There is an appetite in Samoa for more technology and access to technological products, says the representative of a New Zealand-based company.

Warren Eade, who represents spatial technology supplier Trimble, is one of five technology suppliers from New Zealand and Australia who are in Samoa for the Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.) "Tech Month".

The technology roadshow was launched Thursday morning at the S.S.A.B. Megastore in Apia. Besides Trimble, the other suppliers included Treve Clayton from Doc Smart with M-Files product, Mark Broome from ABBY, Avenish Kumar from Commtec, and Jitender Oberoi from Dove.

Mr. Eade said they have had a market in Samoa for over 12 years and there is a need to push technology in Samoa and this was evident in his workshop on Wednesday.

"There is a real thirst in technology and I would say that a lot a people who have not quite got access to the right levels of technology but the desire and the intention is very evident and what we’re hearing from the various current agencies as well is really encouraging.

"They’re really trying to move Samoa forward to be a cutting-edge Pacific partner, so I think that’s absolutely awesome but of course technology does also cost money and that’s also often the barrier," he said.

The S.S.A.B. Tech Month roadshow revolved around the theme, "experience the future today".

S.S.A.B. Operations Manager Nancy Vito Alefosio said the suppliers are from the hardware and software industry.

"As one of the biggest importers and one of the leading electronics store, we always try to bring in the latest gadgets and technologies so that the people of Samoa in terms of Ministries, corporations, schools and everyone, to benefit from these technologies," she said.

With some of the suppliers already having a market in Samoa, DocSmart representative, Mr. Clayton said they are happy to be in Samoa to promote their world-wide product, M-Files.

When asked what what the future holds for M-Files and Samoa, he said it depends on how much interest is generated through S.S.A.B's event. M-File is a completely customised and scalable document management software system that promotes a paperless office.

"And how much of a thirst of efficiency is in Samoa and like what we’re hearing about forward thinking and wanting to be world class and drive efficiencies and drive technology Samoan businesses and will be interested to see how that moves forward. 

"And we talk a lot of big concepts, there are a lot of big companies and the people need to understand what the technology means for them. We need to explain to people how it helps them and their jobs and how it helps their businesses be more efficient," he said.

S.S.A.B. owner, Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai said Samoa's customers should not have to wait to experience and take advantage of technological advances

She said it is one reason behind her company engaging and bringing over experts from Australia and New Zealand. 

"That's why we have brought over the gurus in the different areas of electronic products and document solutions to Samoa.

"So this is a golden opportunity for our people to meet these experts, learn from them and use their innovative products and document management solutions to enhance your work, increase productivity and save time and energy," she said.

Suppliers will be on island for two days with their booths open from 9am to 12pm and workshops run at 4pm for both Thursday and Friday.