Finalists chosen for $250K Greentree software contest

13 November 2011

Finalists chosen for $250K Greentree software contest

The 10 finalists in Greentree's Game On competition have been chosen and public votes will help decide which company will win up to $250K worth of Greentree business software and services.

Greentree CEO Peter Dickinson said the Game On competition is unusual in that finalists were chosen not simply for being the "best business" but rather for having great potential hindered by acute business systems "pain points" that could be healed by applying Greentree software.

Dickinson said choosing the finalists from the dozens of entries was not easy for him and fellow judges Mike Hutcheson, Justine Smyth, Simon Challies and Ken Davis. "The calibre of the entries was impressive and the finalists are each special in their own way.

"While their work is diverse, they share common issues of running outdated, non-integrated systems. They all want better visibility of their performance, and are confident they can grow stronger with better computing power."

The 10 Kiwi companies that will battle it out for the ultimate business painkiller are:

BGH GROUP: This Bay of Plenty-based business has supplied engineering products for over 50 years and one of its companies, Hose Supplies NZ Ltd, has recently been pumping oil from the stricken container ship Rena.

DIRECTIONZ: When you see a road sign telling you where to go, there's a good chance it's been installed by this Auckland firm.

GEMCO CONSTRUCTION: This major Hawke's Bay business is currently working on the region's largest building project: the museum and art gallery in Napier.

HARDING TRAFFIC: Traffic control, car parking – even the lights on airport runways – this Auckland business is focused on keeping people moving.

HARREX GROUP: More than just accountancy – this innovative Invercargill finance and strategy firm's motto is "Turning Southland business on its head".

KAURI NZ: If you're a wine lover, that glass of pinot probably matured in a barrel supplied by this Wellington-based importer of vintners' products and food ingredients.

NZ CONTROLS: Many major production lines function with the help of this Auckland firm, which specialises in innovative electrical and software design, engineering and development.

PARMCO APPLIANCES: Ready, steady, cook! This Auckland business supplies technological excellence in the kitchen.

RESOLVE GROUP: Auckland's harbour bridge is safer and less congested, thanks to the movable median barrier designed by this company, specialists in solving tricky transport problems.

SMAIL & CO: As Christchurch rebuilds, this locally-based manufacturer and importer of bathroom products will be heavily involved, but says its current system is a long-drop, when it needs an en-suite!

The competition is now in the hands of the judges, and the public vote (go to www.greentreegameon.co.nz), which counts for 50 per cent of each entrant's final score. The winner will be announced on December 7th.

Greentree is a New Zealand software developer whose business software is used by medium-sized organisations internationally. Users include Griffiths Equipment, Paramount Services and Ryman Healthcare in New Zealand, Southern Cross Healthcare and Incat in Australia and the Publishers Association and UK Highways in the United Kingdom.

For more information visit www.greentree.com.

ENDS

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