NZ startup Roll launches business software

The Roll team

Auckland software startup Roll is on well, a bit of a roll.

Its cloud based business management software has officially launched out of beta mode coinciding with Roll becoming a Xero approved add-on partner.

Roll's Software as a Service (SaaS) offering integrates with Xero for invoicing and provides contact management, sales pipeline, project tracking and business visibility in a clean and easy-to-use interface.

Roll founders Tristan Marris and Mark Osborne told the Herald their software application was developed out frustration that there wasn't a simple cloud-based tool to run their business.

"Most service-orientated organisations have similar basic needs. With Roll, we're already seeing interest from organisations outside of our initial target market including photographers, interior designers and other professional services." Marris said.

The key to Roll is that it provides excellent management of the workflow in business, from sales pipeline through to invoicing, Marris says.

"Roll will never be all things to all people - and that is not our aim - but the app has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from those using it in the beta programme," Marris said.

A test version of Roll's web-based SaaS management tool for creatives and web developers was launched in March and quickly gained users from Australia, UK, USA, New Caledonia and South Africa.

Getting into Xero eco-system was also key for the company.

"Xero offers a huge opportunity to New Zealand SaaS businesses and integrating with Xero was a no-brainer for us," said Roll director Mark Osborne.

Another cool @xero partner. @rollhq Business management software for Creatives and Web Developers. http://t.co/AT8WBLKUlJ

With the success of other local SaaS companies including Xero, Vend and GeoOp, there's a real focus on the SaaS market now, says Marris.

"Business owners are looking to the cloud more and more for business solutions and efficiency gains... As long as you've got a good product that meets a clear need in the market, there's opportunity," said Marris.