Since its inception, Big Bang has gradually marched on with limited resources; now its products are being used in many hospitals and diagnostic centres across the country.

"We started our operation without any financial support from banks and we've systematically overcome all the setbacks through innovative business tactics", Arif Ahmed, managing director, Big Bang Computer's Ltd, told the StarTech.

The humble look of this software firm does not give the impression of being any high-tech business. But its good track record and unwavering commitment to duty are sure to convince you of its worth. This has helped the firm maintain a good client profile sans marketing hype.

Big Bang chiefly focuses on hospital and diagnostic MIS solutions. A developing country, Bangladesh needs the widespread implementation of IT in its health care sector in a bid to boost health care services and ensure a sustainable socio-economic development as well.

It is disquieting that in many cases we largely depend on foreign companies for the software solution. This status quo has prevented many of our native software firms from coming in the limelight though they have the talent necessary to generate high-quality products.

Bangladesh is a densely populated country and at this moment a robust health care system is a must in order to ensure medical services for all. Although hospitals and diagnostic centres have mushroomed in the urban areas, quality assurance is still a far cry. But people have the right to full information about their health queries.

In the age of the internet, anyone can instantly collect information from any geographical location. If a person, for example, needs to contact a doctor they can do so through the website. Similarly, in an emergency finding a blood donor is just a few clicks away.

Hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres can develop a database where profiles of patients will be stored in a permanent arrangement. As a result, nobody will have to bother with prescriptions, diagnostic reports and other stuff in order to explain their medical history. They can instead use a smart card containing data, which will also be available on the database of the hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres. In addition, IT also ensures transparency and increases efficiency in the management process.

Large hospitals have the financial freedom to develop or purchase software to coordinate their activities whereas relatively small ones may not always have the ability or expertise to incorporate IT in their operations.

Big Bang is trying to address this problem with their different software solutions for hospitals and diagnostic centres. The firm says big hospitals are not their direct clients though many a well-known hospitals and diagnostic centres are currently using its software. It should also be mentioned that the company does not develop any disease analysis software or solutions that might assist doctors in identifying the underlying cause of a disease.

Big Bang is mainly working on business software solutions for hospitals and diagnostic centres. It has so far developed a string of software, such as Diagnostic MIS (Access-based) and Hospital MIS (SQL-based). Diagnostic MIS or Diagnostic Management Information System is being utilised for financial management, accounts management and lab reporting system. This software is currently running in 50 diagnostic centres.

Hospital MIS or Hospital Management Information System is being utilised for financial management, accounts management, marketing, information about doctors and patients, lab reporting system and inventory information system. This software is currently running in 45 hospitals.

Another solution from Big Bang is Prescription Management. Through this software a doctor can prepare and print prescription and keep a record of the patients. Medics can also breeze through the previous history of a patient while preparing the prescription.

Programmers at Big Bang are well versed in Visual Basic and SQL Server. If anyone plans to work for the firm, they must have sound knowledge in these two areas. Very soon the firm will switch to fully online solution with a view to providing more upgrades to its clients.

Based on the client's demand, Big Bang needs nearly a year to develop any software. During this period clients can opt for any customisation they deem suitable for their operations. Dedicated programmers at Big Bang are always ready to give post-development support to their clients.

Aside from hospital and diagnostic MIS, Big Bang has also developed general-purpose software such as Accounts Management, Human Resource Management, Construction MIS and Sigma Business Ver-I/II for several companies.

Construction MIS is a multi-purpose application program based on SQL Server and deals with inventory, sales and purchase management. One can easily track project- and building-related material consumption, costing, receipt and payment, sales information, reports/statements to run a business smoothly. Advanced Development Technologies Ltd and Nagar Homes Ltd are presently using this software.

Sigma Business Ver-I is an Access-based application for small- and mid-scale business. This product is based on sales, inventory, purchase, accounts and market monitoring for trade. Sigma Business Ver-II is targeted for manufacturing and trading-related businesses. This product is convenient for those who run their businesses with the help of MR and commission agents. This is a multi-purpose application based on SQL Server. This software enables anyone to easily track their inventory of both raw materials and finished products and also get depot-wise information as per demand.

Siddique Hossain, chairman, Big Bang Computer's Ltd, disclosed his future plan to StarTech. He said, "IT is a vital tool that can ensure transparency and reduce corruption. These unique contributions of IT inspire me to engage in such a challenging business". He added that "we are hopeful about integrating all segments of the society through IT in order to create a true IT environment in the country".