The ibs.GRANADA and FIBAO are committed to successful companies such as NIS

Naranjo Intelligent Solutions is the dream come true of Jaime Matas, a computer engineer with two master's degrees and a professor of Vocational Training who, tired of seeing how the talent of his students and fellow researchers at the University of Granada was wasted due to the crisis, decided to promote a business project that today is about to be completed. revolutionize the field of healthcare.

NIS is a knowledge-based company that emerged within the University of Granada (UGR), in the Department of Computer Architecture and Technology, with the goal of creating ICT solutions with an R&D component that would leverage the university's research expertise; professional development by computer science, telecommunications, and electronics engineers; and a distinctly innovative approach, ensuring that "our clients can enjoy natural and simple ICT solutions," explains the CEO of the Granada-based company.

To do this, they specialized in three technologies: the development of software in the cloud or cloud computing, circuits and sensor networks, which are the basis of the so-called internet of things, and bioinformatics or artificial intelligence. "Our goal has always been to create innovative products that are useful and help people in their daily lives," Matas notes.

After two years of hard work, dedication, and commitment, the NIS team has developed an R&D&I project that has resulted in the registration of a patent with the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office.

It is an intelligent system for improving drug dispensing and administration processes in hospitals and is currently in the pilot phase at the Hospital Clínico de Granada. "The system uses artificial intelligence to help toilets to avoid mistakes, But it is not designed to replace people," Matas adds.

With personal funds, a lot of time, and the support of the Granada CADE (Center for Development and Innovation) (CADE), NIS is now a reality. "We have received grants from Banco Santander and the University of Granada for R&D projects that have helped us survive in these early years," asserts the company's manager, who acknowledges that they have also undertaken all kinds of projects to fund themselves, such as mobile applications. "Now we have sparked the interest of private investors," he notes proudly, acknowledging that "there is still a long way to go."

Generate employment in Andalusia

The first step in this journey will be the market launch of this intelligent medication dispensing system, for which they have the support of the Andalusian Health Service. Throughout the manufacturing process, Naranjo Intelligent Solutions has relied on other Andalusian firms as suppliers. "Our goal has always been to generate employment in our region, and although our projects are planned globally, "We work locally to achieve this," he adds. "Although manufacturing abroad would be cheaper, it's a matter of business philosophy. We want to promote the development of the Andalusian productive fabric, and that's why we're committed to the region's SMEs," says the general manager of the Granada-based company.

Not surprisingly, SMEs are one of its main clients, along with research groups and public institutions. NIS is responsible for the creation of a cloud-based business management system (ERP) for the Andalusian textile chain Grupo Isamar, "which was the first step in launching its commercialization in the rest of Spain," as well as other educational software for competitive examination academies and hammock management for businesses on the Andalusian coast. Furthermore, it also has a human resources solution focused on talent management in the prototype phase, so popular among large international corporations, which promises to be a huge success.

It has been two years "of a lot of work but certainly exciting," says Jaime Matas, who recognizes in his team, young engineers between 27 and 32 years old, "To the true heroes. Dani, Chema, José María, José Carlos, and Paco are an example of entrepreneurs who will overcome the crisis without leaving their homeland." According to its CEO, NIS's success lies "in a team of good, well-trained, and highly talented people who have known how to jump into the business world at the right time, because starting a business is not easy," he asserts, adding that it has been fundamental, as well as surprising.the interest of institutions such as FIBAO or  Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada, in contacting companies and researchers so they can generate projects that can have real applications and improve the healthcare system," he concludes.

Awards and acknowledgements

After two years of work and effort, the recognitions have begun to arrive. Naranjo Intelligent Solutions has been distinguishedas the best Spin-Off of the University of Granada in 2014. In addition, Naranjo Intelligent Solutions has been the winner of the Andalucía Emprende award in the creation modality in the province of Granada and will represent the province in the regional phase of the second edition of these awards promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Science and Job.