That's why Humanfrog was created in response to modern challenges — as an IT company that combines a 360-degree approach, technical excellence, and thoughtful user and strategic design. They allow their partners and customers to focus on their business, while they take over the technological part and take care of the smooth operation of their digital environments.
Humanfrog's story began very practically — with a young man solving the computer problems of his surroundings and developing into a company that today builds complex web applications, manages reliable infrastructure, takes care of security systems and creates advanced digital experiences. From Zabec.net has grown a new, stronger Humanfrog identity, based on two decades of learning, growth, strategic decisions and an indispensable team of experts.
Today, Humanfrog stands as a nexus of technology and business development, with a clear mission: to create solutions that work, grow and develop the potential of those they trust.
ABOUT YOU AND THE BEGINNINGS
Humanfrog is an IT company that combines business strategy, modern technologies and a thoughtful user experience with a 360-degree approach. We provide our partners and customers with comprehensive solutions: from reliable server infrastructure, security solutions and cloud services to the development of complex web applications. They take on the technical challenges so that partners and customers can devote themselves to their business.
“More than 20 years ago, I was one of those dudes who called when someone's Windows crashed, when the printer no longer wanted to print, or when the modem kept beeping and there was no Internet connection. I quickly became a local “lifeguard” who was called by the neighborhood at every computer glitch, from missing cables to data rescue. Since there were more and more such calls, I accumulated quite a lot of experience in a short time. So, in the summer of 2003, I founded Zabec.net. Initially, we focused mainly on hosting, small websites, but the demands were increasing and so the range of services and solutions we offered began to increase. At the same time, the team has grown.” Domen Česnik, founder and director
TODAY'S TIMES AND CHALLENGES
Over the past 3 years, they have made the biggest leap in development. In 2022, a new Humanfrog brand was created from the well-recognized web service provider Zabec.net. Their goal was to combine technical excellence with design and strategic breadth to become a provider of comprehensive digital solutions. This was followed by a period of strategic acquisitions, when they were joined first by the development department of KiviCom, then by Goya and finally by Alarix.
Currently, their biggest obstacle is the ratio of available financial resources to the rate of growth. Slovenia, their primary market, is still underdeveloped in terms of investment opportunities for technology companies, which limits the implementation of strategic projects and expansion.
Recently, they have been most impressed by the realization that M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) processes can be a very powerful tool even for smaller companies. This has opened up a new perspective on growth for them, not only organically, but also through thoughtful partnerships and acquisitions that can significantly accelerate their development.
They are especially proud of their long-standing and in-depth collaborations. Among their clients are BTC, Intra Lighting, ELES, Geoplin, CPI — Center for Vocational Education, GZS, JUB, Borzen, Tosidos, Terme Olimija, Terme Tuhelj, Elektro Energija, Medical Chamber of Slovenia, ZRC SAZU and many others with whom they have built a partnership relationship over the years of cooperation.
PEOPLE, CULTURE, TEAM
Humanfrog employees are responsible, dedicated and motivated. Since the team has expanded greatly recently, people have the opportunity to constantly learn from each other. From the very beginning, their team was proactive and focused on finding solutions, but now all this is significantly easier, as they have acquired quite a few excellent specialists in a short time. Boys and girls are actively looking for solutions and taking on challenges that they do not run out of.
Everyone in leadership strives to create and maintain an environment that is stimulating and inclusive. People have the opportunity to express their opinion, suggest improvements and participate in the design of solutions. In doing so, they take responsibility for their tasks, while having the support of the team at all times.
Their doors are always open to both high-profile professionals and beginners. It is important that the people who come are eager for new knowledge, oriented to the search for solutions and persistent. They must be able to both work in a team and independently perform tasks. Management appreciates open communication, as this is the easiest way to avoid communication noises.
They have very good experience with the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia, as they acquire most of the personnel through them. When they post a vacancy, they often receive quality applications that meet their expectations in a short time. In their case, the institution is an important and effective bridge between the company and job seekers.
Employees are motivated by an inclusive company culture, a continuous opportunity to learn from colleagues with more experience, various educations at home and abroad, such as e.g. WordPress Meet and Web Summit, as well as with open communication, which is not taken for granted in all companies. In addition, they practice regular informal get-togethers, such as Friday beer, when they finish work earlier. Employees are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle, monthly tickets are available for the gym, which is located on the ground floor of the building where they have a Ljubljana office, and another sports surprise is in the works.
Their teambuildings are very diverse, having more than tripled the number of collaborators in recent years. Organizing an event for 15 people is something completely different than organizing an event for 50. The last team building was held in Carinthia, where some of their colleagues come from. First of all, in Slovenj Gradec they visited the old town centre and visited the family company Perger 1757, which is engaged in reading. They continued to socialize at the Plazl excursion farm, which is owned by the family of their colleague in Graška Gora. There they divided into several groups, rolled up their sleeves and took care of the preparation of boiled and baked goodies. They upgraded the event with sports activities, so there was something for everyone.
SOCIAL ROLE AND PUBLIC IMAGE
As a company, they are present on social networks Linkedin, Facebookin Instagram. Not only partners, but also other collaborators are encouraged to write posts for their blog Frog's perspectivewhere they can share their expert insights and thoughts. The posts are then shared on social networks, thus strengthening the visibility of the company and providing insight into their work.
When the opportunity arises, they engage in a broader professional debate in the areas they cover. They attend at least one expert meeting per year; for the past two years they have been at the NTK, and one year before that at the MOS. This allows them to present their projects, share experiences and at the same time strengthen the visibility of the company.
Humanfrog is a company that strives for a sustainable and socially responsible approach. They actively participate in initiatives that promote education and technological development. They want to contribute to the development of the environment in which they operate and promote cooperation, innovation and knowledge exchange.
They are proud to be members of prestigious associations, including the Competence Center for Design Management (KCDM), the Slovenian Technology Forum (STF) and the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia, ZiteX section. These memberships enable them to actively participate in professional communities and contribute to the development of the digital and technological environment in Slovenia and beyond.
The company operates according to sustainable and socially responsible principles. They actively promote the use of energy-efficient infrastructure, digitize processes and consistently reduce the consumption of paper and other resources. In addition to the environmental aspect, they also support organizations and initiatives that promote tolerance, respect for diversity and advocate the prevention of discrimination.
In the field of charity, Humanfrog follows a clear internal principle:
We help quietly, without self-promotion and public exposure. Support must have its true purpose, which is to create a positive impact, not marketing.
One of the projects that they are happy to support is the book heroes Teddy Bear and Pigletfor which they have established their digital home. Through innovative approaches and technology, they enable their stories to reach a wider range of children and encourage them to reflect on key values such as friendship, trust, patience, tolerance and acceptance of otherness.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND FUTURE
The business environment in Slovenia is unstable and unpredictable, which represents one of the biggest challenges for companies that want to plan for growth and investment in the long term. In addition, wage burdens are high, which reduces competitiveness in the labour market and makes it difficult to attract and retain talent, especially in the technology sector.
Compared to neighboring countries, the differences are obvious. In Croatia, the entrepreneurial environment is more conducive to business growth, with lower workloads and more visible incentives for investment. Hungary offers a competitive cost environment and tax incentives, making it easier for companies to expand. Austria and Italy stand out mainly for their developed infrastructure and access to major markets. Compared to these markets, Slovenia often lags behind: the business environment is unstable, wage burdens are high, and bureaucracy and regulation make growth and expansion difficult.
If we had a magic wand, we would like a clear and long-term strategic framework of the entrepreneurial environment with 5-, 10- and 20-year strategic plans for the development of the country and society and the consistent implementation of the goals set. Predictability and stability would enhance market competitiveness, stimulate investment and create an environment conducive to innovation and sustainable economic growth.
In five years, they see their company as an important regional player in the field of digital solutions. Everyone in management wants to promote innovation and at the same time provide solutions that meet the needs of clients, thus creating an environment where technology works at the service of the human being.
The most important trends that will shape the future of the industry are digitization and the use of artificial intelligence. The key here is that companies perceive that these are essential tools to be competitive, optimize processes and adapt more quickly to changes in the market.
At Humanfrog, change is a constant, both technological and regulatory and social. They prepare for them as part of their daily business by constantly monitoring trends and adapting processes and strategies so that they can react quickly and maintain competitiveness.
Of course, they are thinking about expanding into foreign markets. They focus mainly on the Balkans, as the region offers strategic advantages. These are historical and cultural ties, geographical proximity and economic potential, but also accompany the wider region.
Their key competitive advantage in the future will be reliability and the provision of comprehensive solutionswhich are already being built and are constantly being upgraded and improved. They want to provide customers with everything in one, from strategic consulting and technical implementation to security, etc., thus creating added value and long-term partnerships.
The biggest opportunity for the growth of their industry in the next decade will be the use of artificial intelligence. This will allow process optimization, better understanding of customer needs, faster decision-making and the development of new services, which will allow companies in the industry to grow and strengthen their competitiveness.
Sustainability is extremely important to Humanfrog. In addition to their responsible environmental impact, they also have a clear business value, since the electricity that underlies their operation is expensive. Efficient use of resources and energy-saving solutions contribute to cost optimization, increased competitiveness and long-term business stability.
FUN RUBRIC
If Humanfrog were a music group, they would be a big band, because it symbolizes their way of working: the collaboration of different disciplines and team bonding.
On work phones, they most often have the Teams app open, as it is a key tool for daily communication and coordination with the team.
Which emojis best describe a company or product: 🐸🤖
CONCLUSION
“I would advise young people not to complicate where it is not necessary, but to focus on the essence. The key is that they are constantly acquiring new knowledge, maintaining curiosity, being persistent and not afraid to take responsibility. I would also advise them to listen to those who have more experience. Sometimes such advice will seem outdated or too simple, but it is from practice that the most valuable insights often come out, which only show themselves with a distance of time. The willingness to listen to the knowledge and experience of others is an important part of the growth and development of any entrepreneur.” - Domain Česnik
Above all, we want to leave a clear message in the world that technology is manageable and useful, not a source of uncertainty.
Their goal is to strengthen managers' confidence in modern technological approaches and contribute to more thoughtful, confident and effective business management in the digital environment.
“We are facing one of the greatest turning points of our time. Artificial intelligence will fundamentally change the way we work, create and make decisions, as it will no longer be just a tool, but a partner that will transform the role of man, demand new skills and open up questions of responsibility, ethics and the importance of human creativity. To accept this change or not remains a personal choice, and the difference will manifest itself in who will find it easier and for whom it will be more difficult. That is why it is essential not to neglect education and to maintain curiosity, because only through critical thinking will we be able to separate truth from illusion.”- Domain Česnik
