A Wellington software company hopes to capitalise on the trend of salespeople using tablet computers instead of glossy brochures to wow clients.

Showcase Software has developed an application that makes it easier for companies to distribute electronic sales materials to iPads and Android tablets and ensure they are up-to-date.

Z Energy and Hyundai New Zealand have trialled the service. Showcase vice-president Adam Blackwell and sales manager Millie Jocelyn are in the United States talking to Apple and Nike.

Jocelyn said Showcase Software had used six developers to create the service.

They were surprised how few competitors they had found in the US.

"We feel we jumped into it at the right time."

While there were alternative technologies such as online drop boxes through which scattered sales teams could access electronic brochures, the advantage of Showcase Software's service was customers did not need to be online to show presentations.

A unique selling point was the application could be branded by the client to create a more professional image.

Blackwell, who also owns Wellington advertising company First Star, said Showcase solved "several big problems".

"The biggest one is around keeping information for your sales team current," he said.

The service costs US$49 ($62) a month per device with volume discounts, though Z Energy and Hyundai negotiated "unlimited licences".

Hyundai customer manager Sarah Jennings said it had "revolutionised" communication with customers.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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