SOFTECH carving niche in IT sectorGuyana Chronicle December 12, 1999
SOFTECH, a dynamic computer company is moving to carve a niche for itself in Guyana's Information Technology sector. Located at Lot 279 Forshaw Street, Queenstown, and headed by Managing Director, Ms Wendy Hazel, SOFTECH is a subsidiary of BBM Incorporated, Miami, in aiming towards this goal, has recently been certified as a Microsoft Solution Provider. SOFTECH was registered here in June 1998 and began actual operations in August. It specialises in the provision of quality information technology education, computer sales, repairs, maintenance and support. According to Hazel, the company aims to become the premier provider of quality computer training and customer service to meet the demands of the business and mass market, as well as to raise and set the standard in information technology services and business training in Guyana. Included in its operational principles are the commitment to professionalism, in that at all times a qualified and trained staff who keep abreast of international technological advances is maintained; commitment to integrity in all its transactions and relationships; a high quality of service and dependability where the company assures of reliable, timely service and reduction of down-time. Speaking about the benefits of being a Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider '99 (MCSP'99), the Managing Director said it will allow the company to better offer customised training programmes utilising Microsoft approved software such as Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook, Windows95/98 and Windows NT, all recognised by international training institutions. SOFTECH offers a computer literacy course that trains the student to be functionally literate in hardware specifications, DOS functions, Windows environment Word Processing spreadsheets and databases, using Microsoft Products. MCSPs are independent organisations working with Microsoft and include a wide range of companies such system integrators, customs application developers, installation and deployment service providers, business consultants and training organisations. MCSPs also add value by offering their customers a full range of services, including internet, intranet and e-commerce solutions, line-of-business applications and client/server implementations. Commenting on the SOFTECH's certification, Bryan Watson, General Manager of Partner and Corporate Account Marketing at Microsoft Corp was quoted in a release as saying: "With Microsoft Certified Professionals on staff, SOFTECH is helping customers maximise their investments for the Microsoft Windows platform, and we are pleased to have them on board as an MCSP". Hazel said that since opening its doors, the company has been providing services for a wide range of clientele, among them the National Bank of Industry and Commerce (NBIC) and the Ministry of Finance. Explaining SOFTECH's training operations, the Managing Director said that in addition to the company mounting courses based on demand, there are some agencies which request training specifically for their employees. Individual tuition in computer technology is also being offered, but Hazel pointed out that SOFTECH is an educational centre and not a computer school. The Managing Director has a wide range of experience in information technology having spent 24 years in the Information Services Department (ISD) of the Bank of Guyana (BOG). She held the post of Director, ISD for three years before she left the Bank's employ. Hazel said her company is firmly committed to the idea that the development of an organisation's human resources through institutionally relevant training, is pivotal to its survival as the world approaches the new millennium. The training programme which includes include software applications, operating systems, project management and strategic planning and Microsoft Computer Systems Education certification course of studies, is tailored to the specific requirement of clients. Tutors are usually a team of highly qualified university trained and/or certified educators drawn from the local environment or overseas. And in keeping with the client-focused orientation, SOFTECH works closely with organisations and companies to develop and run appropriate training programmes for staff members, both on site and at the Centre. SOFTECH is currently offering Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer(MCSE) and Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) examinations at their Education Centre.
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