Versatility at core of office software

East Perth-based software developer Office Automation Pty Ltd is poised to enter a full commercialisation phase for its software, while keeping focus on research and development.

The software, Office Automator, automates a number of workplace processes through a comprehensive and versatile package, according to managing director Philip Boswell.

Office Automator is used by 12 businesses around the world including in Canada, America, and Queensland.

The software has been implemented in specific areas, including the Rio Tinto Hopes Down project tender application process.

The software developer is now looking at new opportunities in Singapore and India, and is about to close a deal with Israel.

Mr Boswell said the company planned to put a greater focus on the commercialisation of its products through partnership with organisations able to provide expertise on the modelling of the software for different industries.

Office Automation has projects under way with several Perth companies, including Inframiner, which specialises in the management of maintenance in resources companies.

“Our product will be at the core of the way they [Inframiner] deliver their expertise,” Mr Boswell told WA Business News.

He said discussions were also under way with the law firm AM Palmer and Associates, which specialises in the provision of standardised legal documents through the web.

“We now need to be working hand in glove with people bringing expertise on what we don’t have,” Mr Boswell said.

“The way forward is working with others who will commercialise our products with their own business requirements.”

Mr Boswell was inspired to start researching automated systems after helping Argyle Diamond develop a set of computerised utilities in 1994.

The company, which has been operating for 13 years, was formerly called PBA Professional, until financial difficulties in 1999-2000 led it to being put in administration. It later re-emerged as Office Automation.

“At the time we...were underfunded and we went about it the wrong way by starting to build the sales and marketing side of the business; but I am not a sales person,” Mr Boswell said.

After an injection of funds from Perth-based venture capital company, ECAT Development Capital Ltd, which bought 25 per cent interest in the company in 2000, Mr Boswell said the focus shifted back on the development of the software.

About a year later, Mr Boswell purchased the stake back from ECAT.

“We’ve continued to focus and improve [the software] and now we’re coming out on the other side as we’ve developed a high quality product,” he said.

Mrs Boswell said that it was important Office Automation didn’t compromise its experience and expertise, but rather complemented it with appropriate experience of others.