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Since it was established in 2000, the DC Concept Corporation located in Brno has been focusing on the development of unique object oriented information system including an integrated development CASE tool for creating and customizing applications. Currently, the company has twenty employees developing the system and providing technical and business support, and cooperates with approximately other 200 external consultants that deploy the system within the network of 40 partners in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I discussed the development plans with one of the company founders and the executive manager at the same time, Jiri Rychetsky.

Ever since the beginning, the development has been concentrated on creating an information system that would encompass tools for analysts and implementators to be able to easily model business processes for applications supporting production and business. So, the QI information system was developed, and the first installation dates back to 2001. “Due to unique system features that enable the system to be completely customized to fit specific customer’s needs from the data, function as well as price points of view, we named it the First elastic information system. Except for advanced functional and data adaptability, customers are interested in price elasticity, which means that they can choose from tens of options how to finance the system lease”, says Jiri Rychetsky.

Support for the partner network

At present, QI is used by 260 customers active in 32 branches from business to public services, such as hospitals, to various specific productions ranging from meat producers to the automotive industry. A rapid increase in the number of installations has been caused, among others, by the fact that the system is deployed only by certified implementation partners that for which DC Concept is not a competitor. The company primarily focuses on the development of the system and providing support for its partner network. The annual turnover from license fees exceeds CZK 40 mil.

The QI information system is available for three database platforms –Microsoft SQL, Oracle, and Sybase. Individual parts are provided either as specialized independent modules or as comprehensive ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. The entire QI system is installed at the customer site but than only required parts are implemented and activated. The range of functionalities used can be extended or reduced at any time if necessary.

Competitive advantages

The competitive advantage of the QI system particularly lies in its comprehensiveness within the meaning of its ability to cover all organizational processes. A significant part of the system is a development tool enabling to add or modify system functions without disrupting the operation of the system. It is also possible to connect QI with other applications through standard interfaces. For example, the system can provide data to applications like MS Office, AutoCAD etc., where the data and information received from QI can be further processed. Medium sized companies with 10-250 concurrent users represent system’s target group.

DC Concept, as the only Czech company, has been named to IT Week Magazine’s prestigious Top 100 Vendors 2006 List in the category of IT solution providers. The company has been also awarded a highly valued IBM certificate which ranks the QI system among the leading European solutions in the programme “Built on IBM Express”. This certificate is awarded only to high-tech products with a high utilization potential in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Expansion abroad

DC Concept develops and coordinates a multinational network of partners participating in the localisation, development and implementation of QI. A potential partner should be a professional with experience in ERP implementation as well as a “network player.” A speciality in one of vertical markets is an advantage. Partners share in profits from not only the sale of licenses bat they also can provide implementation services to customers.

Approximately 10 % of the company’s turnover is generated on the Slovak market. English and German versions are available, and the translation and localisation into Polish is currently being prepared, including harmonisation with the Polish legislature and setting up a network of local partners. At the present time, the company concentrates on establishing partners in Poland and Hungary.

Contact

Jiri Rychetsky
Tel. +420 544 502 000
E-mail: jiri.rychetsky@dcconcept.com
www.dcconcept.com

Jiri Rychetsky graduated from the Brno University of Technology, where he studied computer aided design of mechanical parts. In 1992, he became the technical director of the TESCO Trading company engaged in producing and supplying hardware for both the private and public sector. In 1998, Jiri was appointed executive director of the company. Two years later, he helped set up DC Concept, and since then, he has been its chief executive officer. In this role, he is responsible for achieving the main strategic objective, which is to build a strong multinational enterprise with the network of authorised partners participating in the development of a comprehensive information system and in deploying the system at customer sites.