Over the past two years, it’s become clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is the future. Recognising how integral AI is going to be to every organisation, Inde has focused on not only being an expert cloud solutions provider, but on becoming an AI leader. As a Microsoft partner, Inde has made deliberate investments in upskilling - now holding the most Microsoft specializations of any New Zealand-owned technology services partner. These include Analytics on Microsoft Azure, Azure Virtual Desktop, Infrastructure and Database Migration to Azure, and the sought-after AI Platform on Microsoft Azure specialization.
While many organisations are still exploring how to adopt AI effectively, Inde is already helping customers turn potential into practical outcomes.
“We’ve seen boards telling their CIOs to go and ‘do AI,’ but with no idea what that means,” says Rik Roberts, Chief Technology Officer at Inde. “Sometimes, business leaders don’t know what problem they’re trying to solve. They just know they can’t afford to fall behind. That’s where we can help them identify use cases to demonstrate the value of AI in meaningful ways, rather than simply adopting AI where it might not be the most effective solution.”
Achieving the AI Platform on Microsoft Azure specialization sets Inde apart not only in terms of technical capability, but also in its ability to guide customers through AI adoption with confidence. From building tools that run inside client environments to reshaping how teams interact with their data, the company’s AI journey has been intentional, rigorous, and built on substance rather than hype.
No Shortcuts to Success
Simply achieving Microsoft AI specialization is a process that takes many months, if not years.
“It is a massive investment,” says Royden Burt, General Manager Product and Solutions at Inde. “You need active projects in market, technical staff trained to the right level, customers willing to vouch for you, and then you go through a rigorous external audit. There are no shortcuts.”
Inde’s specialization was awarded after the successful delivery of AI projects across New Zealand’s enterprise sector, including in infrastructure, agritech, and aged care. As those deployments matured, the team developed case studies, refined its frameworks, and prepared for the Microsoft audit.
“Achieving this specialization shows that we’re not just dipping our toes in the water,” Royden says. “It takes serious resourcing, training, and time. But that means our clients know they’re in safe hands.”
The milestone became even more significant when Inde realised it was the first wholly New Zealand-owned company to achieve it.
“It was a moment of real pride for the team,” says Royden. “To know we achieved this as a fully Kiwi-owned business, competing on the same stage as global giants, really reinforces what we’re capable of. We’re proving that best-in-class innovation can come from right here in Aotearoa.”
Doing AI the Right Way - With Purpose
Inde’s approach to AI has always been about doing the work properly. Not pitching it as a silver bullet, but helping clients define clear goals, test realistic use cases, and quickly validate what delivers real impact. By starting small - whether that’s a one-day hackathon or a targeted automation project - clients can build trust in the solution before committing to a full-scale rollout.
“Our job is to help customers get in the front door safely. From there, we grow,” says Rik.
This practical, outcome-driven approach has resonated with large enterprises not just in New Zealand, but also in Australia and Europe. Inde has delivered AI hackathons, presentations, and bespoke use cases across sectors like construction, agriculture, and logistics.
It’s also the thinking that has enabled Inde to tailor Azure OpenAI service offerings to customers’ unique AI needs. By deploying flexible, scalable solutions entirely within a customer’s own cloud environment, Inde ensures data privacy, full control over code and IP, and alignment with each organisation’s specific business objectives.
“Customers love that they own everything,” says Royden. “They’re not locked into a platform or handing over their data to a black box. It’s flexible, secure, and designed to grow with them.”
Achieving the specialization wasn’t just a badge - it raised the bar across the business.
“It made us level up in delivery, in process, and in how we train the team,” says Royden. “Without that, we probably wouldn’t have built something this robust.”
A Trusted Partner for the Future
Looking ahead, Inde is continuing to invest in upskilling and capability-building, with further certifications in security and automation underway - all part of its long-term strategy to help customers adopt AI in a safe, sustainable, and considered way.
“We’re not here to sell AI,” says Rik. “We’re here to partner with our clients as they figure out how to use it, and the Microsoft specialization gives them the confidence that we’re the right people to help.”
Ready to Explore your AI Opportunity?
Contact the Inde team to learn how we can help you start small, scale fast, and unlock real value with Microsoft Azure-powered AI.
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