Andrew Nimick - Technology consultant Andrew is an independent technology consultant whose focus is what technology can do for business and finding the best tools for the job.

Last week was one of those weeks for announcements, one distant and one very local.
Apple say they have sold one million iPads in the first month of sales, which is fantastic going for a device which most people still have not figured out how to utilise.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a wonderful gadget and know it will get better and more useful. But it is not a slate running osX. Now that would get me excited and I know how I would utilise it. Maybe the Technology Centre want to loan me theirs for a few days to prove me wrong, but, to be honest, I believe most people buying them are reacting to the 'ooh' factor - a little bit like 3D TV. Yeah great, but do I have to look like a nerd while watching it? While we are at do Harvey Norman want to loan me one of those too?

But the more serious news is that Priority One and other groups have again formed a coalition to try and gain funds to install some 'real' high speed broadband to the Bay and Tauranga. This is good news and they have my full support.
When I arrived in the Bay I remember Craig Garner trying to drum up support for just such an application. He, the Chamber of Commerce, Priority One and everyone in the business knew what it could do for Tauranga, but the obstacles they faced meant it did not happen then.

So what does it mean for the area? Economy. The Bay is a great place to work and play. It has the Cornwall effect, work during the day and go surfing afterwards.
Cornwall (Southwest part of England) got money from the EU to create a decent broadband infrastructure. Once in, it allowed them to attract lots of high tech and other companies away from the big smoke (London). Better lifestyle, lower commutes and surf, of both kinds is very attractive.

The Cornish economy was lifted as these companies shipped in staff and hosted client meetings.

So now look at the Bay. We have the companies, we have the lifestyle, we have the weather, now all we need is the means to communicate and reach the markets. Then watch them come, and come they will because both the Chamber and Priority One are good at advertising for the Bay.
Add to that the planned integration between our Polytech and the University of Waikato and you have the research capability that tech companies of all kinds need.