Bill Withers, founder of acQuire Technology Solutions, wins Austmine Champion of Innovation Award for work with GIM Solution

Bill Withers, the founder of acQuire Technology Solutions, took home Austmine’s Champion of Innovation Award in Brisbane last night. His work establishing the discipline of GIM (Geoscientific Information Management) was recognised as having a significant impact on the global exploration and mining industry. GIM takes a strategic approach to managing drillhole data and has become a critical business application for both mining and exploration around the world.

PERTH, Western Australia (20 May 2015) – Bill Withers recognised the natural resources industry was missing a valuable opportunity in how they managed drillhole data, costing explorers and miners time and money. He also knew there wasn’t a quick fix or a simple solution but it didn’t stop him from developing the concept of GIM (Geoscientific Information Management).

Last night in Brisbane, Bill Withers was awarded the Austmine Champion of Innovation Award for his work with GIM, a solution used in more than 450 sites around the world. By applying a 3-pronged approach of people, processes and technology, Withers has given organisations the ability to share a single source of trusted information used in exploration and mining.

“I really appreciate this award. Innovation and taking entrepreneurial risk is something I celebrate,” Bill said.

“I’d like to congratulate the acQuire team. acQuire is a fantastic organisation and the acQuire team are a wonderful bunch of people.”

“This was a team effort and I couldn’t have accomplished any of this without the talent and dedication of a lot of people who work every day to improve the GIM Solution year after year.”

Prior to GIM, there was no standardised way to store geoscientific information. Every organisation had a different way to manage this business critical information which often led to duplication, data siloes and no way to share information across teams or multiple sites. Bill’s innovative approach to GIM has saved the mining industry countless hours and ensured higher quality and more strategic decision-making.

In his acceptance speech, Bill spoke directly to the mining industry about his vision for GIM and acQuire’s commitment to the longevity of the GIM Solution

“We took on the challenge in 2007 of refactoring our code and not many take on this challenge.

“When people talk about my form of entrepreneurship, I call myself a sustainability entrepreneur.

“I hope others take on this approach rather than the grow fast and exit quick approach.”

The Austmine Awards were held at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane on 19 May 2015.

About acQuire

acQuire Technology Solutions is an employee-owned company originating in Perth, Western Australia. Founded in 1996, acQuire develops Geoscientific Information Management (GIM) software solutions for the natural resources industries with a focus on exploration, resource development and mining assets. Due to an ongoing commitment to excellence, acQuire reinvests 20-25% of their annual revenue into research and development. The company currently employs 121 staff working in seven offices around the globe, with support centres operating in each major time zone. More than 450 sites benefit from acQuire GIM solutions.

For more information, please contact:

David Stephen
Managing Director
acQuire Technology Solutions Pty Ltd
Telephone: 08 9316 6600
info@acquire.com.au
www.acquire.com.au