AG News
AG Research Appoints new Chief Financial Officer
July 15th 2010
AG Research, Inc., providing quality software solutions and state of the art IT products and services to a wide range of customers and industries, is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia McCann as their new Chief Financial Officer. Ms. McCann, a local resident, brings more than 15 years of financial know-how to the position, with experience garnered from both the public and private sectors. After 10 years in the public arena, she held controllership positions at two successful companies in the Sydney area. In her new role as CFO, Ms. McCann will work closely with AG’s CEO, James Paris, and the Board of Directors and will be responsible for managing AG’s finance department and a key member of the company’s strategic leadership team.
Nova Scotia Company Signs Major Agreement with Caribbean Conglomerate
April 2010
AG Research Inc. in Sydney, Nova Scotia is pleased to announce a recent partnership with Illuminat of Trinidad.
“This partnership is an exciting opportunity for both companies and we expect rapid growth as a result,” said Irving Schwartz, co-owner, AG Research. “We are excited to grow our products and services beyond our current areas of operation in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Bermuda; Trinidad and the Caribbean offer great potential.”
AG Research is already active in the Caribbean, fulfilling an important contract with the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States. Now, together with Illuminat, the company is working on opportunities across the Caribbean for property tax solutions, environmental planning, property and asset management and information and communications technology projects.
“I commend AG Research for securing this partnership to increase opportunities for international trade,” said Angus MacIsaac, Minister for Economic Development. “This partnership will allow the company to further pursue important projects in the Caribbean and expand the reach of Nova Scotia’s exports.”
Fenwick Reid, coo of Illuminat (a division of Neal & Massey), visited Nova Scotia in March 2008 to work with AG Research on a strategic plan highlighting a number of opportunities emerging in Trinidad and in the Eastern Caribbean.
“We are pleased to enter this partnership with AG Research to expand our business and our technical expertise,” says Mr. Reid.
While in Nova Scotia, Mr. Reid met with provincial ministers and officials from Nova Scotia Business Inc., the Nova Scotia Community College, Dalhousie University, and local businesses to discuss trade opportunities between Nova Scotia and the Caribbean.
Neal and Massey is the one of the largest conglomerates in the Caribbean with over $1.1billion in annual revenue. They operate across a wide range of industries including automotive/industrial equipment and support services, energy, financial and other services, industrial gases, information technology and communications, and retail/distribution/logistics.
Illuminat is the Information Technology & Communications division of Neal and Massey and an Oracle Solution Partner that offers a full range of solutions for government and enterprise. The company has offices across the Caribbean, and is expanding into Latin America. Also, Illuminat operates a large wireless broadband network in Trinidad and provides voice and data communication.
AG Research Inc is a Sydney based, world-class Information Services Company with a full spectrum of services ranging from professional to software development and implementation, as well as network support. The company has international offices in the United Kingdom and Bermuda.
| Media Contacts: |
Kevin McCormack AG Research Inc. 902-562-3202 x 116 902-549-2020 mobile Email: kevin.maccormack@agri.ns.ca Fenwick Reid Illuminat |
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AG Bermuda Wins Major Contract in the Caribbean
February 25th, 2009
Hamilton, Bermuda - AG Research - Bermuda, a Hamilton software development and consulting services company has won a major contract with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to provide strategic direction, consulting and technical infrastructure renewal. This is the second contract that AG has been received from the OECS and reflects the high value services provided by AG in the initial engagement. The focus of this engagement concerns the Organizations internal communications structure, record management, and collaboration technology.
Consultants from AG will be on-site in St Lucia at the OECS Headquarters before the end of February to begin the project requirements analysis and meet with senior OECS Staff. This is the first phase of a much larger project engagement which will involve consultant and technical experts working on-site in many of the seven member countries which make up the membership of the Organization. These countries include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Vincent.
About the OECS The mission of the OECS is to assist its eight member states through sustainable and economic development, cultural advancement and cooperation. A chief goal of the Organization is to promote unity and solidarity among the Member States and to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
Headquartered in St. Lucia, the OECS maintains offices in all member states as well as in Ottawa and the European Union.
AG Research to Develop Mineral Registry System for Government of Saskatchewan.
January , 2009
The news of an economic melt-down has not reached a Cape Breton Information Technology Company. AG Research, headquartered in Sydney is experiencing huge demand for its products and services and as a result is expanding. The company is currently recruiting consultants, project managers, and software developers to address these emerging domestic and international opportunities. The guiding principle of the company since its founding has been to provide extraordinary products and services and sell them in other parts of Canada and internationally, thereby keeping the jobs here in Nova Scotia. This latest announcement confirms the validity of that philosophy.
AG announced today that it has received a contract with the Government of Saskatchewan to implement an On-Line Mineral Claim Registry System. This system, similar to a project currently underway with the Province of Nova Scotia will utilize AG’s MAPER Registry Software. Once completed, the Mineral Claim System will provide strong administrative control for the rapidly expanding Mineral Industry in Saskatchewan. The new Mineral Registry System will provide detailed Geological information and Land Use restrictions within its electronic maps (GIS). This will assist individuals and companies to stake claims and make exploration investments within the Province. Additionally, AG is in advanced discussions with several jurisdictions, both within North America and internationally concerning similar projects in Mineral Claim Registry. The core technology has been developed by AG and contains some of the most advanced features available… conceived and developed in Sydney,
Jim Paris, CEO of AG, responded that “we are delighted to be chosen by Saskatchewan’s Information Services Corporation to become an Information Technology partner in support of such an exciting undertaking. We believe the implementation of our AG MAPER Registry Software can contribute significantly to Saskatchewan’s vision of enhancing citizen-centric government to enable strong economic development.”
AG has been in an unparalleled grow period over the past 18 months with major projects in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and International Projects in the United States, Bermuda, Gibraltar, St. Lucia and Trinidad. Founded in 1991, AG has its headquarters in Sydney, with offices across Nova Scotia. The company has international offices in the United Kingdom, Bermuda and shortly Trinidad.
AG’s primary focus is towards developing software systems for Governments. These systems include: Mineral and Petroleum Administration, Municipal Planning and Permitting, Property and Asset Management, Property Tax, and Emergency Dispatch Systems for Fire and Police. AG’s Network Solutions Group provides Network, Managed Services, and IT Support to customers both in Canada and Bermuda.
AG Research Wins Software Contract
The Cape Breton Post - October 1st 2008
SYDNEY — Sydney-based company AG Research has won a six-figure contract with York Regional Municipality of Ontario to develop software for their computerized electronic mapping system.
The project, valued at just over $100,000, will extend the benefits of advanced geomatics information systems (GIS) technology to all of York’s municipal departments.
“York itself already has a large geomatics branch and they’ve done quite a bit of mapping on their own. It’s kind of a win-win scenario that we can apply our talents, our skill sets, to what their already doing,” said AG CEO Jim Paris. “They’re trying to take everything they’ve amassed in their databases and they’re trying to make it accessible to others.”
Paris said the project will provide inroads to one of the fastest growing demographics in Ontario.
AG Research Expands Market Reach Across the Caribbean
The Cape Breton Post - April 23rd 2008
SYDNEY — AG Research Inc., a local software development and technical support company that specializes in government and large business applications, has announced a partnership deal with Illuminat of Trinidad.
“This partnership is an exciting opportunity for both companies and we expect rapid growth as a result,” said Irving Schwartz, co-owner, AG Research. “We are excited to grow our products and services beyond our current areas of operation in Canada, the United Kingdom and Bermuda — Trinidad and the Caribbean offer great potential.”
AG Research is already active in the Caribbean. Together with Illuminat, the company is working on opportunities across the Caribbean to supply computer programs that assist governments with property tax solutions, environmental planning, property and asset management and information and communications.
“I commend AG Research for securing this partnership to increase opportunities for international trade,” said Economic Development Minister Angus MacIsaac. “This partnership will allow the company to further pursue important projects in the Caribbean and expand the reach of Nova Scotia’s exports.”
Fenwick Reid of Illuminat visited Nova Scotia in March to work with AG Research on a strategic plan highlighting a number of opportunities emerging in Trinidad and the eastern Caribbean. Reid also met with provincial ministers and officials, and local businesses, to discuss trade opportunities between Nova Scotia and the Caribbean.
AG Research was founded in Sydney in 1991, and the company now employs about 40 people and has international offices in the United Kingdom and Bermuda.
Kevin McCormack, AG Research vice-president of business development, said most of the company’s employees are in Sydney, however a few are also stationed in the Strait area where they provide technical support for the Strait-Richmond School Board. AG Research started out as Atlantic Geomatics, specializing in global positioning systems mapping, said McCormack. It has since expanded its products into data hosting and technical support, as well as a wider range of software applications, often including GPS technology the company developed earlier.
“We often take that technology and put it into other applications for interactivity,” he said. For example, under the partnership deal with Illuminat, it is expected that Caribbean governments will soon use AG Research programs that help map out new land developments and keep track of rent and repairs in government-owned buildings.
Nova Scotia Companies Recognized for Export Success
NSBI Newsroom - May 11th, 2007
Seven Nova Scotia companies won honours at the 23rd Annual Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards.
The winning companies had combined export sales that contributed more than $314 million to Nova Scotia's economy.
"I am pleased to congratulate this year's Nova Scotia Export Achievement Award winners," said Economic Development Minister Richard Hurlburt. "By offering globally competitive products and services, these companies are successful and they are making a difference in our economy."
The winning companies and their awards are:
- New Exporter, Laurentian Steel Fabricators
- Long-Term Exporter, Neenah Paper Company
- Export Growth Through New Markets, Neocon International
- Export Growth Through Product Development, Focal Technologies Corporation
- Export Growth Through Partnership, AG Research Inc.
- Export Growth Through Sales, Secunda International
- Canadian Market Development, Bulldog Interactive Fitness
"These companies prove that Nova Scotia businesses are truly global competitors," said Stephen Lund, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. "They represent some of Nova Scotia's finest in the export industry and continue to put our province on the map as one of the best places to live and do business."
In addition to the awards, this year's keynote speaker was Dr. Ivar Mendez, who spoke about his insight into brain repair as a technology of the future.
Dr. Mendez is chairman and one of the founders of the Brain Repair Centre in Halifax, as well as a professor in the surgery (neurosurgery), and the anatomy and neurobiology departments at Dalhousie University. He is also the director of research with the surgery department and the director of the only cell restoration laboratory in Canada.
Nova Scotia Charter Member Profile
Written by: Renée Hartleib
As an executive with Electronic Data Systems (EDS), a Fortune 500 IT company, Jim Paris travelled the globe, before settling in Cape Breton eight years ago to manage a Canadian division. It's where he fell in love with Nova Scotia and where he first came into contact with AG Research, the company he was destined to lead.
"I started doing some consulting with AG Research and was really impressed. It's a perky company with very bright people," says Paris, who was brought on as the new CEO in May 2008. As the new kid on the block, he's immersing himself in every sector of the company, getting to know both the working teams and the client base. "There's a lot of good stuff going on, so it's kind of like catching up, keeping up, and moving forward, all at the same time," he says. "It's fun and I'm certainly not bored."
The company was formed in 1991 by Eric Whyte, who is still President. AG Research stands for "Atlantic Geomatics" and originally, the company's main work was digitizing geographic information systems. "This was their forté for a long time – this digital mapping,” says Paris. "But they quickly diverted from there into straight software development contracts and have since focused heavily on public sector projects for a number of Nova Scotia municipalities and provincial government departments." The company has developed a variety of packages that include emergency dispatch systems, planning solutions for municipalities, and patient/physician tracking solutions.
But their work doesn't stop there. Recently, the company expanded to the Caribbean with an affiliate in Hamilton, Bermuda. "We've done a number of key projects for government departments across Bermuda and also some consulting with Caribbean economic development organizations like OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States)," says Paris. "You name it, we've been involved with it." AG Research also has another affiliate organization in the U.K. near London.
Paris likes to point out that AG Research does a lot more than software development. "Over a period of time, the team has evolved to provide all kinds of support for our clients. This includes infrastructure support, desktop support, and mid-range service support, in addition to the traditional IT support." The Strait Regional School Board is just one of their long term clients, benefitting from the company's expertise in supporting all of their infrastructure, schools, computers, and entire email system.
AG Research is based out of Sydney, Nova Scotia and employs about 45 local people, but Paris says there are many residents who've never heard of the company. "They've had a bit of a low profile," he says. "Doing great work but not breaking their arms to pat themselves on the back."
One of the first things he did as CEO was sit down with the teams and look at the products they built. To say he was impressed would be an understatement. Paris, not one to hide his company's light under a bushel, calls them phenomenal, intelligent, leading edge technologies. "We're going to push ourselves out into the forefront and show people in this neck of the woods that we have an incredibly talented, educated, well-experienced, professional team of IT folks who do great work in Sydney, Nova Scotia for myriad businesses across the landscape."
Paris sees part of his charge as taking the company to a "tier one status" over the next few years. "We certainly have that opportunity – the market is there," he says, citing the existence of their overseas affiliates as a unique opportunity to get a foothold in international business. "We're hoping to grow the company at the same time that we advertise ourselves to potential clients and recruit and retain the best people as well. I'd much rather be growing than just sitting around maintaining."
The unique vision of the company, which centres around client-directed business activity, is one of the values that caught his attention and one that he wants to maintain. "What a clever idea this company had, designing solutions that are based upon the specific needs of a department or business."
Calling it a local company with a global reach, Paris believes that AG Research is able to offer something that other larger companies cannot. "There are a lot of GIS companies out there who map, digitize, and develop huge databases of geographic information and make them available," he says. "On the other hand, there are not many companies who can take advantage of the raw data and link it to something that has applications in the real world."
Paris says that AG Research offers clients practical ways to use data to help empower citizens or provide tools for government and business to bring in more revenue. "That's the niche that AG Research has – standing in the middle between practical business solutions using pure GIS data and providing software solutions that are meaningful and affordable to our client base."
And what better place to do all of that than Nova Scotia, according to Paris. "In my prior life, I spent a good deal of time extolling the virtues of Nova Scotia to clients," he laughs. "But the good thing is – it's all true! When you look at doing business in Nova Scotia, it has a well-educated labour force and a strong business community of people who are dedicated to the area, and also committed to the notion of wanting to partner with others."
Add to that, the beauty of the landscape and a steady economy, and you've got a recipe for business success. "It's a great place to work. Nova Scotia is kind of a hidden success story that people are beginning to discover for themselves." And don’t forget the fact that when you do a good job in Nova Scotia, says Paris, you are rewarded in other ways, too. "If you're hard working and provide good service, people will give you their loyalty and support over a lifetime."