“The global economic crisis has forced many enterprises to cut staff and even to go bankrupt. However, the software industry still grows because business software products remain an indispensable tool for enterprises. Budget cuts even provide a better chance for local products to become cheaper”, Mr. Mark Ketelaars, Managing Director of CADENA Vietnam, said to reporter of the Vietnam Business Forum.
From its foundation in the Netherlands over 18 years ago, Dutch IT company Cadena has been offering a wide range of IT services, from computer network and maintenance to web site -software development and engineering services. Markets are local, regional and international. Cadena made its official presence in Vietnam in 1995 when the country was widening the door to the outside world. After 14 years in Vietnam Cadena has carried out many IT and software projects for both the local market and the International outsourcing markets in Europe, Australia and US. For the last 6 years the focus of the Business Software Business Unit is on Cadena’s in-house developed Cadena HRM Series, a highly advanced and localized HRM system that includes integrated HR, Time & Attendance and Payroll modules.
Customized versions are available for Hotel & Resort and Factory & Office. Hotel & Resort versions were or are being implemented to improve human resources and payroll management for many hotels and resorts in Vietnam such as Hyatt, Intercontinental, Evason Anamandara, The Nam Hai, Sheraton, Moevenpick, Hilton and Rex Hotel. The Hotel & Resort version is built on Cadena’s years of experience with large hotel environments and is by now a unique product in the hospitality industry in Vietnam and beyond. The Factory & Office version was supplied for many world-leading companies in Vietnam such as HSBC Bank, Philips Electronic Vietnam, Intel Vietnam, Shell Vietnam, Theodore Alexander, Olympus and Navigos Group. Cadena has a partnership with Navigos Group, giving Navigos access to Cadena’s software support, and giving Cadena access to Navigos’ payroll consultancy services, making its products constantly compliant with the latest Vietnamese labor and tax laws. Current developments of the HRM product include web based interfacing tools that act as extensions of the core system, such as On Line Leave and Self Employee services under the package name “E-Cadena”.
Although Vietnam for years to come offers a vast market for Cadena’s HRM Series, the product is already successfully implemented in neighboring Cambodia for many factories and plans are to actively market the product in the hospitality markets of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore where Cadena already operates an office. In other countries successful implementation is ensured through cooperation with renowned local software companies, said Mr. Mark Ketelaars.
Besides the HRM products for the local and regional markets, the International outsourcing markets approach Cadena’s Custom Software Business Unit for software developments such as E-Commerce and .NET applications. Cadena’s latest highly successful activities are in the outsourcing field of CAD - engineering services. Quality and reliability is accomplished by sending Cadena’s engineers for training at customer’s site in the Netherlands.
On competition with other rivals in Vietnam, Mr. Mark said: “Apart from its supply of exclusive services in Vietnam, Cadena also has its own strengths thanks to its long-time operation and a wide range of customers worldwide who know the values of the company’s services.”
The global economic crisis has dragged down operations of all enterprises regardless of production, commerce or service. Mr. Mark Ketelaars said: “To revive the economy and ride out the crisis, we must know our strengths and apply sound solutions in controlling inflation and other economic woes. The return to growth of each enterprise and each nation is only a matter of time.
Cadena Vietnam’s experienced CEO’s sharing in life and business with the VIB Forum reporter is a matter of fact: We together look at a brighter future for businesses operating in Vietnam in general and Cadena in particular.
Doan Tien
Vietnamese
