biTS: local venture tackling global challenges

How did you start your venture in this sector?

BRAC IT Services Limited, biTS in short, is a proud member of the eminent BRAC family and is one of the leading IT solution & service providers in Bangladesh specialising in providing a wide range of software solutions & end to end technology service management. Initially it was founded as documenta Limited, a digital archiving company owned by BRAC back in 1999. Later in 2013 BRAC Bank Limited took over 51% of the company and merged it with its IT Division renaming it as BRAC IT Services Limited. On October 2017, BRAC has taken over the majority shares of BRAC IT Services Limited and the company has become one of the BRAC's subsidiaries. The Idea was to consolidate and outsource most of the IT functions of the group bringing in synergy and efficiency while make it a profitable venture serving external customers as well.

What were the obstacles that you had to overcome?

The major challenge that we faced initially was regarding scope management. We were trailing in many project deliveries since we couldn't keep our scope and workload under control. Few other challenges that we faced were regarding cost management, resources retention etc. An interesting conundrum was deciphering what actually clients wanted.

What would you say has been your best achievement?

Our best achievement so far has been the implementation of sbiCloud (a microfinance focused ERP) internationally in 10 countries e.g. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kenya, South Sudan. sbiCloud is completely locally conceptualised and developed ERP being used by BRAC International in African and Asian countries. Other than this, we've also developed a remittance solution, mRemit for BRAC Saajan Limited implemented in Poland, Romania, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. mRemit is integrated with global high-end exchange houses and local 6 State Owned Banks with 5,149 branches.

How would you describe the IT industry in Bangladesh?

A very promising and potential market to progress. Current days e Commerce is flourishing, and this has brought about a positive change. Demand for managed back-end IT enabled services, end-to-end application services, mobile applications etc. are rising, people engaging technology for business growth and reaching people. It's a very favourable situation to serve the local and international customers.

What expectations do you hold in the future?

According to 4th Industrial Revolution, we do not yet know just how it will unfold, but one thing is clear: the response to it must be integrated and comprehensive, involving all stakeholders of the global polity, from the public and private sectors to academia and civil society. Being a BRAC subsidiary, we have the prospect to work with diversified business domain and hope to design a technology based eco-system and represent us as a complete one-stop solution point to attend the digital transformation of our customers.

What do you think will help you to grow your business?

IT organisation is completely dependent on Human Capital. The resource working on the projects or products requires being innovative, skilled and business guided. More skilled resources excite us to engage in more complex projects, design solutions etc. We are ready to onboard resources having an international benchmark to be competitive locally and internationally.

What is your passion project that you're proud of?

Currently, we're working for developing sbiCloud (a microfinance focused ERP) for BRAC Bangladesh operation which will be implemented in around 3,000 branches nationwide. This project is a substantial matter for us, and success of the project will be one of our biggest achievements as well.