Coffs Harbour software company teams up with SCU

A Coffs Harbour business that provides web solutions for a range of international, national and locally based companies is providing invaluable experience for Southern Cross University students.

Ultimate Software Solutions (USS), based in Coffs Harbour, has been developing innovative, dynamic web solutions since 1998.

General manager, Mr Kent Geaney, employs six fulltime specialists with individual skills ranging from web based business systems development through to graphic design and printing services.

“The key to our success is that while most development companies only have one or two on their team, USS has a dedicated team member for each of the necessary skills required to give our clients a complete one-stop professional solution,” Mr Geaney said.

Bruce Armstrong, lecturer in Information Technology at Southern Cross University’s Coffs Harbour campus, said the business provided the perfect opportunity for students to experience what it was like to work in the industry.

“The big thing for us is that there’s no one else in the region who has all this expertise in one place. This is a typical applications development environment. We want to be working with a company that can undertake a broad range of systems development. It helps because the students get a lot of real world experience,” Mr Armstrong said.

A group of SCU students who have just finished a three-month stint with USS have been working on setting up an administration system. Other projects planned include a business register for the Coffs Harbour area.

Mr Geaney, who also studied at SCU, said the arrangement was mutually beneficial.

“We have a good association with the university and we believe there’s a strong community benefit. Everyone is a winner.”

Media contact: Media Liaison Unit, Southern Cross University, Ph: 02 6620 3144, scumedia@scu.edu.au