iNix sets sights on UAE, US

INIX Technologies Holdings Bhd, an information and communications technology-based company, plans to expand its international operations this year by venturing into two new markets, namely United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (US).  

“We already have a distribution network across seven countries, which include Australia and Sri Lanka,” chief executive officer Jimmy Tok told StarBiz in Subang Jaya.  

“This year, we are looking at UAE and the US. Both these countries offer a lot of business opportunities.”  

iNix, established in 2003, manufactures Secure Smith, a 3-in-1 integrated intelligent system that consists of security, automation and video surveillance system designed for home and business installations. It expects to be listed on the Mesdaq market of Bursa Malaysia within one to two months. 

Elaborating on the UAE plan, Tok said there were a lot of new housing projects in the country, thus providing iNix an excellent opportunity to market its products.  

“Of course, our products not only cater to new houses, but also existing ones, “ he said.  

Tok said although the company's focus was on the international market this year, it was not going to neglect the local market. iNix plans to maintain its domestic market share.  

“I do, however, see the trend leaning towards the export market in the future,” he said. 

He added that last year, contribution from exports totalled 30%, while 70% came from the local market.  

Jimmy Tok

Commenting on how different the company's products were from its competitors, Tok said iNix owned the technology used to create its products and unlike other companies that were mostly traders, iNix was an “all-in-one” company. 

“We own the technology, develop the system. We even do the marketing,” he said.  

“We only have a one-off cost, which is our research and development (R&D).” 

Tok said unlike most of its competitors, which bought systems at high prices and sold them, there was no need for iNix to do that.  

Because the company owns the technology, it has a free hand in customising the products for its customers, according to Tok.  

On the customer base, business development manager Ralph Yew said the company's target customers were mostly housing developers.  

He added that it worked through distributors in overseas markets.  

The company is looking to use the proceeds from its listing exercise for further R&D activities.  

Tok said anything high-tech had a life span and that constant R&D activities were vital to maintain product competitiveness.  

“We have a good R&D team here consisting of 16 people,” he said, adding that the company's staff strength totalled 67.  

On the benefits of the company’s products, he said iNix's technology enabled the system, sold in a convenient do-it-yourself kit, to be installed with minimal wiring and hassle.  

Tok said the system was installed with verbal notification capabilities and therefore could be controlled and programmed with electronic items such as a mobile phone, computer and a remote controller.  

”For example, an iNix customer leaves for vacation and an intruder manages to force his way into the customer's house.  

“Secure Smith will be able to detect the illegal entry with a device and through a programmed code determined by the customer,” he explained.  

The system can detect the location of the intruder, automatically switches on a hidden camera, and records his movements.  

At the same time, Secure Smith will begin to dial several of the pre-programmed numbers via the auto dialer and the customer is informed.  

Commenting on the industry's potential, Tok said while security systems were seen as more of a luxury item years ago, these days people were beginning to think of it more as a requirement.  

“There is definitely potential for growth,” he said.