While working in software testing for Optus, Peter Yialas and co-founder Jason Peters saw a need to change the way software testing services were being offered. As a result, they formed niche software testing business DX Solutions in 2006.
They started out small, working out of Jason’s spare room with only a single employee. But the company has come a long way since those humble beginnings.
Today, DX Solutions is a $30 million business and resides at offices in the heart of Sydney, which accommodate the company’s 200 employees.
Australia’s first solutions aggregator
The company was incorporated in 2006, with Optus as its first client. Over the next 11 years, it has continued to grow and transform to meet the changing needs of its customers, evolving from a software testing provider to a systems integrator, now with more than 25 Tier 1 clients. In 2011, Jason and Peter brought a third director on board, Mark Greenwood, allowing them to add new services to their range of offerings, based on his strong capability in project management and business and process analysis.
The next step for DX is to not just integrate complex solutions and products for customers, but to become Australia’s first solutions aggregator. To that end, the company will soon be launching Rubx, a cohesive, connected and secure cloud management platform that enables digital transformation and will “help clients navigate the complexities of conducting business in the digital age, while securing data in motion”.
Laser-like focus on customer satisfaction
Peter puts the company’s success down to the team’s “laser-like focus on delighting the customer”. DX Solutions maintains its competitive edge by continually ensuring that customers get the right business outcomes. Peter says that at the beginning, he and Jason discovered that clients had often already chosen to go with their existing provider when DX Solutions put in its bid. They were just going through the selection process in order to get multiple proposals and fee estimates to “keep the incumbent honest or satisfy internal procurement policies”. To overcome this problem, and unseat the incumbent providers, they used a combination of effective business metrics, honesty, transparency and tenacity to convince customers that the DX team would provide them with the best solutions to meet their needs.
And this approach has worked, allowing the company to be involved in a wide range of projects. Peter says the team at DX enjoys the challenge of working with today’s ever-changing technology. “We have rolled out full 4G networks Australia wide, merged electronic banking switches for one of the top 4 banks and even created an emergency warning system for the Government. All our engagements are fulfilling and highly technical,” he enthuses.
A culture of caring
For this reason, the team at DX Solutions must be highly technologically adept. “We hire the best to enable our strategy and ensure quality delivery at all times,” affirms Peter. “It is inspiring to be able to come in and see the team’s passion and teamwork in fulfilling our customers’ needs.” The company directors built a thriving corporate culture at DX Solutions, based on connection, collaboration and open and honest communication.
Peter tries to foster an environment where people feel empowered and truly valued, as “it promotes capacity, builds capability and encourages fierce loyalty to the company”. And he says it’s incredibly rewarding to “give people opportunities to support themselves and their families, knowing that there are people on the payroll because you fought to get them there”.
This caring attitude is by no means limited to Jason, Mark and Peter. The whole team at DX Solutions are passionate about the causes that the company supports.
DX Solutions raises funds for the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, as well as providing generous sponsorship to the Nelune Foundation. The company sponsors black tie events and race days in aid of Nelune, a not-for-profit charitable organisation committed to helping all cancer patients fight cancer with dignity.
DX Solutions key facts
- Company name: DX Solutions
- Managing Directors: Peter Yialas & Jason Peters
- Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
- Number of employees: 200
- Annual turnover: $30m
- Industry: IT & Telecommunications