Melbourne IT firm's stake in Nobel Peace Prize

Software developed by a Melbourne IT firm has played a key role in this year’s winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

This year’s Peace Prize winner, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), relied on Hardcat’s asset management software to monitor and destroy all chemical weapons as per the 1997 chemical weapons convention.

The Hardcat System has been recently used in Syria as OPCW tracked ‘assets’ from and to its headquarters. Director-general Ahmet Uzumcu said in a statement Hardcat’s system was selected because of its adaptability to the organisation’s strict requirements.

“Hardcat is both simple and robust and is of great assistance to our 500-strong staff in carrying out their work,” Uzumcu said.

Hardcat managing director Dan Drum said the system helped track OPCW’s weapon-grade inventory. “Our software performs stock control to keep track of all consumable items including chemical protection suits."

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is not the only body relying on Hardcat’s solutions. The Melbourne company’s product range is also being used within the United Nations, by the Australian Defence Force, the US Navy and the UK Ministry of Defence.