Išek: Continued Growth for Combis in 2017.

It's summer, and the results of the first six months of this year are slowly falling, which is what is expected after the battery's annual charge. We discussed the direction of the domestic IT sector with the CEO of Combis, at the revenue of the largest domestic IT company owned by HT. There will be some who will say that there are also bigger but in consolidation and outside of Croatia.

As we embarked on an analysis of the domestic IT market, this theme and expectations were imposed as key. Otherwise, ICTbusiness.info and this year is doing an analysis assisted by Bisnode or portal Poslovna.hr.

"Expectations and goals of Combis, as the largest Service and Cloud integrator in Croatia, are always high. Thus, 2016 was the best and most record-breaking year for Combis for all financial indicators and the least we expect is that these results will be re-done and further improving, "Išek said.

He adds that ubiquitous business digitalisation and digital transformation is one of the biggest opportunities, but also the challenges that companies are currently faced with, and believes that this is a great importance for a more personalized approach and the importance of specific domain knowledge.

Croatian IT market keeps KPIs growth from 2016. Which market segments derive that growth?

Croatian IT grows and is globally more and more competitive, which is especially visible in 15% export growth in 2016, as presented by ICT Association last week, which is a member of Croatian Employers’ Association.

According to our research, in 2016 was noticeable need for projects that improve business processes, support new products and services development, as well as digital transformation. That trend continues in 2017, and customers keep focus on Cloud and advanced analytics.

All of the above was a part of transformation, both domestic and international companies, because companies are more and more aware of necessity to follow trends in IT world.

What are Combis expectations for this year?

Combis expectations and goals are always at the top, as we are the largest Service and Cloud integrator in Croatia. For Combis 2016 was the best year as we reached the record according to all financial indicators, and we expect to reach that record this year and at least improve it a bit. What we want the most, and what is already happening, is increase of the number of Combis users in Croatia and abroad.

Moreover, this year Combis got the prize Microsoft partner of the year in Croatia, with emphasized success in collaboration of Cloud transformation. We also got the prize EuroCloud Croatia for the best Cloud service for vertical markets, because of our step forward in application development known as Olive Manager solution. Additionally, we improved VMware and Oracle competencies, and established Business Development Sector that will bring us excellent results, according to our expectations.

Especially important to us is a start of a development process and Combis portfolio adjustment according to leading global technological trends. Of course, today more than ever Combis invests in research and development of new products. It is our investment in the future.

Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about Cloud solutions that lower price and optimize work in companies, while on the other hand increase need for experts in companies that develop and manage such solutions. What are the trends today?

In principle, Cloud premise is simplification of day-to-day operations and automation most of the processes, which lowers pressure for operative employees. On the other hand, it is logical that you need to invest plenty of knowledge and advanced technology to create system for automatic environment provisioning, and it must be flexible and adjustable for all users. That justifies need for top experts that work on implementation of such solutions.

Nowadays trends focus on cherry picking Cloud services that are suitable to customer’s business model, and hybrid Cloud solutions are trend in Croatia. For example, companies from some business verticals do not want to move sensible business data in Public Cloud, but they gladly rent 'compute power' for different periodical processes, or working memory and data storage. Some companies are ready for combination like building Private Cloud and connecting it with Public Cloud. For now, there is small number of customers among the biggest companies that are ready to move 100 percent of their business in Public Cloud, or those that have significant capital in current fiscal year to implement complete on-premise Cloud solution.

Talking about new projects, what are customers looking for?

In B2B segment, companies more and more focus on business development towards end users, and towards advanced IT systems that provide competitive advantage on the market. That is the reason why we focus on being partner that has knowledge about specific business needs of our customers in their business segment. That is why we established and made stronger our Business Development Sector, and Business Consultants Department.

Companies are looking for development of customized application solutions, integration of IT systems and Cloud. Omnipresent digitalization of business is one of the biggest opportunities and challenges for companies currently. That is why we again emphasize importance of personalized approach and knowledge of specific business segments.

Combis has one and encourages internal startups. Do you plan to create separate company from any of those projects?

Our internal startup, called Neostartup, was established with intention to make step forward in that segment. Our colleagues from Neostartup team have freedom to develop solutions, while on the other side they can count on knowledge of our experienced engineers, and on support from our marketing, sales and other departments.

Existing model is completely according to our needs, so we do not have any plan to change it. You will be able to hear more details about new success of one of such projects on 11th Combis Conference in Šibenik. Personally, I look forward to attend those presentations.

IT market is going through reassortment primarily because of problems with Agrokor, in fact, with their mStart. What does it mean for market, relating to working force deficit?

mStart is part of Agrokor Group which still provides services and is responsible for IT support for majority of Group members, so it is not realistic to make market prognosis about experts from that company. Although, it is true that market eagerly needs such quality experts. All Group members are completely dependent on IT system functioning; therefore, I believe that conditions will be assured for the preservation of core IT competencies within the organization.

How to find experts needed in IT sector?

There is big fluctuation on IT market, because many domestic experts go abroad. Unfortunately, according to prognosis, IT expert deficit will be even more considerable. I really hope that our society and state will make some decisions to help more uptrend IT branch.

Currently, we are finding new colleagues on faculties. We are aware of that young people need attractive projects and stimulative work environment. Thus, we support many student competitions, projects and communities, practice work, scholarships, and we give opportunity for students to find mentor for their graduate thesis. We also organize try{code}catch hackahton, which results with new NeoStartup projects. Moreover, this year we provided free attendance and transportation to Combis Conference for students of faculties that are important to us.

What are your business results for the first six months this year?

Regarding results, we are on a good way to realize numbers set for 2017. We have reasons to be satisfied. Although it is clear that it will not be easy, and that we have a lot of work until end of the year. Combis has given a significant contribution to consolidated results in HT Group, and that is strategically extremely important to us. 2016 was the most successful business year for Combis, and as I mentioned before, numbers that we have set with new Combis strategy are a pledge for success in the future.

I have already mentioned that we have continuous growth in a number of new customers, and Cloud and service projects, which is our main transformation goal, but we also note the fall in hardware and license business, but that is business and technological trend in the world. In 2017 we have strengthen our synergy with HT Group and our employments’ team through acquisition of new experts. We are opening new business niches that are not strictly related to our ICT core business.

We will present many interesting things and novelties about Combis on Combis Conference. This year we will be together three days in Šibenik. We will present Case Studies, new knowledge and trends, and we will give insight into exclusive project results of the companies that have started their own digital evolution. I am also glad to announce that this year we have prepared many events that will provide new level of networking, and we have well-being content too - for relaxation, entertainment and recreation, likewise educations through lectures and workshops that are part of the program, but not strictly related to IT. We emphasize innovativeness and surely, it will be a lot of quality content for everyone. For that reason, I invite all interested to join us from September 27th till 29^th in Šibenik, so we can together deliberate about IT, and where it can take us.