Monday, February 13, 2006
iNix Technologies - Jimmy Tok - Smart Homes and High-tech Security Systems
WHAT does a love for all things electronic and a house break-in have in common?
For iNix Technologies Holdings Bhd chief executive officer Jimmy Tok Soon Guan, they are the reasons he chose to venture into the field of smart homes and high-tech security systems.
The Terengganu-born Tok had come to the city almost 20 years ago in search of higher education, a good job and ultimately, a better life.
Today, the 36-year-old Tok heads one of the fastest growing Mesdaq-listed companies in the country.
The company has big plans aimed at further growing its already healthy bottom line and enlarging its customer base.
Established in 2003, iNix is a developer of integrated smart home products and solutions that consist of security, automation and video surveillance feature systems with a centralised monitory system aimed at deterring unauthorised entry in homes and business premises.
The company was listed last September. For its first quarter ended Oct 31, 2005, it recorded a net profit of RM1.8mil on revenue of RM5.4mil.
But it was not a bed of roses during the initial years for this now successful technopreneur.
“It was not an easy journey for me to reach this point in my career,” Tok told StarBiz.
“I came to KL when I was about 17 years old. While studying at a technical college, I took on many part-time jobs like delivering pizza and waiting on tables just so that I could survive,” he said.
At the same time, Tok’s love for computers and electronics drew him to a part time job as a computer salesman.
“I walked into a small computer shop one day, wanting to buy a computer for myself. There were other customers present who also wanted to buy a computer but the shop vendor did not know how to convince them.
“In the end, I managed to convince them to make a purchase. The owner was very impressed and offered me a part-time job selling computers right away,” he said.
So, over the next year or so, Tok sold and delivered computers and learnt as much as he could about the business world while managing his studies at the same time.
“It was tough – imagine having to deliver computers riding the minibus – I did not have my own transport back then,” he recalled.
Being a naturally enterprising person, Tok set up his own small business repairing and upgrading computers soon after he completed his technical training.
While working at his little business, Tok’s house was broken into.
He knew then that it was time to combine his love of electronics and computers to come up with a device that could be used to prevent future break-ins.
“This was in 1994 - I sat down with a friend, Cheong Kok Yai, whom I had met while working in computer sales and we came up with the idea of a personal computer (PC)-based security system,” said Tok, adding that Cheong was now his business partner.
“In 1995, we set up PC Sentry Sdn Bhd – a business which saw us assembling and selling computers by day and developing PC-based security systems at night,” he said.
After much hard work, integrated intelligent system SecureSmith was developed.
But then came the problem of marketing it. “We knew we had a good product but we were an unknown brand and did not have funds for advertising and promotion,” Tok said.
“We approached the Government, venture capital companies ? that was the toughest period, trying to get funds.
“After a year of disappointment and lots of waiting, we managed to get some funds from the Government. That’s when we repackaged SecureSmith and made it look more presentable. We could also afford more marketing activities for the product after that,” he said.
iNix Technologies Sdn Bhd, a spin-off from PC Sentry Sdn Bhd, was set up in 2003 with the aim of establishing itself as a leader in the field of integrated intelligent home systems.
Today, the company’s products are not only widely used locally but also in developed countries such as Australia and the US.
“I am happy with what I have achieved so far but of course there is always room to do better. My advice to budding entrepreneurs is to never give up and to remain focused on your goals.
“There were times, especially when trying to get funds, when I thought it was better to just forget the whole idea of owning my own business. But I am glad I didn’t. There is nothing quite like watching your hard work translate into a successful business,” he said. Link to Article
For iNix Technologies Holdings Bhd chief executive officer Jimmy Tok Soon Guan, they are the reasons he chose to venture into the field of smart homes and high-tech security systems.
The Terengganu-born Tok had come to the city almost 20 years ago in search of higher education, a good job and ultimately, a better life.
Today, the 36-year-old Tok heads one of the fastest growing Mesdaq-listed companies in the country.
The company has big plans aimed at further growing its already healthy bottom line and enlarging its customer base.
Established in 2003, iNix is a developer of integrated smart home products and solutions that consist of security, automation and video surveillance feature systems with a centralised monitory system aimed at deterring unauthorised entry in homes and business premises.
The company was listed last September. For its first quarter ended Oct 31, 2005, it recorded a net profit of RM1.8mil on revenue of RM5.4mil.
But it was not a bed of roses during the initial years for this now successful technopreneur.
“It was not an easy journey for me to reach this point in my career,” Tok told StarBiz.
“I came to KL when I was about 17 years old. While studying at a technical college, I took on many part-time jobs like delivering pizza and waiting on tables just so that I could survive,” he said.
At the same time, Tok’s love for computers and electronics drew him to a part time job as a computer salesman.
“I walked into a small computer shop one day, wanting to buy a computer for myself. There were other customers present who also wanted to buy a computer but the shop vendor did not know how to convince them.
“In the end, I managed to convince them to make a purchase. The owner was very impressed and offered me a part-time job selling computers right away,” he said.
So, over the next year or so, Tok sold and delivered computers and learnt as much as he could about the business world while managing his studies at the same time.
“It was tough – imagine having to deliver computers riding the minibus – I did not have my own transport back then,” he recalled.
Being a naturally enterprising person, Tok set up his own small business repairing and upgrading computers soon after he completed his technical training.
While working at his little business, Tok’s house was broken into.
He knew then that it was time to combine his love of electronics and computers to come up with a device that could be used to prevent future break-ins.
“This was in 1994 - I sat down with a friend, Cheong Kok Yai, whom I had met while working in computer sales and we came up with the idea of a personal computer (PC)-based security system,” said Tok, adding that Cheong was now his business partner.
“In 1995, we set up PC Sentry Sdn Bhd – a business which saw us assembling and selling computers by day and developing PC-based security systems at night,” he said.
After much hard work, integrated intelligent system SecureSmith was developed.
But then came the problem of marketing it. “We knew we had a good product but we were an unknown brand and did not have funds for advertising and promotion,” Tok said.
“We approached the Government, venture capital companies ? that was the toughest period, trying to get funds.
“After a year of disappointment and lots of waiting, we managed to get some funds from the Government. That’s when we repackaged SecureSmith and made it look more presentable. We could also afford more marketing activities for the product after that,” he said.
iNix Technologies Sdn Bhd, a spin-off from PC Sentry Sdn Bhd, was set up in 2003 with the aim of establishing itself as a leader in the field of integrated intelligent home systems.
Today, the company’s products are not only widely used locally but also in developed countries such as Australia and the US.
“I am happy with what I have achieved so far but of course there is always room to do better. My advice to budding entrepreneurs is to never give up and to remain focused on your goals.
“There were times, especially when trying to get funds, when I thought it was better to just forget the whole idea of owning my own business. But I am glad I didn’t. There is nothing quite like watching your hard work translate into a successful business,” he said. Link to Article