Ray Ryan, Founder & CEO of The Noledge Group, talks to InBUSINESS about following his instinct and embracing technology

Back in the 1970’s, Ray Ryan’s career began at Dublin’s Dandelion Market where he sold pots and pans, microwave ovens and electric blankets. That was a time when appliances like microwaves were seen as the cutting edge of technology. Fast forward a few decades and Ray is the founder and CEO of software development and implementation company, The Noledge Group. The company operates two brands – OSSM, an enterprise resource management software company and Envisage, a financial software company. Solutions from The Noledge Group enable businesses to streamline and simplify their operations around sales performance and management accounts. From his days on a market stall to today, Ray has enjoyed a diverse career, underpinned all the while by technology.

Business at The Noledge Group is, says Ray, good. It’s very much a tech-based company, specialising in the sales and deployment of Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Sage 200 and Connections. Clients come from a range of industries. “It doesn’t matter if they’re a manufacturer, a construction firm, digital or financial – our solutions address full business requirements including automation, improving business process, reporting, enabling them to engage better with clients. We’re extremely busy and as a tech company, I believe we’re in a particularly good space. Technology is becoming more of a driving force every day, so we’re well placed.”

A digital future

Technology has always fascinated Ray – its possibilities, its ability to adapt and the way it can fundamentally transform how a company operates. His first job was at an electrical appliance company, where he quickly became known as the go-to-guy for questions on appliance parts. “I learned early on that if I memorised the parts on each domestic appliance, it would make my job a lot easier. I’d know exactly which unit belonged to which device.” His next role was at a toy company where he got his first taster of digital technology. With responsibility for stock control, Ray was put in charge of a toy brand called Milton Bradley. “It was one of the first brands with electronic-type toys and so straight away, I was interested. That job led me to a role in Omnitech, who distributed Atari Games in Ireland. Gaming software felt like the next logical step from electronic toys and I learned a lot.” The toy company had a large IBM computer, around which three women sat all day, keying in all the hand dockets. “It sounds crazy now that that’s all they were using it for, but it was still more efficient than the company down the road still writing invoices on a typewriter.” Using smarter tools to work more efficiently has been a key driver in Ray’s career, which took another step forward when he joined Memory plc. That’s where he was introduced to computers for business software. In his time there, one of the products available at the company was sold to a UK company called Sage. “I was used to green screen software but with Sage, I experienced colour software for the first time. I immediately thought to myself, this is my future. That was then I set up my first business, which was selling Sage products.”

Dick O’Neill, Ray’s father–in–law, was a founding member of the Smurfit Group. “He was an astute businessman and I said to him, I’m going out on my own. His advice to me was, there

are two things that you have to have in business – cashflow and enthusiasm. You can manage cashflow but if you lose enthusiasm, you’re dead. He said it’s easy to be successful in business, just do as you say you’re going to do. I’ve followed those two principles throughout my career.

Sometimes momentum is needed to encourage change, says Ray. “The change from punt to Euro and the move from DOS to Windows forced people to move with the times and embrace technology. I could see that technology was evolving and that it would have a dramatic impact on how we lived our lives. Those changes fuelled our success and they continue today; Covid proved the doubters wrong who said cloud technology wouldn’t allow people to work remotely. Getting involved with Sage was a huge step in my career as was finding the right moment to say, now’s my time to set up on my own. I think when you’re young, you talk about the things you want to do, but you need to stop talking and do it.”

Left Behind

We’re in the midst of an AI revolution and if the experts are right, the world as we know it will be transformed over the next decade. If businesses don’t start to review the types of systems they’re working with now, they may be left behind. “I’m very aware that’s a line of thinking that I’ve used all my life with customers. Huge changes were expected when we moved from Windows 7 or 8 to 10, but they didn’t really materialise. I think this time around, we’re in a different reality. The companies deploying ERP with built-in AI capabilities are going to have a distinct advantage over those who aren’t. If your competitor is more cost effective, more efficient in business processes and more profitable as a result, then you’re at a disadvantage.” This new AI world we’re about to find ourselves can be a daunting prospect. “There’s a lot of fear, uncertainty and doubt out there. People are being bombarded with statistics about AI and what impact it will have on their business. We need to keep the conversation going and provide people with practical, unbiased information from a tech perspective.”

Over the years, Ray has seen the evolution of an entire generation of tech entrepreneurs. He’s witnessed them transform from starry-eyed dreamers chasing fleeting ideas into a new breed of visionaries who prioritise building resilient and thriving businesses. “Ireland is truly a country filled with business pioneers. As a nation, we’ve got this ability to punch way above our weight. That’s something I’ve seen all my career.” The Noledge Group employs over 40 people and supports more than 350 business customers in Ireland and the UK. The company has offices in Belfast and Dublin and is about to appoint its first UK MD. “Within the next 10 months, we’ll open our first office in the UK. Our software is ideal for businesses that are planning to grow; we’re now putting solutions in countries as far away as Bulgaria. Our clients are growing in these marketplaces.”

Plans are also in place to launch a new company later this year. “We have developed a software specifically for the retail sector. It automates and makes business easier for retailers in the convenience store sector. At the moment, we’re in over 600 stores with it in Ireland and the UK. Our aim is to be in 10,000 stores within three years.”

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Wise Words

“A lot of people think technology is a static thing, but it’s not. It’s ever–moving, ever-changing and improving. The more you invest in it, the bigger your return is.”

“What am I proud of? My people, full stop. I’m so proud of my team and their achievements. Some have been with me almost 25 years. There’s a vast wealth of business experience in our group and an understanding of technology and what it can do for you.”

“For the start–up guy who’s gone and done it, my biggest piece of advice is don’t be afraid. Feel the fear and go for it. And most importantly, do as you say you’re going to do.”