Circuit Solutions Inc. : All Systems Alert!

For someone who has great passion in promoting the Philippines’ electronic design capabilities, Roel S. Tan, owner of Circuit Solutions Inc.(CSi), is a good contender. The budding entrepreneur believes that more than the hype on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Filipinos are talented innovators that deserve to be recognized globally.

As an electronics design engineer, he definitely knows the ins and outs of the business, more so, the triumphs and heartaches that tagged along the industry he chose to be a part of.

But his sheer determination matched with entrepreneurial spirits, Roel braves the odds as he introduces to a competitive market locally made security alarm systems carefully designed by his skillful technicians and engineers.


Alert the armory!

They see you through microscopic eyes,
Watching your every move.
You are wanted!

A chilling reminiscent of a thriller movie? NOT! It is just a scenario of what security systems do in a mall, in a convenience store, in a parking lot or any place prone to burglary and other indecent crimes. The very useful technology had observed and prevented misdemeanor acts before it gets worst.

Most establishments rely on security alarm systems to look out for unguarded territories. Realizing that there is a niche market for these products, it is most likely that Roel ventures into this kind of business.


Starting with the basics…

CSi had its humble beginnings at a small apartment in Quezon City owned by Roel’s parents. Solely managing his small business, he sells anti-shoplifting systems, closed-circuit televisions (CCTV), and security cameras.

It was the retail market that brought CSi to its progress. Roel sold security alarm systems to boutiques, department stores, and other establishments that need this valuable commodity. However, he did not just sell these products. Instead, he concentrated on their clients’ dilemmas.

Unlike other suppliers that put security cameras everywhere for the sake of selling, CSi concentrates on one problem area where it needs to have a security system.

“It is more of knowing which particular area of their business to address. For example in camera systems, if you just go in a supermarket you wouldn’t know which things are shoplifted. Whereas kami, we know that. We can tell the customer, let’s just concentrate the camera system on this area. Whereas kung gumawa ang ibang industry, they would say, put the cameras everywhere. And they’ll put it at the wrong places,” Roel narrates.

With a growing market and gaining significant sales, Roel’s business expands as he employs 16 skilled technicians to monitor their product and train clients on their security systems,

However, his enthusiasm to build something that he may call his “own” was more prevailing than selling an already made item. Backed up with employees knowledgeable in electronics design, Roel sees that it is about time to showcase Filipinos’ ingenuity in designing and manufacturing electronic products.


Message Alert: Your car has been stolen!

After a few years of selling anti-shoplifting systems, CCTVs, and security cameras, Roel finally got the chance to create his own line of alarm system.

Introducing, CSi’s GSM car alarm system!

Integrating two of the most popular innovations today – the mobile phone and the car, CSi introduces GSM alarm system, a car alarm system that helps motorists secure, alert, and immobilize their vehicle from carnappers and carjackers.

How does this system work? The car alarm system, itself, has a tracking device connected to the cellular phone. This alerts the owner of a possible car napping because the alarm system sends an instant warning to your phone. Once you received the message, you send a command to the alarm system that will immobilize and secure the vehicle.

Now, that’s high tech! GSM car alarm system has prevented a number of attempted carnaps and gave car owners a peace of mind and sense of security wherever, whenever.


Little bumpy rides

Despite its rise in the retail market, CSi stumbled into a few obstacles especially when it decided to sell their own product line.

“The difficult part was selling your first unit of whatever product that is that we carried. So that took me four or five months to bring around until finally, the product had gone to its first sale,” Roel recalled the company’s early years.

The company may have surpassed its first test. Yet, there are some challenges that CSi needs to address even to this time. Among the company’s concerns were on financial, running and funding the operation, and new items to generate.

However, the company did not wallow itself with these hindrances. Hard work, perseverance, and a little help from friends kept CSi intact and moving forward.


A call of support for global recognition

After successfully distributing security alarm system products to the retail industry, Roel eyes on selling Philippine-made security alarm systems to the rest of the world! Although there may be doubts on Filipinos’ capabilities in the electronics industry, he believes that the market will soon skip the pessimisms and support our local talents.

“Kasi minsan kapag sinabi mong made in the Philippines, nagkakaroon ng notion na parang hindi matibay gaya noong naging notion sa mga Taiwan-made products mga 30 years ago. Pero ngayon, nag-evole na ang Taiwan. But the point is, we can leap frog. We can leap frog and skip all those (doubts) and just go on with design (Sometimes when you say it is made in the Philippines, there is this notion that our products are not of quality just like what others think of Taiwan 30 years ago. But now, Taiwan evolved),” he pointed out.

Still young in the export industry, Roel sees to it that they participate in trade events like Industry Link goes to Semitech, a Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) trade mission in Taiwan. This allowed them to showcase their own line of products and promote Filipino skills in electronics design.

Aside from export, he wishes that the government would focus also in promoting the country’s potentials in electronics design. Patterning it to the BPO industry, he suggests that there will be ways to get the US and European market to outsource and take advantage of our Filipino workforce in the design industry.

At present, CSi is enjoying the growth of their sales and is concentrated to come out with more products for export. But for Roel, it will be more satisfying to see that the world recognizes the Philippines as the hub for hardware and software design.

“I want to promote the Philippines as a design center for hardware and software. You make that your priority then you’ll find these companies that does that and eventually, new industries will spur,” he hopingly aspires.


For more information on Circuit Solutions Inc.’s products and services, visit them at 14B Belvedere Tower, 15 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines. You may also contact them at: (632) 635 5883, fax at (632) 631 0530. Or email at rstan@circuit-solutions.net.