Australia’s ARQ Group has signed a strategic partnership with Enlighten Designs, New Zealand’s leading software development and website design company as part of a new Trans-Tasman alliance.
The new partnership diversifies Enlighten’s data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence offering, thanks to ARQ’s in-house capabilities. In turn, Enlighten provides ARQ access to advanced web capabilities and its award-winning customised dashboard, uplifting ARQ Group’s customer experience.
Both ARQ and Enlighten have already been collaborating over the past 12 months on innovative web and dashboarding solutions to improve accessibility to emerging digital technologies.
ARQ Group CEO, Tristan Sternson said: “Our strategic partnership presents an opportunity for both businesses to showcase how agile we can be despite the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
“By unifying our expertise, we’re continuing the delivery of meaningful impact for our clients locally and abroad. ARQ’s market leadership in data, digital, AI, and cloud-based solutions means that our customers have access to an expanded range of digital services.
“We’re 100% onshore, proudly Australian owned and operated. ARQ’s the name behind many of Australia’s most loved household brands and government projects. We’re passionate about leveraging technology to solve organisational challenges – both public and private – no matter how complex.”
Sternson also has a warning for companies reluctant to embrace digital solutions to meet a rapidly changing operating environment.
“The world has changed forever. Companies failing to move ahead with their digital transformation projects as priority, will be left behind. In the new COVID climate, if you’re not part of the future, you’ll be left in the past. History has repetitively shown us countless examples of major companies at risk of collapse due to change-anxiety and the deadly head-in-the-sand syndrome, all the while their competitors are busy embracing change.
“We have built our expertise over 25 years, which is why the majority of the ASX’s top-20 companies and governments across Australia trust ARQ to develop their digital solutions. We’ve hired an additional 80 consultants in the past 3 months, and thanks to this partnership, ARQ Group continues to grow from strength to strength,” Sternson said.
Founder and CEO of Enlighten, Damon Kelly, says the strategic partnership will give the company access to new expertise, vital to growth.
“We’re genuinely excited about our partnership with ARQ Group and the opportunity to expand into the Australian market. Our new alliance advances our technology offering for New Zealand customers and stakeholders. ARQ’s strong relationships, 25-year heritage and proven capabilities across government agencies and large corporates is invaluable, enabling Enlighten to expand our technology solutions on a global scale.
“Our organisations are well-placed to take advantage of the post COVID-19 trans-Tasman bubble as soon as it’s established. In the meantime, our collaboration is a great example of how successful remote working arrangements are achieved through technology. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with ARQ Group – and in collaboration – utilising the technology that changes the world for the better.” Kelly adds.
Microsoft Australia’s chief partner officer, Rachel Bondi said, “Enlighten and ARQ Group are both leaders in their field with proven capabilities in their respective countries, delivering impactful tech solutions for their clients by transforming customer experiences.
“As trusted Microsoft partners, this partnership seemed like a natural fit. Not only are Enlighten and ARQ Group aligned on core competencies, but their collective performances will no doubt be elevated to new heights. We’re proud to back both organisations and I look forward to seeing the exceptional work they deliver,” Bondi said.
For 25 years ARQ Group has been the leader in digital technology and has a proud history of pioneering-firsts. The first company to bring the internet to Australia and register the first domain names. ARQ created the first websites and developed the first apps. Today ARQ Group is a market leader in data, digital, AI, and cloud-based solutions.
ARQ Group is Australia’s first Premier Consulting Partner awarded the status of Amazon Web Services Managed Service Provider (AWS MSP). Also awarded AWS’s first Australian Data Competency Partner and a preferred partner for Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform and Apple Consultant Network.
