CR-X takes Bate, launches telco software

Sun Microsystems veteran and notable industry figure Russell Bate has joined the board of emerging home-grown telecommunications software developer CR-X. His appointment comes as the Melbourne-based company prepares to springboard its black-box software into the telco and utilities sectors.

Bate retired from Sun last financial year in a regional role, but is probably best known locally for his two years as Sun's Australia/New Zealand managing director. Bate joins fellow industry stalwart Steve Brady, the founder and former vice president of Progress Software's Asia-Pacific operations, on CR-X's board.

CR-X's Call Record Exchange software sits between a carrier's telco switches and its billing systems to process, validate and ensure the quality of data transactions between the two. Although it was initially developed for the telecommunications market, Bate said the software has numerous applications. "Basically it's ideal for any high transaction situations," he said.

The software has built-in smarts that allow users to analyse the transactional data for marketing, trouble-shooting or other purposes. CR-X already has one telco customer and its analysis functionality has been employed as a consulting tool in another industry.

Bate will guide the sales and marketing process of CR-X as the company looks to establish a presence in the telecommunications and utility markets here and abroad. "I'm keen to see an Australian software company do well," he said. "Australian software must be able to compete on a global stage but you must be able to walk before you can run."

CR-X emerged from long-time Sun partner Optimation Software Engineering. The company also receives financial backing from Momentum Funds Management under the Federal Government's AusIndustry Innovation Investment Fund Program. Sun has also provided working capital to CR-X under its Partnership Development Program.