Biz-Tech

OpenArc Group moves to new premises

The OpenArc Group, a group of companies engaged in software development and information technology education sector moved to their new six storey building premises at No. 120, High Level Road, Kirulapona, Colombo 6, recently.

Having founded in 1991, today the company has been established as a reputed software development house and a quality educational institute.

The OpenArc Group of Companies consists of three main companies namely, the OpenArc Systems Management, the OpenArc School of Business and Technology and the new BOI venture with Japanese partners, OpenArc College of Business and Technology.

By this move it has generated a new momentum, giving the opportunity for the students of the OpenArc School of Business and Technology to work closely with the OpenArc Systems Management to obtain education and practical training together and then seek employment opportunities as well.

Apart from bringing education and practice together, providing the staff, students and customers of OpenArc with better infrastructure and support services, more space and the ease of transportation are some of the objectives of this move.

OpenArc Group has planned to carry out several new projects from the new premises. Providing more facilities for the existing training courses and launching of new educational programs, preparing students for the internationally recognized certification programs in software related fields such as project management, quality assurance, international computer driving licence in collaboration with the Education Ministry and providing employment opportunities for the students who are following the training courses are some of them.

OpenArc is an ISO 9001:2000 qualities certified and CMMI quality assessed company with strong backing from its own Business and Technology Management Schools within the group which gives the company ample space and access to large pool of IT human resources.

Company is presently engaged in ISO 27001 quality certification for Information Security Management as well.

OpenArc Group was founded by Chairman Daya Hettiarachchi in 1991.

He is a chartered engineer, a chartered management accountant and an IT expert with over 25 years experience in engineering, accounting and IT fields.

He is a veteran teacher in IT, software designer and architect of the software manufactured by the OpenArc Systems Management (Pvt) Ltd.

MMBL Cyberskills, Buckinghamshire University, tie-up for degrees

An agreement between Buckinghamshire New University, UK and MMBL CyberSkills,Sri Lanka to offer Sri Lankan students the opportunity to study a UK BSc (Hons) degree in computing,was signed at the Jaic Hilton recently.

MMBL CyberSkills , which was incorporated in June 2000 under the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka to takeover and conduct the NIIT’s franchised operation of IT education and training in Sri Lanka is today a well-known IT education institute, where a wide range of internationally accredited training products are offered.

CyberSkills currently operates 13 branches in Sri Lanka which includes the North and East.

The institute has also been awarded major training projects such as for Hatton National Bank, Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), Education Ministry - Distance Education Modernization Project (DEMP), Ministry of Education - Secondary Education Modernization Project (SEMP), Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA). The Institute is also a part of the Capital Maharaja Group. Buckinghamshire New University is a new generation university and one that has exceptionally strong strategic partnerships with world-class organisations such as HP, Cisco and Panasonic.

Every course has a renowned industry partner or accredited body to ensure that the most professional standards are attained and the courses are relevant and up-to-date.

This approach to modern, industrially relevant education is reflected in the ‘New’ of the University title - a new outlook and a new approach to 21st century education.

MMBL CyberSkills Director/CEO K. Balasundaram, said they were excited about this partnership that will make an internationally recognized UK Degree qualification accessible to Sri Lankan students, who instead of spending a large amount of money for higher education in a university in UK, can enjoy the same degree qualifications, which will be available in Sri Lanka.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Derek Godfrey pledged his support and commitment to work closely together with MMBL CyberSkills to provide the opportunity for a quality education and a meaningful degree qualification to Sri Lankan students.

Cloud computing gathering momentum

Channa Bandara Wijekoon

Cloud computer concept, which is an innovation in IT, is rapidly catching up with the momentum in facilitating companies to gain enhanced return on investment worldwide.

“The Cloud computer concept is at present gaining worldwide popularity in developed countries is a paradigm shift in the arena of IT and has become the driver of all businesses”, CTO and Co-Founder WSO2 VP, Apache Synapse co-chair Paul Fremantle said.

American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in association with WSO2 carried out a session to create awareness towards Cloud Computer Concept.

Coupled with a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), which decentralizes storage and handling information, Cloud Computer concept has been introduced with a view to providing companies in carrying out their business while having an edge over the competitors.

It will provide the businesses with enhanced speed, flexibility, agility, the ability to better utilize Core Competencies, ability to grow and security.

“Today’s heterogeneous markets demand companies to be geared with speed, elasticity and agility. Cloud set up locally to cater to this need of the hour will facilitate innovative businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors”, Global Sales Vice President WSO2 Lavi de Silva said.

However, he stressed the need to have proper governance in handling. Moving from a monolithic system to a cloud system will enable IT, the driver all businesses today all over the world to facilitate companies to have better Customer relationship management by 2015.