Agent gets remote system

By ADAM GIFFORD

Recently listed GDC Communications has launched its integrated Voice and Application Service Provider system (iVASP), which runs customers' software applications and telephone systems remotely.

Information about the iVASP service was almost hidden in a couple of sentences in the company's prospectus.

"We expect it to be an increasing part of GDC's business," company spokesman Scott Forrest said yesterday.

The Mt Wellington-based company has been using the system since early April to tie together its offices nationwide, including using it to run telephone installation and fault repair contracts in four Telecom patches.

Its first customers, two small Auckland businesses and the Harvey's national real estate chain, recently went live.

Harvey's IT manager, Gareth Croy, said his company would specify what applications it wanted and GDC would deliver them over the internet, wireless, virtual private network or other suitable network for a monthly rental.

"It allows me to forget about technology churn," Mr Croy said.

The iVASP system is being tested in Harvey's head office and three directly owned Auckland branches, running desktop applications like Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook as well as Harvey's specialised real estate software, Online Office. It will be offered to almost 70 franchisees nationwide.

The system was exhibited at a real estate conference in Auckland this week, and Mr Croy said reaction from franchisees was positive. "They're saying it means they can become real estate agents again instead of IT specialists."

Mr Croy said iVASP "enables us to have a central database, so all the listing data happens in real time." He said the total cost of ownership "is cheaper than the status quo, and it means anywhere I have access to the internet I can dial in."

Mr Forrest said there was keen interest from GDC's existing customers.

The Application Service Provider concept has been widely touted as the coming standard for application delivery.