Gunther Richter, managing director of Ultra
Consulting Network, provides local companies with instant access
to the world via the Internet.
By NADINE HOSEIN
"Working on the bleeding edge of technology."This
is the motto that drives businessman Gunther Richter, in his
quest to deliver information to the Trinidad public by the most
simple means available.
German-born and raised, Richter moved to Trinidad about five
years ago and started a company that is unlike most.
His background spans over Germany and Austria, where he gained
experience as a product specialist, customer support manager
and software developer.
 TrinidadShopping.com,
one of Richter's Web sites which acts as a portal to others.
He moved to Trinidad because of his love for the weather and
the people and decided to utilise his expertise to do something
innovative.
He formed Ultra Consulting Network Ltd in 1998.
Ultra Consulting is a system integrated company that thrives
on the access and exchange of information through the Internet.
The company developed an online network with access to every
available bit of information on companies, hotels, restaurants,
malls and associations in Trinidad and Tobago.
Richter dubbed the Web site, TrinidadShopping.com.
There are not many sites which provide limitless access to
information about Trinidad.
In some cases those that are available carry out of date information
or are always under construction.
TrinidadShopping.com and its connected network of sites, are
updated daily by Richter, and even includes Lotto draws, and
TV guides.
The site is a base for others to sprout. Within the last year
it has grown from one Web site to over 30.
The portfolio includes, shopping malls, like WestMallOnline.com,
GulfCityOnline.com and associations like the Downtown Owners
and Merchants Associations, DOMA.
The network also includes links to information about other
Caribbean countries like Barbados and Jamaica under the domain
BarbadosShopping.com and JamaicaShopping.com.
Richter stated a recent study revealed that many people go
online to get information, but most buy in the shop next door.
Utilising this theory Richter based his business on the process
of "shop online, buy off-line".
You can browse, find the name of the store, the location and
in some cases the prices, of what you want before venturing out
of the house.
" TrinidadShopping.com, closes this gap for the growing
online community within Trinidad and Tobago and delivers information
to shoppers in other countries," said Richter.
For example, a search on the Web site for malls within Trinidad,
will give you a list of all the malls by location.
The data for these sites is obtained through interaction with
the companies, explained Richter.
But since most of the information for the introductory package
is public, it is not difficult to obtain if the company is not
available to help.
However, businesses must pay to include additional information
on the site, like pictures, an e-mail address and a Web address.
Richter has great plans for the future of his business.
Apart from his ongoing drive to extend regionally, he is campaigning
to make the business community aware of the advantages of advertising
online.
He also plans to develop an e-commerce function on the network
that would eliminate the need for businesses to mail in cheques.
Richter explained that placing your business online means
that everyone is able to view it and you expand your market potential.
With his knack for testing the limits of information availability,
it is easy to understand why he goes beyond the edge of technology.
|
