"Software is just like a designer bag. Despite high prices, women purchase designer bags because they know their value. This is also true of software. Some software is installed for certain purposes and creates an environment in which users have no other option but to use it.
Lee Chong-Keun, President of e-Softing, has been at the forefront of promoting a self-directed learning culture and cutting back private education costs through Hi-mentor (an IT education consulting solution) and the Mobile English solution.
In 1973, President Lee started to work at the Data Processing Development Office of KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology), where he developed a computer program for making public detailed financial information on the companies listed on the Korea Exchange (KRX).
In 1975, he was dispatched to the port city of Busan to set up KIST's Busan branch office, where he took charge of computer education, running computer program courses such as computer entry-level course, FOTRAN Course, COBOL Course and OJT Course.
And then he was hired by Yungjin Pharm Ind. Co. to create a data processing room where he developed computer programs geared towards personnel management, financial accounting management, inventory and asset management, production management and sale management. Through such computer programs, he greatly contributed to cost reductions in the pharmaceutical company.
In the 1980's, he worked for SAMWHAN Corporation and was dispatched to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he worked for a decade. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he developed computer programs for processing control, heavy equipment management, taxation management, financial accounting management, personnel management and earned value management. In 1990, he returned to Korea and developed an e-transaction system for construction companies, which transformed office work and maximized work efficiency and labor-saving effects. Based on many years of ample experience, he set up E-softing Co., LTD. in February 2000 and has been developing software ever since.
In addition, since he returned from Saudi Arabia in 1990, he spearheaded a carpool campaign from Bundang (the southernmost district of Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do) to Anguk-dong (neighborhood of Jongno-gu in Seoul). For the first three years after the launch of the carpool campaign, he reported the difficulties he had faced running the campaign to relevant government entities: he proposed bus-only lanes, express buses running directly from Bundang to the Seoul KTX Station, planting carpool signposts, sharing cars on national holidays (e.g. New Year's day and Korea's Thanksgiving Day) and tax deductions for those making donations to charity. These proposals were adopted and have been implemented. With such a unique background, he is famous for being a creative dreamer.
In 1985, when he created a nationwide gathering of Korea's data processing chiefs, the Computer User Association, and assumed the chairmanship of the Association, Korea's computer environment was almost a no man's land. There was no understanding regarding the rights and interests of computer users. At that time, Korea's first consumer complaint center, which President Lee created, was also taking care of consumer complaints related to computers. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry's e-transaction meeting that first took place in 1990 also significantly contributed to expanding Korea's computer user base and protecting the rights and interests of computer users.
In 2000, with a mere 15 employees, he established e-Softing in Dogok-dong , a ward of Gangnam-gu in Seoul, so as to jump into software development. In the beginning, pushing for projects to develop groupware development and management, building portal sits, disaster recovery solutions and personal information security solutions, he experienced many ups and downs. e-Softing has always been abreast with the latest trends to develop relevant software that satisfies customer needs: it has developed anti-porn solutions, firewall solutions foiling illegal hacking attempts, computer programs that can prevent game addiction and control the hours users spend gaming. e-Softing has continuously released software that effectively meets customer needs, securing its place as a hero in Korea's software history.
Development of www.isafer.co.kr, a solution that blocks or filters adult-only Internet contents
The major functions of isafer include prevention of game or Internet addiction, protection of children from harmful contents such as pornography, violence, suicide sites, blocking pornographic images and obscene words, not to mention removing malicious codes such as spyware and adware.
He went on to say, "I believe that in a nation where there is a relatively low public awareness of software copyrights, support from the government is badly needed. For example, "www.greeninet.or.kr", a program blocking harmful contents developed under the auspices of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (Kocsc), has been gratuitously distributed to elementary, middle and high schools around the nation."
Recently, e-Softing started running www.himentor.co.kr, an online education consulting service, which offers consulting services and study tips to students from preschool kids to high school seniors. This year, e-Softing is working on "Mobile English", which will enable English education on any platform, including mobile phones and smartphones. What's more, e-Softing created Debate Association Corp. to hold debates in English, through which individuals' English skills are evaluated based on their debating performance. This can work as an alternative to TOEIC and TOEFL tests.
Development of high value-added software
President Lee said, "The value of software is determined by its users. In any field, software that is sought after by users is highly valued. For instance, ultrasonic software convergence solutions, used in hospitals, are extremely expensive, but there is always demand for them.
In addition, the price of database solutions like Oracle has risen on an annual basis, but the number of users is also increasing accordingly. As a result, once some piece of software that fully satisfies users' needs is developed, users will spread the word about the value of the software.
He continued, "In the future, e-Softing wants to develop high value-added solutions.
The most important thing in modern life is health. Future-oriented solutions -- such as medical convergence solutions that connect remote patients to doctors and human body engineering solutions that help in treatment and surgery-- will shape Korea into a software powerhouse."
"Another high value-added solution is water management. In particular, in China and India, squat toilets still account for 15% of the total toilets. Once these old-fashioned toilets are upgraded into modern ones, water shortages are inevitable. Korea is no exception to this. Bearing in mind the importance of water management, the Korean government is pushing ahead with the Four Rivers Project, which is a desirable policy in terms of water management. Turning sea water into drinkable water costs a lot of money, so we need to embark on developing water management convergence solutions that take care of all kinds of water including rainwater and streams", explained President Lee.
In the early 2000's when the dot come boom took place, many people expected Korea to emerge as a global software powerhouse. However, when the bubbles collapsed, a legion of companies went out of business, emptying the Korean software industry. Against this backdrop, high hopes are pinned on e-Softing, which strives to resurrect the ailing Korean software industry by developing high value-added software just like highly-coveted designer goods.
