PRO SYS: Investments In IT Lead To Cost Cuts

Cosmina Capălau

The ongoing economic crisis is also affecting the Romanian IT industry as sales have embarked on a notably downward trend compared to last year. However, some say that IT will not count among the most severely affected industries "because any company needs software, hardware, infrastructure, or they cannot do business," according to Petrica Barbieru, General Manager of PRO SYS, a producer of hardware solutions for business.

As economic uncertainties loom over the business world, any company seeks to cut costs. "This year, we are focusing on creating and developing new solutions that are primarily aimed at optimizing the business of our customers and, therefore, reducing costs," Barbieru said, explaining BURSA the PRO SYS approach to the current economic context.

In his opinion, "investments in IT lead to cost cuts and we would like authorities to remember that. Unfortunately, they have greatly delayed the start of the governmental projects. Such delays have greatly contributed to worsening the effects of the crisis. We hope that the new financial commitments of the Government will reflect upon investments, too, and not just job cuts," the PRO SYS GM told BURSA.

• Romanian companies more affected than EU counterparts

Barbieru also believes that "considering the differences in capitalization, governmental policies and the domestic business environment, most Romanian companies are more affected than similar companies in other countries. Fortunately, the IT industry can be a different story. Some segments will be more affected by the crisis than others. Our segment, that is, servers and storage, could be less affected due to its specificity and role and even maintain the same sales level as last year."

One of the effects of the current economic context is the precaution triggered by a "psychological" component of the crisis, which has put some projects on stand-by pending the clarification of the actual magnitude of the shockwave. "As far as we are concerned, we have tried to adapt to the current context by consolidating our relationships with our customers and developing new solutions, such as storage or virtualization solutions designed for the specificity of the present economic environment to help companies reduce costs," the PRO SYS representative told BURSA.

• Barbieru: "The server: the must-have for any entrepreneur facing the crisis"

"The server is the core element of any IT infrastructure, irrespective of its size. From one year to the next, corporate data become increasingly valuable. Consequently, data security and access speed become key elements that can turn into competitive advantages. In the current context of declining demand, inability to promptly answer customer requests can be extremely detrimental. The consequence would be the loss of customers and therefore of revenue," Barbieru explained. "A server can enhance professionalism, quality and efficiency in the life of any business. It helps eliminate the problems that may appear if a simple PC is used instead - data loss, downtimes and inefficiency," the General Manager of PRO SYS concluded.