Technology

ME labour market gets more priority than IT industry - ZILLIONe CEO

by Gamini Warushamana

The software industry has great potential to solve many problems in the country. However, the authorities have not realised the real potential of this lucrative global industry, said CEO of ZILLIONe Systems Solutions (Pvt) Ltd Tharmarajah Suresh.

He said that although some initiatives have been taken, they are not sufficient to change the environment in the country as fast as the industry demands.

Suresh who counts over 25 years' in the industry said there is tremendous potential in the IT/BPO industry.

Here are excerpts of his interview with the Sunday Observer.

Today there are around 11,000 IT professionals in this industry and they bring around $275 million in export revenue to the country. However, these figures are rough estimates as the industry does not have sufficient data or a systematic way of gathering data. This also shows the poor attention the authorities have given to the software industry.

However, what an IT professional earns is equal to the earnings of ten housemaids in the Middle East. But unfortunately the software industry does not receive the priority attention that the Middle East labour market enjoys.

The global IT/BPO market is growing over 20% annually. In 2006, India earned $ 25 billion from the IT/BPO industry. In this global situation we have vast opportunities in this industry. The problem however, is that our policy makers have not realised the true potential of the country.

Burning problems

The solutions to most of the burning problems in the country are in IT/BPO industry. A graduate obtains a degree by getting the highest marks at the GCE Advanced Level examination and spending three or four years in the university.

Therefore their demand for a job is reasonable and the mismatch of education or other issues are not their fault. On the other hand there is a shortage of manpower in the IT industry.

It is regretted that we have still not taken steps to channel the students to IT or IT related fields. Today, there are no unemployed IT graduates as they get three or four offers after they pass out from the university. This is an important message the government should take note of.

Of the 15,000 graduates who pass out from our universities, only about 2,800 hold IT or IT related degrees. Due to the shortage, we all try to employ them. As a result the salary goes up and we lose competitiveness. Though we are low cost software suppliers today, the shortage of IT graduates will affect the industry.

Costly degree courses

The degree courses offered by the private universities are costly and not within the reach of average students. Therefore, the loan schemes introduced by the Bank of Ceylon recently are important to address this issue in the short run.

The government should support this kind of programs. But in the long run a change in the education system is essential. All subject streams should be gradually shifted to support the industry.

The opportunities in the IT service industry are different and all categories do not need full fledged IT professionals. For instance, I need solution experts (experts in a service, component or a software solution) and not IT experts for many of my service contracts.

Therefore we can link various subject streams with the IT industry to overcome this main hurdle in the industry. The Physical Science subject stream is very important and graduates can be easily transformed into IT professionals, because their mathematical knowledge is very important.

We have our niche areas or centres of excellence and we can develop our education system to support these sectors. Accounting graduates are important as the financial service is one major area where the Lankan software industry is doing well.

Some other streams such as law can cater to Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO). The opportunities in the industry are huge and with changing technology, new avenues are opening. According to NASCOM estimates the accessible IT/BPO market is about $300 billion.

Suresh said he recently met a CEO of a Bangalore based IT company that employed 75 people and its job is data cleaning. "What they are doing is transferring data from the old systems to new systems. As new advanced systems are being introduced, companies want to transfer the data safely.

Software testing is another area that we can concentrate on. Implementation of globally renowned software solutions is another profitable area. By using our cost advantage we can provide a similar service at very low cost", he said.

Competitiveness

Apart from HR issues the high cost of communication infrastructure affects the competitiveness of the industry. There is rapid growth in the communication sector but our rates are the highest compared to our competitors. Marketing is another issue and we don't have the skills to market it on a global scale.

Despite all these hurdles the Sri Lankan software industry has made its mark on the global map. Today Sri Lanka is recognised as a centre of producing quality software and a financial service outsourcing centre.

SKC Computers, one of the first IT companies in Sri Lanka, established in 1979 as a subsidiary of a large company became independent by a management buy out in 1999 and was renamed Zillione. The company started at a time when IT was hardly known in Sri Lanka.

Suresh, a physical science graduate of the Jaffna University started his career as a trainee programmer. At the time the word programmer was strange and I had to explain my job when I give my designation, he said. There were no PCs and I started work on an IBM mini computer in RPG language. We handled local projects such as water supply and electricity billing and ETF.

Today Zillione specialises in Business solutions, software development, system integration and computer training with a talent pool of 70 people. The company has a clientele of over 300 companies in 30 industries.

Modular based integrated business solutions of Zillione covers a wide variety of business needs. These packages range from single server packages to ERP solutions. Zillione has partnerships with internationally renowned business solution providers such as ACCPAC of Sage Plc (UK).

Zillione, a leading system integrator in Sri Lanka has over 50 clients and partnerships with Microsoft, HP, Surfcontrol, Trend Micro, Symantec, Fortiner and Checkpoint. Zillione has won many awards for its services and the company became the first Microsoft gold certified partner in Sri Lanka in 2005.

The company ventured into software export in 2004 and today it has 15 partners in six countries. It provides solutions to telecom, tourism and insurance industries in the Maldives, Seychelles, Figi, Zambia, Tonga and Microasia.

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Over 15,000 teachers to transform future of IT based education

Over 15,000 teachers from all parts of Sri Lanka are vying for an opportunity to display their innovative use of IT in the classroom at the Microsoft Innovative Teachers Competition next month.

The competition held for the third consecutive year in Sri Lanka, attracted an unprecedented number of 15,360 entries for its Provincial Software Competition - three times more than last year's number. The provincial level competition precedes the national level competition, with the provincial winners gaining automatic entry to the national final.

The Innovative Teachers' competition which is carried out by Microsoft in collaboration with the Ministry of Education is organised to uplift the information communication literacy of the teachers which would be instrumental in today's student centred education system.

Another objective of this competition is to appreciate the active participation of teachers in propagating information technology among schoolchildren.

The overwhelming response this year included 3,667 entries from the North Western Province, 2,790 from the Central Province, 2,071 from South and 1,925 from the Western Province with the Sabaragamuwa teachers sending 1,450 entries, Uva submitting 1,341, the East making 973 entries, 659 coming from the North Central Province and 484 entries submitted by the Northern Province.

MAS to empower people through education at MIMT

MAS Holdings launched the MAS Institute of Management and Technology (MIMT), at the MAS Fabric Park, Thulhiriya.

MIMT is a public training institute with facilities and infrastructure, including a fully equipped auditorium seating 300 people, 17 training rooms including labs for English language, IT, Textile processing and sewing machine mechanics and residential facilities for up to 250 people.

MIMT is being launched with a vision to enhance employment opportunities to the youth of this country and to uplift competencies in the industries in Sri Lanka. There will be a particular focus on the Textile, Apparel, IT and BPO sectors.

MIMT will partner with leading training providers to offer a range of programs. The flexibility of working with a network of partners will ensure that MIMT's training will remain relevant to the changing needs of our country.

Partnering with Informatics, a premier IT training institute MIMT will offer a suite of IT programs ranging from diploma level to degree programs along with qualifications in 3D graphics and JAVA.

MIMT will also offer a suite of technical programs to skilled employees in the textile and apparel industry. A range of English language, soft skill development and etiquette programs will enhance the employability of people.

MIMT CEO, Chandan de Silva said, "MIMT will offer customised programs to address the skill shortages in the IT enabled, BPO, Textile and apparel industries. We want to develop well rounded candidates by focusing on core competencies and soft skill development".

MIMT's job placement centre will help students from MIMT find employment within the MAS Fabric Park and in other industries.

MAS Holdings Chairman Mahesh Amalean said, "My vision is to see Sri Lanka recognised as a destination for knowledge and innovation within the next five years. This is one step towards that goal".

SLT and Mobitel showcase digital Lifestyle at EDEX 2008 exhibition

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) revolutionised the EDEX 2008, exhibition, with its ground breaking stall featuring the creme of today's broadband technology, offering visitors a real experience in truly digital lifestyle.

The stall featured the use of uploading photos/videos/music files, photo/music/video sharing, creative writing and blogging, video blogging, net radio, social utility networks such as Facebook and chatting mechanisms such as SLTnet Messenger, Google Chat, iChat and MSN Messenger.

It also featured Mobitel 3.5 G and the use of mobile telephony on a GSM network, broadband services, as well as wireless fidelity (WIFI).

Working with blogs; visitors could write, compose poems, upload videos on to social networks such as You Tube, create digital art, make their own music or relax while listening to radio channels from around the world.

They could also watch IPTV or visit the Mobitel corner for a one of a kind experience - the first 3.5 G HSPA technology in south Asia.

Chief Corporate Officer of SLT P.N.E. Abaysekara said, "SLT always values the country's youth which is an asset to our country.

SLT takes education as one of the major aspects of our corporate social responsibility programs.

We are proud to be the theme attraction sponsor of this exhibition, which will provide school leavers, undergraduates and all the other visitors a valuable insight into the latest technologies available in the market and provide them an opportunity to use these technologies themselves, giving them a competitive edge."

ASUS U3 - Seamless Computing Solution with style

The golden ratio 13.3" widescreen U3 is perfect for metropolitan professionals to stay on the move with style.

From the exterior piano painted LCD cover, stainless contour and magnesium aluminum alloy housing to genuine leather bound palm rest, the U3 reflects exceptional personal taste with unique sophistication.

Based on the latest Intel Centrino Duo Processor Technology, Windows Vista operating system and exclusive ASUS innovations, the U3 offers a dynamic computing experience with powerful performance.

Group Product Manager for EPSI Computers, Sankha Jayaratne, authorised distributors for ASUS in Sri Lanka said that the beauty of the notebook is complemented with its simple and clean lines. The stainless contour gives the notebook as structured appearance with sturdiness.

To enhance the overall high mobility design of the U3 while keeping all parts well-protected, magnesium-aluminum alloy is used for the LCD cover of the notebook for 4H hardness for enhanced screen protection.

The U3's golden ratio 13.3-inch panel offers the mobility of a 12" notebook with the visual comfort of a 14" screen.

In addition, the glare-type panel with exclusive Splendid Colour Enhancement Engine displays vivid colours and sharp details for the most enjoyable viewing experience.

The notebook offers a smart balance of mobility and performance with comprehensive security features.

Data security is uncompromised with built-in biometric fingerprint scanner that reads from the live layer of skin, preventing common skin surface conditions from impairing scanner accuracy.

Embedded TPM hardware solution prevents attacks by hackers looking to capture passwords and encryption keys to sensitive data.