one computer, one dream

it all started with

Houston Technology embarked on its journey in 1986, initially serving as a supplier of business IT solutions. Our offerings primarily consisted of IT hardware and software, complemented by a dash of labor services, with only a modest offering into home PC sales.

During this early phase, we proudly offered the premium-grade Houston Computer, manufactured by Houston Computers in Singapore. While this elite machine came at a premium price, it set a standard that was 10-20% dearer than its counterparts.

In the mid-1990s, we earned the distinction of becoming an IBM business partner. This venture, however, was not without its challenges, as IBM PCs carried a hefty price tag with marginal extra benefits. Despite the odds, we managed to secure a second partnership with IBM for a city the size of Hamilton.

A pivotal moment in our history occurred when IBM invited all its partners to the Swan Hotel in Parnell. There, they unveiled a game-changing announcement: the home market held immense potential, driven by the introduction of the IBM PS/2 and OS/2 products, which had already made waves in the US market. Encouraged by this, we swiftly transitioned into the retail market.

Yet, the retail landscape proved to be even more formidable than the business sector. In response, we pivoted away from the IBM partnership, embarking on the path of crafting our own Houston Computers. This move carved a niche for our products, and we thrived in this specialised market until an influx of affordable PCs flooded the New Zealand market.

Throughout these transformations, we remained steadfast in our commitment to the retail home market. In the year 2000, we made another strategic shift, transitioning to selling Compaq's products and completely bidding farewell to the retail market, focusing on delivering exceptional IT solutions to businesses.

Houston Technology's evolution continued with a focus on expanding our services and offerings. As early as 1995, we were pioneers in offering Network Maintenance Agreements, laying the groundwork for what would become the modern-day MSP concept.

“dedication to innovation”
— Alan Chew

The next phase of our journey involved the introduction of fixed-fee support contracts and remote support in 2002, reflecting our commitment to delivering comprehensive and proactive IT support to our clients.

In 2013, Houston Technology took a significant step forward with the inception of the Houston CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. Our CRM solution stood out as a highly customized version, akin to bespoke app development. Clients entrusted us with tailoring the package to their specific needs, investing thousands of dollars in customisation before deploying it. For instance, we transformed the MS Access CRM used by NZ Certified Builders into HoustonCRM through extensive customisation.

Additionally, our dedication to innovation was exemplified by the introduction of Houston Medical as a Software as a Service (SaaS) product in the early 1990s.

Furthermore, staying at the forefront of data management and analytics, we began offering data reporting and dashboards powered by Microsoft PowerBI at the end of 2016. This marked another stride in our journey to provide cutting-edge IT solutions and insights to our clients.

During the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Alan Chew, recognised the significance of contact tracing. With a desire to contribute, he and his team at Houston devised an innovative tech-based solution: a user-friendly QR code system for contact tracing. While the eventual Covid app was developed separately by RUSH Digital, the Ministry acknowledged Chew's contributions to the QR code concept. Despite initial challenges, Chew secured Waikato University's endorsement, successfully tested a prototype, and, after persistent efforts, eventually saw his idea come to fruition as a QR-based system to aid in the fight against the pandemic, highlighting the power of perseverance during these trying times.

our offices over the years…

  • 1 March 1986

    First headquarters in Fairfield, Hamilton

  • 1 May 1986

    Moved to our first commercial offices on Tristram Street

  • 1989

    Moved to offices on Victoria Street

  • 1998

    Moved to offices on Collingwood Street

  • 2008

    Moved to offices on Liverpool Street

  • 2019

    Moved to offices on Tristram Street

  • 2023

    Moved to our current office building at 9 Clifton Road, 2nd floor

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If you are interested in a career with Houston, check out our Careers page for current job listings.

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