Ability Systems: The Perfect Partner for Complex System Integration

Korea has a long and rich history in high-tech industries and is home to some of the world's most innovative companies. However, the nation's ICT sector has primarily focused on the domestic market, with only 8% of ICT companies operating internationally. This focus presents challenges for growth and expansion, especially considering that Korea's ICT sector represents only 1% of the global ICT industry. From your perspective, what capabilities have Korean companies developed domestically that can be competitive overseas?

You're correct. Korea excels in certain niche markets, particularly those developed through government-driven initiatives. We have significant strengths in IT services, such as digital government and public procurement systems. Additionally, influenced by our 'bbali bbali' (hurry hurry) culture and the rise of social media, platforms like Naver and Kakao have thrived.

Our efficiency and speed are notable competitive advantages. For instance, in 2020, we effectively managed Korean CDC’s COVID-19 management system, showcasing our capability in rapid and organized responses.

I believe that traditional sectors form the foundation of digital transformation. Industries like shipping, construction, and national defense are poised for digital evolution, as they have undergone transformations in the past.

Moreover, we should focus on adapting to more niche markets by leveraging the capital and technology of large global conglomerates. Instead of competing directly, collaborating and utilizing their resources can be more beneficial for us.

Another significant strength Korea has developed over the years is its infrastructure. Korea was the first to roll out 5G on a global scale. Internationally, Korea plays a pivotal role in assisting developing countries in building their infrastructure. What role will Korea play in the future in supporting the development of infrastructure in developing countries, and what strengths can it bring to these nations?

We have participated in a large-scale overseas network infrastructure deployment Project before. From 2012 to 2015, we collaborated with Samsung to install approximately 5,000 CCTVs throughout, the capital of an African country for traffic control and counter-terrorism purposes.

Through this project, we observed significant differences between foreign countries and Korea, particularly in terms of environment, laws, personnel capabilities, organizational culture, and structure.

Korea's robust IT infrastructure and digital transformation are largely attributed to the efficiency and diligence of our people. The responsibility and commitment of Korean workers have been crucial in establishing such infrastructures. These core values are assets that Korea possesses. We can set standards and models when engaging in projects with developing nations.

From your point of view, do you see the trend of developing nations seeking Korea's assistance in developing their infrastructure accelerating in the future?

Yes, I do. However, I believe there is a need for more public relations efforts. We must effectively communicate our influence and plans when it comes to assisting these nations.

Can you summarize the key messages that Korea should convey to these nations?

First and foremost, we need to showcase effective and successful cases that we have already implemented in Korea and other developing nations. By presenting these models, they can visualize the potential projects we can support.

Additionally, beyond providing IT services, we should emphasize the importance of infrastructure and legal frameworks. Ensuring that systematic aspects are aligned is crucial for us to begin supporting these countries effectively.

In the future, AI is expected to have a profound impact on network operations, particularly in areas such as MVNOs and predictive traffic management, which will reshape how infrastructure is conceived. From your perspective, how is Ability Systems preparing for AI’s impact on system integration and network operations?

The impact of AI is enormous—I can’t even begin to imagine the extent of its influence in the future. I personally have a fundamental concern about the coexistence of humans and AI, as it raises profound questions.

However, from our company’s perspective at Ability Systems, we recognized the significance of AI early on and established an AI Lab last year to leverage AI technologies. We created an entirely new department dedicated to integrating AI into our traditional business operations, including system integration and network operations, as well as emerging fields such as autonomous driving. In addition, we are developing AI-based services and enterprise management systems for our clients.

Of course, this department is still in its early stages, and we are continuously exploring and analyzing the various factors that influence AI. That being said, I truly believe AI will have unprecedented power in shaping industries, and we are committed to staying ahead of the curve.

Founded in 2004, Ability Systems specializes in system integration (SI) and network integration (NI). The company is also playing a key role in the digitalization of Korea’s defense sector, particularly through its involvement in the military broadband communication network business. Could you walk us through the key milestones that have shaped Ability Systems’ journey?

As a company, we measure our growth through meaningful projects that have significantly impacted our trajectory.

First, I’d like to highlight a project we undertook in Algeria. At the time, our company’s revenue was below 10 billion KRW. We collaborated with Samsung on this project, and it turned out to be a major turning point for us. Not only did it significantly expand our business volume, but it also helped establish our reputation as a network integration (NI) company, laying the foundation for future growth.

Second, somewhat ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be a major opportunity for us. We had been working with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) for over 15 years, building IT systems for disease control and prevention. The trust we had built over the years enabled us to play a key role in supporting Korea’s COVID-19 response. This project reinforced our credibility and further accelerated our growth.

Third, we have made significant strides in the defense sector. We have been working with Korea’s national defense institutions for over a decade, developing the Military Broadband Converged Network (M-BcN) in collaboration with KT. This project further solidified our standing in the industry.

Finally, our latest focus is on ABS, Autonomous systems, Big data, AI, and Smart healthcare. Among these, we are particularly emphasizing autonomous technologies due to the strong government-driven initiatives in this sector. We are actively developing autonomous vehicles and planning to showcase our technology at upcoming exhibitions. We believe this will be a major growth driver and a defining opportunity for the future of Ability Systems.

Let’s talk about the autonomous vehicle project you just mentioned. You mentioned government collaboration, as well as your own vehicle development. My understanding is that this project involves the GIS Big Data platform, and you are creating a V2X communication environment for autonomous driving. Could you explain the project, the challenges you’ve faced, and how you’ve overcome them?

I’d like to discuss the GIS platform later, as it is closely tied to our GIS-based work management system. First, let me explain the autonomous driving project in more detail.

We strategically chose autonomous driving as a niche market with strong growth potential. Currently, our focus is on developing autonomous vehicles for harbor operations. In port logistics, containers need to be moved between ships and storage areas using yard trucks, which are articulated (bending) trucks. Despite the need for automation, this segment remains largely manual in Korea. However, we have observed successful automation cases in the U.S. and China, which inspired us to develop solutions for the Korean market.

The Korean government has identified port automation as a key development area. However, entering this market has not been easy due to its complexity and the regulatory landscape. Despite these challenges, we have been actively developing autonomous yard trucks for port operations for the past three years. These vehicles are being developed in-house, and we are currently in the advanced stages of testing and optimization.

We believe that our expertise in network integration, system integration, and AI will allow us to lead the way in this field. Autonomous logistics solutions will be a critical component of future port infrastructure, and we are determined to play a leading role in this transformation.

As you mentioned, the government is actively promoting the automation of harbor ports. I’d like to delve deeper into your autonomous vehicle project. Could you share more about the challenges you’ve encountered and the key features that have enabled you to develop this technology, which is undeniably complex?

At Ability Systems, our core strength lies in systems integration and project management. Successfully implementing autonomous driving technology requires collaboration among experts from multiple disciplines. However, coordinating these professionals is a significant challenge. They often lack a shared understanding of the sector, making it difficult to align schedules, integrate their expertise into the technology, conduct real-world testing, and process feedback effectively.

This is where Ability Systems excels. As project managers, we orchestrate these complex collaborations, ensuring smooth execution from start to finish.

When it comes to autonomous driving, both hardware (engines, sensors, batteries) and software (AI, real-time processing, data feedback loops) are essential. Developing these components requires a fully integrated ecosystem that connects mapping systems, communication networks, ship operators, energy sources, and software solutions.

Our core competencies include analyzing, designing, planning, and managing these projects while overseeing schedules, feedback loops, and development processes. Establishing this ecosystem is our primary objective as we expand into the autonomous driving sector.

As an SME, one of the main challenges is securing sufficient capital and human resources. Since you may not always have immediate access to the necessary funding or workforce, how does this impact your ability to perfect autonomous driving technology while maintaining a fast-paced development process?

Developing autonomous driving technology is inherently complex. Unlike traditional projects, it requires building everything from the ground up, there’s no existing framework to rely on.

That being said, our approach is to balance innovation with strategic execution. While funding and manpower constraints can slow down development, we optimize our resources by focusing on core technological breakthroughs first, allowing us to demonstrate proof of concept before scaling up.

Additionally, our extensive experience in network integration and IT infrastructure development has enabled us to collaborate with both government agencies and private sector leaders such as Samsung, SK Telecom, KT. This strong industry network helps us bridge the gap between research and commercialization, allowing us to position ourselves as a key player in cutting-edge projects despite our SME status.

Looking at Ability Systems’ track record, you’ve worked with private sector giants to develop IT infrastructure in Korea. Given your experience, do you see your company as being stronger in developing entirely new, complex projects or enhancing existing networks with more advanced capabilities? Which approach aligns better with your strengths?

To clarify, Ability Systems’ primary strength lies in enhancing and expanding existing networks rather than building entirely new systems from scratch.

That being said, we are currently making a strategic shift toward developing our own original technologies, particularly in autonomous driving and smart mobility solutions. While our foundation is in system integration and optimization, we recognize the need to invest in proprietary innovations to stay competitive in the long term.

Could you provide an example of a successful project where you handled everything from consulting and design to procurement and final implementation?

One of our most significant projects in the autonomous driving sector is the AVAS (Auto Vehicle Auto Shipment).

When exporting or importing autonomous vehicles, they must be able to drive themselves onto and off ships. However, existing port infrastructure does not support autonomous navigation, meaning that these vehicles lack a system to safely load and unload themselves.

Our solution was to develop and implement a platform that enables autonomous cars to navigate port environments and board ships without manual assistance.

This project involved several key technological challenges. First, real-time navigation & dynamic coordinates. Unlike parking lots or fixed docking stations, ships do not anchor in the same location each time. This means vehicles cannot rely on fixed coordinates for navigation. We developed a system that provides real-time coordinate adjustments, allowing autonomous cars to dynamically calculate their routes.

Second, data integration (HD Mapping & V2X Communication). Vehicles need access to high-definition (HD) mapping data, V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication, and environmental information to drive safely within the port. We created a platform that aggregates and delivers this data in real time.

Third, overcoming communication barriers on ships. Ships are constructed with specialized metal structures that interfere with communication signals. We designed and optimized a wireless communication system that ensures stable connectivity between the autonomous vehicle and its navigation platform.

Successfully implementing this system required seamless integration of AI, mapping, sensors, and real-time processing. While the challenges were significant, this project demonstrated our ability to solve industry-specific problems through innovative system integration and automation solutions.

You are also responsible for the communication network, but were you also involved in managing the IT software that determines the cars’ navigation and how they interact with each other?

This is a highly complex process because cameras alone are not sufficient for determining the exact location of vehicles. Since the cars are inside the ship, we require high-definition (HD) mapping and a V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication system to account for various external variables.

To ensure precise navigation, we have also developed a landmark system that enables precise coordinate tracking. Given that car carriers can be as tall as thirteen floors, and their decks lack traffic infrastructure, traditional vision-based solutions are not enough for loading autonomous vehicles onto car carriers.

Therefore, additional external support systems are essential to enhance accuracy and reliability in these unique environments.

One of Ability Systems’ key differentiators is your strong collaboration with leading hardware companies like Cisco. You don’t just distribute their products—you engage in value-added distribution. Can you elaborate on how these partnerships help you in developing cutting-edge technology?

Our strategic partnerships began with a major project in Algeria, where we were recognized for our Network Infrastructure and Project Management (NIPM) capabilities.

Since then, we have collaborated with Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Cisco, and more recently, HPE Aruba. Our expertise in NIPM solutions has led us to work with both public and private institutions, as well as reseller groups, to provide tailored solutions and engineering support.

These partnerships allow us to integrate best-in-class hardware and software solutions, ensuring that our technologies remain at the forefront of innovation.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, your company has experienced significant revenue growth, more than doubling from 23.35 billion KRW in 2020 to 55 billion KRW in 2023. Beyond your traditional business areas, you are now focusing on autonomous driving, AI, and IoT. Looking ahead three to five years, how do you see the company evolving?

I see this as a make-or-break moment for our company. While our legacy business has provided stable revenue, our aggressive investments in AI and autonomous driving will determine our long-term success.

Our goal is to double our revenue to 100 billion KRW within the next three years. A major driver of this growth will be our M-BcN (Military Broadband Convergence Network) project. We are operating and managing a network of 51 offices and over 200 engineers over a 10-year period, and through this project, we have developed the ability to collaborate with private institutions and corporations on a large scale.

Through continued expansion in system integration solutions, we expect steady revenue growth and greater market influence in the years to come.

The goal of this report is to showcase Korean ICT firms, how they are integrating into the global market, and their potential for international success. In just a couple of sentences, what would you like our readers to take away from this interview?

At Ability Systems, our philosophy is to be a total solutions provider, delivering tailored services that align with our clients’ needs.

We pride ourselves on offering precise, customized solutions, which is why we have remained a trusted industry leader for so long. When companies choose to partner with us, their success rate increases significantly, because we don’t just provide technology; we deliver results.

For more information please visit: www.abilsys.com/