How Pepla became an enterprise software company

Pepla Software Solutions started with a small team of developers working from a garage. Founded by Johann Combrink, the company has grown into a software business with around 40 employees. Today, it delivers projects for clients in banking, insurance, agriculture, education, logistics, tourism and the public sector. Combrink says the idea came after spending years working with software vendors. He believed there was room for a company that focused on building software that met clients’ needs instead of promising more than it could deliver.

Building the business

Much of Pepla’s early work came through existing business relationships. Former clients, colleagues and partners approached Combrink after learning he had started his own company. Those early projects included RFID integrations, manufacturing software and traceability systems. Each solution was built to meet a client’s specific requirements. Hansie Kloppers and David Uren joined the company during its early years. Both continue to serve as directors today. According to Combrink, the business operated with a small team. Everyone was expected to take ownership of their work instead of relying on several layers of management.

Growing into larger projects

As the company expanded, it began taking on larger enterprise projects. One of those projects involved supporting the FirstRand Group during the rollout of DebiCheck banking systems. Since then, Pepla has developed software for payment platforms and enterprise systems. These projects require strict security and compliance standards. The company also chose to work across different industries instead of relying on a single sector. Combrink says that decision helped the business during the COVID-19 pandemic, when activity slowed in parts of the economy.

Beyond South Africa

Pepla’s work has also taken it into other African markets. The company has contributed to election systems in Namibia. Its software supports voter registration, biometric verification, vote transmission and election reporting. According to Combrink, projects like these require careful planning. Election dates cannot be postponed if the technology is not ready.

Expanding its AI offering

Alongside its software development services, Pepla has introduced AI products. One of them is Pepla Voice, an AI-powered voice assistant developed for South African businesses. The platform automates customer calls, handles routine enquiries and helps businesses manage large volumes of customer interactions. Combrink believes companies should first understand their existing business processes before introducing artificial intelligence. He says AI delivers the most value when it solves a specific business problem rather than following industry trends. More than a decade after launching from a garage, Pepla continues to focus on custom software development. The company is also expanding its AI offering and taking on larger projects in South Africa and other markets. Combrink says the focus has remained the same. Build software that fits each client’s needs instead of offering the same solution to every business.