Our expertise is in the development of software and in technology management. Our primary interest is in technology and innovation ventures that require the combination of these skills.

These types of ventures can be summarised as either developing software for sale or requiring software as a core component of the venture. Some examples are:

Software Product Businesses - In a software product business, the software is developed for the purpose of selling it to many customers - usually for an international marketplace. The product may consist of a combination of hardware and software rather than just software. It may be "shrink-wrapped" or may require customisation as part of the sale. Within the Unify Group, we have a software product business in the area of Professional Health Authority Information Management.

Software Enabled Businesses - In a software enabled business, the software is used as the enabler to provide the services. The software is run on computers managed by the business and clients connect to those computers to obtain the service. The connection may be over a private network or over the Internet. Software enabled businesses may also be labelled Application Service Providers (ASPs) or Dot Com businesses. Within the Unify Group, New Zealand on the Web Limited is a software enabled business.

Software-Reliant Businesses - In a software-reliant business, the software is used to run the business in a highly automated and efficient manner. The business obtains and retains its competitive advantage from the software. Staff members of the business are the users of the software.

Software Consultancy Businesses - In a software consultancy business, the software is developed as a unique application customised for each client. The market for the business may be constrained by only providing particular services, by geographic region, or by a technology skill set specialisation. Within the Unify Group, Serious Software Limited is a software consultancy business providing a range of consultancy and software development services, and Unify's JADE Consultancy Practice specialises in JADE technology.

These ventures often have requirements that include complex software and graphic design or multimedia. Specialist businesses have been created in the Unify Group to provide these services to the highest possible standards.