IN RECENT years, we saw how the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector in Davao City has boomed to become what it is right now -- a competitive sector helping spur the economic development in the city.
Coupled with this boom is the establishment of varying homegrown IT-BPM firms that provide clients around the world with different services.
One of them is Ingenuity, which, despite its size as compared to large IT-BPM firms, has become a leader in the local IT-BPM sector of Davao City. Since its establishment, the company has not only become a leader in Davao City's IT-BPM sector but has also made efforts to give back to the community.
“We named it Ingenuity because we want to showcase the ingenuity of the Filipinos by leveraging technology,” John Naranjo, Ingenuity founder and chief executive officer, said.
It was not a smooth start for the company when it began around eight years ago. Naranjo said they initially targeted the local market for their products and services.
“It was a hard sell for the local market because a lot of the small players have not embraced technology. For them it was expensive. To grow the business, we had to look for clients that are not local; we had to look for foreign clients,” Naranjo said.
Despite the rough start, Ingenuity persevered to be able to provide services to its clients here and abroad.
“Around two years ago, we started diversifying with game development and product development,” Naranjo said.
In game development, they have released two games, Tamagogo in 2016 and Mayari in 2017.
Tamagogo won Best Mobile Game, Best in Gameplay, and Best in Game Art in the 2016 Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) ICT Creative Awards. Mayari also bagged the same awards in the 2017 GDAP ICT Creative Awards and was given the Jury’s Honorable Mention in the 2017 International Mobile Gaming Awards for Southeast Asia.
“After six years of software development, we thought of ways on how we can give back to the community. We have helped businesses outside the country, maybe it is time to develop something for the community,” Naranjo said.
With that in mind, they developed cloud-based solution called Flyt.
“It is a shortened form for 'Fly High with Technology'. Its tagline is ‘Take your business to new heights.’ We feel that technology is an enabler for businesses [to grow],” Naranjo said.
He said the technology covers the entire life aspect of a certain business from accounting, manufacturing, payroll, attendance, inventory, and reports, among others.
“It is cloud-based meaning you do not have to install it on your computer. You can access it anytime, anywhere, and on any device,” Naranjo said.
Flyt is being targeted to be used by local small and medium enterprises that spans several sector like retail, food, IT-BPM firms, and healthcare, to name a few.
Another means they are giving back to the community is through their Academy.
“It is our way of helping grow, train, and prepare students for the industry,” Naranjo said.
He pointed out that there is a gap between the industry and the academe; hence, the coming up of the program that will teach students and individuals on the practices and trends in the IT-BPM industry.
“We are accepting internships to serve as a training ground for the students,” Naranjo said.
However, this is not only limited to students as they also developed programs for eight to 12 year olds, teens, college students, and professionals.
“Through the program we are also able to scout for talent that may become part of Ingenuity,” Naranjo said.
They are also giving back to the community by way of actively participating in the local IT-BPM related organizations like the ICT Davao.
While the attrition rate in the industry remains high, Ingenuity ensures that their employees are well taken care of.
Naranjo said they ensure that the employees are provided with a good working environment, compensated well, and given good benefits.
He also ensures that they grow and train their employees to help them to become better at their craft or skill.
“They have to be not only smart but they also have to be hardworking, be comfortable with change, and are passionate learners,” Naranjo said.
With the constant changes in the industry they are in, the company sticks by one of its corporate values, agility.
“We have to be constantly moving, accepting challenges, and maximizing opportunities,” Naranjo said.
This is being done through constantly learning new technologies and trends in the industry they are in.
Ingenuity is a testament that despite being a homegrown IT-BPM firm, it is able to create an impact in the community where it began by sharing the technology it has developed and the knowledge it has gained in the last couple of years.