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Dear
,
In this edition: Ci&T is one of 10 companies considered by Fortune Magazine as a “Rising Star" in global outsourcing. See why Ci&T's methodology has awarded them a distinction by the Great Place to Work Institute and ComputerWorld Magazine. Find out how Brazilian IT is being publicized in the United Kingdom. Learn how Ci&T´s solution developed for MetLife won them the “e-Finance 2007 Award”. Read an exclusive interview with Fernando Birman, a Brazilian that became the worldwide CRM and strategic planning Director for Rhodia IT.
Enjoy the read!
Enjoy the read!
Ci&T is a “Rising Star” according to Fortune Magazine
The 2007 Global Outsourcing 100 ranking, published by Fortune Magazine and organized by IAOP (International Association of Outsourcing Professionals), states that Ci&T Software is one of the 10 companies considered as “rising star” in the IT global market. Ci&T is the only Brazilian company in a select group of worldwide companies, flourishing between the North-American and Asian enterprises, as an ascending star in outsourcing.
The research published by Fortune Magazine, “The 2007 Global Outsourcing 100,” uses a series of key criteria to evaluate the companies. These criterias measure growth, added value for the clients, investment in processes, technologies and management systems, certifications, organizational capabilities, and commitment from their major executives. Ci&T had outstanding performance especially in client references, potentialities and certifications – the company is CMMI 5 (Capability Maturity Model Integration - Level 5) certified, the highest level in the most respected software quality standards in the world.
According to IAOP, this research shows the best and not just the largest. It is an essential reference guide for worldwide companies that are looking to establish partnership with companies in the industry. This unites not only today’s leaders but also the rising star in the sector.
The 2007 Global Outsourcing 100 ranking, published by Fortune Magazine and organized by IAOP (International Association of Outsourcing Professionals), states that Ci&T Software is one of the 10 companies considered as “rising star” in the IT global market. Ci&T is the only Brazilian company in a select group of worldwide companies, flourishing between the North-American and Asian enterprises, as an ascending star in outsourcing.The research published by Fortune Magazine, “The 2007 Global Outsourcing 100,” uses a series of key criteria to evaluate the companies. These criterias measure growth, added value for the clients, investment in processes, technologies and management systems, certifications, organizational capabilities, and commitment from their major executives. Ci&T had outstanding performance especially in client references, potentialities and certifications – the company is CMMI 5 (Capability Maturity Model Integration - Level 5) certified, the highest level in the most respected software quality standards in the world.
According to IAOP, this research shows the best and not just the largest. It is an essential reference guide for worldwide companies that are looking to establish partnership with companies in the industry. This unites not only today’s leaders but also the rising star in the sector.
Ci&T among the best Brazilian IT companies to work for
Ci&T recently received the “Best Places to Work – IT and Telecom 2007” Award by the “Great Place to Work (GPTW) Institute” and “Computerworld Magazine”. The list includes the top 40 Brazilian technology companies. The rankings were based on a survey with a variety of categories such as, the industry’s best practices and fringe benefits as well as their own employees’ evaluations. Employees indicate what they consider unique and distinct in their work environment. “We are investing continuously into the professional development of our collaborators. We are sure this is the best strategy to promote both, the company’s and collaborators’ growth”, says Bruno Guiçardi, Ci&T’s COO. The emphasis placed on human capital already awarded Ci&T as one of the best companies to work for in the IT and Telecom industry in Brazil in 2006. The second annual “Best Places to Work – IT and Telecom 2007” Awards took place July 18, 2007 at the Amcham Business Center in São Paulo.
Among Ci&T’s attributes, GPTW pointed out the company’s initiatives in the Web 2.0 segment, especially in blogs and Wikis. A year ago blogs emerged within the intranet and became a privileged venue to publish all kinds of information, from the company’s results to debates over Ci&T’s soccer teams. As for Wikis, they have enhanced the interaction among programmers, consultants and now clients, even those based in different cities. It brought measurable growth in productivity and increased access to knowledge. “These strategies are vital towards increasing employees’ participation and accountability, since they help people take ownership of the projects they are involved with”, explains Guiçardi.
Ci&T recently received the “Best Places to Work – IT and Telecom 2007” Award by the “Great Place to Work (GPTW) Institute” and “Computerworld Magazine”. The list includes the top 40 Brazilian technology companies. The rankings were based on a survey with a variety of categories such as, the industry’s best practices and fringe benefits as well as their own employees’ evaluations. Employees indicate what they consider unique and distinct in their work environment. “We are investing continuously into the professional development of our collaborators. We are sure this is the best strategy to promote both, the company’s and collaborators’ growth”, says Bruno Guiçardi, Ci&T’s COO. The emphasis placed on human capital already awarded Ci&T as one of the best companies to work for in the IT and Telecom industry in Brazil in 2006. The second annual “Best Places to Work – IT and Telecom 2007” Awards took place July 18, 2007 at the Amcham Business Center in São Paulo.Among Ci&T’s attributes, GPTW pointed out the company’s initiatives in the Web 2.0 segment, especially in blogs and Wikis. A year ago blogs emerged within the intranet and became a privileged venue to publish all kinds of information, from the company’s results to debates over Ci&T’s soccer teams. As for Wikis, they have enhanced the interaction among programmers, consultants and now clients, even those based in different cities. It brought measurable growth in productivity and increased access to knowledge. “These strategies are vital towards increasing employees’ participation and accountability, since they help people take ownership of the projects they are involved with”, explains Guiçardi.
Brazilian IT in London
How can we explore new business opportunities, direct investments, other ways of cooperation and a bilateral business between Brazil and the United Kingdom? Some of these questions were answered during the “Brazil: New Business Opportunities,” that took place in London June 25th. During the event, César Gon, Ci&T´s CEO, in his presentation “Brazil as a Global IT Service Provider,” demonstrated the potential of the Brazilian software and solutions for British companies and entities.
“We reinforced the image that the Brazilian companies have the ability and the expertise to compete in the global market for IT sourcing and services,” says Gon. With investments in technologies like Web 2.0 and SOA, Ci&T currently has a global infrastructure for outsourcing that includes 6 businesses units in Brazil, one subsidiary in the US and an office in London.
Promoted by The First Meeting of the UK-Brazil Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), organization created during the visit from our Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the United Kingdom in 2006, this seminar was created to capitalize on business in strategic areas, promote segments like the information and communication technology, biofuels, healthcare and Clean Development Mechanism.
The event was sponsored by the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI), Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (APEX-Brasil), and The Brazilian Ministry of External Relations. The event was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade and the British government and counted with the support from the Association for Promoting the Brazilian Software Excellence (Softex).
In addition to the lectures, the Brazilian committee participated in a variety of meetings with British companies as well as organizations and technology centers. “We showed that we are able to implement the best practices in the Brazilian software and services industry and are strengthening our presence in the global market,” explains Djalma Petit joint-coordinator at Softex.
How can we explore new business opportunities, direct investments, other ways of cooperation and a bilateral business between Brazil and the United Kingdom? Some of these questions were answered during the “Brazil: New Business Opportunities,” that took place in London June 25th. During the event, César Gon, Ci&T´s CEO, in his presentation “Brazil as a Global IT Service Provider,” demonstrated the potential of the Brazilian software and solutions for British companies and entities.“We reinforced the image that the Brazilian companies have the ability and the expertise to compete in the global market for IT sourcing and services,” says Gon. With investments in technologies like Web 2.0 and SOA, Ci&T currently has a global infrastructure for outsourcing that includes 6 businesses units in Brazil, one subsidiary in the US and an office in London.
Promoted by The First Meeting of the UK-Brazil Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), organization created during the visit from our Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the United Kingdom in 2006, this seminar was created to capitalize on business in strategic areas, promote segments like the information and communication technology, biofuels, healthcare and Clean Development Mechanism.
The event was sponsored by the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI), Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (APEX-Brasil), and The Brazilian Ministry of External Relations. The event was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade and the British government and counted with the support from the Association for Promoting the Brazilian Software Excellence (Softex).
In addition to the lectures, the Brazilian committee participated in a variety of meetings with British companies as well as organizations and technology centers. “We showed that we are able to implement the best practices in the Brazilian software and services industry and are strengthening our presence in the global market,” explains Djalma Petit joint-coordinator at Softex.
Solution developed for MetLife receives e-Finance Award
Metlife won the “e-Finance Award 2007” in the “Business Platform” category with a solution developed by Ci&T. The solution reduced in 90% the approval time for insurance proposals in MetLife´s Brazilian unit. With approximately US$2,8 trillion in insured assets, MetLife is the largest life insurance company in the US.
The award was given by the specialized magazine Executivos Financeiros, published in Brazil, that points out the most innovative implementations of infra-structure and applications solutions for IT and Telecom that contribute to the quality increase in the services provided by the financial institutions.
The system implemented in the Brazilian unit automates and improves the individual life insurances, with more than 5 thousand brokers as users. To achieve that, a new operational flow that includes new applications, business controllers and rulers was implemented.
The award ceremony happened on June 13th, at the opening of Ciab (XV Information Technology Congress and Exhibition of the Financial. Institutions), in São Paulo, Brazil.
Metlife won the “e-Finance Award 2007” in the “Business Platform” category with a solution developed by Ci&T. The solution reduced in 90% the approval time for insurance proposals in MetLife´s Brazilian unit. With approximately US$2,8 trillion in insured assets, MetLife is the largest life insurance company in the US.The award was given by the specialized magazine Executivos Financeiros, published in Brazil, that points out the most innovative implementations of infra-structure and applications solutions for IT and Telecom that contribute to the quality increase in the services provided by the financial institutions.
The system implemented in the Brazilian unit automates and improves the individual life insurances, with more than 5 thousand brokers as users. To achieve that, a new operational flow that includes new applications, business controllers and rulers was implemented.
The award ceremony happened on June 13th, at the opening of Ciab (XV Information Technology Congress and Exhibition of the Financial. Institutions), in São Paulo, Brazil.
Interview: Brazil to the world
Fernando Birman has recently moved to Lyon, France. His mission: to become the global director of CRM and strategic IT planning at Rhodia. Graduated in production engineering, the executive has been with the company for over 21 years. In this exclusive interview Birman tells us how he transformed the Brazilian unit of the company into an IT service provider for the entire corporation.
Ci&T Webnews - How was the persuasion process at Rhodia to turn the Brazilian unit into an IT provider for the entire company?
Birman - It was a long term work that started a long time ago. First, we designed a plan and began to promote Brazil. We gave emphasis to the Brazilian IT quality and what was being developed at the Rhodia unit in Brazil. We showed, mainly, our history of successful projects. Proving our competence takes very long and we have to do it step by step, little by little.
Ci&T Webnews - For a multinational company that is concentrating the IT service and development of applications in a local unit, why could the choice be specifically Brazil?
Birman - Rhodia has a history in Brazil of over 90 years with a tradition of generating businesses and being a pole of resources and know-how. Starting from this business basis you try to include the IT generation and it is crucial to have the CIO as a driving motor in this process. He has to fight against the ideas in the corporation that restricts this type of movement. Therefore, you need some factors, not to say many factors, which allow this movement towards a country like Brazil.
Ci&T Webnews - Are our costs competitive?
Birman - The costs are competitive, no doubt. But our differentials are the results, ability and capacity.
Ci&T Webnews - Rhodia´s Brazilian subsidiary is the largest IT complex besides the headquarters office?
Birman - Definitely. In the past years we have grown over 10% a year and can increase 15% to 20%. We launched a service, taking advantage of an opportunity and grow from that, with a lot of patience.
Ci&T Webnews - Are these services exported to other countries? Do they comply with global processes?
Birman - In most cases we are meeting the needs of all countries. We talk a lot about technology information at Rhodia Brazil, but it is not that simple. It is Rhodia´s worldwide technology that came to Brazil. Actually, our international IT team was already a unique team, introducing more resources in Brazil. It is not a game between countries; it is a game within an international area that is betting in a country that has good competence and a competitive cost.
Ci&T Webnews - The Brazilian professionals in IT are known for their engagement with the business. To what point this is a determining factor?
Birman - That is true, but I don’t think that it is our differential. Technical competence is stronger than a behavior factor.
Ci&T Webnews - You recently moved to Lyon, where you became the international director of CRM and strategic IT planning. How will be this new challenge at Rhodia, in an international level this time?
Birman - It is a matter of a continuous and planned process. In the past years, I worked to transform an IT based in countries and continents into an IT with a global team. This way, other colleagues and I had our roles changed, expanded and globalize. For me, it will also be an opportunity to learn in depth the culture of the country were our group will be located.
Ci&T Webnews - How was this process, where the regional IT leadership positions were extinct?
Birman - It was a well planned transition. We started with a dual connection, with a local and a global control. Later on, we eliminated the local one and maintained the global leaderships. The process requires behavioral change, knowledge of languages and cultures, traveling and, most importantly, adequate governance.
Ci&T Webnews - Having a Brazilian in the headquarters is always a good sign for our IT service providers. What are the main challenges?
Birman - Yes, I have been defending Brazil as a services platform. We are doing our part, now I hope that the vendors offer good services and evolve to meet the demand of the international companies by developing their teams, maintaining up to date, and being familiar with the best practices in the IT market.
Fernando Birman has recently moved to Lyon, France. His mission: to become the global director of CRM and strategic IT planning at Rhodia. Graduated in production engineering, the executive has been with the company for over 21 years. In this exclusive interview Birman tells us how he transformed the Brazilian unit of the company into an IT service provider for the entire corporation.Ci&T Webnews - How was the persuasion process at Rhodia to turn the Brazilian unit into an IT provider for the entire company?
Birman - It was a long term work that started a long time ago. First, we designed a plan and began to promote Brazil. We gave emphasis to the Brazilian IT quality and what was being developed at the Rhodia unit in Brazil. We showed, mainly, our history of successful projects. Proving our competence takes very long and we have to do it step by step, little by little.
Ci&T Webnews - For a multinational company that is concentrating the IT service and development of applications in a local unit, why could the choice be specifically Brazil?
Birman - Rhodia has a history in Brazil of over 90 years with a tradition of generating businesses and being a pole of resources and know-how. Starting from this business basis you try to include the IT generation and it is crucial to have the CIO as a driving motor in this process. He has to fight against the ideas in the corporation that restricts this type of movement. Therefore, you need some factors, not to say many factors, which allow this movement towards a country like Brazil.
Ci&T Webnews - Are our costs competitive?
Birman - The costs are competitive, no doubt. But our differentials are the results, ability and capacity.
Ci&T Webnews - Rhodia´s Brazilian subsidiary is the largest IT complex besides the headquarters office?
Birman - Definitely. In the past years we have grown over 10% a year and can increase 15% to 20%. We launched a service, taking advantage of an opportunity and grow from that, with a lot of patience.
Ci&T Webnews - Are these services exported to other countries? Do they comply with global processes?
Birman - In most cases we are meeting the needs of all countries. We talk a lot about technology information at Rhodia Brazil, but it is not that simple. It is Rhodia´s worldwide technology that came to Brazil. Actually, our international IT team was already a unique team, introducing more resources in Brazil. It is not a game between countries; it is a game within an international area that is betting in a country that has good competence and a competitive cost.
Ci&T Webnews - The Brazilian professionals in IT are known for their engagement with the business. To what point this is a determining factor?
Birman - That is true, but I don’t think that it is our differential. Technical competence is stronger than a behavior factor.
Ci&T Webnews - You recently moved to Lyon, where you became the international director of CRM and strategic IT planning. How will be this new challenge at Rhodia, in an international level this time?
Birman - It is a matter of a continuous and planned process. In the past years, I worked to transform an IT based in countries and continents into an IT with a global team. This way, other colleagues and I had our roles changed, expanded and globalize. For me, it will also be an opportunity to learn in depth the culture of the country were our group will be located.
Ci&T Webnews - How was this process, where the regional IT leadership positions were extinct?
Birman - It was a well planned transition. We started with a dual connection, with a local and a global control. Later on, we eliminated the local one and maintained the global leaderships. The process requires behavioral change, knowledge of languages and cultures, traveling and, most importantly, adequate governance.
Ci&T Webnews - Having a Brazilian in the headquarters is always a good sign for our IT service providers. What are the main challenges?
Birman - Yes, I have been defending Brazil as a services platform. We are doing our part, now I hope that the vendors offer good services and evolve to meet the demand of the international companies by developing their teams, maintaining up to date, and being familiar with the best practices in the IT market.