iVistra partners with French firm for European push

Auckland-based data visualisation software developer iVistra has won the backing of French security visualisation company IDentifie to push iVistra’s products into Europe.

Founder Craig Meek retains the majority 85% shareholding and says iVistra remains a New Zealand company.

Meek says iVistra has been focused on growing internationally, with the help of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. IDentifie and iVistra share a “common vision” about how technology can be applied to industry, he says.

“IDentifie are strongly aligned to our growth aspirations. The backing will allow us to grow existing data visualisation products as well as look at opportunities for new products. It will also allow us to further consolidate Europe as a key market,” Meek says in a statement.

IDentifie specialises in tracking, identification and visualisation technologies for law enforcement, asset protection and anti-counterfeit protection.

“Customers are demanding new ways of tracking, visualising, analysing and predicting situations. Together we can capitalise on opportunities around security visualisation applications,” IDentifie founder Patrice Fauvet says.

Meek and Fauvet have known each other for some time, first meeting when Meek was developing Virtual Spectator for the America’s Cup and for motor racing.

Fauvet has previously worked for Accenture at its European development centre. He says IDentifie is working on data visualisation technology to enhance future security systems including ways to identify goods through adding information at the molecular level. It has licences to develop software around a marking technology called SmartWater, says Fauvet.

UK-based SmartWater specialises in producing forensic marking systems.

IVistra and IDentifie are planning to develop new products in the security area, with one opportunity seen in the visualisation of crime.

Right now, iVistra develops visualisation software for the transport, logistics and distribution industries. The company’s fleet management software, Insight Fleet Pro, which Meek describes as iVistra’s “flagship product”, allows the performance of trucks to be monitored from a single control room.

Current user of the iVistra’s technology include Australasian logistics company Toll, Holcim Vietnam, and European transport IT joint venture Transeo, an alliance between UK-based EWS and the French conglomerate Thales.

IVistra also has a close relationship with HP and is represented in its Singapore technology showcase.

IVistra continues to work on other products for the visualisation of rail-freight and railway management. Meek says a further product announcement can be expected soon.

Meek says the integration of telemetry with enterprise systems will produce returns on investment that have never before been explored.

Meek will take up the role of executive chairman and Tim Goodwin, previously the general manager, has been appointed as chief executive. Fauvet has been appointed to the iVistra board.

Meek says all development will continue at iVistra’s Auckland headquarters.