At a ceremony yesterday, Microz Australia was awarded the 1998 Australian Micro Business Award for Technology. Presenting the awards on behalf of the Federal and State Governments, Victorian Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Ms. Louise Asher, said "The awards are an important part of Small Business May '98, and recognise the diversity and vitality of Australia's most outstanding small businesses."
The award recognises the "two professional passions" of its principal, Simon Rawson. First is assisting businesses use IT to drive their effectiveness and reach their goals. Second is a flight scheduling system aimed at small to medium size airlines.
"We take a broad view of the business of our clients, and consider the implications of technology and the accompanying organisational development issues that should be addressed. In short, we look further than the technology, to a client's organisation, its people and culture, and its level of business maturity."
"This view carries through to our airline schedule planning software, the Schedule Master, which an airline itself can configure to its needs. We recognise that airlines vary enormously in their approach to scheduling. Some take a very planned, long-term approach, while others are more opportunistic. The system must support the airline's processes, rather than the airline adapting to the system. The software must also be virtually self-supporting, robust, user-friendly, and affordable."
Mr. Rawson also observed that schedule planning was one of an airline's most critical processes. "If the scheduling department doesn't do its job well, that translates directly to the bottom line. Its schedule determines how efficiently an airline uses its aircraft resources, whilst at the same time being the chief product sold to its customers."
Microz was also the winner of the 1998 Victorian Micro Business Award for Technology, in the lead up to the national awards
