Hiperware (www.hiperware.com) is a Singapore-based company that provides a software platform - Hiperware Platform - to enable high-performance business applications and cloud computing. Hiperware Platform takes advantage of the commoditisation of computer hardware to enable a new genre of super-fast software.

Several compelling applications have already emerged from this technology. HiperSearch, the world's first "real-time search" engine, provides businesses a means of constant monitoring of enterprise processes, activities or assets to ensure compliance and information security. Another product, Risk Filters, breaks new ground as a mechanism for risk management in banks and financial institutions. Hiperware's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mr Amey Laud tells iN.SG about the company's inroads into the United States (US).

Hiperware provides a software platform for enabling high-performance business applications and cloud-computing.

When did you first venture into the US market and why?
We ventured into the US market with a booth at JavaOne last year, which is the premier show for our category of technology. Following that event and through a series of interactions, we went about identifying key advisors and management prospects for the company. IDA was helpful in facilitating access to suitable office space and in making some of these connections.

Tell us about your US operations.
Our US operation provides a key strategic function. Hiperware's technology makes it easy for software companies to create high-performance (what one might call "CPU guzzling") software applications. Given how cheap and fast (commoditised) computer hardware has gotten, Hiperware provides software companies a means to build interesting software that can take full advantage of this commodity. To give an analogy, supposing gas prices suddenly dropped to 1-2 cents a gallon - people would consider owning helicopters, as opposed to cars. Likewise, we're taking advantage of hardware commoditisation to enable a whole new genre of software that can process information much, much faster - or even instantly.

As one might imagine, a lot of the prospective software application partners are based or headquartered out of the Bay Area, California. Having local advisors and presence is a great means of engaging with these businesses. In the meanwhile, we are also working on a sales and marketing strategy focused on the enterprise and cloud computing markets in the US.

How different is the US from Singapore and other markets that you have ventured into?
One needs a clearly articulated plan - and be well financed - before venturing into the US. For a high-tech software company, the US has the most complete "ecosystem" - the widest range of customers (the US is the largest software consumer and provides higher chances of getting "early adopter" customers than most places), sophisticated investors (from very-early to late-stage), and relevant management (who have "been there and done that").

What are some of the major achievements of your US office to date?
We are in the process of working some very high-value application partnerships along the lines we had envisioned.

What are some of the key learning points that you can share with other aspiring Singapore infocomm companies?
While Singapore provides a great starting point for infocomm companies, one should start evaluating international opportunities early and objectively. Each country has a well-defined business culture and lay-of-the-land when it comes to working with foreign companies.