Turning things around: Fabricio Oliveira

Christmas was fast approaching in December 2021 when Fabricio Oliveira, then Vice President LATAM of QAD Brazil, took a phone call that would change the course of his career. At the other end of the line? The board of parent company QAD with instructions to shut down the entire operation.

"They said the QAD Brazil operation will close, and that I should prepare to fire everybody – including myself," Oliveira tells The CEO Magazine. "But at that moment, instead of seeing this as an end, I saw an opportunity.

"I went back to QAD and proposed to create a new company to assume operations – customers, employees, suppliers, everything. They agreed, and that was the beginning of Vockan."

In the five years since, the technology company has zeroed in on the industrial sector, providing digital transformations for manufacturers.

"We have been growing fast, expanding our services and building a very strong culture while helping industries accelerate their digital transformation in Brazil," Oliveira explains.

"Digital transformation is necessary for many companies in Brazil. And we want to do this through innovation, technology and close relationship with the customers.

"We are focused on the industrial sector, especially in manufacturing and supply chain operations. Our goal is not only to provide a technology solution, but also help companies improve efficiency, agility and business performance."

In demand

The company has strong expertise in enterprise resource planning (ERP), cloud, SaaS and AI, bolstered by its long-standing partnership with QAD, meaning it caters well to client demand for more efficient automation integration and fast decision-making, according to Oliveira. Vockan helps companies modernize their systems, migrate to the cloud, optimize ERP operations and implement smart technology.

"Companies want simpler and more flexible solutions with fast results and low maintenance cost," he says.

Major tax reform, currently underway in Brazil, is another critical point with a phased shift from 2026 through 2033 to replace five complex consumption taxes with a more modern dual value-added tax system.

"All of the companies in Brazil will face this change, so the ability to be flexible faster will be key."

Oliveira also highlights AI as a current business priority rather than a future trend. Vockan is using AI in different areas including automation, intelligent support, preparative analytics and operational efficiency. The company also has a strong cloud strategy, helping customers moving from legacy systems to modern, scalable environments.

"Today, companies want real-time visibility and rapid decision-making based on data," he says. "We are connecting ERP operations and analytics to help customers become more efficient and competitive."

AI missions to various companies in the United States have given him the opportunity to see how companies like Salesforce, Tesla and Dell are using the technology in a very practical way.

"The systems are moving from a system of headwords and only storing data to a system of actions, helping customers take decision in real time," he reveals. "This change is very clear, and AI is part of it."

In line with this growing importance, Oliveira plans to create a new position within the company – Chief AI Officer. It’s just one part of a recruitment strategy designed to power the company forward.

"We believe people are the foundation of everything, so at Vockan, we look for people with a growth mindset," he says. "We invest a lot in training development programs and university partnerships to help foster new talent."

A new era

Meanwhile, in his own role as CEO, Oliveira’s main focus is to prepare the company to be scalable sustainably. Already, Vockan has established footholds in Atlanta, Georgia with further growth across Latin America and the United States in the cards.

"We are preparing the company for future investment opportunities by improving governance process compliance and operational efficiency," he explains. "At the same time, we are looking at strategic acquisitions to accelerate the growth."

Innovation is an intrinsic part of the Vockan growth formula too, with Oliveira encouraging members of the team to challenge traditional models and try new things.

"One of the more disruptive things we've done as a company was to implement a four-day working week," he says. "Our employees come to the office once a week, and they work only four days in total."

The change has already delivered clear benefits. Initial tests demonstrated that productivity had grown by 32 percent.

"I didn’t reduce their salaries or ask them to work more than eight hours a day. We just changed responsibilities," he points out.

"We reviewed processes and asked them to do what they needed to do during the day. The new generations want more flexibility. So when you package it all up, we are a good company to work for."

Vockan also partners with several universities in Brazil, giving students hands-on experience with its ERP platform. Not only does this better prepare graduates for the workforce, but it also gives the company early access to the next generation of business decision-makers.

"If they need ERP in their company, they will remember Vockan," he says.

It’s a long-term outlook that is typical of Oliveira’s leadership style. His overarching goal is for people to see Vockan as a company built with purpose.

"The company was born during a difficult moment, but we transformed that challenge into opportunity and created something bigger and more innovative," he reflects.

"Our goal is not only to build a technology company, but to help transform the industry sector, develop people and create a positive impact through innovation."