Software solutions provider Basware has told The Channel that it has plans for a local presence in New Zealand to support partners and a direct customer base.

Karri Lehtonen (pictured), VP of Basware ANZ, says, “We are aiming to set up a local presence and business unit in New Zealand to support both partners and direct customer base.”

The move follows Basware’s acquisition of TAG Services in 2009. Lehtonen continued, “Basware has experienced significant growth in the ANZ region and has now decided to increase its presence in the New Zealand market. Basware has seen a great untapped opportunity in the New Zealand market since early last year.

Lehtonen says that New Zealand is a very technically advanced country that is easily adopting new ways of working, providing good market potential for Basware’s electronic invoicing services which are “currently growing at a rate of over 50% globally”. 

Basware is now actively seeking four partners in New Zealand to cover both the SME and enterprise markets.

“Basware is looking for partners that can provide active, enthusiastic and trained professionals both in Sales and Technical areas,” Lehtonen said. “Our end goal is to develop partners who can generate on-going sales as well as being self sufficient for the future sales, business cases and technical support.”

Basware will work with partners to offer its purchase-to-pay software solutions for enterprises and other large government organisations or educational institutions. “We’ll also be offering a new small and medium sized invoice automation solution that will help SME companies to streamline their financial processes with minimal capital investment,” Lehtonen added.