How DNV Imatis strengthened its development team with integrated experts in Vietnam

When DNV Imatis needed more qualified developers, local recruitment could not keep pace with its ambitions. What began with two senior developers in 2012 developed into a long-term collaboration across Norway and Vietnam. With Facilitated Work Hub, DNV Imatis gained experienced colleagues and the local support to make international teamwork work.

 

Healthcare technology with international ambitions

DNV Imatis develops digital solutions that help healthcare professionals coordinate information, communication and patient workflows. As international demand grew, the company needed more qualified developers to support its ambitions. Finding the right people locally in Porsgrunn, Norway, was proving difficult.

The challenge was to increase capacity while keeping development closely connected to the company’s products, people and ways of working.

 

Finding the right fit for the team

DNV Imatis explored international recruitment and outsourcing options. That said, its engineers were concerned about the additional work load involved in handing detailed specifications to an external team unfamiliar with their development goals, domain and culture.

FWH offered a closer fit: developers employed locally in Vietnam by FWH, working exclusively for DNV Imatis as full-time colleagues. The developers worked as integrated members of their existing technology team, with communication remaining direct, even with colleagues working together across locations.

 

Starting small and building the team together

Let's take the story back a decade and a half. The collaboration between DNV Imatis and FWH began in 2012 with two senior .NET developers.

DNV Imatis, at that time known only as Imatis, expanded rapidly, partly due to its international breakthrough in the market. This triggered a strong need for more developers.

Recruitment considered both technical ability and the confidence to contribute ideas, ask questions and work closely with colleagues in Norway.

FWH handled local employment, contracts, payroll and HR, allowing DNV Imatis to focus on product development. Alongside recruitment and administration, FWH provided ongoing cultural and collaboration support, including a Norwegian cultural advisor based in Vietnam.

Read more:  How FWHs employment services work

Starting with two colleagues gave them someone to learn alongside as they became familiar with the company’s software and working methods. Detailed specifications, demonstrations and regular follow-up supported the initial onboarding. As the collaboration matured, bringing additional colleagues into the team became easier.

 

Helping developers understand the healthcare environment

Building product understanding was an important part of bringing the team together.

During a visit to Vietnam, DNV Imatis’ Head of Product Development, Espen Semb, demonstrated how its software supported a patient’s journey through a Norwegian emergency department. This gave the developers a clearer, more tangible, understanding of the workflows behind the features they were building, and how their work was used in practice.

That connection matters beyond onboarding. Seeing how a product is used gives developers a stronger basis for discussing requirements, understanding priorities and contributing to its development.

 

Making communication work across borders

The team also needed shared expectations about how to communicate and contribute. FWH supported a flat working environment where colleagues could raise questions, offer suggestions and take initiative.

Direct communication remained central to the model. Developers in Vietnam worked with their DNV Imatis colleagues, rather than having everyday discussions routed through a separate delivery team.

Visits in both directions helped strengthen relationships. Feedback also helped Semb recognise where more detailed task information was needed. The collaboration developed through adjustments on both sides.

 

Creating opportunities for people to grow

Over time, the team expanded to ten developers, including senior development and quality assurance/controller expertise. Alongside additional capacity, DNV Imatis gained colleagues who could develop their knowledge of its products and business over the long term.

Thai, one of the first developers recruited in 2012, relocated to Norway in 2020 to continue working with DNV Imatis, bringing his experience to the in-house team there.

His journey reflects the continuity FWH aims to support: experienced people building lasting careers within the same client organisation, with room for their responsibilities to evolve.

Thao is one of the team members in Ho Chi Minh City. She enjoys working with DNV Imatis through FWH:

“I am really impressed and satisfied with the facilities, benefits, salary and work environment here. My colleagues in Vietnam are friendly and are willing to support me from the very first day. My peers at DNV Imatis Norway, are nice and recognise my contributions. By working with DNV Imatis, I not only get a chance to improve my manual testing skills but also the automation skills, this enhances my knowledge.”

Ultimately, it is about building strong teams whose members help each other improve. Thai particularly highlights the low staff turnover at FWH:

“When people join here, they stay.”

Team DNV Imatis Vietnam, 2017.

 

DNV Imatis technology team in Ho Chi Minh City 2023, visits from Espen Semb (CTO, DNV Imatis), Morten Skjelland (Senior System Developer, DNV Imatis), and Øystein Baeko (CEO, FWH).

 

Client visit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 2024.

 

Parts of the Vietnam team, 2025.