Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit and passion, Oleg Ivanov launched X10 Technologies Asia-Pacific hub in the archipelago, initially knowing no one from the locale but guided by instinct and business acumen.
The Ukrainian-born Canadian national puts Filipino talent and work ethic at the center of X10 Technologies’ global growth while helping drive the country’s digital transformation.
X10 Technologies, founded 20 years ago in Canada, is an accomplished solutions provider specializing in advanced IT and security solutions not only in Canada, but also the United States.
Ivanov, a Ukraine-born Canadian immigrant, is a distinguished personality in the global IT landscape. His extensive education and training in science are impressive, holding an Associate in Science degree, a diploma in Network Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems.
He has also earned over 30 industry certifications, underscoring his passion for learning and professional development.
Before embarking on his own enterprise, Ivanov worked as a senior systems engineer and solutions architect with global tech giants Hewlett-Packard, 2Wire, and F5 Networks.
Formerly named X10 Networks, the company enjoyed unprecedented growth under Ivanov’s leadership. This success led to its rebranding as X10 Technologies, reflecting its extensive range of solutions and services.
Powerhouse of IT talents In 2017, when Ivanov decided to set up his business in the Philippines, the nation was at the beginning of its digitization and gaining recognition as a flourishing gateway to the regional market. Ivanov also discovered the country’s wealth of IT talents whose technical competence, cultural empathy, and sense of industry were the reasons that made him stay.
Today, X10 Technologies in the Philippines has grown to 70 employees who work in a collaborative and empowering environment.
Whether he is at its headquarters in Vancouver, Canada, or traveling across the globe, Ivanov maintains that he is a hands-on leader, ensuring accountability and continuous learning among his team.
“I personally stay very close to the field. To be relevant within the company, you have to be hands-on. Besides staying close to your customers, you also have to stay close to your employees,” he notes. “This is the only way for you to understand the culture and to feel it at the pulse.”
While the X10 Technologies team aims to deliver optimal cyber solutions to their clients, Ivanov stresses that cybersecurity doesn’t end with secure passwords or updated software. It’s a habit that must be observed with purpose and disciplined action.
“Cybersecurity does not create security on its own. Organizations can spend millions of dollars on security products and still remain vulnerable, especially when the security is not embedded into their culture, process, and daily decision-making,” he observes.
He believes that security should be an ongoing investment by the company: “It is a habit that must be practiced consistently. And that starts with the executive leadership, and has to be embraced all the way down the line. Security is not a destination, it’s a journey.”
That journey entails delivering the best solutions to clients’ needs and ensuring that they make the right choices for their operational systems and security. Thus, nurturing partnerships is part of the core of X10 Technologies.
“Our goal is to deliver our commitments, to set clear expectations, so the customer always knows where they are going to start, how long it is going to take, and what resources are going to be required.
He adds, “Maintaining communication with people, staying close to the community, is to understand how technology should be implemented and what people need.”
By establishing its footprint in the archipelago, the Philippines plays a pivotal role in X10 Technologies’ strategy implementation, expansion and eventual success.
On the company’s presence in the country, the tech maverick comments, “To say I’m satisfied is an understatement. I’m very excited and passionate,
and really thankful to the circumstances that led me to establish an office in the Philippines over a decade ago without even knowing anyone.”
Beyond the software and hardware tools, the X10 Technologies’ leader credits the team as the driving factor of his company’s success in the region.
He reflects, “I don’t believe you can be successful in the country without liking the people and the culture. My coming to the Philippines and getting familiar with the people and understanding the culture played a key role in my decision-making and establishing the operations.”
As Metro Manila rapidly grows at the heart of the country’s digital economy, X10 Technologies is getting future-ready with plans to open additional offices in key cities like Cebu and Davao.
But while he keeps a watchful eye on external disruptions and obstacles, he is also focused on investing in the foundations of his organization: the people and culture.
“It’s really exciting to see people develop and to make a difference in their lives. We have a long retention rate for our employees, and we consider them part of our family,” he expressed. “It’s an incredible feeling to be able to make an impact in somebody’s development and growth,” he states.
Definitely, people come first at X10 Technologies as its leader is well aware of the impact that employees’ health and wellness have on the overall health and data of the company. Taking care of the team’s well-being raises a robust environment that lowers business risks and fosters stronger data security.
“We live in a digital world where communication, collaboration and business operations depend on technology. Essentially, this becomes a part of the culture. The most successful companies embrace and adopt the technologies throughout their organizations. Consistently, it means taking full leverage of the platform.”
Aware of the challenges that working Filipinos experience every day, including commuting, Ivanov recognizes that companies now operate with remote
employees and dispersed geographical locations.
“The technology becomes an embedded part of the culture — how we communicate, how we collaborate with people. Like, for example, every morning I see almost everybody in our company face-to-face (through video calls), even though we’re separated by lands and oceans,” he said.
Where rapid disruptions, transparency, and data-driven decisions are crucial every day, a strong culture provides the secret sauce to X10 Technologies’ success.
“Culture is actually the fuel that makes our operations work. The processes that we embrace are supported by people,” he notes. “The people need to be passionate, and the way to do that is to motivate them, to show them the path to success.”
After a decade of presence in the country, Ivanov continues to embrace his connection with the Philippines.
“I really enjoy coming back to the country. I’m getting to the point where I’m starting to call the Philippines my second home. I feel very comfortable in the area and, actually, I’m looking at even settling down with a residential investment in the Philippines. Up ahead, Ivanov feels optimistic about the digital future of the country.
“I’ve been traveling to the Philippines for over a decade, and it always gives me a fresh impression whenever I come back. Seeing the country going through such a rapid economic growth and digital transformation, the Philippines will continue to play an increasingly important role in X10 Technologies’ global development,” he concludes.
Learn more and inquire with X10 Technologies’ experts at info@x10technologies.com.