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Innovation

Impress Media Australia works with a range of innovative Australian companies and individuals. Please read the stories below for details.

Sheree Hyde with her childrenA just-launched savings book developed for entertaining children offers ways that Adelaide parents can escape the squeeze of high interest rates, petrol prices and rising food costs.

The Kids Around Town Great Ideas & Savings Book suggests a wide range of ways for families to save money in many areas of their spending, especially where it involves keeping the kids entertained on a budget.

With proceeds from the book raising money for a special cause, Kids Around Town has had an overwhelming response from South Australian identities and family owned and operated businesses who want to meet the needs of families.

The idea for Kids Around Town came from mother of three Sheree Hyde, who was seeking a fresh, useful, healthy and affordable fundraiser for her local kindergarten. When she failed find an existing way that met these criteria, she decided to create an innovative idea that could benefit all parents and families. After much talking with parents and brainstorming with businesses about their needs, Kids Around Town was born.

Australian IT firm Igatech Consulting has changed its trading name to A-DB Group as a result of its integration with AcknowledgeDB since the start of this year.

Effective July 1 this year, the name change signifies the beginning of the last step in bringing the two companies together as both companies now trade as A-DB Group.

The main benefit for clients and partners is access to a larger pool of consultants and a greater depth in the skills base. The Adelaide sales team includes Defence Business Development Manager Gordon Brimble, Commercial Business Development Manager Stuart Whittet and Education Manager Kajal Thacker. Contact details are:

  • Adelaide Office:  Level3, 86 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000 | Ph 61-8 8232 9622

  • Brisbane Office:  P.O. Box 3385, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101 | Ph 61-7 3010 7800 

  • Email reponse@a-db.com | Web www.a-db.com  

Platypus Software founder Ron GreenSouth Australian company Platypus Software this week will show leading educators its innovative Student ePortfolio system, which creates an electronic learning space for each child and his or her teacher.

At the event on Wednesday, August 5, global software giant Microsoft will also appoint RGMT Pty Ltd –trading in SA as Platypus Software  - as South Australia’s newest Microsoft Gold Partner, an elite program which acknowledges the company’s expertise in the education sector.

Educators from across the State will attend this event to see the unveiling of the Platypus Student ePortfolio System, which provides an electronic learning space for each child to support SA's new Personalised Learning initiative.

Platypus Software founder Ron Green, a former state-wide advisor for the SA Education Department, said "personalised learning" was an enormous paradigm shift for teachers and students. "Personalised education has been discussed in research and policy papers for many years," he said.

Sheree Hyde with her childrenEnterprising Adelaide mother-of-three Sheree Hyde has launched an innovative business that aims to take the pain out of parenting at a time of soaring petrol prices and home interest rates.

Kids Around Town is a parent-friendly initiative that reduces the cost of entertaining a young family on a tight budget through a combination of handy advice, thrifty activity ideas and relevant discount vouchers.

The $28 family guide, which gives one third of its sale price to the charities selling them, is scheduled for launch before the October school holidays. As well as listing free family fun activities such as playgrounds, libraries and markets, it will include discount vouchers from local businesses such as The Beachouse at Glenelg, Wiggly Worms, Toyworld and the Capri Theatre.

Sheree, who developed her business plan between kiddie playdates and kindergarten, said the Kids Around Town concept was born from her frustration as a parent. “The current crop of discount voucher books is designed more for couples than families with youngsters,” she said.