Two main reasons for the Privacy Paradox: "Privacy is still too inconvenient" and "The risk is vague"
Our Journey
2004
The Beginning
Embarking on an exciting journey in 2004, Softsource was conceived by five visionary company directors united by a common belief in making a meaningful impact. These five directors, hailing from diverse backgrounds, each possessed the entrepreneurial acumen of having established and managed technology-based companies in their own right. Collectively, they brought with them an impressive resume of over 100 years of industry experience and shared an unwavering vision: "To Make our customers' lives easier and their businesses more productive and efficient."
Fast forward to the present, and it's worth noting that all five directors remain dedicated owners and continue to work tirelessly within the organisation, steering it towards a future characterised by innovation and excellence. This is the story of our journey, one that has its roots in a commitment to usher in automation to mid-market businesses across New Zealand and, ultimately, make a profound difference in the world of technology and business.
2011
Cloud Inception
In 2011, a pivotal year in our journey, we took a significant leap forward by delving into the world of cloud computing. This was the year when the concept of cloud technology was still in its nascent stages, and we recognised the immense potential it held for the future. With dedication and foresight, we designed, built and in June 2011, launched our entrada Data Centre – NZ's most advanced data centre facility giving NZ businesses access to some of the most advanced technologies in the world.
Located in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore, it was the first fully operational data centre in New Zealand to offer end-to-end HP Converged Infrastructure. It was also the first data centre in the Asia Pacific region to implement HP’s new 3PAR storage technology and laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of our services.
The inception of our cloud platform was a pivotal moment, as it allowed us to offer virtualisation and managed services with unprecedented efficiency. Virtualisation technology revolutionised the way businesses operated, offering cost-effective and scalable solutions that ensured optimal resource utilisation. As a result, we were able to provide our clients with a dynamic and flexible environment to host their IT infrastructure, offering significant improvements in operational performance and cost savings.
2011
Managed Services Introduced
Simultaneously, our foray into managed services represented a commitment to providing comprehensive and tailored solutions to our clients. We recognised that as businesses became increasingly reliant on technology, they needed expert guidance to navigate the complexities of IT management. Our managed services division was born from the understanding that our clients could focus on their core operations while we took care of their technology needs, ensuring the highest levels of reliability, security, and performance.
With the cloud as our catalyst, we continued to expand our services, offering a seamless integration of virtualisation and managed services through our cloud platform. This integration empowered our clients to leverage the full spectrum of our capabilities, allowing them to scale and adapt to the ever-evolving demands of their businesses.
2016
The launch of Hybrid IaaS
In March 2016 Softsource launched its next generation Infrastructure as a Service offering “entrada Hybrid IaaS”, heralding Australasia’s first Microsoft Azure Certified for Hybrid Cloud Data Centre.
This elite Microsoft endorsement certified the entrada platform to be Azure compliant and adheres to world standards, ensuring New Zealand businesses access to a world class Hybrid Data Centre solution through a single source for both locally hosted and public clouds. The Hybrid model, incorporates a mix of local cloud and Azure hosted virtual machines on demand, allowing businesses to transverse platforms through a single point of control, as and when required.
2021
The Acquisition
January 2021 bought a big change for Softsource. A strategic acquisition united the strengths and expertise of two prominent companies, providing an opportunity for both organisations to amplify their growth through enriched service offerings and support.
Both companies were in a phase of robust expansion, driven by their strong positions as industry leaders, underpinned by values-driven, customer-centric approaches. As they explored avenues to diversify their service portfolios without compromising their core competencies, the decision to join forces emerged as the ideal solution.
This acquisition establishes a sturdy foundation that empowers us to guide customers through the transition from on-premises to cloud, bolstering our capabilities and support infrastructure.
By combining our forces, we could concentrate on our areas of excellence while offering a comprehensive suite of products and services through a single trusted partner organisation. Introducing and operating as Softsource vBridge - one cohesive entity, we continue to deliver cutting-edge services and assist New Zealand businesses in their journey towards digital transformation and beyond.
2023
One Name
In mid-October 2023, as part of our journey to further amalgamate the Christchurch (formerly vBridge) and Auckland (formerly Softsource) offices, we introduced the new Softsource vBridge domain name svbgroup.co.nz.
Having the full team using the same domain name reduced confusion for our customers, simplified our communications and helps us build strength of a single team. A natural progression with the single domain name enabled a relaunch of the Softsource vBridge website containing the best of what was previously the Softsource and vBridge websites and giving us a single platform for communications and repository for current information.
And so, our journey continues, as we find new ways to make technology easy for our customers. Stay tuned for more exciting new developments!
How we've helped businesses across New Zealand
Christchurch Airport gain performance boost through IaaS
Christchurch airport needed efficient IT backup solutions and data protection for both business and airport operational systems.
Instant Restore from S3 Object
Businesses often neglect RPO/RTO for critical services, prioritizing cost/GB over backup infrastructure performance.
Ravensdown sees advantages in outsourcing service, expertise and added value
Instead of reinvesting in new hardware, Ravensdown reviewed the market and decided to outsource their IT infrastructure requirements.
How to run a crisis response tabletop exercise
A crisis response tabletop exercise is about exercising our plans and ensuring that our team knows what to do when the inevitable happens.
Understanding SASE: Preparing for Your Cloud Security Journey
Join us as we dive into the world of SASE and discover how it could be the solution your security team needs.
How we got to The Cloud (part 1)
A brief history of computing and some of the most important technology creations that lead us and inspired us to where we are today.
An introductory guide to Unified SASE
Explore how unified SASE architecture can revolutionise network infrastructure, delivering on the promise of enhanced security, streamlined operations, and accelerated deployments.
Business Transformation Using Modern Tools
Hear how rugby teams collect massive amounts of data from each game and how this information is analysed to boost performance and prepare for the opposition.
NorthTec - A more nimble and agile approach to connectivity
Aruba’s SD-WAN industry leading solution has enabled NorthTec to deliver vastly improved network services alongside substantial cost benefits.
Networking at the Intelligent Edge - Episode 1
Networking challenges at the Intelligent Edge for NZ businesses, diving into SD-WAN, cloud native management and AI.
HPE Growth Partners of the 2023
Softsource vBridge winners of the HPE Growth Partner of the Year award. In alignment with HPEs values of partner innovation, initiatives, and expertise.
The Next-generation of Data Backup & Security "INDELIBLE"
Investigate the intricacies of Backup and DR security and explore the latest cyber-attack trends, while delving into why immutability and daily testing have become so relevant.
Snap to Cloud (and back again...)
Pure's CloudSnap gives you the ability to create portable snapshots in the Cloud and restore as needed using Pure Cloud Block Store in a public cloud provider.
Expert Tips for Better Network Security
Your network underpins the productivity of your team and the security of your assets. Using a setup that isn’t right for your business or is out of date is a recipe for disaster.
Cyber Security Trends in New Zealand and How to Combat them!
In our latest episode, we take a deep dive into the psychology and methods behind cyber attacks, and discuss the overlooked security measures that can be used to combat them.
Barry White, is joined b
Improving Cybersecurity Posture with Immutability
In the world of cybercrime, perimeter defences are simply not enough to give organisations peace of mind they’re protected.
World Vision transforms their workplace
World Vision's Head of ICT Paul Conaghan shares their journey to improved collaboration and productivity with Microsoft Teams.
Shared services lead to better communication for West Coast Councils
A mandate from the Central Government requires the Councils to pull their resources together to be more efficient by sharing services – reducing the duplication of systems, infrastructure and budgets
Breached!
It seems barely a week will go by without us hearing of another data breach, often egregious.
Microsoft 365 Backup is critical to your data security
If you think Microsoft have a backup of your data you are incorrect!
A World Reoriented
Exploration into how the global pandemic has reoriented NZ businesses with the move to a hybrid workplace.
ChatGPT and us
OpenAI’s GPT 4 and Google’s Bard - among others - are about to be unleashed on the world in a myriad of applications, both visible and not.
Networking at the Intelligent Edge - Episode 2
Following on from part 1, we dive into particular use cases across remote working, privacy, and security before discussing Aruba's new industry-first solution, Aruba ESP (Edge Services Platform)
Mainstream Gains Advanced Security with Leading Edge Backup and DR Solution
The latest innovation in data protection, "Indelible Backup" was the perfect fit for Mainstream as it combines immutability, object storage and daily
testing to keep their data safer than ever,24/7.
Protecting NZ organisations from rising threats of ransomware
In cybercrime, perimeter defenses often fail. Focus on securing data storage and backups inside organizations, as there's no foolproof solution.
We are about People and Partnerships
Delving into the people focused culture of our business.
ROUNDTABLE WRAP UP
ROUNDTABLE WRAP UP
IMPORTANCE OF IMPLEMENTING ZERO TRUST
Firsthand experiences from the coalface of a cyber security breach
Three things IT teams should know about the NZ Privacy Act 2020
NZ Privacy Act 2020 adapts to societal changes and the internet's growth in 27 years, emphasizing Personally Identifiable Information (PI) protection.
Your Guide to Endpoint Security
As businesses adopt flexible work arrangements and cyber attackers keep evolving, it’s created the perfect storm for an endpoint security breach. Effective methods to keep cyber attackers at bay.
Transforming to a modern, agile workplace
Powell Fenwick transforms their business to a modern, efficient and innovative environment boosting employee flexibility and productivity.
GPU, CUDA12, Docker and Tensorflow
Using your own data and local services, you can train your own models to gain insights from your own tailored data sets.
Chesters Plumbing Improve Performance with Network as a Service
With 13+ branches, Chesters required a network solution that was secure and could support their expanding needs.
How we got to The Cloud (part 2)
Let's revisit the '80s for part 2 of our blog, though compiling this list was tougher as computers became commonplace. Today, the spotlight's on personal tech & cloud services, overshadowing hardware.
Waste Management NZ Lockout Ransomware with Indelible
Waste Management backup a huge amount of data and were concerned about the rising cyber threats in New Zealand.
Formula Cloud
During each Formula 1 (F1) race weekend, 160 terabytes of data is sent between the remote race circuit and the F1 Media and Technology Center in Biggin Hill, England.
The Power of Password Managers
In today's digital landscape, maintaining strong and unique passwords across multiple online accounts has become increasingly challenging.
Introducing MyCloudSpace (at the) Edge
Whilst AI has grabbed the headlines with tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, there is more to it than that.
What’s an ISO 27001 Surveillance Audit like?
In this post Pete shares a little about the experience of an ISO 27001 Audit, what it involved, and the biggest contributor to making future audits easy.
The Impact of One of New Zealand's Greatest Breaches
The 2021 ransomware attack on the WDHB highlighted the vulnerabilities in cybersecurity and the importance of robust defences. Read an expert perspective of how it could have been prevented.
Harnessing AI You Didn't Know You Had
A strategic approach to AI integration. Partner with Softsource and the potential of HP devices with built-in AI for a seamless and adaption to the workplace.
Smarter Devices for Greater Business Outcomes
Old and outdated devices and software can contribute significantly to slowing the progress of work.
The New Face of MCS: Transforming from Portal to Platform
What is the MCS Portal and Its Features?
Encryption, Entropy, Easy.
Encryption finds its way into most aspects of our digital life without us even noticing. Encryption is everywhere.
What is Device Management Costing Your Business?
Businesses are investing more than ever on the devices their employees need to perform their work. But what is the overall cost and how do your device management choices affect the business?
Guarding your Business – Why Access Security is Crucial
Discover the importance of access security and register now to our upcoming roundtable. Gain valuable insights on how you can safeguard your business against cyber threats.
Youth Horizon offer high-level network availability
Using Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) technologies increases productivity and efficiency for Youth Horizons
Data Resilience - Make it part of your DR/BCP Plan
It's also important to understand that data resilience is an important cog in a well-rounded disaster recovery programme.
Bidfood finds the perfect archiving solution along with an improved security posture
Bidfood must retain food safety records for 10 years, posing challenges in archiving and accessing the vast data.
The Need to Backup your Microsoft 365 Tenancy
Safeguarding your critical Microsoft 365 data is imperative and here's why.
Business Time !!?
Talking about office work that happens out of "business time" or business hours if you prefer.
Optimise your email server settings for seamless delivery of your emails.
Think of a customer email box as a mailbox. A mailbox with stickers that say "no junk mail", "addressed mail only", "no circulars".
Freightways Improve Collaboration with MS Teams
With over 3,500+ staff over multiple locations it was imperative that Freightways was able to collaborate, share files and conduct online meetings easily and efficiently.