To celebrate the start of Abel’s 30th year, we tried something different by bringing together a focus group of mainly South Island customers to share insights through a morning of golf followed by a mini‑conference at Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch. Key software partners also attended to discuss how their products work with Abel.

The customers in this focus group represented businesses that have been growing and adapting over many years, getting on with the job in their specialised sectors. The afternoon conference sessions were relaxed and provided an opportunity for the group to engage directly with our leadership team, ask challenging questions, and share perspectives shaped by the realities of their operations.

It was a productive and enjoyable day, and we value the time and input contributed by everyone involved. We look forward to doing more in the future.

Presentations and Insights

Abel’s presenters and several guest speakers rounded out the afternoon. Their contributions underscored the value of collaboration across technology partners and customers alike.

Abel’s 30th Anniversary

Jane Mattsen, Abel’s Business Manager and Executive Director, opened the afternoon sessions. She reflected on how Abel has grown and evolved over the thirty years since its foundation, while staying grounded in the same core values.

Abel’s Ongoing Development and Platform Enhancements

Callum Baird, Abel’s Chief Technology Officer, talked about Abel’s development innovations, highlighting recent platform enhancements and ongoing development. As always, our development focus remains on delivering practical improvements that make a real difference for our customers.

Platform Foundations and Partnerships

Justin Mercer, CEO of Jade Software Corporation, talked about where JADE sits in the IT ecosystem, both locally and globally, the long‑standing association between Abel Software and Jade, and why manufacturing and exporting clients are central to New Zealand’s potential for growth.

Operational Benefits of Workflow Automation

Shane Wills, CEO of Acume (Streamline Group), covered the role of Accounts Payable automation in the market and how automation tools can help prevent and detect fraud, while also saving businesses time and money through improved speed and accuracy.

Customer Perspective

James Fensom, CFO & COO of Shott Beverages, described the history of SHOTT, how the business has grown, what they see as their competitive advantage locally and globally, and how Abel has supported them along that journey.

Seamless Connectivity Between Businesses

Declan Seeley, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Crossfire (Sandfield Group), introduced Crossfire and Sandfield Group, and discussed the role EDI plays in connecting businesses with large retailers or 3PLs, both locally and around the world.

Reflecting on 30 years and looking ahead

Marking 30 years in business is an opportunity to reflect — but also to look forward. Technology evolves, markets shift, and businesses adapt. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us in Christchurch and contributed to making the day a success. The feedback we receive continues to inform how we evolve Abel Software for the benefit of all Abel customers.

Next time, we’ll plan a focus event in the North Island.

By Jane Mattsen, Business Manager & Executive Director, and Callum Baird, Chief Technology Officer, Abel Software