VOICES FROM THE SECTOR: HEALTHIT & BPO
What are IBM's most relevant projects in Jamaica, and what has been the company's evolution here?
IBM has been in Jamaica for over 60 years. While in the early years here we were primarily known as a hardware company, today we provide our clients with end-to-end solutions across hardware, software, and services. IBM has reshaped its portfolio to deliver what clients need, investing heavily in hybrid cloud and the emerging technologies that optimize business workflows in the cloud, such as AI, blockchain, analytics, and cybersecurity.
Why does IBM consider the cloud and digitization as the way to the future?
Looking at the evolution of technology over the past few decades, cloud computing has emerged as a significant game changer for enterprises. Enterprises are looking for a cloud partner that incorporates the most innovative technologies, deep business workflow expertise, and commitment to the secure and responsible management of enterprise data.
You are the cannabis enterprise resource planning (ERP) software of choice for licensed cultivators in Canada, California, and New Jersey. What does this represent in terms of expansion in Jamaica?
We have a client in Jamaica that we are currently working with. It is a Canadian company that has come down to Jamaica. Canadians seem to be looking at the countries where cannabis is becoming legal, getting in there early, and bringing their expertise. We have an advantage because we have great market presence with companies in Canada that are now expanding, bringing us into other areas such as Jamaica and Colombia. Now, with a foothold in the Jamaican market and our solution, we have an opportunity for further market penetration here.
How do you assess Jamaica's vision to become an international leader in the medical cannabis industry?
It is exciting for the history of cannabis in Jamaica; it has the history and the knowledge of what to do with the product and the perfect climate to grow it, and this brings it from the grey or black-market area into the legal space. The medical approach is a great first approach to bring the product to the people, because it now makes it legitimate. It should be offered in every country in the world.
What have been the main highlights for Inova Solutions in 2018?
Inova is Microsoft Jamaica's partner of the year for 2018, and in order to achieve that, a company has to incorporate Microsoft's mission to empower every person and organization on the planet. To that end, Inova has been doing a lot of great work in Jamaica, including working with government organizations and the private sector at an enterprise and SMB level to make sure they understand what digital transformation means.
Can you tell us more about the strategy of the company through the Caribbean and South America?
Inova focuses on a regional strategy; the company is managed out of Curacao with a localized strategy that requires the company to have an office and team in every country of operations. Serving any market demands understanding of that specific market, and Inova's strategy is to be physically present in each market and provide software services tailored to that market. We are a Caribbean company and have over 40 persons in the Caribbean serving all of the Caribbean nations, including Aruba, Antigua, Jamaica, and St Kitts, for example.
How is e-government aligned with cloud systems?
One of the duties of the ICT authority will be the provision of data hosting services and cloud services. As such, we intend to build a private cloud system for the government to provide services to its ministries, departments, and agencies. As part of our transformation, we are upgrading our data center, which will become the de facto data center of the government, providing services using cloud technology. We do not have an official policy position but have developed guidelines regarding the use of public cloud systems that currently exist, but we will create our own cloud in the near future.
What are your goals and targets for 2019?
We expect that the ICT authority will be established, and eGov will be transformed and subsumed into that new authority, which will include the MIS Officers of the entire government. As such, all the ICT staff and capabilities which exist in all the ministries will come under the umbrella of the ICT authority. As a result, we will have an expanded service delivery in the area of ICT. Moreover, the first phase of the rollout of GovNet will take place in another two to three years, and this includes the rollout across Kingston's metropolitan area.
What progress have you observed in the IT sector in the last three years?
A few years ago, I would not have been able to hire developers that were of the caliber that could create a global product, while now there are definitely more companies that facilitate that kind of build-out. We have also become more aware of global sustainable development goals (SDGs) and how we can participate in that given vision 2030. The idea of embracing the challenge to house the region's first smart city would probably have been laughed at three years ago, but we embraced it in 2018. Equally important, there is a realization that if all companies work toward the progress of the sector, all parties will progress with it. Prior to this, competitiveness in Jamaica was an “I want it all” mentality. This shift in mentality has been the key to Jamaica opening up to a deeper understanding of technology and how to use it to facilitate exponential growth.
What are the strong points that make the company stand out?
The company was started by five friends and as such we have never deviated from family values being our fundamental core principle. We have adopted the Patrick Lencioni mantra to “Be hungry, humble, and smart.” Also, the way for us to get noticed and be disruptive is primarily through innovation and creativity. This is shown by us leapfrogging the static market and going straight to digital in the process transforming and putting us in a position to be well poised for the future convergence. Our gamble paid off as we have seen tremendous year on year growth within the sector as we increase our locations. This greatly enhanced the purchase of NOA as we brought together the strongest digital portfolio and one of the strongest outdoor static portfolios under one roof.
What is your innovation strategy?
It is all about being disruptive and receptive/responsive to our customers' demands as we try and keep pace with or stay ahead off the changing work environment around us. We were having problems getting approvals for digital boards near stoplights, so we put them up on bus shelters, which was a first for the industry. In doing this we changed the entire revenue dynamic of a bus shelter where we could put a digital board up there with eight ads a month.
VOICES FROM THE SECTOR: HEALTHIT & BPO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Michael Lee-Chin, Founder and Chairman, Portland Holdings, Chairman, Economic Growth Council, Chairman, National Commercial Bank (NCB)
Portland Holdings manages public and private equity and strives to build strong businesses that support the well-being of the communities in which they operate.
read articleCommuniqué
A Legal Introduction to Jamaica’s SEZ Regime
A special economic zone (SEZ) is as a geographical demarcated area within a country's national borders that is governed by trade and business laws that are distinct from the laws of the rest of that country. The objective of an SEZ is usually to attract investment to a nation's shores, and thereby increase employment and economic growth.
read articleInterview
Daryl Vaz, Minister with responsibility for Land, the Environment, Climate Change, and Investment, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation is working hard to ensure Jamaica's growth doesn't come at the expense of its environment.
read articleFocus: Brain drain
Holding on to the Best
Given its close proximity to North America's economic powerhouses and its warm relationship with its former colonial power, Jamaica's best and brightest have long decamped for more developed shores. The government is now fighting to encourage them to stay at home.
read article