Kiwi tech firm Origin expects their revenue to grow by over 200 per cent in the coming five years as their clients expand offshore and demand for local IT support services grows.
Established in a West Auckland garage fourteen years ago, the outsourced IT solutions provider currently records annual revenue of $14 million.
But according to CEO Michael Russell, that’s projected to reach $50 million by 2018.
Working closely with Microsoft New Zealand, current clients of Origin, which employs 90 staff, include Les Mills International, JUCY, The Better Drinks Co (Charlies) and Milford Asset Management.
According to Russell, who founded the company, Origin's success is largely down to New Zealand firms increasingly recognising quality local IT support services over offshore call centre support when considering their expansion overseas.
“We have found that being based in New Zealand is a significant advantage for us," he says.
"We can visit our customers quickly if there are issues that can’t be dealt with easily over the phone or online, and we understand the way that local businesses operate."
Russell believes outsourcing IT support to the lowest cost provider overseas is not a viable model for New Zealand companies who are trying to develop new markets and satellite operations globally.
“As our customers expand, we grow with them,” he explains. “We provide virtual systems support for our clients throughout the world in dozens of countries, thanks to our close business partnerships based here in New Zealand.
“It’s no longer a case of the cheapest option being the best for many small and medium sized businesses either.
"They want easy and effortless relationships that deliver on time and on budget, and the highest quality of support services is necessary to ensure they can differentiate themselves from their competition.”
Growing steadily since its creation in 2000, Russell says much of their expansion over the coming five years will be based on continued investments in systems, processes and people with a goal of “perfecting the ultimate customer experience."
“To date, our service has been built on providing IT support to our customers, but we are now beginning to offer a systems and software architecture consultancy," he adds.
Russell says at this stage there are no plans to float Origin, yet refuses to rule out the possibility.
"At this stage we will continue to fund our own growth and further establish as a frontrunner in IT services," he says, adding that Origin expects to also take on up to 100 new staff over the next five years.