Maximum availability

Abstract

Allan Campbell, the Scottish-born entrepreneur, got into his car and drove out of the car park outside his office in Albany, on Auckland’s North Shore. He was heading to the airport to pick up his fellow director and friend, Simon O’Sullivan. Over the past four years, the two of them had been involved in leading two new IT companies. In 1999, they partnered with systems specialist Peter Knedler and founded Teliss International, providing IT services in customer care and billing for international telecom companies. Then in 2000, in conjunction with software developer Jamie Tarbell, the team founded Maximum Availability, a company specialising in data replication software. By mid 2003, both Teliss and Maximum Availability had reached turning points and it was clear some strategic decisions had to be made. As Campbell approached the Harbour Bridge, he made a mental note to schedule a meeting with the group to discuss the best way forward. They had regularly talked about the company direction in general terms, but Campbell sensed it was time they gave their long-term objectives more attention