Turing Solutions

Ross Brown and Tim Brown launched Turing Solutions as a custom software development company on 30 October 1997. Turing Solutions was named after the English mathematician Alan Turing whose work was fundamental to the theoretical foundations of computer science. Turing Solutions delivered bespoke information technology solutions. These solutions ranged from a standalone PC application integrated with MS-Office to a multi-user client-server system running over the Internet.

The initial aims of the company were two fold. Firstly to build a direct client base that required medium size software solutions - too large and complex for small businesses to develop and too small to be significant for the large software development companies. Secondly to develop relationships with larger companies and to work together on large scale developments. A period of two years was set to achieve these aims with a target company size of 20 considered necessary to support the customer base.

The company's initial focus was on software development using JADE and Microsoft technologies. In October 1998, Turing Solutions acquired Promethean Webdesign. Julian Carver and his team added design, graphics and animation skills that can be applied to both traditional and web-based software solutions.

The target company size was met after 18 months. In 1999, Turing Solutions was the only medium size hybrid software development and web design company in the South Island. Turing Solutions was also established as a dominant supplier of e-commerce services to South Island businesses. Turing Solutions continued to grow rapidly to become a 30 person multi-technology company in just three years.

Ross and Tim sold Turing Solutions to SCS New Zealand (Computerland New Zealand) in June 2000 after moving a joint venture, NZ.Com Limited, to a new company. Ross and Tim's new company, Unify Group, purchased the Turing Solutions' JADE business in March 2001 when Ross and Tim completed their exit from Turing Solutions. SCS New Zealand and Turing Solutions have been subsequently renamed Ceritas New Zealand and Ceritas Digital.

High points in Turing Solutions' history were:

Year		Events
1997		Launch Technology partnership with JADE Major new clients included: AgResearch, Cardinal Network and Canterbury Health
1998		Acquisition of Computerland Christchurch's Software Development Business and Joint Marketing agreement with Computerland Christchurch Acquisition of Promethean Webdesign Technology partnership with Xtra Major new clients included: Crop & Food, ECNZ Southern Generation, NZ Army Careers and YHA
1999		Creation of NZ.Com Limited - a joint venture partnership with Akiko International Sale of 30% and Joint Marketing agreement with Computerland New Zealand (SCS New Zealand) Acquisition of Zygo Design Technology partnership with Microsoft Major new clients included: AMI, Gough Gough and Hamer, Telecom and WRONZ
2000		Sale of remaining 70% to SCS New Zealand Major new clients included: Sealord, Solid Energy and State Insurance