Embargoed until 9:00 pm Thursday, 12 July 2012

The leaders of Tasmania's digital revolution have been recognised at the Australian Computer Society's 2012 iAwards Dinner in Hobart tonight.

The Premier, Lara Giddings, said tonight's winners are an example of Tasmania leading the way when it comes to realising the potential of new and emerging technology like the National Broadband Network.

"Tasmania will be the first state in the country to be fully connected to the NBN in 2015 and it is critical that we make the most of this first-mover advantage," Ms Giddings said.

"The NBN roll-out will not only create more than 800 on-the-ground jobs in the final phase of construction, but open up new business opportunities for the future. It will also enable innovation and improved productivity in food production, education, health, tourism and other industries.

"The importance of ICT lies in its ability to revolutionise the way that existing industries do business while enabling the creation of new industries that may not have even been imagined yet.

"The sector generates $1.13 billion each year, employs around 3,700 people and is a priority in the state's Economic Development Plan."

Ms Giddings said the iAwards honour companies and individuals at the cutting edge of innovation.

"Tonight's winners have developed programs that have many potential applications across a range of industries both in Tasmania and beyond."

• e-Logistics and Supply Chain category: Southern Water, Moonah (Ross Luttrell): Development of a project management tool to manage the roll-out of up to 52,000 water meters in southern Tasmania by providing near real-time updates.

• Research and Development category: UTAS HIT Lab AU and CSIRO ICT Centre, Hobart (Paulo de Souza): Magic Map which enables users to access and interpret environmental sensor data as part of the SenseT project.

• Security Application category: QikID Pty Ltd, Hobart (Daniel Harrison): QikPASS which uses facial recognition technology built into smartphone and iPads to allow venues to keep track of their patrons for marketing, promotion and security purposes. 

• Sustainability and Green IT category: CSIRO ICT Centre, Battery Point (James Forbes): Helps people to reduce their power consumption by allowing them to monitor energy usage online and switch off appliances remotely.

• Tourism and Hospitality category: QikID Pty Ltd, Hobart (Daniel Harrison): QikPASS

Ms Giddings said the 2012 iAwards winners will go on to represent Tasmania at the National iAwards in August and the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards in Brunei later this year.