The Parliamentary Undersecretary for Finance, Dr. Deborah Russell, came to experience Company-X’s virtual reality (VR) capability but found the world’s first national road traffic quality assurance web portal more exciting.
Russell, MP for New Lynn, was invited to the software specialist by Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee Chair Jamie Strange as part of Labor’s Caucus Committee on Finance and Economic Development.
Rather than don a virtual reality headset, Russell spent the visit learning how Company-X worked with its client, the Road Efficiency Group (REG), to build the REG Insights web portal, covering road, financial, and statistical data consolidated.
“VR overwhelms my mind,” said Russell. “Give me some nerdy numbers and I’ll be really happy.”
REG Insights gives Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Councils the ability to query data quality and measure performance trends at a national level. The project took the entire road construction sector on a journey and made significant progress in evidence-based decision-making.
“There is a really tangible advantage for New Zealand,” she said.
Russell was able to see how a similar system could be used to manage and benchmark other community assets around the country, such as water, parks, and libraries.
“You could do a whole lot of things that you could do on councils if you could only make them happy that the data you’re collecting, analyzing and presenting gives a good picture of reality.
“Who knew this was all happening in Hamilton?”
Strange, Hamilton East MP, knew. For this reason he invited Company-X, Russell and his colleagues, Auckland List MP Helen White, Botany List MP Naisi Chen, Canterbury List MP Dan Rosewarne and Taieri MP -List, Ingrid Leary, to demonstrate his expertise in developing VR solutions.
In a simulation, they experienced a VR model of a state-of-the-art dairy barn. They also saw a millimeter-accurate digital twin of the Te Kowhai Main Line Valve developed for natural gas transmission and distribution network owner First Gas.
Leary told reporters her visit changed her perception of Hamilton.
“Hamilton used to have a reputation for being Auckland’s poor cousin. What we’ve seen today is a more confident city, proudly pointing out its differences,” she said.
“I’m intrigued by the experience of doing this and interested in the social outcomes, such as: B. Remote medical operations.”
Her visit coincided with the launch of the Tech in the Tron initiative, which aims to attract 500 more skilled workers to support the region’s growing tech sector.
“Every time I come to Company-X, they come up with a new, innovative project,” Strange said.
“They are a state-of-the-art, technology-leading company investing in a number of areas, both within New Zealand and globally, and there is significant demand for their products. I will do everything in my power to ensure businesses like this continue to thrive.”
Strange said he would report to the Labor caucus on the visit and look at ways for the government to support and work with the sector.
“The action will be as we discuss meaningful collaboration between the government and Company-X so we can see companies like this continue to grow and bring in export dollars,” he said.
David Hallett, Co-Founder and Director of Company-X, said it’s great to showcase Company-X’s work.
“The deputies were able to connect with the makers,” he said. “There is nothing quite like seeing and trying the work, rather than just hearing about it. It was a great pleasure to see them try our VR gear and see how it can help.”
Hughes said MPs saw Company-X bring revenue to the country through exports.
“I hope they stand behind us and fund and promote the technology sector,” he said.
About Company-X
Company-X offers world-leading software expertise delivered with a “can-do” attitude.
Founded in 2012 by software specialists David Hallett and Jeremy Hughes, Company-X was immediately commissioned by New Zealand government agencies and a US multinational.
The team has grown to more than 50 New Zealand based software specialists with only the best and brightest passing the Company-X interview and assessment process.
The Company-X team prides itself on its experience across a variety of technologies and languages and loves challenging problems.
Company-X was listed in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ Asia Pacific, a list of the fastest growing technology companies in the Asia Pacific region.
Company-X has received many awards:
- Company-X was honored with the Best Professional Service Innovation Award at the Hamilton Central Business Association’s 2021 Central Business District Awards
- Company-X Software Quality Assurance Tester Jes Elliott won the Reseller News Women in ICT 2021 Rising Star Award.
- The Independent Software Vendor Award at the 2020 Reseller News Innovation Awards for cutting-edge software that converts text into human-like audio files at a fraction of the cost of hiring a voice talent, recording studio and sound engineer.
- The Independent Software Vendor Award at the 2019 Reseller News Innovation Awards for a hands-free audit application developed for AsureQuality.
- Service Excellence and Global Operator awards at the 2018 Westpac Waikato Business Awards.
- The Services Exporter of the Year category at the Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards 2017.
- The Homegrown Innovators Independent Software Vendors Award at the 2017 Reseller News ICT Industry Awards.
- The Roading Asset Management Innovation Award at the Road Infrastructure Management Forum in 2017 for the One Network Road Classification Performance Measures Reporting Tool developed for the New Zealand transport sector.
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