taken a year to get to this point, and we’re now only two months from taking calls from the public,” says Robb. “In company start-up terms, in a business of this scale, that is a huge achievement,” he said.

The brainchild of three young entrepreneurs Prentice Robb, Paul Aitken and Michael Chang, 0133 is a direct competitor to 018, but with a difference. While an 0133 caller can get any business number free of charge, it also offers more detailed information on registered companies – including brands, services and even specials.

“Any caller that rings 018 needs to know the name of the business and the region before they can get a number - and they will be charged for the service,” says Robb. “While on 0133 for the exact same service, the call will be entirely free. And our service goes much further. A caller who knows what they want, but doesn’t know where to get it can also call and discuss their needs with an 0133 operator, who will search the database for nearby suppliers – again, absolutely free,” he said.

“We’re currently receiving hundreds of enquiries a day - more than 3,000 since the service was first announced – and the service is not even live yet. It suggests 0133 is going to receive overwhelming support from the public. And we’re meeting new clients face to face each week,” says Robb.

Robb says that the service is gaining the endorsement of powerful business groups pleased to see a competitor emerge to challenge the existing service.

Organisations such as the Master Painters New Zealand Association, Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Restaurant Association of New Zealand and the Hospitality Association NZ and many others have all pledged their support and have recommended that members consider the 0133 offer.

“0133 callers will be able to find out whether the company is a member of an association or professional body for example. That additional information will enable the caller to select a company that has proven professional standards, and is more suited for the job,” says Robb.

The Auckland call centre is also something that gives the team great pride, having fitted it out to be a great place to work. With a bright, open New York loft workspace, an outdoor area with bean bags, hammocks and lunch tables - it is a far cry from the dark, fluorescent-lit workspaces usually associated with call centres.

“0133 is breaking rules and proudly so. Our desire is to bring fresh thinking, great energy and a can-do attitude to the directory business,” says Robb. “With bright, helpful, Kiwi voices on the other end of the phone, working from a Parnell, Auckland call centre, we know the public will flock to 0133,” he said.

The 0133 team say they’ve seen an amazing wave of support building in the past two months as the call centre has been built and word has leaked out about the service.

“So many people want to see a change and say they’ll be getting behind us all the way. And that includes business organisations, company owners or even just people on the street. It is humbling and energising to get that support and we can’t wait to get 0133 live.” says Robb.

ENDS

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