Orion and Microsoft

Owen Hembry at NZ Herald reports:

New Zealand software company Orion Health has struck a deal with Microsoft enabling it to offer a complete applications package to hospitals.

Auckland-based Orion has bought Microsoft’s Hospital Information System software assets, including radiology information system and picture archiving assets. …

“Normally North American companies buy New Zealand companies and New Zealand software assets,” he said. “We’re doing the opposite.”

And this is why those who rail against free trade and foreign investment are wrong. If they get their way in a world with greater barriers, then deals like this wouldn’t happen. We can’t say that US companies should be banned from buying assets in NZ, unless we want companies like Orion banned from buying assets from Microsoft.

Orion’s business is 90 per cent overseas and turnover in the current financial year would be more than $100 million, McCrae said.

A nice little export earner. They also employ 500 people, and grew 40% last year taking on 100 more positions. Their aim is to grow by 200 more next year. Well done to Orion and Microsoft for what looks to be a win-win deal.