wairua » information technology consulting

Wairua Consulting can help transform your processes to take advantage of new technologies. Technology is a tool and we aim to ensure that the technology you choose fits your business.

Our expertise lies in aligning technology to strategy and policy. We develop effective and living information systems strategies that encompass traditional and online environments. Because we are vendor-independent we offer our clients the best impartial advice at all times.

What benefits can your organisation realise through the effective application of information and communication technologies? Our consultants will help you to face the challenges posed in a world of rapidly changing technologies.

Community informatics and eDemocracy

ICT is becoming increasingly ubiquitous but the so-called 'digital divide' is as real as ever and access is not equal or equitable. How do governments and communities work together to develop policy to support access to technology, literacy campaigns and the effective use of ICT within all sectors of society? Do developments in eGovernment and eDemocracy mean that citizen's who are not connected are losing out?

Wairua Consulting transforms processes to take advantage of new technologies. Technology is a tool and we aim to ensure that the technology you choose meets the needs of your stakeholders. Our expertise lies in aligning technology to strategy/policy. In government and community settings, we focus on ICT as an enabler for active participation in civic, democratic and economic life for individuals, communities and business.

We are leading experts in eDemocracy - the use of technology to connect citizens with government. Wairua Consulting's work includes models for community ICT and strategy development that informs both policy and practice. Our work is inclusive and user-driven, meaning that solutions are not one-size-fits-all but customised in conjunction with local stakeholders to create commitment, connection and the potential for success.

ICT strategy

Information Technology is there to support and drive your business and so must be aligned with your organisational goals. Wairua Consulting can help you to align IT with your business strategy and ensure that your IT investment supports your business goals. To do this we work with you to:

• Understand your key points of strategic difference, map your business processes and identify your current use of technology.
• Assess your level of IT alignment within your organisation and amongst your supplier, customers and partners.
• Develop an Information Technology Strategic Plan that aligns with your business.
• Develop a review process that ensures your strategic planning is an integral part of your organisation and to maintain your strategic plan as a living document.

Understanding your stakeholders: A key part of any strategic planning exercise is understanding your stakeholders. Download "Defining Your Stakeholders", Wairua Consulting's quick guide to defining and positioning stakeholders for organisations and projects (297K PDF).

Technology Alignment and Governance: As technology becomes more critical to business success, it is important to put in place clear governance structures. In today's highly competitive markets, aligning technology with business goals and ensuring that investment in IT is effective makes sense even for small businesses. Leaving technology to chance is not good business practice.

Defining and selecting systems: Wairua Consulting will work with your to define requirements for new or replacement systems and we can manage the procurement process on your behalf. This gives you the advantage if an independent expert working with you and selected vendors to ensure best fit and optimum affordability. If you're looking to implement a new IT system or replace an existing one, take a look at our simple guide to selecting a software application.

Technology Adoption

The future is not about technology, it's about how we use technology. Learning what new networked ICTs can do for us is the key to adoption and Wairua Consulting plays an important role in translating technology-driven ideas and alinging them with objectives.

Recent projects include:

Translating community ICT adoption into local strategies that work: Our 5-stage model for commiunity ICT has underpinned local and provincial government strategies in South Africa and New Zealand

Demand aggregation for broadband: Bringing together strategies for small community access to broadband and metropolitan fibre with content-based platforms to stimulate demand by aggregating local content.

Policy implication of fixed wireless: The emergence of WiMax and relatively high cost of fibre means that governments need to review spectrum allocation regulations to ensure effective delivery of fixed wireless access as part of the broadband continuum.

Online compliance for SMEs: The provision of real-time online forms for business compliance can support productivity efficiencies and cost-savings for small and medium enterprises.

Research and evaluation

Good quality research and evaluation underpins good decision making and the sheer volume of information available today can be daunting. It is important to recognise that not all information is created equal! Wairua Consulting provides research and evaluation services that support your organisation. Our skills in qualitative research offers clients the opportunity to gain a strategic insight into important situations, environments or technologies.

Project management

We have a wide range of experience in project management and directorship across a range of platforms, technologies and industry types, from telecommunications to manufacturing, mainframe to mobile and we're just at home managing the full project life cycle, a short-sharp strategic review or just one phase, whether that's design, development, quality assurance or implementation. Wairua Consulting are experienced leaders who can re-focus your project, team or department. Project management resources from Wairua Consulting

Effective software development teams

Our experience includes managing succesful IT teams. We understand good practice. Pressure often forces developers to deliver quickly and sometimes quality and process suffer. The true cost of this only surfaces later through higher systems maintenance costs and impaired performance. We help our clients develop processes that work by focusing on quality.