Tech entrepreneur finds digital solutions for businesses

The ICT sector is evolving at a fast pace and there is an urgent need for the digitalization of business solutions. Nowadays, technology can be used to solve challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

Developmenthub is a high-tech software and technology development company that helps enterprises achieve digital transformation. The CEO Odwa Ndyaluvane and his team develop technology products to help businesses automate their processes and become more digital. The Port Elizabeth based company was founded in 2016, after Ndyaluvane spent five years devising digital solutions for clients.

Localizing solutions

Using technology to find innovative solutions to solve problems faced by businesses is the company’s core focus. Ndyaluvane uses his expertise to build solutions for enterprises in finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, health, and retail. “We are intentional about solving problems in our developing country,” he said. Most of their competitors are focused on international software solutions and as a proudly South African company, Developmenthub understands the challenges faced by local businesses. This puts the company in a better position to come up with ground-breaking solutions. The local business climate is demanding and providing technological solutions gives entrepreneurs a competitive edge.

Business-to-business artificial intelligence sales tool

The business was part of the 2018 Telkom Future Makers and BCX National Innovation Programmes, where they developed an artificial intelligence sales tool for businesses called Saleshack.io. The software tool uses data to help businesses identify and close more deals. Over the years, Saleshack.io has under-gone various development stages to improve its efficiency and to reach commercially recommended standards. In 2020, the Developmenthub team secured grant funding from SEFA and UNDP and also joined the SAB Tholoana Enterprise Programme. Saleshack.io has opened doors for the business and Ndyaluvane believes that his team’s focus on localising technological solutions had led to the growth of the business.

Problem solving technology products

Developmenthub understands that enterprises are looking for solutions to minimise costs and to improve processes. To find these much-needed solutions, Ndyaluvane plans to work with entrepreneurs to help them use technology to solve their problems. “We understand the frustrations faced by businesses, and we see this as an opportunity to find creative digital solutions,” he said. Ndyaluvane added that the best innovations come from addressing problems and finding solutions. Most entrepreneurs are not technologically savvy and often feel frustrated when they lack the knowledge and tools to help them run their businesses more effectively.

ICT sector is filled with ample opportunities

South Africa’s technology sector has long way to go in terms of catching up with developed countries. “My vision is to contribute towards creating a technologically advanced continent and to build and export software and technology products,” he said. In 2020, Developmenthub’s software tool; Saleshack.io reached technology readiness level 7 (pre-commercial) after continuous effort by the team to improve the product. There are plans to fully commercialise it by 2022 and they are working hard to make this dream a reality.

More business-to-business solutions

Developmenthub has another product called Ubiquitous 360, which is an Internet of Things (IoT) empowered product. It’s is an all-in-one data-driven utilities and services monitoring and management solution designed for large scale facilities managers who work in local municipalities, property development and estate management. The product provides them with accurate billing information based on consumption and other related metrics using smart devices. Ndyaluvane’s team is passionate about creating seamless solutions for clients.  “Allowing others to be part of our dream has enabled us to find collaborative and innovative solutions which helped us to thrive during times of uncertainty,” he concluded.