In a few short years Crusader has developed a niche technology for process applications that is being successfully exported to the international process industry. Over the years they have built up a team of 25 highly skilled software developers, engineers and marketing staff, formed business relationships with a number of global engineering and technology companies, and built up a network of Solution Providers. Crusader Systems has also managed to sign up a number of large end-clients in the process industry. At the beginning of 2003 Crusader increased its ability to develop new products and spread its wings internationally by concluding an equity investment deal with HBD Venture Capital.

Crusader Systems enables end-users in the international process industry to “see sense� in their production plants and take appropriate action, hence the name of its export product, “CSense�. Users can start with quickly making sense from large volumes of process data, after which the user has many options to deploy any of a range of real-time process solutions. Typical applications range from diagnostic systems to advanced process control solutions.

CSense applications are simple to maintain and expand, and the user has the comfort of a very robust platform tried and tested on process solutions internationally by global engineering companies and end-clients. This international reference base includes solutions in the hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, minerals processing, food and beverage, petrochemical and chemical industries.

One such specific example is CSense Process+, a control loop diagnostic and optimisation product and service offered in association with Michael Brown Control Engineering. This offering is also marketed internationally by Outokumpu, a global equipment and technology supplier to the metallurgical industry.

The company has an experienced and hands-on management team. CEO, Derick Moolman says: “One of the keys to success was structuring the whole company to be market-driven, developing process solutions to relevant problems and opportunities facing end-clients and solution provider companies. The success of this approach will be clear on the CSense Users Group event taking place on the 26th of September, during which our clients present their successes and business benefits with CSense.�

HBD Venture Capital is a full-service Venture Capital company that invests in innovative, local companies that have a product /service with global potential. HBD is one of very few South African VC firms investing in seed and early stage enterprises. HBD Venture Capital invests in new companies who can capitalise on local skills, and take advantage of international trends and technologies.