NZSA News

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NZSA News: April 2016

How are ICT sector trends effecting you?

Over the last 10 years the NZ software industry revenue has tripled, so has the workforce of developers, analysts, etc. The industry has also grown substantially as an export earner, and has gone from a blip to 10% of the NZ stock market.

However, also over the last 10 years the industry has lost 2/3 of its sales professionals, and half its trainers. We were really surprised to see this when we reviewed the industry at our strategy workshop in January. The software industry has been disrupted, but the changes have been obscured by the growth.

A partial explanation is that businesses are now incorporating software into what they offer – software is now integral to what they sell, not just something that they buy. This is something we’ve heard from a number of companies, and guests at our events. Businesses haven’t previously thought of themselves as software companies but now software is core to what they offer; that’s where they’re investing money and effort.

With the changing shape of our industry, the exec committee decided that this year we need to increase the visibility and participation of the NZSA in the wider tech and innovation community, particularly in Auckland. We will also be exploring some exciting new benefits for members, so please keep an eye on our website and communications for announcements. We’re also putting together a line-up of first-class speakers for our monthly dinner events. 2016 is going to be another great year for the NZSA!

If you are interested attending our events, becoming a member, or you want to share news or ideas, we’d love to hear from you. Please check out our website, follow us on LinkedIn, or send me an email (president@nzsa.org.nz).

Facts and figures quoted here are based on the 2015 New Zealand ICT sector report published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Thanks to these members who brought guests to recent events:

Rod Hall, Peirre LeDucq, Gavin Lennox, Janine Manning, Richard McLean, and Hayley Millar

Don’t forget our NZSA referral promotion: refer a friend or colleague to an event and receive a free drink, on us! The guest must fill in your name as the referrer when registering for a standard ticket. (The guest must not have attended a NZSA event in the past 12 months.)

Recent Events

The Rise of the Marketing Technologist

In February we heard Nathalie Morris, Founder and Managing Director share how they grew Ubiquity from start-up to a 55+ person business. She explained how the business had to pivot to stay relevant as their mainly corporate customers have become ever more sophisticated in their use of technology. Today Ubiquity are a leading contender in the highly competitive marketing automation market against big international brands like Marketo which is owned By SalesForce.com. Nathalie noted that compared to the US market very few if any NZ organisations are using data analytics to drive truly integrated multi-channel communications.

At its best marketing automation streamlines digital marketing efforts by delivering an individually relevant message to an individual at exactly the right time.

Ubiquity found that by providing a high level of service around their marketing automation software and emphasising their NZ roots they had a strong point of difference against international competitors. Their commitment to the NZ market is demonstrated through their sponsorship of various industry organisations including NZSA.

Nathalie Morris’s full presentation can be viewed here.

Upcoming Events

April Networking Dinner April 12th, 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Ben O’Brien, Award winning CEO and co-founder of StretchSense Limited

Stretch Sense produce soft sensors – sometimes described as rubber bands with Bluetooth - set to change the face of gaming, robotics, motion capture, sports, and sportswear.

Join us to explore the world of magical wearables, augmented reality, virtual reality, and virtual worlds with the winner of the 2015 Hi-Tech Young Achiever Award.

May Networking Dinner Tuesday 10th May
Guest Speaker: James Valentine CTO Fronde

June Networking Dinner Tuesday 14th June
Guest Speaker: Peter Gardner Founder and Director Konnect Net

2016 Hi-Tech Awards

Finalists in the 2016 Hi-Tech Award were announced last week. The Hi-Tech Gala Dinner will be held on Friday 20th May at the Viaduct Events Centre.

For tickets and further information click here.

2016 CIO Summit (8-9 June)

With a line-up of high profile local and international speakers, this year the CIO Summit focuses on digital transformation and disruption.

2016 CIO Summit Programme and Speaker Bios

NZSA members are eligible for 10% discount off the conference price (both super saver and early-bird rates). To claim your discount, please use on-line booking code: MEUG3Y or mention this if registering by phone (09) 912 3616. Super Saver closes 5pm, 8 APRIL 2016.

Biggest tech trends to impact NZ in 2016

Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation is shaping up to be the major trend this year, with DX technologies being implemented within organisations the world over. Here in NZ digital transformation has already become one of the IT industry’s hot topics, born out of generational change in both the workplace and the wider community. Some predict that up to 60% of New Zealand enterprises will have digital transformation at the centre of their corporate strategy by the end of 2017.

Read more about Digital Transformation here and here.

Top 10 Internet of Things technologies for 2017-2018

Gartner says the technologies and principles of IoT will have a very broad impact on organisations, affecting business strategy, risk management and a wide range of technical areas such as architecture and network design.

NZ Cybercrime attacks rise

NZ cybercrime attacks rise, yet over half of Kiwi organisations remain unprepared which points to a potentially worrying trend. Gartner says agility and speed are required over security. Meanwhile the NZ Government claims cyber security belongs in the boardroom, not the IT department. “It’s important that companies create strong security cultures with actively engaged boards, because ultimately this isn’t an issue that directors can ignore."

HGM - Paying it forward

Hudson Gavin Martin is delighted to be continuing its support of GridAKL and Velocity in 2016:

Velocity (previously known as Spark) is the University of Auckland Entrepreneurship Programme which has been empowering students and staff of the University of Auckland since 2003. Participants have launched more than 120 start-up ventures which have attracted $200 million in investment and are selling products and services in over 35 countries. Read more about Velocity here.

GridAKL is Auckland’s technology and innovation precinct, housing some of New Zealand’s most innovative and ambitious start-ups. GridAKL’s aim is to help these companies grow, export, and thrive.