Kiwi company launches mobile business platform

A Christchurch-based company has launched a beta version of a new cloud-based mobile platform called Joob Mobile.

Joob, created by Jade Software, can connect any business system to users of any mobile device, Jade said in a statement today.

The software could solve the common IT department problem of supporting employees' often differing mobile devices.

Joob Mobile was conceived around the time of the inital September 2010 earthquake in Christchurch.

"This sort of innovation ... helps New Zealand retain some of the country’s best software talent here in Christchurch despite the earthquake,” said Jade's managing director, Craig Richardson.

Economic development minister David Carter praised the efforts of Jade Software, describing the company as a "shining example of innovation" in New Zealand's technology industry.

"The potential growth generated by the introduction of Joob will have an immediate and tangible flow-on effect for our wider ICT sector,” Carter said.

Joob was developed with funding assistance from the Ministry of Science and Innovation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.