From augmented reality to user experience

Businesses from start-ups to big tech companies and global organisations have enjoyed the Company-X experience in the last decade.

Since Company-x began trading in April, 2013, clients have benefitted from expertise in everything from augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR), e-learning modules, software design and development, and user experience (UX) design, both in New Zealand and around the world.

Food assurance provider AsureQuality benefited from Company-X’s augmented reality experience when it built a voice-activated auditing application for the RealWear Head-Mounted Tablet.

“AsureQuality enjoyed collaborating with Company-X,” said AsureQuality General Manager of Science and Technology Dr Harry van Enckevort. “They always strive to deliver the right solutions for our needs.”

Natural gas company First Gas and biosecurity system experts Independent Verification Services (IVS) asked Company-X to build VR systems.

First Gas needed a VR training programme for high-risk procedures, while IVS required a VR simulation of a biosecurity risk-filled shipping container.

“The delivered products possessed the ‘wow’ factor we wanted to show that training for high-risk activities can now be virtualised in a fun and engaging manner, removing almost all risk to our people and assets in a cost-effective manner” said First Gas Information Systems Project Manager Reuben Uncles.

“We chose to work with Company-X due to its experience and capability,” said IVS chief executive Peter Webb.

Workplace health and safety regulator WorkSafe included a VR welding fume risk management experience in a national roadshow courtesy of Company-X.

PPL Plastic Solutions Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Coordinator Jackie Uy tried it out. “It’s really good,” she said. “It’s very simple and effective.”

Worldwide leader in milking equipment and solutions DeLaval asked Company-X to build a centralised global e-learning solution to support DeLaval staff and their dairy farming customers around the world.

“Part of the overall success of the programme was our process, developed collaboratively by Company-X and the project group,” said DeLaval’s Lynda McDonald. “This project might not have been so successful without a mature and well-established review and collaboration process.”

Company-X built gamified training to bring innovation to skills development for the corporation.

“We were very impressed with what Company-X put out there,” said Australian Meat Processor Corporation program manager Stuart Shaw.

In the area of software design and development, Company-X clients have long appreciated the team’s commitment and determination.

Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition, called on Company-X to develop long term planning and forecasting software.

“Company-X listened very carefully to our issues but were not just a ‘you tell me what you want’ supplier, said Hugh Lemon of Bayer. “Expect them to take ownership of projects, make suggestions and make it happen.”

Canoe Racing New Zealand asked Company-X to automate its canoe sprint racing finish-line.

“The finished product is exactly what we needed and is robust enough to function in the ever-changing weather conditions that an outdoor, water-based sport must operate in,” said Canoe Racing New Zealand International Technical Official Karen Simpson.

Industrial Tube Manufacturing in Hamilton asked Company-X to build a system that used accounting data to optimise factory production.

“Tubemanager has been really valuable to us as part of the lean manufacturing process,” said Industrial Tube Manufacturing assistant general manager Ian Foster. “It will help remove the need for physical job cards and introduce a paperless manufacturing system.”

Jumpflex in Hamilton needed information technology infrastructure that could keep up with international demand. Company-X was asked to integrate the web services required to manage the international supply chain processes, from manufacturer to customer.

“The fact that Company-X directors David Hallett and Jeremy Hughes are great software engineers means they only hire really competent and senior engineers. This means we weren’t going to end up with juniors making a mess of various tasks,” said Jumpflex director Jeremy Mould.

“Basically, everything they took on was well thought out and professional looking.”

Philips Search and Rescue Trust asked Company-X to build a new receipting and communication system to free up fundraising staff.

“I had 150 per cent confidence Company-X would deliver what they promised,” said Philips Search and Rescue Trust fundraising manager Kelly Olsen. “I ran some figures and the return on investment was about six months. They used layman’s terms in their review, and it was both clear and systematic.”

Clients also recognise the high level of technical leadership that Company-X brings to their software challenges.

Hughes said: There are some common themes in the feedback that people have given us over the years that make me incredibly proud of our people.  Experienced innovators, thought leaders, and great to work with. It is so rewarding to hear. Brilliant to get that kind of feedback. Boom! That’s gold for us.”

“Our ability to build and maintain enduring partnerships has long been part of the Company-X DNA,” Hallett added. “With so many partners describing us as part of their team, we know this will continue in our second ten years and beyond.”

Technical Due Diligence

Whanau data platform builder Āhau and leading Aotearoa New Zealand open banking gateway BlinkPay were led through a technical due diligence process by Company-X senior consultant Ben Judge.

Ben Judge

“All of Company-X’s recommendations were really helpful in our thinking,” said Āhau Kaiwhakahaere Ben Tairea.

“Company-X showed a level of thought leadership around how we can potentially build out our business in the future, that aligned to much of our own thinking,” said BlinkPay Chief Product Officer Adrian Smith.

“Our experience with Company-X has been absolutely exemplar.”

User Experience (UX)

Hamilton City Council asked Company-X User Experience (UX) lead Cory Mackenzie to help design the user experience (UX) for new and upgraded content supporting their growth data, economic analytics and economic development programmes. The goal was to identify, understand, and attract their target audience and then ensure the information was presented in a way that addressed their core needs.

Corey Mackenzie

“Even before the project started, we knew we were going to be working with experienced professionals who could deliver what we needed,” said Hamilton City Council Economic Development Manager Mike Bennett.

Online job scheduling and management software company Magnetize asked Company-X to review its software for usability issues. Full replacement was recommended as a cost-effective way forward. The web and mobile app were reimagined as a new Software as a Service (SaaS) solution to streamline systems for heavy equipment and machinery operators.

“We were talking constantly with The Instillery general manager Richie Jenkins about our frustrations, and he said, ‘If you’re going to do this, you’ve got to get Company-X onboard.’ I asked, ‘Who’s the best in the industry?’ and he said, ‘Company-X.’ So here we are, said Magnetize chief executive Paul Lyons”.