(PR.co.nz) Integration and EDI specialists Flow Software’s plans to enter North America have taken a significant leap forward by entering into a collaborative agreement with San Diego State University (SDSU).
The collaboration with the university will provide Flow with 4 months of in-depth USA market research by some of its top executive MBA students.
“Having established a significant presence in NZ and Australia with customers spread across South Africa, Hong Kong and United Kingdom, the US market is our next market to target”, says Flow’s GM and Director David Masters.
“The project’s aim will be to analyse relevant sectors and to identify potential distribution partners,” says Masters. “The timing of being selected for the programme couldn’t have been better for us. We acquired the www.flowsoftware.com domain late last year and we are in the early stages of planning our US market entry. The Executive MBA program will add significant value to this process”.
Martina Musteen, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at San Diego State University will be overseeing the project and has been working with the MBA students in the context of her International Business Opportunity Development (IBOD) program since 2007. In the last two years the program was extended to also include the Executive MBA students. Flow was supported in its application by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).
The project will last 4 months and is the culmination of 2 years work for the MBA students bringing together a variety of disciplines. Raj Bali who heads Asia Pacific Sales for Flow and is based in Sydney is leading the programme from Flow’s side. “I’ve met all the students involved and the calibre is excellent. They have extensive business experience, are senior managers within their respective areas and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise. They are as excited about the opportunity as are we”.
Auckland’s local economic growth agency ATEED alerted Flow to the opportunity to work with the university. “When the opportunity came up through ATEED we jumped at it,” says Masters. “ATEED offers a range of business growth support and connectivity to opportunities and I think more companies ought to be taking advantage of this”.
About Flow
Flow Software Limited is an innovative software company specializing in the development, marketing and support of Rapid Deployment Integration and EDI software. Flow software facilitates the transfer of electronic information between software applications and between B2B trading partners. It works alongside almost any application and many of the most popular Accounting, ERP, ecommerce, POS and CRM software packages.
Further information can be found at www.flowsoftware.com
About San Diego State University
SDSU provides transformative experiences for students in research, international experiences, sustainability and entrepreneurship initiatives, and a broad range of student life and leadership opportunities. www.sdsu.edu
About IBOD
Established in 2007, the International Business Opportunities Development (IBOD) program is a collaborative project between MBA students at the San Diego State University (USA) and small- and medium-sized companies in other countries (although US-based companies can also participate). The goal of the project is to pair small student teams with companies interested in developing business opportunities in the U.S. market (or occasionally in other countries) whereby the students undertake market research on behalf of such companies as a part of their coursework. Under the guidance of Dr. Martina Musteen, the students develop the most appropriate strategic plan for entry into the U.S. market. To date, students have successfully collaborated with firms from New Zealand, Slovakia, Germany, Chile, Rwanda, Mexico, India, Jordan, US and South Africa.
About Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED)
ATEED is the economic growth agency for the Auckland region and is one of seven Auckland Council-controlled organisations (CCOs). ATEED is tasked with driving innovation and transforming the local economy, so that Auckland is a desirable place to visit, live, work, play, invest and do business. Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) began operating in November 2010 when the Auckland Council structure was established following the amalgamation of the previous regional council and seven city and district councils in the Auckland region. www.aucklandnz.com
Media Release on 6 March 2015 by Flow Software Limited
Media Contact
David Masters, Flow Software Limited
Email: david.masters@flowsoftware.co.nz
Phone: (09) 4763574
Website: www.flowsoftware.com