The vertical solution for NARABIS agribusinesses that expands Tryton’s horizons in Latin America
Paraguay is one of the world’s top 10 exporters of premium beef, ahead of the European Union. In fact, the EU ratified Paraguay’s export quota for high-quality beef under the Hilton quota in 2022. In its immediate region, Paraguay is among the four largest exporters of beef in South America, alongside Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
The figures show that the beef production industry is in very good health, but what challenges must be overcome today to consolidate an equally good or better future? Without a doubt, one of these challenges is the digital transformation of the entire business chain of meat production. It is also the challenge facing the entire agribusiness sector, the natural ecosystem of the livestock industry.
Digital transformation in the agribusiness industry
The challenge of the digital transformation of agribusiness lies in adapting technology to the distinctive characteristics of the agricultural industry. Nevertheless, NARABIS has specialized in animal-production companies—cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, and others—offering a vertical solution adapted to this type of company, which has become its main target.
NARABIS, based in Asunción, Paraguay, provides IT services in Latin America. Specifically, it offers consulting and management systems for agribusinesses, online retail and wholesale businesses, importers and exporters, service companies, construction companies, and others. Its technological solutions range from Business Intelligence, Ecommerce and Project Management. It also expands its ERP products with outsourcing services, providing companies that need it with a comprehensive, tailor-made business management software service supported by consultants and professional key users specialized in finance and technology.
To offer its clients a competitive technological solution, NARABIS needed software that would provide flexibility, scalability and customized development. This was necessary not only to meet each company’s specific requirements, but also to configure the country’s specific tax regulations. These features also could not drive up the solution’s price, since the industry works with tight budgets.
Because of these challenges, NARABIS chose the open-source Tryton software, together with its strategic partner NaN-tic, pioneers and experts in open-source ERP development.
How the NARABIS solution came about
We spoke with Esteban José González Kriskovich, Executive Director at NARABIS, about how and why the company chose Tryton, his experience with NaN-tic, and how he sees the future of enterprise open source in Latin America.
Why did you choose Tryton?
“At Tryton we found a system that adapts perfectly to NARABIS’s business strategy. One thing worth highlighting is that Tryton is designed to adapt to the client’s business, not the other way around, as usually happens with other alternatives. Its workflows place the user experience at the center. Technology makes company-management tasks easy to handle. Information flows cleanly, orderly and clearly for the whole team. The system covers all the processes our clients need, as well as useful additional functionalities. That makes the difference. It anticipates needs the client had not initially considered, making implementation and putting the system into production a satisfying experience. Finally, because Tryton is open source, it has enabled us to develop and adapt it to our clients’ business strategies.”
How do you view the reputation of open-source software in Latin America and Paraguay in particular?
“Open-source options are like electric mobility solutions: they enable significant savings and are innovative. But, like anything relatively new, their adoption faces resistance. Open source as an alternative business-management system is still viewed with distrust in Paraguay. Little by little, companies are incorporating it into their technology strategy. Startups, which have smaller initial budgets, are the most adventurous and are using these solutions to become more productive.
In previous years, major proprietary software brands dominated the national market. In my opinion, open-source technologies will lead the market in the coming years. The new generations were born with this concept and are taking over their family businesses or the management of large companies. The market will also become increasingly competitive. Resources are becoming scarcer and companies’ profit margins smaller. Seeking efficiency in technology spending will be the only way to survive and strengthen the business.”
How did you meet NaN-tic?
“We learned about NaN-tic through the brother of one of NARABIS’s managing partners, who has lived in Spain for years. He is a consultant with expertise in the software industry and extensive experience implementing and following up on technology projects. He directed us toward the right technologies and people to reach NaN-tic.”
What would you highlight most about your collaboration with NaN-tic?
“With NaN-tic we have found an expert, trustworthy and honest ally. It has been a great ally in several NARABIS projects. It has given us the support and strength to take on any challenge. It has an excellent team. NaN-TIC always has the ingenuity to turn a situation around and find an effective, fast solution. We are convinced that this partnership with NaN-tic has been, and will continue to be, a recipe for success.”
Is having a European partner strategically valuable?
“The European Union has the highest standards in terms of quality controls and practical experience. If a system was created in Europe and is used successfully by companies around the world, it is because it really works.
For NARABIS, having an ally in Europe with developments already tested and used by large companies in many different sectors has been key. That gave us the confidence to serve companies from different sectors in the country.”
What future plans do you envision for NARABIS?
“The consultancy aims to become an expert and a leading reference in Paraguay and South America. We are moving forward gradually. We believe that every client who trusts us deserves 100% of our attention and should leave 100% satisfied. We seek to build long-term relationships. We do not just sell the system; we sell consulting with a communicative and human approach. Our goals are to ensure successful system implementations and make sure the client obtains the maximum benefit from the technology.”
Continuing to move forward and improve
The macroeconomic forecasts accompanying Paraguay’s progress are positive but challenging: GDP growth, declining inflation and a lower fiscal deficit are all showing positive figures. At NaN-tic, we will keep an eye on our American partner NARABIS, and we are confident in its future success, both in Paraguay and throughout Latin America.
