The Managing Director, Soft Alliance and Resources Limited, Dr Bisi Aina, says that one of its greatest feats as an Information Technology (IT) solution provider is flushing out of 70,000 ghost workers from the Federal Civil Service System.
Aina spoke at a news conference in commemoration of the company’s 20th anniversary which was held at Ikeja in Lagos on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Soft Alliance is a world-class system integrator, IT solutions provider in Africa and one of Nigeria’s most respected, innovative and successful IT companies.
Aina said that setting up the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS), the first of its kind for the Federal Government, was a game changer.
“We were able to set up the IPPIS system which flushed out 70,000 ghost workers from the Federal Government; that was a scam that we created a lasting solution for. We also pioneered the first Oracle Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP).
“Also, we pioneered plate detect, the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) in Lagos State. In fact, when we started in 2004, they (Lagos State) were our first client then Oyo State, Ekiti and Bayelsa. This was created to enhance transportation management.
“We also built a Central Billing System (CBS) in 2016 for revenue collection in Nigeria to improve revenue generation and reduce corruption associated with manual receipt.
“We own the largest Human Resources (HR) payroll solution in Nigeria. We’ve the sustainability of empowering organisations with scalable work force management,” Aina said.
On some of the challenges the IT firm had to contend with, the managing director said that the cost of software, the current Japa syndrome and the exigency of training people about process were top on the list of challenges.
“The cost of software is expensive given the fluctuating nature of our exchange rate, paying license fee is in dollars we had to build software customised to serve Nigerian needs, this helped us cut cost.
“Also the Japa syndrome, we’re competing with foreign countries that are willing to pay in dollars which is attractive at the moment because of the exchange rate.
“But thankfully, people in our industry work remotely, we have to find creative ways to motivate our staff.
“In addition, what we have done is to recruit about 30 graduate interns from various universities for six months, at the end of the programme we employ 50 per cent and the other 50 get other juicy offers from other firms,” Aina said
He explained that the company had been able to stay grounded as a result of having a solid financial management system.
“We’re prudent with our finances, we ensure that we reserve a substantial amount and save for the rainy day, we actually pay twice a month.
“Also, what has kept us afloat is the fact that we reinvent ourselves regularly. We look for means to proffer solutions that is required to solve challenges in both the public and private sectors
“Also, we developed our storage system and our cloud helps us reduce our cost because we don’t have to deal with foreign exchange,” the managing director said.
Sharing the same view, Mr Feyi Agagu, the Director, Business Development, Soft Alliance, highlighted some of its Corporate Social Responsibility in the last 20 years of existence.
“We train youths and enlighten them on dangers of taking drugs. In respect to sports, we sponsor golf tournaments from time to time.
“On education, we have chosen a school for renovation in Ibadan, Oyo State, we are creating a more conducive work environment for students.
“Also, what we do with our interns is a way of giving back because they will learn a lot, experience can’t be bought,” Agagu said.
Mr Kolawole Lasaki, the company’s Deputy Director, Business Development, said hack-a-thon competitions, video testimonials and a gala night are part of the company’s programme for its 20th anniversary.
Present at the meeting were Mr Tunde Ojumu, the firm’s Director, Technical Service and Ayo Lajubutu, the Director, Solutions Delivery.
