Stratos Technology Partners - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Stratos Technology Partners is a privately owned New Zealand company established in 2011. Starting with a small team in Christchurch, it has evolved into a key provider of software development and SharePoint technology services across New Zealand and Australia. The company is committed to transforming businesses through technology, particularly within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Its core mission revolves around fostering personal client partnerships, deeply understanding business needs, and delivering tailored digital solutions. Stratos Technology Partners aims to empower organizations by optimizing their digital workplace through collaborative efforts and cutting-edge technology.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Stratos Technology Partners focuses on driving digital transformation for businesses of varying sizes. Its main objectives include:

Transforming Intranets: Enhancing internal communication and collaboration platforms.

Streamlining Business Processes with Automation: Implementing efficient workflows and reducing manual efforts.

Facilitating Digital Transformation: Guiding organizations through the adoption of modern digital tools and strategies to unlock their full potential.

Specialization Areas

The company boasts deep expertise in several critical technology domains, forming its unique value proposition:

Software Development: Specializing in web applications, mobile applications, bespoke business software, and emerging AI solutions.

Microsoft 365 Ecosystem: Profound knowledge and implementation capabilities across Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and the Power Platform (PowerApps, Power Automate, Power BI).

IT Consulting & Managed Services: Providing strategic advice and ongoing support to ensure optimal technology performance.

Enterprise Security Solutions & Licensing: Delivering robust security measures and managing software licensing requirements.

Target Markets

Stratos Technology Partners caters to a diverse range of industries, offering specialized solutions tailored to their unique operational challenges:

Agribusiness

Building and Construction

Healthcare

Manufacturing

Clinical Research

Public Sector

2. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

Stratos Technology Partners delivers a comprehensive suite of services and solutions designed to enhance digital workplaces and streamline operations:

Custom Software Development: Creation of bespoke web, mobile, and business applications tailored to specific client needs, including the integration of AI functionalities.

SharePoint Solutions: Design, implementation, and optimization of SharePoint environments for collaboration, document management, and intranet functionalities.

Microsoft Teams Integration: Enhancing communication and collaboration through custom solutions built around Microsoft Teams.

Power Platform Development: Building custom applications with PowerApps for data capture, automating workflows with Power Automate, and creating insightful dashboards with Power BI for data visualization.

IT Consulting: Strategic advice on technology adoption, digital transformation roadmaps, and system architecture.

Managed Services: Ongoing support, maintenance, and optimization of client IT environments.

Enterprise Security: Implementation of robust security measures and best practices to protect digital assets.

Microsoft Licensing Management: Assisting clients with efficient procurement and management of Microsoft software licenses.

3. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

Stratos Technology Partners leverages a powerful array of Microsoft technologies to deliver its solutions, positioning itself at the forefront of digital innovation:

Microsoft 365: The foundational platform for many of its services, including SharePoint and Microsoft Teams.

Power Platform: Extensive use of PowerApps for custom application development, Power Automate for robust process automation, and Power BI for advanced business intelligence and data visualization.

Nintex: Employed for developing advanced enterprise workflow solutions, complementing the Power Platform's automation capabilities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Solutions: Engages with and integrates AI solutions into business productivity, including specific exploration of emerging technologies such as Copilot Agents.

Certifications: Recognized as a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Digital & App Innovation, demonstrating proficiency in building and modernizing applications. The company is also a Powell Software Gold Partner, highlighting expertise in digital workplace solutions.

4. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Stratos Technology Partners is steered by a strong leadership team with deep industry experience:

David Carter (CEO & Director): A co-founder of Stratos Technology Partners in 2011, David brings over 20 years of experience in software development. He is instrumental in managing the software development process, fostering client relationships, and architecting new product solutions.

Steve Knutson (Director): With over 30 years in the IT industry, Steve is a respected Microsoft Regional Director and Microsoft MVP for Office Apps and Services. He leads the company's SharePoint and Microsoft 365 practice, with particular expertise in intranets, digital workplaces, collaboration, and document management technologies.

Phil Johnson (Director): Phil joined as a Director and shareholder in October 2021 following the merger with Alchemy Group Ltd. He possesses a strong entrepreneurial background, acting as an early-stage angel investor with a keen interest in future and disruptive technologies.

Other notable team members contributing to the company's expertise include:

Rich Burdes (Principal Consultant): A Microsoft MVP, Rich specializes in Power Platform adoption initiatives, particularly Power Apps, Copilot Studio, and Microsoft 365 integration, assisting organizations with low-code solutions and intelligent automation.

Simon Langford (Operations-focused role): Simon brings over 24 years of IT industry experience, focusing on operational enhancements through consulting, architecture, and operational expertise.

Dave Murray (SharePoint Consultant): Dave assists organizations in maximizing their utilization of Microsoft 365, with a particular focus on SharePoint, Teams, and Power Automate, to improve processes and information management.

Ruben Scrivener (Software Developer): Ruben contributes over 10 years of software development experience using technologies such as .Net, Angular JS, and Azure.

Dawn McLean (Consulting and Project Management): Dawn provides expertise in optimizing client use of the Microsoft 365 platform, offering consulting and project management for successful delivery.

Recent Leadership Changes

In a significant development in October 2021, Stratos Technology Partners Ltd merged with Alchemy Group Ltd. This strategic move brought Phil Johnson, former Managing Director of Alchemy, into Stratos Technology Partners as a Director and shareholder, alongside David Carter and Steve Knutson. Additionally, Howard Nicholls, Dean Ashby, and Dave Eaves also became Stratos shareholders, expanding the leadership and ownership base of the combined entity operating under the Stratos Technology Partners name.

5. Talent and Growth Indicators

Stratos Technology Partners has demonstrated consistent growth since its inception as a small Christchurch-based team in 2011. The company has expanded its operations to provide a comprehensive range of software development and SharePoint technology services to a wide client base across New Zealand and Australia. Participation in growth-focused initiatives, such as the Christchurch NZ High Growth Launch Programme in 2017 and the Amplifier Programme in 2018, underscores an ongoing commitment to scaling operations and enhancing team capabilities. This indicates a proactive approach to developing its workforce and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and expansion.

6. Recognition and Awards

Industry Recognition

Stratos Technology Partners has received notable industry recognition for its expertise and contributions to the technology sector:

Powell Software Partner of the Year 2022: This award highlights the company's exceptional proficiency and success in deploying Powell Software solutions, reinforcing its status as a key partner in the digital workplace arena.

7. Market Analysis

Market Overview

The New Zealand IT services market is positioned for substantial growth and transformation. It is projected to recover from recent turbulences, with revenue expected to grow from NZ$7.12 billion (US$4.23 billion) in 2025 to NZ$8.52 billion (US$5.06 billion) by 2029, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.57%.

The broader New Zealand ICT market, encompassing a wide range of information and communication technologies, is valued at US$16.28 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to reach US$25.53 billion by 2030, growing at a robust 9.42% CAGR. This impressive growth is fueled by several key drivers:

Public-Sector Digitization: Ongoing government initiatives to digitize services and operations.

Rapid Cloud-Region Rollouts: Increased availability and adoption of localized cloud computing infrastructure.

Accelerating Enterprise Demand for Artificial Intelligence: Businesses increasingly leveraging AI to enhance productivity and competitive advantage.

Key trends shaping the market include:

Proliferation of AI, Automation, and Digital Innovations: Driving demand for increased productivity and competitiveness across all sectors.

Digital Transformation: A strong focus by organizations on adopting advanced technologies like AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and big data, despite existing skill gaps.

Cloud Computing: Expected to be a significant driver, with spending (including IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) projected to reach $3.7 billion by FY27. Hybrid cloud models are also gaining traction to balance data residency requirements with public cloud flexibility.