Started by New Zealand chartered civil engineer Simon Croft (literally in his own back yard), the company plans to use its technology to create significant biodiversity gains while driving economic benefits. Although the company has substantial expertise in the delivery of wireless trap monitoring, its Celium wireless sensor network has been designed to accommodate a near endless array of field devices and assets, effectively creating a rural Internet of Things. Combined with its proprietary database, software and mobile applications, Encounter Solutions is opening up new, safer, more efficient and cost effective ways of monitoring and working in the landscape.
The company’s solutions are highly adaptable, practical and user friendly to deploy and operate. The company’s key objective is to secure network coverage in New Zealand that is extensive enough to enable trapping programmes to go big and ensure invasive pests stand no chance. Croft says, “Nothing would be more satisfying than showing that New Zealand can lead the way in innovative biodiversity strategies and then translate this to the global community by helping other countries do it also.”