Hi Tech Magazine – July 2001

OOS market a multi-million dollar Niche

Software company seeks strategic investor to maximise global expansion

by Shelley Grell

Multi-million dollar Christchurch developer, Niche Software, is reaping such tremendous export success of its OOS prevention software WorkPace that the company is looking for a strategic investor to help maximise growth in other markets.

Since the company was formed in 1997 by directors Dr Robert van Nobelen (BE ME PhD) and Dr Kevin Taylor (BE PhD), over 400,000 user licenses have been sold and installed on desktop computers worldwide.

Amongst an increasing list of blue-chip global corporations using WorkPace include: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ericsson, EDS, Rabobank, ING Bank, Coca-Cola, Philips, Shell, BP Amoco, Chevron and others.

WorkPace OOS prevention software is recognised internationally for helping responsible companies who value their workforce, to ensure that their employees are aware of the dangers of OOS, understand how to prevent the risk of it developing, and take recommended breaks from the computer.

OOS, which stands for Occupational Overuse Syndrome and is also known internationally as RSI or Repetitive Strain Injury, is a group of medical conditions that can result from long periods using a computer. It is an illness that is costing industry billions every year in lost productivity. Furthermore, intensifying use of computers and computer related injuries is resulting in an increase in companies having to pay record damages awarded to employees suffering from the condition.

The software is popular with organisations from a wide range of sectors including consulting, banking, industrial, government and education. 95% of sales are overseas, most of which are in Europe.

According the UK & European Health and Safety regulations, it is up to the employer “to plan the activities of users so that their daily work on the VDU is periodically interrupted by such breaks or changes of activity as reduce their workload at that equipment. … If work cannot be so organised, for example in jobs requiring only data or text input, where there are no alternative duties to be undertaken, then deliberate breaks or pauses must be introduced.”

Director Dr Taylor explained, "When you've been working intensely for a certain amount of time, the software will give you prompts to take micro-pauses, breaks and guide you through exercises. It's like a little guy looking after you to ensure you don't overdo things.”

WorkPace also monitors how people use their computers, so companies can assess which staff are most at risk. Reports can be created on computer use trends across the entire organisation or the individual at risk.

The company has achieved many sales in countries like the Netherlands where strict policing of OOS regulations makes the country a ready market for its software. Under Dutch law, for instance, companies that breach OOS regulations can be forced to close down. They are also required to have their ergonomic set-up assessed by an independent third party.

With WorkPace installed companies are able to monitor who is at most risk. They can then issue warnings, tell the person to take breaks, and help protect the worker from problems and themselves from litigation.

The software works by prompting the user with on-screen exercises and provides comprehensive statistical data on all breaks taken, time worked, typing speed and mouse usage. It also provides on screen feedback of work activity and warns when micropauses and rest breaks are needed. Plus it educates the user on posture, ergonomics and OOS prevention.

Niche Software also has installations in the US at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly. The company, which has eight staff and an international network of distributors, is concentrating on expansion into the UK and Germany, and they are keen to make further inroads into the US market. Establishing networks and markets to date has involved attending trade shows, conducting research on the web and working with Trade NZ overseas.

Niche Software predicts its multi-million dollar turnover to triple by next financial year. To help the company expand further, the company is keen to talk with investors who have complimentary network links and a sharp business focus.