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History

The basis of Open Box has always been about win-win relationships. One of the finest examples of this is how we started. A global real estate company was in a tight spot with a system upgrade in London and their vendor running the upgrade had run out of ideas on how to move forward. Our founder, Malcolm Hall, who had been acting in an informal trusted advisor role, responded to their urgent call for help and, after a number of long days and nights living in their server room, managed to get everything working again. This lead to a more formal trusted advisor role for Malcolm as they restructured their accounting processes in the UK and EU. When the opportunity came up to build a system for a property in Germany their IT Manager repaid this assistance by taking a risk and getting us, an unproven start-up, to build it. Cue a mad scramble for Malcolm (in London) and his co-founders, Richard Hartely and Andrew Preston (in Cape Town). Following this success, the client’s newly promoted CIO went even further out on a limb to award Open Box the contract to build a very high profile system. We’re proud to say that this company, Tishman Speyer, is still one of our on-going clients (as is the CIO who is now at another company), over 20 years and countless projects later.


2021 History

2021

Open Box turned 20!

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    With so many continuing to be affected by Covid lockdowns we continued to focus our efforts on grassroots assistance with food packages.

  • Trivia

    Trivia: Open Box was recognized by MRI as only one of four global Gold Partners

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 192
Total projects completed 1657

2020 History

2020

Along with the rest of the world, Covid in this year provided a number of new challenges to Open Box. It also showcased many of our strengths, including the fact that delivering for our clients in a remote fashion was something that wasn’t new to us - we’d been doing it successfully for 19 years. It also highlighted the strength of our culture and our adaptability to constantly find a better way no matter what the circumstances.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    This year was about the smaller things that could make the difference in our communities – food packages for those that had lost their livelihoods due to lockdowns and contributing to basic shelter for those that had lost their homes to some terrible fires in informal settlements in the greater Cape Town area.

  • Trivia

    Brendan Canny, who was appointed our CEO in this year, started with Open Box as a graduate, continuing a proud tradition of many of our senior leaders and personnel joining us at the start of their careers.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 153
Total projects completed 1465

holiday2019-open box academy

2019

2019, marked the introduction of the Open Box Academy. A 6-month graduate training program geared at developing the practical knowledge and skills of South African IT graduates. The Academy is held within our offices and the students are exposed to real project delivery by shadowing client teams or delivering prototypes. Stand-outs from the program are offered a permanent position at Open Box. Read more about it here.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    In honor of Nelson Mandela, Open Boxers pledged 67 minutes to put together care packages for our local night shelter. These included basic hygiene essentials and food and were very well received by the community.

  • Trivia

    As the Open Box automation team continues to advance the adoption of automation in commercial real estate, we were acknowledged for our work for an automation project with Cushman & Wakefield as winners of the Productivity Category at the EG Tech Awards.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 112
Total projects completed 1312

Quiz Night 2018

2018

2018 was a busy year for our Automation Team as we took one step closer to dominating automation in CRE by delivering over 30 automation to some of the leading real estate organizations across the globe.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    The Open Box staff opened their hearts and pledged 74 boxes to the Santa Shoe Box Foundation.

  • Trivia

    Open Box won not one, but TWO Real Estate Marketing Awards (REMAS) for Best Overall Real Estate Company Content Marketing Plan and Best New Product Content Marketing Launch.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 105
Total projects completed 1201

RPA signs their first deal

2017

We introduced the newest member to the Open Box team, our Automation Engine, Rob Sparke.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    We dedicated 67 minutes in aid of Nelson Mandela Day to make over 300 sandwiches for the local Haven Night Shelter.

  • Trivia

    Open Box became the first certified partner in the MRI Software Partner Certification Program.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 87
Total projects completed 1096

history2016[1].jpg

2016

We started the year off with a bang by having one of the applications we delivered to JLL being awarded the JLL Platinum Da Vinci Award for innovation and cost savings.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    In 2016, we renew our commitment to transforming local sport by once again partnering with the Race Ahead Foundation. We also remain one of the key sponsors of Code4CT – a Cape Town based initiative aimed at introducing young girls from disadvantaged communities to the career prospects of the technology sector.

  • Trivia

    This year we introduced Kitten Therapy to relieve stress!

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 83
Total projects completed 1009

history2015[1].jpg

2015

We formalise our partnership with MRI Software, launch our 24/7 helpdesk and are selected as a Top 10 Finalist for the PWC Vision to Reality Awards.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    We hold our first charity auction, where proceeds are donated to Learn to Earn – a Cape-based organization focused on empowering previously disadvantaged individuals with scarce skills.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 76
Total projects completed 926

history2014[1].jpg

2014

An Open Box team wins the Africa regional finals of the first ever International Software Testing World Cup, and Open Box is voted the Healthiest Company in South Africa (Discovery Healthy Index, Small Company Category).

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    We donate 60 boxes to the Santa Shoe Box project; collect 465 blankets for our annual Blanket Drive; and cycle 1,492 kilometres for Youth with Diabetes during the 2014 Tour de Office.

  • Trivia

    In addition to Healthiest Company, Open Box also wins Most Smoke-Free Company and is a runner-up in the Most Active Employees in South Africa category.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 123
Total projects completed 850

history2013[1].jpg

2013

The first year we complete over 100 projects.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    ‘Tour de Office’ expands to include another Cape Town company, Quirk. Competitive juices flow to produce records in distance, as well as funds and awareness raised.

  • Trivia

    33 Open Boxers enter and complete the Totalsports Challenge – a multi-sport event comprising a 50km road cycle, 14km road run, 25km mountain bike and a 9km beach run.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 128
Total projects completed 727

history2012[1].jpg

2012

Open Box celebrates 10 years in Cape Town.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    We launch ‘Tour de Office’ – a week-long challenge to keep a stationary bike moving during the last week of the Tour de France – in aid of Youth with Diabetes.

  • Trivia

    Our in-office gym opens, run by ‘Coach’ our Biokineticist.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 93
Total projects completed 599

history2011[1].jpg

2011

We open our new kitchen and chill-out space, complete with its own golf driving range to complement the pool table and other toys.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    The Dance for Peace program’s tally is 305 trophies and 446 diplomas at provincial and national championships.

  • Trivia

    In this year, we deliver to our first Real Estate client on the African continent with a project for Old Mutual Property. We have now delivered projects to every continent… and we take dress up day very seriously.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 92
Total projects completed 506

history2010[1].jpg

2010

Open Box is named fourth fastest growing company in South Africa, and our founder, Malcolm Hall, is a finalist for South African Entrepreneur of the Year. We deliver our 50th custom application – a mobile solution for Top of the Rock – to Tishman Speyer.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    In our 67 minutes of service on Mandela Day, Open Box builds, populates, deploys and trains users on a full CMS site for Valley Development Projects (a grass-roots education initiative, which we have supported for many years).

  • Trivia

    Spain wins the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup hosted in South Africa. South Africa introduces the world to the vuvuzela – a plastic stadium horn that becomes the signature sound of the event.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 86
Total projects completed 414

history2009[1].jpg

2009

We launch the Financial Systems Support Helpdesk, starting with MRI support services. This has since expanded to become the Enterprise Solutions Division, which implements and supports a host of third party systems.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    In 2009, Open Hearts donates towards the Valley Development Projects, various homes and continues to support Women for Peace.

  • Trivia

    The financial crisis of 2008—2009 is a very busy time for us, as our blue-chip clients see it as an opportunity to invest for future growth.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 85
Total projects completed 328

history2008[1].jpg

2008

As part of our on-going community outreach, we begin supporting Dance for Peace – a ballroom dancing program aimed at keeping children off the streets and out of gangs in Mfuleni, a local township in Cape Town.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    In 2008, Open Hearts funds several worthy causes including: Women for Peace, Masakhane Educare Centre and the Green Curtains Preschool.

  • Trivia

    In mid-2008, all talk in the Real Estate industry is around the implications of “$200 oil”. This seems foolish only months later, as the implications of the credit crunch and financial downturn begin to be felt.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 48
Total projects completed 243

history2007[1].jpg

2007

We deliver our 25th custom application – Net Effective Rent for Boston Properties.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    In 2007, Open Box provides much needed medicines to The Shaster Foundation, as well as contributing educational resources to the Masakhane Educare Centre.

  • Trivia

    Team Open Box branded riders compete in The Cape Argus Cycle Tour, now an annual occurrence.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 81
Total projects completed 195

history2006[1].jpg

2006

Open Box Software (South Africa) moves to its current location – 240 Main Road, Tokai, Cape Town. It is a year of tremendous growth.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    In 2006, Open Box contributes funds towards educational toys and bonuses to Masakhane Educare Centre.

  • Trivia

    Joe Rich, CIO of Tishman Speyer, visits the Cape Town office and the entire office is tricked into dressing up.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 39
Total projects completed 114

history2005[1].jpg

2005

Our largest and most challenging project up to this point – Top of the Rock – launches in New York to great acclaim, using an innovative custom ticketing and attraction management system, conceived and built by us.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    In 2005, Open Hearts funds the installation of a PlayPump® water system at a school selected by the PlayPump® organization.

  • Trivia

    Our servers (and, for a time, all machines) were named after Star Wars characters. The inspiration for this came from the prime parking space in our first office being named OB1 by our landlord at the time.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 31
Total projects completed 75

history2004[1].jpg

2004

Open Box’s three centres of delivery – Cape Town, London and New York – are busy delivering solutions across the globe.

  • CSR – Open Hearts

    We found Open Hearts, our Corporate Social Responsibility Foundation. We start supporting Tears, Nazareth House, Tree and Baphumelele (all grass-root community initiatives around Cape Town).

  • Trivia

    In 2004, employees could choose between dual CRT monitors and a single flat screen as a perk once they had been with the company for two years.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 17
Total projects completed 44

history2003[1].jpg

2003

We establish our first permanent outsourced custom development team for a client based in the United States. Open Box Software (United Kingdom) is incorporated and we achieve the distinction of being awarded High Growth status by the British Chamber of Commerce.

  • Trivia

    Co-founders Malcolm Hall and Richard Hartley (pictured here) have gone on to start two further businesses together.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 22
Total projects completed 27

history2002[1].jpg

2002

Open Box Software is incorporated in South Africa and Malcolm is joined by co-founders Richard Hartley and Andrew Preston. We open our office in Cape Town, South Africa and deliver our first custom software project to a client in Germany.

  • Trivia

    The name ‘Open Box Software’ was conceived by Malcolm and Amanda Hall. The idea behind the name was that as a company, we demystify (Open) the complexity of technology (Box).

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 4
Total projects completed 5

history2001[1].jpg

2001

Open Box Software is founded by Malcolm Hall in the United Kingdom in September 2001 in, quite possibly, the worst economic climate for a technology start-up.

  • Trivia

    Our first client – Tishman Speyer – is still one of our clients.

The year in numbers

Projects completed during the year 1

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