Innovating independently

Nedax (a shortened amalgamation of the term “need access”) has been delivering premium technology solutions to clients for over three decades.

“Like a lot of companies, we didn’t exactly have overnight success,” says Nedax Systems Director, Tony Phillips.

“We had a small contract with Telecom a year after we formed and then we were away. We were fortunate to gain further work for public entities such as the New Zealand Police and Government Property Services. To be successful in such a competitive environment, you have to fight like you cannot lose,” continues Tony.

Independent and proud

While Tony has seen some competitors swallowed up by larger conglomerates over the years, he has actively resisted such an outcome for Nedax. 

“We are the last of the independents, but we protect that position by ensuring we’re able to innovate in-house. We don’t want to be reliant on anyone else. We’re very proud of the fact that we spend a high percentage of revenue on research and development.

Dene Cable, Group Broking Manager at Crombie Lockwood's Lower Hutt branch, says working with dynamic companies such as Nedax Systems is a reminder that innovation isn’t just the domain of the big corporates.

“Tony Phillips and the Nedax team are a great example of a high-tech take on the Kiwi ‘number eight wire’ philosophy. They work to develop their own solutions without taking a lead from anyone else. They invest in the right areas, including comprehensive insurance cover specific to their activities, that helps give them the confidence to continue to innovate.” 

Diversifying beyond security

As the Nedax client list has grown, so has the scope of its service offering.

“We have morphed from security into a full IT company over the last 35 years,” Tony continues. “We’re now at the point where we can offer clients a whole range of electronic and data integration solutions under one roof.”

Beyond access control and CCTV, today the Wellington-headquartered company offers full IT infrastructure installation and support, data management, and IT security.

Smart homes need smart solutions

The growth in apartment living throughout the Wellington region has provided further opportunities for Tony and his team to innovate. It’s Nedax’s use of safe and reliable low voltage DC power technology for RGBW lighting that gives them a distinct advantage.

Nedax also partnered with Advanced Engineering of Grenada to develop carbon-wrapped bannister systems with concealed mounted recessed back lighting and ground garage strip lighting for vehicle parking guidance.

“It’s those kinds of systems that we develop from blank sheets of paper right here in Wellington that gives us our point of difference. We’re proud that we can develop such solutions in-house that you can’t just go out and buy,” concludes Tony.