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During his trip through 15 technology development companies in Manizales, Pereira and Armenia, Canadian engineer Tony Smith stated that the "region has a big potential to successfully compete in international markets such that of North America."
His extensive experience in the production and sale of software was the reason why PROCOLOMBIA and the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) invited him to visit companies in the region. The conclusions from his visit will be presented in the "Commercial Strategies and Global Trends for the ITC Sector" seminar that PROCOLOMBIA is preparing for April 19 at Pereira's Movich hotel.
"His impressions show the reputation that Colombian developers have earned. They are no longer only exporting to neighboring countries but also to more competitive countries who are also technology producers, such as the United States and Canada," stated PROCOLOMBIA president, Maria Claudia Lacouture.
According to Lacouture, the most popular fields of the sector are e-government and finance, especially with development of custom-made software, that is, made with specific characteristics requested by the client. "The offer has been based on development of technology software services, integration and technical services, development of applications and modernization, technological infrastructure outsourcing, support services and management of data centers."
The Canadian expert indicated that " Coffee-region developers are very motivated to work, and their companies are very well organized. Because I'm also a software developer, we have a lot of similar stories. We use the same tools and the same approaches to resolve problems with clients.&rdquo .
In the last 15 years, his experience has led him to manage companies in the telecommunications sector and the oil industry, leading technical, commercial and strategic processes.
He also spoke about the main challenges and trends in the international market. " The American and Canadian markets are very competitive, and the public agency trend is to contract large companies. That is one of the challenges.&rdquo .
Using the Internet to gain publicity and personal contact with clients are other key challenges. "Use of the so-called recurring revenue has come back, that is, software is not sold once but rather it is a continuing service. You need to propose constant solutions that help the client grow, so that you can grow too."
After his visit to companies in the region, Smith concluded that Colombians are competitive in "quality and cost, but they can beat other companies in terms of service. We share the same time zone, which facilitates work, and we have similar cultures which ensures more efficient work. For example, if there is a service problem, it is easier to fix it."
To register for the seminar please call (6) 335-5005 in Pereira or email jtrejos@proexport.com.co stating your name, company, TIN, sector, address, city, telephone and email address.
