SLI Systems
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SLI Systems is an internet company specializing in site search for e-commerce websites which learns from the users searches. SLI stands for Search, Learn and Improve. SLI was founded in 2001 by both New Zealanders and Americans.
With offices in Christchurch, New Zealand; Silicon Valley, California; San Francisco, California; and London, United Kingdom;[1] SLI Systems has over 25 employees, with the majority based in their Christchurch office[2]. They have over 200[3] clients internationally, ranging from retail stores to government websites. Some of their clients include New Zealand electronics store, Dick Smith Electronics and the Christchurch City Council website. Other clients include NBC, Tupperware, Hot Topic, and Qantas.[4]. In 2006 their revenue was $4 million, which Shaun Ryan expects will be doubled by the end of 2007 to $8 million.[5]
SLI Systems is a privately owned company, some of the stakeholders, include the chief executive officer, Doctor Shaun Ryan; his brother Doctor Grant Ryan as the co-founder and chairman; and Steven Marder who is a stakeholder and co-founder of SLI Systems.[6] Dr Grant Ryan is the co-founder and chief scientist for Eurekster, which is also a user-based search engine in Christchurch. Marder is the CEO and also a co-founder of Eurekster.[7]
The first company the brothers started up in 1998 was Internet company, GlobalBrain. It was later acquired by the internet arm of US media company, NBC, called NBCi in April, 2000 for US$32 million. However after a couple of months all their millions "disappeared" with the dot-com crash, Shaun Ryan said.[5]
Following a year of development, SLI Systems launched an updated version of their site search technology. This launch saw their technology able to index around five million pages, up from the previous limit of one and a half million.[3]
In an interview with DM News, Shaun Ryan said: "Normally, U.S. customers don’t notice that our technical stuff is done in New Zealand." "We normally don't tell them."[2]
SLI Systems was recognized as a "fast growing company," by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu recently.[8] They were also a finalist in the New Zealand Export Awards 2007, among four other Christchurch-based companies recognised at the awards.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ Boswell, Wendy An Interview with SLI Systems About.com November 30, 2006.
- ^ a b Mickey Alam Khan: New Zealand No Disadvantage for SLI Systems DM News December 6, 2005.
- ^ a b Law, Tina SLI Systems boosts internet search power The Press. Published on October 24, 2007; and accessed on November 15, 2007.
- ^ SLI Systems's customers
- ^ a b Mccrone, John: Search engine success in Christchurch The Press January 16 2007.
- ^ SLI Systems Board of Directors SLI Systems
- ^ Eurekster management Eurekster
- ^ SLI Systems About Us SLI Systems
- ^ Law, Tina: Tait's service to the export sector hailed The Press. Published and accessed November 16, 2007.
