Niche Software rebrands as Wellnomics and launches whole health approach to workplace ergonomics
Press release, 13 June 2006, Wellnomics: Wellnomics was today revealed as the new name of Niche Software, maker of the
popular WorkPace breaks and exercises software used by over 1 million office workers worldwide to enhance productivity
by preventing computer related work injuries.
The new name, which reflects the core themes of wellness, ergonomics and economics, is an integration of the fundamental
belief that healthy workers are good for the organisation. As the world leaders in software designed to improve the
health and productivity of office workers, Wellnomics understands better than anyone else how workplace safety affects a
company on all levels.
“We wanted the new name to be an accurate representation of what we stand for as an organisation,” says Kevin Taylor,
CEO of Wellnomics. “The physical health of the individuals and the economic health of the company are closely
interrelated.”
Wellnomics WorkPace has been scientifically validated and proven to have a positive financial impact on its client
organisations. Reduced injury rates, increased productivity, reduced stress levels, reduced absenteeism, and guaranteed
compliance with health and safety obligations all affect a company’s profit.
The company takes a ‘whole health’approach to workplace safety, with a complete range of options including online
training, web-based workstation assessment, evaluation of workplace stress, employee awareness, and measurement of
computer use and workload.
Since its inception in 1997, Wellnomics has consistently maintained a strong scientific focus. The company’s products
are underpinned by extensive research, led by Directors Dr Robert van Nobelen and Dr Kevin Taylor. At any one time
Wellnomics is involved with numerous scientific studies on computer use in the office environment around the world.
These activities allow Wellnomics to make a measurable improvement to health and safety outcomes and provide clients
with tangible returns on investment.
Wellnomics invests 30% of revenue into ongoing research and development with the aim of improving the health, wellbeing
and productivity of office workers and computer users. The company has used this funding, along with a $350K Technology
for Business Growth grant from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, to design a new Wellnomics product family.
With a focus on the total wellness of the organisation, Wellnomics aims to monitor the many causes of occupational
injury and lost productivity, propose remedial action for users to implement, and provide managers with a full report on
the health of their office workforce. The company is building on the Wellnomics WorkPace product to allow its clients to
identify users at high risk of injury within the organisation, and define a plan of action to address the most important
areas.
Wellnomics has been recognised as a true New Zealand innovator, winning both the 2002 Hi Tech High Growth Company of the
Year Award and a 2003 Trade New Zealand Export Award. Based in Christchurch, the company achieves 95% of its sales
through exports and counts among its clients such Global 1000 organisations as Philips, Boeing, Chevron, Shell, BP, ING
Bank, KPMG, PWC, Pacific Gas and Electric, Cap Gemini, Nike, and Eli Lilly.
About Wellnomics
Founded in 1997, Wellnomics is a leader in the health and safety field, with many thousands of clients across North
America, Australasia and Europe and over 1 million software product licenses in use worldwide.
Wellnomics® provides an integrated suite of software tools to enable organisations to effectively manage the health and
safety of large numbers of office workers. Our products are designed to prevent injuries, improve productivity, and
minimise lost work time.
Wellnomics products are scientifically validated and underpinned by sound research, led by Directors Dr Robert van
Nobelen and Dr Kevin Taylor. At any one time Wellnomics® is involved with numerous scientific studies on computer use in
the office environment around the world. This extensive research allows Wellnomics® to make a measurable improvement to
health and safety outcomes and provide clients with tangible returns on investment.
For more information visit: www.wellnomics.com.
ENDS