NSW Government to support ICT partner projects

The NSW Government has announced its support for a number of technology projects at ICT exhibition CeBIT this week. Financial support will come via 11 consortium grants as part of its Collaborative Solutions program.

“The 11 successful consortiums to receive funding under the Collaborative Solutions program include some of the biggest names in technology development—multinationals like Google, Microsoft, Nokia and Singtel Optus—who will team with technology start-ups and retail, tourism and cultural organisations in exciting cross-sector collaborations,” said Andrew Stoner, Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment.

The projects have the potential to collectively generate over 400 jobs, $170 million dollars in revenue, and more than $90 million dollars in exports over the next three years, according to the Minister.

“One of the projects being supported by the NSW Government is a tool which will allow regional tourism agencies and small businesses to rapidly, easily and affordably publish sophisticated mobile websites,” he said. “We are proud to be supporting this initiative that will drive tourism to regional NSW.”

Projects funded under NSW Government Collaborative Solutions program:

• Roamz—mobile social platform for small businesses in tourism and retail to engage with customers interactively through their mobile devices.
• Knowhere—integrated mobile and multi-touch smart table offering which provides tourists with a rich and engaging experience to help explore local places of interest and customise their itineraries at Sydney Visitor Information Centres.
• MeTag—customer engagement and marketing offering for venue operators combining electronic wristbands, mobile phones and social media.
• MoveMe—customisable mobile guide for cultural institutions incorporating wayfinding, location specific content, and user tracking features.
• Projectworx—mobile and web recruitment service for the hospitality and retail sector.
• SAAS Mobile Site Enabler for SME Retail and Tourism—SAAS solution to allow regional tourism agencies and small businesses to rapidly, easily and affordably publish sophisticated mobile websites.
• Smart City—Near Field Communications (NFC) driven transaction platform for electronic retail and municipality services.
• Sydney Opera House Trust Mobile Application—integrated mobile offering for performing arts venues incorporating ticketing, maps, social media and other features such as location-based services or augmented reality, piloted at The Sydney Opera House.
• Tapit—new mass market ‘physical to digital’ content network for retail and tourism using Near-Field Communications to allow shoppers and tourists to instantly download apps and content by tapping products, signs, shelves and posters with their mobile.
• Taxi Apps—solution connects passengers directly with taxi drivers via a map based mobile phone application.
• Touchpoint—integrated NFC-enabled point of sale solution comprising a mobile app, electronic receipts, and purchase analysis tool for retailers and consumers.