Canberra-based Netier is expanding across Australia

The meaning of netier is a play on the French word métier, meaning your calling in life, and for one of the company’s founders, Gordon Hayes, and the rest of the team, this was and remains true to this day.

Hayes set up the business in 2009, with a partner, who has since left the company.

“I started Netier because I saw an opportunity and wanted to work in the SMB market due to the relationships you can build with clients,” Hayes said.

“There were only a handful of local players in the SMB market who could cater to the larger end of this market and I really just wanted to do what I am passionate about.

Netier, which has an office situated within the grounds of Canberra Airport, specifically focuses on mid-size enterprise private firms with a specialisation within the transport and construction industries.

“We are fortunate to work with local and national clients and we hope to continue growing at the considerable pace we have been for the last two years,” Hayes said.

“Recently the SMB market has begun embracing IT as an asset rather than an expense, and there is a greater number of drivers within our customers’ business for change in technology.

“Embracing these changes so our customers can evolve their IT systems has proven to be an exciting and new challenge.”

The company also boasts a wealth knowledge in the aviation and construction sectors, supporting a mix of cloud and hybrid cloud clients as well as customers with their own private infrastructure.

Netier retains security and network specialists in house and supports a range of technologies with certifications spanning Microsoft, Nutanix, VMware, Cisco and WatchGuard, among many.

“We manage a large number of networks and systems for clients on Cisco and WatchGuard platforms, as well as Nutanix, Dell and HPE infrastructure,” he said.

Netier is also in the midst of filling up a second Canberra office, that will kick off at the start of 2019, with a new project team.

The start of 2018 saw Netier branch out of the ACT market and into Queensland through establishing a new Brisbane office.

“Netier’s plans for the next 12 months are to consolidate growth from the previous 12 months and build out our Brisbane office,” he said. “We have some new service offerings which we’re in the final stages of bringing to market and we’re looking forward to the next phase of these projects.”

One challenge that Netier faces in Canberra, is recruitment and Hayes pointed out it was extremely competitive due to the large Federal Government presence.

Attracting new talent can be a difficult task and alongside the growth this is a challenge that the company faces monthly, Hayes said.

“Netier is fortunate in its low turnover of staff however retaining has always been a huge focus for the company,” he added. “Hosting team events and dinners monthly, offering services such as free gym memberships and study opportunities – we find this boosts morale and team spirit within the office.”

Hayes said the company’s success comes down to the whole team and their passion for their work.

“Since inception we have had some amazing clients that helped us to set our own standards,” he added. “We’ve always viewed our clients as part of our team and not just customers.

“We’ve viewed our relationship with clients as being more of a consulting and advisory role, which has necessitated working with other vendors and sometimes competitors, to ensure our clients get the best outcome, resulting in a high level of competency and transparency.

“Part of our business ethos is to deliver the best outcome irrespective of our own preferences.”

By Julia Talevski (ARN) 18 September 2018