Company which designs software to manage the movement of prisoners breaks into Australian market

A company which develops software to securely manage the movement of prisoners around different locations has broken into the Australian market.

Bamboo Technology, which works with IT decision makers on the most effective way of delivering digital solutions, increased its sales by 112% to Australia in the last year and its sales to the market are expected to reach £2.5 m by 2026.  

Bamboo Technology began in the telecommunications industry which included mobile phones, fixed lines and broadband. They are now established in the digital assurance, data and IOT space. 

In May 2018, Bamboo Technology acquired TechOp which specialises in software development and the writing of criminal justice software to support case management and secure logistics.

Philip Thomas, the company’s Director of Business Architecture and Technology said:

“Previously, the system would have been very manual, so our solution makes very sensitive data relating to prisoners, much more secure.  

“About 4 years ago we mobilised the Western Australian contract and this year we are rolling it out in South Australia.”

DIT has supported the company to export since 2018 which has included adhoc advice including providing information on cyber security via the overseas team in Australia. The company’s International Trade Adviser at DIT (Stefano Pucello) also supported them to develop an Export Action Plan, including an export risk management plan. 

Lee Hibbert, the company’s Director of Digital Assurance said:

“DITs services has allowed Bamboo to improve its digital resilience and increase our exporting risk appetite. During a time where most businesses are surviving it has allowed Bamboo thrive.”

 The company has a few tips for businesses exporting to Australia:

“From a business model perspective, they operate quite differently to us. Where we have quite mature guidelines and processes for how we deal with data. In Australia this is very much an emerging area. It’s an exciting place to be as they’re still getting into that stuff, so we have had to go in there with more of an educational stance. 

“The biggest challenge we’ve had is around onsite presence. They are very sensitive about managing data which we’re accessing overseas. 

“We haven’t been able to get over there, so we’ve had to put in additional security protocols in the way we manage data remotely. We’ve had to jump through a lot of extra hoops to convince them that what we’re doing remotely has the same security levels as it would in person.”

Bamboo Technology’s success comes as the UK agreed a free trade agreement in principle with Australia on 15 June 2021 which has eliminated tariffs on all UK goods, while boosting jobs across the UK.

Paul Shand, Head of Trade for DIT in the South West said:

“Bamboo Technology’s success in Australia demonstrates the strong demand for high-quality technology services overseas.

“Trade will play an important role in getting our economy back on track and Bamboo Technology is a great example of how companies can look to lucrative overseas markets to boost their sales whilst creating more jobs.

“Companies such as Bamboo Technology may well benefit from an impending free trade agreement with Australia, working with DIT will ensure they are kept abreast of developments and opportunities.”

Get started with exporting

The Export Academy has recently been introduced as part of the UK Government’s levelling-up agenda, equipping small and micro businesses in the South West of England with the know-how to sell to customers around the world with confidence. The latest edition of the free 10-part events programme started on 25th October 2021 and will run until end of March 2022. Businesses can join the programme at any time and a full list of the sessions and the link to apply can be found here.

To discuss your own export development options and find out more about the support available from DIT, call 01275 370944, email ditsw@mobile.trade.gov.uk or visit www.great.gov.uk/advice

DIT’s services in the South West are delivered by Business West. For further information, click here.