Computer science graduates profit from IT skills
Published:Sunday | September 19, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Avia Collinder, Staff Reporter
Marlon Hudson and Dane Spencer, 2003 computer science graduates of the University of the West Indies (UWI), decided early in their careers that entrepreneurship was the route to take with skills learnt in the classroom.
After three years of working as information technology managers with the Suplerplus Food Stores and building out the IT network of that chain, the duo invested equally in starting West Indies Radiology Outsourcing Ltd - registered in 2006 - which provides tele-radiology services, interventional supplies, and PACS (Picture Archiving Systems) solutions.
West Indies Radiology, located at 12 Ruthven Road and in which the partners own 40 per cent of the shares, provides remote reporting for doctors and others who need radiology reports, capitalising on the shortage of radiologists locally.
According to Spencer, with the shortage, medical practitioners often complain of not being able to get back, in good time, CT scans, X-rays and other radiology reports. West Indies Radiology, using its own team of radiologists, provides reporting and makes the results accessible to doctors through secureInternet connections.
The company was started with funds in the region of US$6,000, spent principally on equipment. It has been making aprofit, Spencer states, since year one. It now serves four local private radiology companies and has its eye on the Eastern Caribbean, where there is also the need for the service.
The pair of IT specialists had also started Anancy Software after leaving school. It was an entity which beganwith websiteconstructionand expanded into a researchanddevelopment vehiclefor both local andglobal markets.
In 2008, both men, through the holding company Hudsonand Spencer,established another venture,Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS)Limited, which is owned 100 per cent by the partners. This has grown from the sale of BlackBerry accessories to a full service centre following the conclusion of a partnership deal with Research In Motion (RIM), owners of the BlackBerry brand who tied in the Jamaicans to performance targets, which Spencer claims they exceeded in the first 12 months.
SMS serves two of the major telecoms through some 17 stores belonging to their dealers. The initial investment of US$20,000, spent between 2008 and 2009, has been regained in revenue. Spencer said that soft loans from friends and one local bank are being easily serviced out of income from sales. "For every J$2 million we earn, we are only paying back J$10,000 in debt."
In late 2009, SMS was merged with Anancy Software, making it easier to offer new solutions. Anancy will enable them to offer Smart Mobile Solutions to Caribbean consumers and others around the world.
Blackberry revolution
Spencer, who admits that he has always been entrepreneurial, started with the selling of sweets at his alma mater, Campion College, throwing parties, and selling computers while at the UWI, and even selling household chemicals door to door. He believes that SMS has been a critical part of the local BlackBerry revolution, as local companies are able to give field agents phones which enable them to work anywhere they are located.
New solutions created by SMS for the BlackBerry include a medical pager, a security pager, which is about to be launched by a local security company, and a solution providing Blackberry users with the ability to scan, invoice, and print receipts for products bought while on the road.
SMS employs eight workers. Its principal assets lie in the strategic alliances with RIM and a "wealth of knowledge based on that alliance and our extension of other BlackBerry partners in Latin America", Spencer stated, noting that for security solutions, SMA has a partner in Venezuela.
In terms of challenges, Spencer said, "There are many other emerging BlackBerry skin resellers or even accessories but our accessories, are supplied to us through RIM's channels, as well as by other major brands in the world of mobile accessories, with warranties.
"Educating our customers is one of the other challenges we face. People don't know the difference and will never be able to understand price differences as a result.
"We have competition from people who have no overheads, people on the streets. We have the obligation to give people something they can trust."
Best-sellers in 2009 for SMS were hard cases and its repairs programme. Jamaicans have asked for customisation of cosmetic components like different colours as well as the complete housing. SMS does repairs for a number of corporate clients, as well as the carriers (service providers).
More of the same
Spencer admits that costs are increasing in terms of development and research, and 2010 is expected to see more of the same.
"There is a cost to be able to give value-added services."
Expenses also include rent, software licences, and partnership fees to RIM, utilities, human capital, test devices, shipping, duties, and taxes.
But, having continued to make a profit since launching out on their own in 2006, the partners are optimistic about keeping ahead. For SMS, Spencer stated, "Our advantages are mainly the exclusive agreements with our suppliers and the technology and information that we have through RIM partnership."