About Stratos Technology Partners
The Stratos Story
Stratos Technology Partners launched in 2011 with a small team working around David’s kitchen table. Initially working with a small group of Christchurch based clients, Stratos has grown to provide a full range of Software Development and SharePoint technology services to clients across New Zealand and Australia.
Our team has a range of expertise and experience you would expect to find in larger service providers, however we still use a personal touch when partnering with clients. Taking the time to understand our clients business is at the centre point of everything we do.
In 2017 Stratos was accepted into the Christchurch NZ High Growth Launch Programme and followed this up with the Amplifer Programme in 2018. This has been instrumental in developing our long term growth strategy and increasing the capabilities of our team.
We are involved in many community IT groups including Canterbury Tech, Microsoft Communities and local user groups. Stratos are members of the Microsoft Partner Network.
Our Values
Our clients are a part of our team and are the driving force behind our values.
Ownership and Governance
Stratos Technology Partners is a privately held company owned by directors Steve Knutson, Peter Cummins and David Carter.
Our People
We are a like-minded group of people, inspired and driven to provide the best solutions for all of our clients
Steve Knutson
Managing Director
Peter Cummins
DirectorPeter has decades of experience in the IT industry. His broad background includes solutions architecture, ERP consulting, business intelligence and software development, supported by well-rounded technical project management skills. His experience covers a wide variety of industries, from manufacturing to financial and public health. Peter manages the solution architecture for business intelligence and software integration.
David Carter
Director & Software Development ManagerDavid has nearly 20 years of experience in the software development field working for a variety of companies locally and abroad. David and his team will help you to identify your business requirements and deliver a solution that will grow with your company. David's responsibilities include managing the software development process, liaising with clients and helping with the architecture of new products.
He is also particularly partial to a nice glass of Oyster Stout after a long bike ride and any excuse to talk about web development.
Greg Jackman
Senior Software DeveloperI really enjoy incorporating new technologies and frameworks like angularjs and Azure, but my biggest work passion is definitely writing code... working on logic problems, refactoring and abstracting code to be reusable makes me smile!
Outside of work I love exploring New Zealand with my wife and three young boys. At weekends we're usually out and about in North Canterbury walking or hiking somewhere. We also love to travel. It took a back seat for a while as we grew our young family, but recent trips to Oman, Nicaragua and Costa Rica have given us a big wanderlust again. I'm not sure where is next, but half the fun is deciding!
I made it to 30 countries before I was 30, and have made it to 40 before 40 as well... 50 before 50 could start to get more challenging!
Matt Tester
Senior Software DeveloperI live on lifestyle block in Cust, North Canterbury, with my wife Kate and son Ollie. We built the house a few years ago and are now turning our hand to landscaping what was once an empty field. This tends to keep us pretty busy, especially during the warmer months (so much grass to mow!), but with just few sheep, alpaca, chickens, etc. it’s not too much work really. I’ve recently taken up hill running again after a long break through seemingly regular football injuries. So, football has now been replaced with lifting heavy weights in the gym, which comes in handy when working on the block.
Gary Payne
Senior SharePoint ConsultantOut of work, I love getting into the hills - on foot, skis, rock or bike (though am a very timid mountain biker!) and under canvas. I recently spent 3 weeks in Nepal which included a 7 day trek in the Annapurna area. It was great as we had a fun group and went amazing places - and was also really challenging to my unfit body! I am getting back into rock climbing lately, and am looking forward to getting out to a few local crags. Closer to home, I like to "play" with wood in the garage, building things for around the house. And I read quite a few 'behavioural science' books - the likes of "Nudge" and "Thinking Fast and Slow". Good stuff in that category of books to bring into better solutions for clients! Have just started brewing beer, too - early days yet though...
Aaron Langley
SharePoint ConsultantI am a SharePoint Consultant with Stratos Technology and have been with the company for nearly 2 years. I enjoy helping clients find and implement innovative cloud-based solutions to make processes more efficient. I am interested in future technologies, especially blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Most of my free time is spent reading, snowboarding and spending time with my family and friends.
Allan Taunt
Software DeveloperI have extensive IT experience in a wide range of industries, these include financial, manufacturing, insurance and identity management. Over the years, responsibilities have included database management, system integration, application development and technical support. I have a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree from Canterbury University. When not focused on work, I volunteer time coaching a top junior football team for my local club. To keep up with the kids I bike to work every day - rain, hail or snow, I am always up for the challenge.
Blake Burgess
Software Developer
Edwin Aangeenbrug
Software Developer
Georgina Block
Business AnalystI am not a developer, so don't have the same passion for the underbelly of technology. I am passionate about visual communication and Information, so love any tools or software that help me really nail this. Any technology that helps me stay connected and organised is a lifesaver though. I own a lifestyle block, and often rescue sick or neglected horses and nurse them back to health. Riding often takes a back seat to the general care of the animals and property, but I can usually sneak in some saddle time at weekends. When I was 4, my sister told me that Raisins were dried up flies whose legs and wings had come off, I have real trouble eating them even now. And yes, my sister is evil.
Iain Prior
Software DeveloperI love solving problems, I believe computers and software development in particular have the most challenging problems of all. I love designing the solution, and then putting the pieces together within the constraints of the particular problem. I have quite a bit of random tech experience - everything from ancient FoxPro db's to the latest fancy Angular and IOS! My work at Stratos generally revolves around building solutions for clients in the medical and agricultural industries. Personally I have a wonderful family that moved with me halfway around the world - all the way from South Africa! My son is loving life here and got to throw a snowball for the first time in his life recently. My wife is really enjoying life here and drags me away from the computer and out into all the nature around us.
James Gardner
Software DeveloperI have a BSc in Philosophy and a Grad Dip in Computer Science from the University of NSW. I like the current Angular / Typescript combo on the front end using VSCode and .Net/WebAPI/EntityFramework/MSSQL to handle the backend. Javascript isn't my favourite language so anything the formalises it and improves type safety is a good thing in my eyes. That being said, I'm comfortable working with the many older technologies and frameworks that we support, WebForms and AngularJS for example.
I like mountain biking and road cycling, and I commute to work by bike. Since moving to Christchurch from Sydney, surfing has become more of a holiday hobby. Mountain biking dominates in summer and in the winter skiing and snowboarding become the focus.
Kitty Moran
SharePoint SpecialistI like anything I can play around with to improve usability and aesthetics; I'm all about the user experience! In my spare time I love writing or drawing in the sun with my cat Shade nearby, adding to my curio collection (birds eggs, feather, insects and more!), and going on adventures to the mountains with my husband and dog Arthur. I have also planned tattoos for almost my entire body (from neck to ankles), am busy writing a fantasy novel series that I would like to have published some day if I can just get past this writers block, and planning my dream eco-friendly home.
Paula Hannon
Office AdministratorOne of the more recent additions to Stratos. After 16 years of independent travel and guiding tours throughout Africa and South America, I decided it was time to come home. Originally from the North Island, but now consider myself officially immigrated to the South. I originally came to Christchurch to study Event Management and worked within the City Council Events Team. The earthquakes meant I had to change paths so I went back to tourism for a time and then moved around a variety of admin roles before ending up at Stratos. I enjoy the outdoors and have just signed up for my first Marathon in Queenstown come November, more than a little nervous about that. My parents are from Ireland and I do try to get to that part of the world every few years.
Ray Singer
Software DeveloperHaving come originally from a design background, I retrained in software development. I, therefore, love to work in all areas of the technology stack. For me, it's not so much about the technology, as enabling users of our systems to work smarter with more efficiency and less resistance. In my spare time I love to hang out with my family, while kitesurfing at tropical beaches! By the light of the moon, I create weird electronic dance music under the name 'Spoonhead'. On occassion I get flown overseas to play live at festivals!
Ruben Scrivener
Software DeveloperAs a Software Developer with over 10 years’ experience, I have developed a wide range of different solutions using a variety of technologies such as .Net, Angular JS and Azure. Prior to Stratos I worked for BluJay Solutions Limited and Integen as well as spending some time overseas teaching English in Japan. I also have a degree in Computer Science from the University of Canterbury. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, working on improvements to the house and the occasional run.
Yongxin Hanright
Software DeveloperI like modern technologies and have always wanted to learn C# .NET, Angular and cloud-based technologies. My love of new experiences is reflected in my spare time too; I switched from playing piano to long distance running! So far my total distance is above 7790km and I have completed 30 half marathons and 2 full marathons. I aim to complete New York and Berlin Marathon by 2021. My other passions are fashion design, sewing, interior design and cleaning.