phunghi \foon-ji\ noun - The art of getting IT (Information Technology) right the first time. Owner Brian George started this Silverdale business in 2003. phunghi (sic) strives to provide the technical expertise, experience and on-time completion of projects. phunghi’s aim is to help businesses capitalize on the efficiencies created by the optimum use of technology.

George picked phunghi as the name of his company because the word’s meaning embodies his philosophy when it comes to building and maintaining a company’s IT infrastructure and software applications. George readily admits he made the word up.

“It is almost an accepted practice that only 10% of the IT jobs come in on-time and within budget,” says George. “I don’t accept that.” According to George, the reason why so many IT projects fail to come in on time and within budget is a matter of education and communication. Most clients need to be educated in the process of software/network development, so that they can clearly communicate their needs and desire to the developers.

The challenge is too many clients and service providers want to rush a project to production stage without taking the time for an assessment of current resources. George revealed that he has turned down some jobs because the client didn’t want to pay for the assessment. “It was hard to turn down the money,” George said. But George didn’t want his company added to the list of a client’s failures. “I have to think about my company’s reputation. If the client doesn’t want to take time to establish a baseline, then the project is more than likely to fail. If the project fails, the client is unhappy. An unhappy client doesn’t recommend you to others, and may spread a negative reputation for you,” said George. His philosophy is maintaining his company’s good reputation outweighs making quick money and jeopardizing that reputation. “In the long run, having a good reputation will allow my company to earn more money,” states George.

phunghi, Inc.’s achievements thus far include Navy contracts and several commercial contracts. phunghi’s biggest project is an Enterprise level Web Application for Naval Environmental Fund Managers. phunghi’s methodologies and quality of work on that particular application so impressed the Navy that phunghi was awarded an additional contract to reverse engineer and provide the documentation for the Navy’s Environmental Requirements Web Application. phunghi could see an increase of employees to approximately 50 if they are awarded a contract George is currently pursuing. In the meantime, phunghi is focusing on building security into his clients’ existing applications and the development of a software application framework George has dubbed “Phoenix”. “Most data corruption and software problems are not caused by hackers or viruses,” explains George. “Rather they are caused by users who have access to features they shouldn’t have access to. Phoenix will provide an administrator with the ability to grant users access to files and features on an individual level, without the cost of additional programming support.”

George expressed some concerns about local government and other local businesses going outside the county to get IT services. “It appears that local government and businesses are not even looking inside Kitsap County for application development. They automatically look across the water,” George says. “I really don’t understand that,” George says. “We have some outstanding IT companies here in the county that can do most, if not all, the development locally.” George would like to see the county and local governments adopt a shop local first policy.

George envisions phunghi’s support of the community in a pilot project he calls Lightspeed. Lightspeed, a student intern program, seeks to mobilize students across Western Washington by using their skills to add more fuel to Washington’s IT economy. Creating value and mutual benefit at the same time, the Lightspeed project provides young IT students a way to address the challenge that many will face upon graduation – “No experience, no job; no job, no experience.” The program benefits employers and students alike. Students gain access to public and private sector organizations while receiving the experience they need to develop their chosen careers. Washington organizations get access to bright, well-educated young people at a cost lower than full time recruitment. It is also an opportunity for both the organization and the Intern to “test the waters” prior to a possible permanent job offer. For more information about phunghi’s Lightspeed program, send an email to lightspeed@phunghi.com.

phunghi, Inc.
2916 NW Bucklin Hill Rd #485
Silverdale, WA 98383
Tel: (360) 340-0601
www.phunghi.com