Media

Local Business in the Spotlight

12 September 2002


Newcastle business HRworkbench flew the flag for Newcastle by achieving finalist status at the Australian Technology Showcase Patrons' Awards on Monday 9th September 2002.

The Australian Technology Showcase is an innovative program that promotes uniquely developed Australian technologies to the international market.

At an impressive presentation at Government House in Sydney, HRworkbench stood proudly amongst the elite technologies Australia offers. There were 6 finalists and the contest was so tight the judges announced joint winners.

Alan Rands, the CEO of HRworkbench commented, "To be a finalist in the ATS patrons' Awards was a great achievement for us, we work hard at delivery high quality, easy to use products. The competition was tough and we are amazed at the innovation and high quality of what other Australians are doing".

Established in late 1997 by the Department of State and Regional Development as one of the three major business programs to capitalise on the international spotlight of the Sydney Olympic Games, the ATS has now become an important Post-Olympics program.

Over 370 Australian technologies are now part of the ATS.

HRworkbench was admitted into the ATS in December 2001 with its flagship product Questionnaires Online". This product deploys any type of questionnaire over the internet, and the combinations of multi-lingual capability and a unique distribution management system is attracting Human Resource Consultants and Professionals around the Globe.

Questionnaires Online" currently deploys in ten languages and the target is to have 20 languages online by January 2003. The product is currently used in 20 Countries, straight off the Internet directly to people's desktops.

Rands added, "recognition at this level is a great boost to us and the opportunities this will present will allow us to grow our International Development and Support Centre in Newcastle".

"We are now firmly on the National agenda and very visible to the international community"", Rands said.