Two decades ago, Romania’s digital transformation was only beginning to take shape. Technology was a niche field, often seen as the privilege of large corporations or young enthusiasts fascinated by computers. Today, digitalization is part of life’s infrastructure — as essential as electricity or transport networks.
For Horia Sabo, founder of Codata Software Solutions and investor in ComputerLand Romania, the past twenty years have not only changed the country — they have shaped his own professional path. “I’ve grown in the same rhythm as Romania has learned to connect, to experiment, and to build confidence in its own digital solutions,” he reflects.
He believes the most important change was not technical but mental. Romania moved from dependence on imported technology to a generation of companies and specialists capable of creating local innovation. “That’s the real transformation — we’ve started to think like producers of technology, not just users. Digitalization isn’t just about code; it’s about vision, ethics, and the courage to build systems that improve real lives.”
A civic architecture for digital Romania
In his view, the digitalization of the public sector has made significant progress — but remains fragmented. Some institutions offer modern online services, while others still operate in isolation. The challenge, says Sabo, is not about adding more technology but redesigning how citizens are served.
“Too often, we simply digitize bureaucracy instead of rethinking it. True progress will come through interoperability — when institutions can finally communicate with one another,” he explains. For him, the solution lies in what he calls “civic architecture”: a unifying digital framework where technology serves people, not systems.
This philosophy guides Codata’s work across all projects — from AI and IoT-based infrastructure to smart city platforms and cloud integration for public services. “An architect doesn’t build isolated structures; they design spaces that work together for the community. That’s how we see digitalization — as an ecosystem that connects citizens, data, and institutions.”
“People and companies no longer see technology as optional — it’s fundamental. Remote work, digital payments, online healthcare — these are now normal parts of life. What changed is our perspective: we no longer digitize everything blindly; we ask whether it truly adds value and sustainability.”
That moment, he says, helped society reach a new level of maturity in its relationship with technology.
Codata as part of a mature, ethical, and interconnected digital ecosystem
One of the recurring themes in his thinking is the need to change how digitalization is perceived — especially in Romania, where it is often treated as a “luxury” or a “cost.” Sabo argues the opposite: “Digitalization is not an expense; it’s an investment in efficiency, transparency, and better governance. When done properly, it saves money, reduces bureaucracy, and raises the quality of services.”
At Codata, this vision takes tangible form. The company develops platforms that combine AI, data analytics, and IoT to optimize energy use, improve mobility, or support local administrations. “When people start to feel the impact of digital tools in their daily lives — shorter queues, cleaner cities, better access to services — that’s when perception will truly change,” he says.
Looking ahead, Horia Sabo envisions Codata as part of a mature, ethical, and interconnected digital ecosystem. Romania, he believes, has a real chance to become a regional technology hub — but only if it moves from isolated digital projects to an integrated national strategy.
“Codata’s role is to be an integrator of meaning, not just of technology — to connect public administration with the private sector, data with decisions, and artificial intelligence with real civic impact.”
He sees the next decade as an opportunity not just to expand, but to shape the kind of digital society Romania will become. “The future doesn’t belong to those who have the most technology,” Sabo concludes, “but to those who know how to use it responsibly, in the service of people.”