Cariello-USA http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-articles_rss.php?ver=2 Sun, 20 May 2012 10:17:36 +0100 Tiki CMS/Groupware via FeedCreator 1.7.2.1 http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/img/tiki.jpg IT from Brazil. Outsourcing to the best destination. http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-view_articles.php en-us Gartner ITXpo 2011 - Orlando http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=60 For the eighth consecutive year, Brasil IT+, the global Brazilian IT initiative supported by SOFTEX (Society for the Promotion of Excellence in Brazilian Software) and Apex-Brasil? (Brazilian Export and Investments Promotion Agency) is sponsoring the Gartner Symposium / ITXpo event.
In these 8 years Brazil IT has brought to Orlando over 70 different companies. For 2011, 15 were selected:




GAS TECNOLOGIA

www.gastecnologia.com.br (external link)

With nineteen years in the market, GAS Tecnologia specializes in Web Fraud Detection and is responsible for protecting Internet Banking in Brazil’s main banks. The company has innovative solutions and technologies that together with a defense strategy dramatically reduces fraud brought on by the violation of privacy of users and corporations.

Stefanini

www.stefanini.com (external link)

Stefanini TechTeam? provides offshore, onshore and nearshore IT services, specializing in application development and IT help desk outsourcing services. We offer IT infrastructure outsourcing, ERP consulting and staffing services. With 73 offices in 28 countries serving the Americas, Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia, our 450 clients represent all major industries.

Actminds

www.actminds.com (external link)
ACTMINDS has been successfully applying SCRUM framework for application development. Our broad skill set includes JAVA, LAMP, RUBY, .NET, SharePoint?, Silverlight. Rich Interface (Multi-touch, Kinect), Mobile (iPhone, iPad, Android, RIM, Windows Mobile) and Cloud solutions are our main demands currently. We’ve been innovating to bring the best solutions to our Clients.

Apdata

www.apdata.com.br (external link)

Apdata is a HR Solutions Company that has developed a local or multi-country product using state of the art technology.
The Global Antares Software allows Human Resources in all branches to work with integrated data reducing costs of integration process and different HR products maintenance. We have been in business for 26 years focusing on complete solutions for HR companies. Service quality, technology, innovation, and flexibility are in our DNA.

Aurus

www.aurus-software.com.br (external link)

The ASM, Aurus Service Manager, by Aurus Software, is a platform for managing processes and services, built over a workflow solution that allow you manage any type of process, standardizing, controlling and automating easily.
This Powerful tool for managing Process and Service was developed under ITIL specification, PMI references and Workflow control by WFMC standards.

DB1

www.db1.com.br (external link)

DB1 is a 10 years old software factory; We develop (Application) projects to attend many kinds of different Agribusiness. Our portfolio includes more than 20 Cooperatives and we already attend 4 of the 10 largest Agri-businesses in Brazil. DB1 is a CMMI certified and elected in 2011 one of the best IT Company to work for in Brazil by Great Place to Work Institute.

HDI

www.grupohdi.com (external link)

HDI Group is a Brazilian company specialized in Software Quality Assurance, with a portfolio of solutions and services that meets the demand for Quality at all stages of the software life cycle, from conception to production, all based on an exclusive methodology of High Automation.

MC1

www.mc1.net (external link)

MC1 specializes in corporate mobile applications. Since 2003, MC1’s innovative mobile technology solutions have successfully been implemented to global corporations, being a market leader in food and non-food CPG and utilities companies.
MC1 focus in customizing solutions to clients by using essential tools from its portfolio which includes: mobile solutions integration, helpdesk, and mobile assets, billing, SIM cards and devices management.

Modulo

www.modulo.com (external link)

Modulo is global enterprise provider of comprehensive Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) management solutions. Modulo’s Award winning Risk Manager™ provides over 1,000 organizations worldwide with solutions for IT GRC, ERM, BCM, Vendor, Compliance and Risk management process and the tool they need to automate the entire GRC lifecycle.

www.navita.com.br (external link)

Solutions for Mobility, Telecom, Enterprise Portals and Intranets.
Partner of leading smartphones and tablets manufacturers and Carriers in Latin America. Navita Offers products and services focused on BPO (Business Process Outsourcing). Navita MDM (Mobile Device Management), Enterprise management of smartphones and tablets; Navita TEM Management of Telecom Services and Costs in real time; Navita Mobile, for the development of mobile applications.

PCS

www.pcsbrasil.com.br (external link)

PCS - Professional Call Center Solutions, since 1996 offers products, solutions and services focused on exceeding contact and call centers' needs and expectations. We offer a complete suite of applications to help our customers to manage, control, make, receive, record and improve all their customers’ iterations with efficiency and flexibility.

Reddrummer

www.reddrummer.com.br (external link)

RedDrummer? is a breakthrough concept that was brilliantly designed and technically well-thought. Its unique architecture enables corporate information to become tangible forms of the organization "intellectual capital", into a flexible, conversational, and personalized context. Incredibly intuitive and easy-to-use, dynamic navigation bar and interface, rich media creation and publishing capabilities and extreme platform personalization options are some of the key characteristics of RedDrummer? design. Its Information Architecture responds to an innovative business rule that introduce the “value for business” notion of any Information Asset.

Softexpert

www.softexpert.com.br (external link)

SoftExpert? is a leading global provider of software solutions for business performance excellence and regulatory compliance. The company operates in 30 countries with more than 2,000 customers of all sizes from various industrial sectors, including manufacturing, government, healthcare, finance, IT and high tech, education, energy and utilities, logistics, retail, services, etc. The SoftExpert? Excellence Suite fully integrates the main organizational management elements, including governance (GRC), strategy and performance (EPM), processes (BPM), document and records (ECM), projects and portfolio (PPM), IT (ITSM), quality (QMS), products (PLM), assets (EAM), ecosystem (EHS), among others. The software also ensures and simplifies compliance with multiple standards and regulations, such as ISO9000, BSC, PMBOK, ISO2000, ITIL, COBIT, SOX, COSO, ISO27000, JCAHO, and many more.

Sigma

www.sigma.com.br (external link)

Established 1976 and specialized in Software Engineering and Network Management Services, Curitiba-based Sigma is ranked over the years among the Top200 Brazilian IT companies by ComputerWorld?, Informática Hoje and InfoE xame magazines. Also, ExamePME magazine recently listed Sigma as one of the 200 fastest growing companies within Brazil. Sigma's software factory is certified CMMI level 2 and ISO9001.


SST

www.sstnet.com.br (external link)

SST IT solutions is a business partner for IT market leaders like SAP, Microsoft, and IBM, and is recognized by the Brazilian corporate market as an expert on tailor made software. The company offers consulting services, software development, outsourcing and products implementation on Business Process Management, Business Integration, Business Intelligence, Application Performance and Information Security.


]]> admin Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:48:00 +0100 Just How Serious is Brazil’s IT Labor Shortage? http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=59 Too much of a good thing? Gartner’s Dreyfuss on the impact of the Brazil boom on labor
=-
By Tarun George
(original posting here) (external link)
Whenever Brazil markets itself to US buyers, the argument is that with such a large labor pool, there is greater potential for scalability than in other LatAm? countries.

However, the largest Brazilian cities are beginning to see shortages of technically skilled workers for the ITO industry. With both the sourcing industry and the overall economy growing at unprecedented rates, is Brazil becoming a bubble ready to burst?
We asked that question in our recent chat with Cassio Dreyfuss, Vice President at Gartner Research. Based in Sao Paulo, Dreyfuss shares what he’s hearing from both buyers and vendors on the ground, his take on Brazil’s currency appreciation, and why he thinks Brazilian human resources provide the best value for US buyers.


What are the core advantages of Brazil as a sourcing destination? I’m not referring to basics like geographical proximity or time zone advantages, but what factors are really driving Brazil’s outsourcing market forward?


Dreyfuss: The main differentiators in my opinion are the specific characteristics of Brazilian human resources. They have a real empathy with the client, and the ability to put themselves in the client’s shoes to understand the problem from their perspective. That enables providers to create solutions much more aligned with the expectations of the client, leading of course, to higher client satisfaction. Another characteristic is service agility, and the capacity to move ahead with only partial information, which is different from many sourcing locations where employees need detailed instructions in order to get the job done. Brazilians also have an inclination towards innovation and creativity, and that kind of profile appeals to ITO companies. All this is a reflection of Brazilian culture, and how people interact with each other.

Now if you’re talking about the actual technical skill level, there’s not a real difference between Brazilian human resources and those from other LatAm? countries that specialize in IT. It’s more the approach to services that is different, the relationship that Brazilians build with clients, and how they tackle problems. I’ve seen Brazilian service providers being successful in the US mid-market with clients that have no experience with outsourcing. They play almost a consultant role, going so far as to help the client set up effective management of processes. Essentially the providers help the client manage them.

What are the negatives of the Brazil market? What pain points do buyers face when operating in Brazil?


Dreyfuss: The speed at which the Brazilian services market is growing is higher than the speed at which new human resources are created. So firms are moving out of Sao Paulo and other big Tier 1 cities and into Tier 2 and even Tier 3 cities. They’re setting up partnerships with local universities where they help with training of the students, and in return can be the first to bid for hiring them. But the critical problem is this: the government has not been investing in the development of resources at the speed at which they will be needed from now on.

Human resources are definitely becoming scarce in the Tier 1 cities – I’ve been talking recently to providers that cannot completely fill all their openings. It’s not a terrible problem for now because Brazil still has a large labor pool. But we have seen it coming, and it’s on us to figure out the solution. The other big pain point for buyers in Brazil is the deficient command of the English language.

So what is the solution? Is there a short term fix to create new skilled workers?


Dreyfuss: Well for three or four years now, BRASSCOM has been extremely active in advising the government on the education of new human resources, and also stimulating companies here to take responsibility for training. That’s the short term solution for now – service providers or any hiring companies taking it into their hands to bridge the gap and develop the resources that they want. It has actually not been uncommon. In Brazil many of the IT workers didn’t actually graduate with a purely technical degree. They’re often from business, economics or engineering degrees, and through company training programs they develop themselves into IT workers.

That being said, there absolutely must be a long term commitment from the government, otherwise this is going to become a real scalability issue for buyers.


In your opinion is there an economic bubble building in Brazil right now? Is the economy at risk of overheating?


Dreyfuss: It’s highly unclear right now. The specialists go back and forth on their predictions, but apparently the excessive growth in the Brazil market is subsiding, which means that the long range perspectives are better. I wouldn’t say that the bubble will burst – I do think that there are underlying fundamentals that are strong and continue to support the economy.

That being said, the currency appreciation and increasing wages for human resources are definitely hurting buyers, and the competitiveness of Brazilian service providers has diminished in recent years because of it. If you’re talking about standardized, low-margin services, they are definitely at a disadvantage because of the high prices. The majority of the leaders of the IT industry are now betting on Brazil’s domestic market. Most of the IT providers are focusing on the internal market rather than the US market.


(Editor’s note: We found it interesting that Stefanini IT Solutions is one of the few Brazilian providers doing the exact opposite, as we reported here.)

]]> admin Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:45:00 +0100 BRASIL IT+ EXPANDS PRESENCE AT GARTNER SYMPOSIUM ITXPO 2010 http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=58 Larger Brazilian participation at the event accompanies growing interest by the Brazilian IT industry in the world’s leading markets

Brazil is expanding its presence in another edition of the Gartner Symposium ITXPO (external link), the largest and most important annual meeting of IT industry CIOs and leaders. The event will be held in Orlando, Florida, in the United States from October 17-21 and will bring together analysts, consultants, executive decision-makers at large- and medium-size U.S. companies in addition to suppliers from various countries and journalists and influential thinkers in the industry.

Nineteen Brazilian companies have confirmed their participation in this initiative of the Integrated Sectorial Project for the Exportation of Software and Services (PSI-SW) which will bring to the show its expertise in the fields of outsourcing, security and mobility. Developed by SOFTEX (www.softex.br) with the technical and financial support of APEX-Brasil (www.apexbrasil.com.br), it is now the largest and broadest competitive internationalization plan for software and IT services companies ever implemented in Brazil.

The importance of the event is revealed by the list of speakers at the Gartner Symposium, which occurs in parallel to the show. They include leading figures such as Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer; Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff; and Cisco CEO John Chambers. At this year’s edition, as the premier sponsor, Brazil is represented by the brand Brasil IT+, which identifies the Brazilian IT industry and whose logo is inserted in all the communications from Gartner related to the event, and is highlighted in the exposition hall.
“This was a strategic decision that will significantly contribute to increasing the visibility of the Brazilian presence, given that we will have two one-hour sessions for speeches on the Gartner Symposyum program, in addition to a 20-miniute session in the theater of the exposition pavillion,” commented Fernando Cariello, a SOFTEX consultant who organized the presence of the Brazilian companies at the event.

This vision is shared by SOFTEX Market Director Djalma Petit for whom the event has become increasingly important and more highly qualified as an important showcase of the Brazilian IT industry. “Various companies registered participated in the edition last year, which, despite the global crisis brought together the impressive number of 1,600 CIOs,” Petit said, He added that the contacts made at Gartner ITXPO are of extremely high qualification and that companies with products that suitably met market demands successfully generated business after the event. “It is also an excellent opportunity for business owners to identify trends that allow the construction of solid strategies for future actions,” Petit maintained.

“The brand Brasil IT+ is increasingly sparking the interest of the principal players present, and initiatives of this type are vital, to give more substance to expanding the presence of Brazilian companies and solutions in the leading global markets.” Proof of this is the interest aroused by the Brazilian speakers at the Gartner Symposium. One of them addresses the issue “Brasil IT+: Information Technology behind oil exploration in the pre-salt layer in Brazil” and another “Brasil IT+: IT strategies in the country to reduce the carbon footprint left by corporations.” SOFTEX consultant Robert Janssen is one of the speakers analyzing the issue “Brasil IT+: value beyond expectations.”

The Brazilian delegation is formed by the companies Actminds (www.actminds.com (external link)), Apdata (www.apdata.com.br (external link)), Aurus (www.aurus-software.com.br (external link)), BRQ (www.brq.com (external link)), Cinq (www.cinq.com.br (external link)), Compasso (www.compasso.com.br (external link)), Curitiba Offshore (www.curitibaoffshore.com (external link)), DB1 (www.db1.com.br (external link)), Eccox (www.eccox.com.br (external link)), e-Core (www.ecore.com.br (external link)), Inovare (www.inovare.net (external link)), MATERA Systems (www.matera.com.br (external link)), MC1 (www.mc1.com.br (external link)), Módulo (www.modulo.com.br (external link)), Programmers (www.programmers.com.br (external link)), QLA (www.qla.com.br (external link)), Sigma (www.sigma.com.br (external link)), SST IT Solutions (www.sstnet.com.br (external link)), Stefanini IT Solutions (www.stefanini.com.br (external link)) and Tech Result (www.techresult.com.br (external link)).

MATERA Systems is participating in its fifth consecutive Gartner ITXPO. Company president Carlos Augusto Leite Netto said the event is one of the best in the world because it helps consolidate the Brasil IT+ brand and promote the opening of new business. “Gartner was the only international event in which we closed a contract right on the fair counter,” he commemorated. He believes it is very important that Brazil is being recognized as a country that develops and exports technology.
“We understand that presence in events of this scope, especially as a premier sponsor, offers broad and distinctive visibility to the brand and to the quality and governance management model that we are offering the North American market and especially to the potential of Brazilian professionals and IT expertise,” affirmed Eccox Technology commercial director Renzo Bernacchi.
Fernando Cariello affirmed that Brazilian competence in the IT field is an internationally recognized reality, and events like the Gartner ITXPO are decisive for the consolidation of our position as an important global player. “We have professionals aligned with Western culture, which simplifies system specification and project management, without to mention other factors such as geographic location and time-zone compatibility,” the consultant concluded.

Djalma Petit recalled that despite the economic slowdown, the United States represents 50% of the world IT market. “For seven years we have mapped five Brazilian companies acting in that country and today, most of the Brazilian organizations that participate with us in the event have offices in the United States. The market has niches for all types of offers. Due to the amounts involved, contracts considered small there are sufficient to maintain the investment and generate revenue that guarantees the diversification of our industry,” the SOFTEX executive maintained.

''LEARN ABOUT SOFTEX (www.softex.br (external link)) – Since its creation in 1996, the Association for the Promotion of Excellence of Brazilian Software (SOFTEX) has been the administrator of the Promotion of Brazilian Software Exports Program – the SOFTEX Program, considered a priority by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT). The following guidelines steer SOFTEX’s work: dissemination and assistance to the implementation of the best software development practices; human resources training for the sector; assistance in obtaining financial resources from public and private sources; production and dissemination of qualified information about the Brazilian software industry and IT Services; support to entrepreneurship and innovation; formulation of policies of interest to the sector; and support to the creation and development of business opportunities in Brazil and abroad. The SOFTEXT System comprises more than 1,600 companies throughout Brazil and is integrated by a broad network of regional agents who provide support and local orientation to companies in their region. The SOFTEX actions have institutional, technical and financial support from various entities including ABES, ABDI, ABINNEE, Apex-Brasil?, ANPROTEC, ASSESPRO, BID, BNDES, CNI-SENAI, CNPq, FENADADOS, FENAINFO, FINEP, the Parliamentary Front for Computing, MCT/SEPIN, MDIC, SBC and SEBRAE.

LEARN ABOUT APEX-BRASIL (www.apexbrasil.com.br (external link)) - Apex-Brasil? (The Brazilian Agency for Export Promotion and Investments) is a government agency with the mission to promote exports of Brazilian products and services and contribute to the internationalization of Brazilian companies. The agency works to increase the number of exporting companies, add value to the range of exported products, consolidate the country’s presence in traditional markets and open new markets abroad for Brazilian products and services. Apex-Brazil? currently supports 50 sectors of the Brazilian economy, including the software sector. The Agency works with the image of these productive complexes by means of broad actions of marketing and promotion to businesses and consumers in markets with strong purchasing potential. Each year, it supports the participation of Brazilian companies in more than 600 events in Brazil and abroad.''

SOFTEX Media Relations
Karen Kornilovicz
Tel.: 55 (11) 3064-8066
E-mail:

APEX-Brasil Media Relations
Clarissa Furtado
Tel.: 55 (61) 3426-0202
E-mail:

]]> admin Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:15:00 +0100 Brazil’s Year http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=57
According to Arminio Fraga, former Chairman of the Brazilian Central Bank, the current interest rates are the result of long-term efforts to control inflation and public debt. However, he also believes that there is no assurance that they will always remain low. He mentions that lax controls may jeopardize everything and that important structural reforms are still necessary to bring down the size of the State.

Regardless, however, with the end of substantial interest gains, companies, banks and also the government will have to seek more productivity. It will be necessary to balance the drop in interest rates with an increase in operations output. This is where a new mentality is needed. This is where it is believed where lies the greatest chance for Brazil to consolidate as one of the new Super Powers. It is not by chance that is seen as a compounding effect for Brazil, the winning of the hosting of the two largest world sporting events: The FIFA Football World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympic Games in 2016.

The drop in interest rates is very meaningful to several sectors that have been affected in the past. The most obvious one is the stock market. In this new context, investment funds and pension funds should more than double the investments in the stock market, which could reach US %$ 160 billion by 2013. This amount does not take into account investments from foreign companies or what 500 000 new investors might invest. The number of individual investors will double the stock market and all this appetite will boost debentures and secure bonds.

The new economic dynamics will not only help revive investments in infrastructure, but above all it means that instead of going abroad to obtain cheaper money and longer term loans, now local companies can just go around the in country corner. Now companies will be able to become competitive in the global scenario by having the same investment capability, which in turn releases the power for innovation and creation of competitive advantages. Companies will be able to entertain consolidation strategies and by that create more Brazilian multinationals.

Creating bigger companies in the information technology sector is considered one of the greatest strategic challenges for the Brazilian IT industry, which is very dynamic, but also very fragmented. Now is the time to take advantage of all the converging positive elements. It is an opportunity that can’t be afforded to lose.

www.brasilexportati.com/artigos (external link)
]]> admin Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:28:00 +0100 Brasil IT+ boosts Brazilian IT market http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=56 Brazil IT “plus”). “Brazil is going through a magical moment and the new brand will help us gain a bigger presence on the international market,” said Antonio Gil, president of Brasscom. “Now we need to be even better prepared for the challenges.”

Brasil IT+ is an evolution of the brand Brazil IT and is built on four pillars: its Brazilian origin; the size of the sector and the country; the building of great partnerships; and its capacity to be a strategic player in IT. “These four attributes together represent Brazil and show our capacity for innovation and our potential on the global market,” said Alessandro Teixeira, president of Apex-Brasil?.

The launch of this new concept was the first step for the sector towards expanding its presence on the international market. A group of 13 institutions including associations from the sector (Abes, Anprotec, Assespro, Brasscom, Fenainfo, Softex, Sucesu) and governmental bodies (ABDI, BNDES, Apex-Brasil?, MCT, MDIC and MRE) will manage the new brand and create the strategies that will support it abroad, showcasing Brazil’s IT competencies and qualities, delivering secure and efficient solutions. “This is one of the best opportunities we have to position Brazil on the international market as a global powerhouse in IT,” said the Minister for Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Miguel Jorge. “We can certainly think about a more promising future for Brazil’s IT industry,” added Julio Raimundo, Head of the Industrial Areas at BNDES, the Brazilian Development Bank.

]]> admin Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:32:00 +0100 Stefanini IT Solutions Ranked Number One Latin American Outsourcer in Black Book of Outsourcing ... http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=55 Reinforces Brazilian Outsourcer’s Growing Presence in U.S. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – December 4, 2009 – Stefanini IT Solutions (www.stefanini.com), a global provider of IT consulting, systems integration, and outsourcing services, announced today that the company was ranked as the number one Latin American outsourcing vendor in the recently released Black Book of Outsourcing report. This top Black Book ranking reinforces Stefanini’s continued growth and its commitment to providing high quality services to clients in the U.S. and other regions worldwide.

The Black Book of Outsourcing, part of the Datamonitor Group, is a widely-recognized annual survey compiled by the Brown-Wilson? Group that evaluates the costs and benefits of outsourcing. The Black Book produces a yearly ranking of outsourcing companies based on survey responses from more than 26,000 executives worldwide.

Stefanini, the largest Brazilian IT services company, with its U.S. headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, earned the top ranking in the annual user survey after evaluation of 31 leadership and management criteria and 18 key performance indicators based on client experience, including training, breadth of offerings, scalability, flexible pricing and reliability. More than 600 current Latin American clients participated in the 2009 client experience poll.

“The top ranking in the Black Book of Outsourcing report validates the quality of the services that Stefanini has been providing to clients in Latin America as well as in the U.S., through our Nearshore Delivery Centers,” said Antonio Moreira, Stefanini’s CEO of North America. “The report also raises Latin America’s profile as a top destination for U.S. companies that are looking for alternatives to reduce costs or are exploring viable options beyond Asia.”

The 2009 Black Book of Outsourcing also included data on the growing popularity of Latin America as a destination for IT outsourcing for the North American market, citing the favorable time zone, variety of language skills, qualified workforce, free trade agreements with the U.S., and flexible labor laws. The survey found that U.S. companies are among the most satisfied with outsourcing to Latin America.

“Latin America is increasingly becoming a top spot for IT outsourcing and as the Black Book survey demonstrates, Stefanini IT Solutions is the leader in delivering reliable, scalable and cost-efficient outsourcing solutions,” said Scott Wilson, partner, Brown-Wilson? Group and co-author of the Black Book of Outsourcing guide.

''About Stefanini
Stefanini IT Solutions is a global provider of onshore and nearshore IT consulting, systems integration and outsourcing services. The company has more than 8,500 employees with 36 offices in 16 countries, and more than 350 active customers across a broad spectrum of markets, including energy and utilities, insurance, manufacturing and distribution, oil and gas, financial services, and telecom. One of Brazil’s leading IT companies, Stefanini IT Solutions is CMMI Level 5 and ISO 9001:2000 certified. Founded in 1987, Stefanini IT Solutions currently has operations worldwide, including North American headquarters in Fort Lauderdale and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Montreal.''
]]> admin Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:05:00 +0100 Brazil IT sponsoring ITxpo Fall for the sixth time http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=53 Brazil IT, the Brazilian IT services technology initiative supported by SOFTEX (Society for the Promotion of Excellence in Brazilian Software) and APEX-Brasil (Brazilian Export and Investments Promotion Agency) is sponsoring the Gartner Symposium / ITXpo event.
“Brazil was not an IT destination because our internal consumption was too big. With the acquired business expertise and the commitment on getting the job done, Brazilian companies are conquering the world”, states Robert Janssen from Outsource Brazil (www.outsourcebrazil.com.br)
Brazil IT has also created a new market niche inside Gartner events: the Country Pavilion. Brazil IT initiative proved so successful that other countries followed suit. When Brazil IT started at the ITxpo Fall 2004, IT exports from Brazil reached a little more than 300 million dollars. Today Brazil is the eighth largest IT market in the world, and IT exports are bound to achieve 3.5 billion in 2010. As Glaucia Chiliatto from Softex said, “The Gartner Symposyum ITxpo is a great event to sponsor. It has all the high level buyers’ decision makers together with the analysts, the de facto opinion makers in IT”.
In these 6 years Brazil IT has brought to Orlando almost 50 different companies. For 2009, eleven were selected:
Stefanini
www.stefanini.com (external link)
Stefanini IT Solutions is a global provider of onshore and nearshore IT Consulting, Systems Integration, and Outsourcing services. The company has over 8,000 employees with 36 offices in 16 countries, and over 350 active clients. With 12 Development Centers in Latin America, Stefanini is the largest Brazilian native IT consulting company and one of the largest on the continent.
CPM Braxis
www.cpmbraxis.com (external link)
The largest Brazilian IT services provider with over 5,500 highly trained professionals and a 27 year track record with highly complex projects. Focused on delivering the highest quality, we are ITIL compliant, ISO 2000 and CMMi 5 certified. We offer Application Development and Maintenance, Infrastructure Management, BPO and Enterprise Solutions to leading companies.
Actminds
www.actminds.com (external link)
Actminds has been successfully applying its Agile methodology to Companies in the US, utilizing Nearshore development for Web Applications. Using several cost-effective technology platforms and Scrum methodologies, we've provided proven high value and on-time performance to our Client. Actminds has also done Test Driven Development projects, reducing development timeframes
Politec
www.politec.com (external link)

Politec is a multinational of Brazilian origin and one of the largest IT services providers in Brazil. Throughout its almost 40 years of existence, Politec has constantly increased its international market share. Today, Politec has offices in Japan, the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Chile, in addition to production clients in several other regions across Europe/Middle East/Africa. Such footprint, combined with Politec’s excellence, has made it an example of a company committed to offering innovative, flexible and customized solutions in technology, outsourcing and consulting.

CINq
www.cinq.com.br (external link)
Commitment, Innovation and Quality, with these words you spell Cinq Technologies, a company specialized in software development projects and IT solutions design for major technology suppliers and corporations.
Cinq offers a broad range of services including:
• Consulting, Design, Research & development
• Nearshore/Offshore Outsourcing
• Certified Software Factory
• Staff Augmentation
• Technical Support`
• Software development for mission critical solutions
Apdata
www.apdata.com.br (external link)
Apdata is a Software House / eService Supplier with 24 year’s experience in Payroll, HCM and Outsourcing. One of fastest growing companies in the last 2 years, Apdata is now entering the U.S. market.
Ecore
www.ecoreinternational.com (external link)
e-Core offers high quality Staffing and Application Development Solutions from New York (est. 2006) and Brazil (est. 1999). A successful track record with US customers (since 2004) along with competitive prices, overlapping business hours, technical expertise and high retention rates provide great value for your IT Services needs.
SETRION
www.setrion.com.br (external link)
Setrion Software is a Brazilian company focused on solutions to the IT services management that increases productivity and safety with a pro-active management of the IT infra-structure. Some of our specialties are software metering tool, hardware & software inventory tool, USB control, instant messenger control and help desk solution.
Ilion
www.ilion.com.br (external link)
ILION is a technology company specialized in developing software applications for the Internet, optimizing corporate communication.
These software applications allow an agile and practical management of the information common to the company's activity, aimed at providing a more effective communication among companies and their clients, sales channels, suppliers and the marketplace. Hence, a true relationship channel between collaborators is established.
Ilegra
www.ilegra.com.br (external link)
ilegra provides software development, software testing and infrastructure services, working with several technologies, such as Oracle, SAP, Java, Microsoft and others.
ZENTHI
www.zenthi.com.br (external link)
A company for nearly 10 years working in the ERP market, with stable solutions in several areas, modern technology and easy to learn.
So is the Zenthi Technology, a manufacturer of customized software, ERP products, and database consulting provider.

ABOUT SOFTEX (www.softex.br) - Society for the Promotion of Excellence in Brazilian Software - SOFTEX - is a non-profit organization that promotes the Brazilian software and related services industry's competitiveness. SOFTEX has more than 1,300 members.

ABOUT APEX-BRASIL (www.apex.org.br) The Brazilian Export and Investments Promotion Agency - APEX - is a government agency focused on promoting Brazilian products and the country image.

]]> admin Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:24:00 +0100 Brasscom Newsletter http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=52 Now - more competitive
It has taken a while, but it has finally happened. After waiting for a little over a year we can now celebrate partial company tax exemption on payroll, to encourage exports of information technology software and services. On August 20th Brazil's President signed Decree 6.945, which regulates Law 11.774, of September 2008, which reduces the welfare tax rate on payrolls for companies that export from 20% to 10%. Valid for five years as of September, the benefit will require, in return, that the companies invest in training, research, development and technological innovation.

This is a victory for Brasscom and the other associations in the software sector who have gotten the measure included in the Brazilian Government's Productive Development Policy (PDP), launched in May 2008. The decree comes at a good time and signals the importance of the sector to Brazil's development at moment in which the country is gaining a profile and international interest is growing among potential investors in the country.

The decree will allow Brazilian companies in the sector to get more vigorously involved in the global competition for IT service outsourcing contracts. Analysis service providers, systems and games developers, programmers, data processors and even call centers will benefit from the tax reduction. Added to this new benefit is another one, which is already in play. Sanctioned by the President of Brazil in March this year, Law Nº 11.908 authorizes Information and Communication Technology companies to discount from their income tax twice the amount they spend on training people in software development.

With the eighth largest IT market in the world, Brazil needed an incentive to position itself on the global scenario and the President's approval is an important boost to Brazil's competitiveness. The incentive produces real gains in competitiveness for exports, an area in which labor costs could come down from a current average of 70% to 80% of companies' turnover to 60%. The reduction of taxes could be worth around US$ 70 million by the end of 2009. The government's immediate loss of welfare tax will be recouped in the medium term in greater collection of income tax.

We believe that this is a vitally important step which will be complemented by others that will expand the capacity of private initiative to operate with greater effectiveness on the global scenario. We are sure that in this way we are closer to our government-agreed target of achieving US$ 3.5 billion in exports by 2010.



]]> admin Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:26:00 +0100 Brazil IT @ ITXpo 2009 http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=51 Brazil IT initiative at the Gartner ITXpo 2009. The event will take Place at the Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, FL from 18th to 22th of October.

As a premier sponsor, the Brazil IT pavilion is an opportunity for Brazilian IT providers to market services to US buyers and technology partners. Together with the show floor pavilion, the initiative is also sponsoring company specific boardroom presentations for C-level executives. These presentations have a success track record of actual contract deals in the past events and are the perfect environment for business.

Brazilian companies interested in being part of this event, may email or directly SOFTEX at for further details. US companies interested in attending the ITXpo 2009 show floor only can also contact the same addresses for a complimentary invitation. Space is limited; please contact us as early as possible to guarantee your participation.

]]> fernando Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:12:00 +0100 The Impact of the Global Economic Downturn on Outsourcing and Offshoring by the Everest Institute http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=50 Click here (external link) to download the PDF file with the Everest Research Institute paper.





Report Excerpt


Executive Summary
Now that the U.S. economy is "officially" in a recession along with a dire
outlook for 2009, the prospects for outsourcing, ironically, appear much
better. The negative economic outlook remains discouraging; but the greatest
hindrance to outsourcing is uncertainty, and the economy is finally moving
beyond that noncommittal midpoint.

In preparation for a difficult 2009, executives are evaluating programs they
can prune, investments they can postpone, and projects they can terminate
without impacting company strategy. Given that most companies outsource at
least one operation, it is natural that some outsourcing contracts will be partly reduced in size or scope as part of this adjustment.

In 2009, Everest Research Institute believes that increasing numbers of
companies will take a more strategic view of operations. Companies will
examine methods to reengineer business processes or to restructure backoffice
operations, resulting in an increasing number of outsourcing
opportunities during 2009.

As the economy recovers, Brazil can play a stronger role in providing
globalization services to the United States and Europe. With its cultural and
geographical affinity to the United States and Europe, Brazil can be an
alternative to India as globalization matures. Rather than displacing India,
however, Brazil should expect to become an alternative for risk diversification,
competing with Eastern Europe and China, Brazil must demonstrate how it
can integrate into a global delivery structure rather than compete directly with
India.

Brazil's domestic market is also likely to see some increased competition as
outsourcing players from around the globe seek new growth markets. Both the
nature of competition and the industry structure may evolve as players seek to
compete more aggressively for business in Brazil.

This report examines the following topics:
• U.S. and European market pressures
• Impact on service exports
• Impact on Brazilian domestic market


]]> admin Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:46:00 +0100 Robert Janssen Podcast on Brazil IT http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=48 ?

PODCAST Interview (external link)
]]> admin Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:31:00 +0100 Outsourcing Uptick May Be Ahead http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=47 The original arical can be found Redmond Channel Partner Online Magazine (external link)

During the last economic downturn after the dot-com implosion, an increasing number of organizations shifted IT work to outsourcing providers, many of them overseas.

Amid the current economic uncertainty, market watchers can't agree on the direction outsourcing will take. Some businesses will probably opt to kill existing outsourcing arrangements to cut (or at least freeze) costs, but some in the industry expect the economic downturn to result in a net gain for outsourcers.

According to Forrester Inc., which last week issued its revised IT spending forecast for 2009, IT spending as a whole will fall by 3 percent, triggering an attendant drop in outsourcing activity. "Global IT services and outsourcing will decline," read a recent Forrester release.

The upshot, according to the firm, is that government and private-sector customers will spend 3 percent less on outsourcing this year than they did in 2008. "IT outsourcing services will do a bit better than IT consulting and systems integration services, with the latter vulnerable to the slowdown in purchases of software to be implemented and integrated," Forrester concluded.

On the other hand, market watcher Gartner Inc. conceded that things seem bleak — and that it's during bleak times that outsourcing traditionally thrives.

"Although things look gloomy for the larger global economy, the outsourcing market represents a dichotomy: On the downside, organizations' cost-cutting outsourcing strategies may negatively impact market growth, but at the same time, the upside is that outsourcing will be adopted by more organizations to help them work through financial and competitive challenges," said Allie Young, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner, in a statement.

What it all adds up to, according to Young and Gartner, is the potential for outsourcing to make big gains. "The well-educated buyer and provider will have the advantage. The potential for outsourcing to address immediate cost pressures as well as long-term recovery goals will be unprecedented," Young said. "However, only organizations that are diligent about understanding and avoiding the pitfalls of cost-focused outsourcing and that apply business-outcome-focused outsourcing will be successful."

In the near-term, outsourcing activity could temporarily contract as companies focus on cost-cutting and re-evaluating existing outsourcing commitments. Arrangements that haven't resulted in anticipated efficiencies, synergies or — most importantly — cost savings could go by the board, Gartner said.

That's not all. Many customers will look to tweak their outsourcing arrangements chiefly in response to changing corporate fortunes, such as downsizing and merger-and-acquisition activity.

At the same time, shops that have thus far refrained from outsourcing — or have made only tentative outsourcing moves — could aggressively enter the mix, particularly if the economic situation worsens. For these customers, Gartner said, the impetus isn't so much to cut costs (although cost-cutting should remain an important driver) but to refocus their efforts on core business competencies. That means divesting themselves of non-core responsibilities — such as information technology.

A Buyer's Market
Regardless of who's outsourcing or why, it should be a buyer's market. Over the coming year, Gartner predicted, competition in the outsourcing segment will be especially fractious. Given the outsourcing segment's history of turnover (for example, according to Gartner, last year more than three-quarters of all announced outsourcing contracts were new deals) the coming year could test even the most well-founded of client/provider relationships.

"Almost one-quarter of contracts announced in 2008 were a continuation of outsourcing with an incumbent provider. With the continued uptake in selective outsourcing, a provider can remain a key supplier of services to a particular client, yet potentially lose a portion of its historic contract value," Young said. "Key providers are betting their future on forming enduring, long-lasting client relationships. In uncertain economic times, outsourcing relationships can prove — and test — the durability of relationships and the outsourcing value proposition."

Elsewhere, Gartner said, so-called "alternative delivery models" (or "ADAMs") could surge in popularity. ADAMs include non-traditional procurement schemes, such as cloud computing or software-as-a-service (SaaS). Other ADAM-like arrangements include "business process utility" (BPU), "infrastructure utility" (IU) and "remote management services" (RMS), according to Gartner.

You'll hear much more about ADAMs in the coming half-decade, Gartner said. "ADAMs are becoming more pervasive in many, if not all, aspects of IT development, delivery and management," said Ben Pring, research vice president at Gartner, in a statement. "Market excitement over new delivery methods is intensifying and whetting buyers' appetites for new options and services that promise greater flexibility, speed-to-solution, lowered capital investment and pay-for-use models."
]]> fernando Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:56:00 +0100 Brazil: IT's next India? http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=46 Brazil's IT workforce offers the business savvy and technical skills to make offshoring there a worthwhile option for IT's outsourcing needs


Whereas India, China, Eastern Europe, and Russia get the most attention when it comes to outsourcing IT work, Brazil is fast becoming a competitive destination, offering top-quality IT talent in an intriguing location, business-wise.

Of course, every location and workforce, including here in the States, has pluses and minuses — be it wage scale, time zone, professionalism, or understanding of business requirements. With that in mind, Brazil offers a workforce of IT professionals worth considering for your next outsourcing endeavor.

For tips on landing an IT job in Brazil and beyond, see InfoWorld's guide to offshoring yourself.

I spoke with Antonio Moreira, CEO of Stefanini IT Solutions' North American operations. Stefanini is a Brazilian IT service provider with 7,000 employees specializing in IT consulting, software development, and integration.

Brazil: an alternative to India and China
First off, Moreira doesn't believe that choosing between, say, India and Brazil as your outsourcing location necessarily has to be an either/or proposition. Rather, he believes companies may want to mitigate risk by using alternative sites.

That said, Moreira does promote Brazil as a place with a lower turnover rate than India, and as a place where IT professionals have a high degree of technical skills and business savvy. Stefanini, for example, experiences an average of 15 percent employee turnover, Moreira says.

As for technical skills, São Paulo has the second-largest community of Java programmers outside of the United States.

Brazil also has what Moreira calls a "western" business culture, including a large financial and banking industry footprint. This means the Brazil IT workforce includes a great many mainframe programmers as well.

"Brazil has a fabulous infrastructure to support the banking industry, and it is leveraged for other industries," Moreira says.

Moreira also says that if you have a Brazilian team on a project and there is a problem that would jeopardize the delivery deadline, Brazilian IT culture is such that Brazilians will share that information with the team back in the United States immediately.

"Brazilians are more proactive," Moreria says. "If they see they are not able to meet the deadline, they do something. They won't wait until the last minute and then say they can't meet the deadline."

I spoke with two U.S. companies about their experiences working with the Brazilian outsourcer.

HNI Corp., in Muscatine, Iowa, and Idera, based in Houston, turned south to Stefanini rather than east to augment their IT staffs.

HNI, a large office furniture manufacturer, and Idera, a software company that creates tools for managing and securing Microsoft Windows Server, first turned to outsourcing because the available local talent pool in their respective areas was tight.

Rural Iowa isn't the easiest place to find IT talent or attract young, upwardly mobile IT professionals, says Mike Roelf, applications manager at HNI. Moreover, Roelf adds, HNI competes for the available talent pool with local giants such as Monsanto and John Deere.

Competition is what keeps Idera from finding sufficient IT talent in local Houston, as it draws from the same pool as do the giant oil and gas companies.

"We compete with the energy industry here, so anyone that can write code, even poorly, is hired by those companies," says Rick Pleczko, Idera's CEO.

Those are the companies' rationales for outsourcing. But why Brazil, I asked Pleczko and Roelf?

Brazil's advantage No. 1: Synchronized business hours
Time-zone overlap proved key to both HNI's and Idera's decisions to outsource to Brazil.

Idera's Plezco says that trying to manage an outsource development team across an 18- to 24-hour time difference would be a daunting task that would have to change the way Idera's teams work.

"If we had a time-zone difference, we would have to write amazingly detailed specs and hand them over and wait for a period of time for feedback and agreement before we let them build. That's not the way we work," says Plezco. Idera's development teams work iteratively. The teams are "exploring and learning as they go."

"What we needed was an outsource team that could provide us with remote people but who could embed themselves in our teams rather than having a separate team," Plezco says.

São Paulo is never more than three hours ahead of the Eastern time zone in the United States, giving Stefanini the ability to adjust hours locally to suit the customer.

For HNI's Roelf, the biggest internal barrier to a successful outsourcing partnership is developing the kind of documents, aka "artifacts," that work well with the outsourcer's environment.

With a decade's work with outsourcers in India, and having traveled to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Roelf has come to realize that outsourcing venues such as Brazil offer much fewer hurdles to collaboration in terms of the culture of IT here and abroad.

Brazil's advantage No. 2: Cultural alignment of IT
Plezco adds yet another plus to working with a near-shore country that shares many of the same cultural values.

"We didn't want the culture of 'You tell me what to build, and I will build it, even if I think it is the wrong thing to build,'" says Plezco.

Working with IT staff in Brazil has provided a different experience for Plezco. In Plezco's experience, a Brazilian team will say something like, "We understand what you are trying to do, but we think you will be better off to do this another way."

"This approach is prevalent in the Brazilian workforce," Plezco says.

Cost savings over U.S.-based talent is about two to one, says Plezco.

Both companies believe they could not have developed the number of applications they have completed if they didn't outsource.

"Brazilians embrace the opportunity to work long hours without saying a word, and the next day they are right back first thing in the morning," Plezco says.




]]> fernando Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:09:00 +0100 Brazil IT at Gartner ITXpo 2008 http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=45 Brazil IT initiative at the Gartner ITXpo 2008. The event will take Place at the Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, FL from 12th to 17th of October.

The Brazil IT pavilion is an opportunity for Brazilian IT providers to market services to US buyers and technology partners. Together with the show floor pavilion, the initiative is also sponsoring company specific boardroom presentations for C-level executives. These presentations have a success track record of actual contract deals in the past events and are the perfect environment for business.

Brazilian companies interested in being part of this event, may email or directly SOFTEX at for further details. US companies interested in attending the ITXpo 2008 show floor only can also contact the same addresses for a complimentary invitation. Space is limited; please contact us as early as possible to guarantee your participation.

]]> fernando Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:57:00 +0100 Brazil Buys More PCs Than TVs, Bolstering Hewlett-Packard, Dell http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=44 ? Co., she joined the ranks of Brazilian consumers taking advantage of lower prices and payment plans to buy from the top U.S. brands.
Her old machine was a lumbering Frankenstein pieced together with parts from different companies, said Delboni, a 22-year-old engineering student in Sao Bernardo do Campo. The new one, bought in March for 1,800 reais ($1,084) with her father's credit card, is faster. Spreading the cost over 10 payments ``definitely made my life easier,'' she said.
Brazil ranked as the fifth-largest PC market last year as bank credit offers, installment plans and growing prosperity fueled purchases, especially among low-income consumers. The shift is a boon to Hewlett-Packard? and Dell Inc., the world's top PC makers. A tax break for PC makers has allowed them to cut prices and compete with unregulated sellers whose so-called gray- market machines dominated the market.
``You have a consumer market that's exploding as people have more access to credit, said Mario Anseloni, managing director of Hewlett-Packard's Brazil division. ``That's transforming the whole economy.
Demand in Brazil is helping PC makers expand revenue as U.S. spending slows. Hewlett-Packard?, which generates two-thirds of its sales outside the U.S., may disclose fresh evidence of the trend today when it reports second-quarter results. Sales grew 11 percent to $28.3 billion in the period, according to a preliminary report last week.
Overtaking TVs
Total Brazilian PC shipments rose 38 percent to 10.7 million units last year, according to research firm IDC in Framingham, Massachusetts. That marked the first time that shoppers bought more PCs than television sets in the country. Brazil's PC market, which ranked seventh in 2006, is poised to take third place by 2010, behind the U.S. and China. Japan and the U.K. are now third and fourth, IDC said.
Palo Alto, California-based Hewlett-Packard? fell 58 cents to $46.71 yesterday in New York Stock Exchange trading. The shares have declined 7.5 percent this year, dragged down last week by concern that its $13.2 billion acquisition of Electronic Data Systems Corp. is too costly. Round Rock, Texas-based Dell, down 14 percent this year, declined 11 cents to $21.20. 5
Brazil's economy last year grew at the fastest pace since 2004 and should be able to maintain annual growth of as much as 4.5 percent, Standard & Poor's said in April after raising the country's debt rating to investment grade for the first time. The upgrade will spur foreign investment, furthering economic growth.

Click read more below
]]> fernando Tue, 20 May 2008 16:19:00 +0100 IT Jobs in Latin America http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=43 According to IDC, IT in Latin America will create 630 thousand new jobs until 2010. Brazil, as the largest pool with 892 thousand IT workers today representing 47% of total IT positions, will benefit the most. The new jobs will be created on the software segment, which represents today 69% of the Latin America IT sector, which totals 1.3 million jobs. IDC also predicts that by 2009, software will grow to 74% of an 1.8 million jobs market.

]]> fernando Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:55:00 +0100 No single nation dominates the IT and business process outsourcing industry in t http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=42 Workforce Management Online, November 2007
No single nation dominates the IT and business process outsourcing industry in the Western Hemisphere, and Brazil is eager to claim the title. It ultimately wants to compete with India, and industry promoters say proximity and cultural similarities to the U.S. make it a better fit than India or other outsourcing nations in Asia.

An arcane tax system and the lack of a qualified workforce have so far stifled Brazil’s ambitions to become a force in the global business process and IT outsourcing market. But that’s changing, as Latin America’s most populous nation attempts to claim a bigger portion of an outsourcing market annually worth some $45 billion, according to McKinsey? & Co.
In 2007, Brazil hopes to tally $800 million in outsourcing revenue, compared with $600 million in 2006. Its goal for 2010 is $5 billion, says Antonio Gil, chairman of the Brazilian Association of Software and Services Export Companies, a trade organization in Sao Paulo.

No single nation dominates the outsourcing industry in the Western Hemisphere, and Brazil is eager to claim the title. It ultimately wants to compete with India, which claims 70 percent of the international business process outsourcing market.
Brazil is making important gains, drawing Whirlpool Corp. and Gap Inc. as outsourcing clients for tasks ranging from IT services to back-office work. Meanwhile, IBM, Accenture and Electronic Data Systems are expanding and hiring more employees in Brazil to accommodate projected growth.

Gil says Brazil has several advantages over India. For one, it is in similar time zones and in closer geographic proximity to North American companies that offshore their operations. The U.S. also shares more cultural similarities with Brazil than India or other outsourcing nations in Asia, he says.
"The countries share many cultural references—music, movies, television shows, etc.," says Carlos Diaz, vice president of Pan-America? and global accounts officer for Meta4 and an expert of HR issues in Latin America. "You wouldn’t have to explain who Mickey Mouse is to a Brazilian, but that may not necessarily the case when it comes to somebody from India."
"Outsourcing is not just about completing a project; it is also about having a relationship with a vendor that you know and trust," Gil says. "This becomes much trickier when your outsourcing partner has different cultural sensibilities and is on the other side of the world."

Outsourcing to Brazil is costlier, given high taxes and a relatively strong national currency. Still, the expenses may be offset by relatively low turnover rates, ensuring project consistency and cutting the risk of mistakes. Gil says Brazil’s turnover in the outsourcing industry is roughly 20 percent, compared with India’s rate of about 40 percent.
Outsourcing to Brazil makes sense, according to Alexandre Brandao, manager of business support center for Exxon Mobil in Sao Paulo. He says Brazil is particularly strong in IT and business processing. However, handling customer support services via domestic call centers may be a challenge because of a lack of English speakers in the field.
Brazil faces a major hurdle in its need to produce a sufficient number of workers who have both the appropriate language skills and the technical training to keep the country’s outsourcing plan on pace for 2010. Gil estimates that 100,000 additional workers will be needed. Currently, there are 10,000 Brazilians working in the outsourcing industry.
Gaining ground on competing nations won’t come easy, says Bruno Laskowsky, a partner at consultancy A.T. Kearney in Sao Paulo. "This is not a game for kids," he says. "Brazil is going to have to invest significant resources if it is going to achieve its goals." What’s more, the private sector and the government will have to work in tandem.
It appears that this is already taking place. Government officials and the Brazilian Association of Software and Services Export Companies, which includes 29 companies, meet regularly. They retained A.T. Kearney to deepen their fundamental knowledge of the global outsourcing industry and to create a plan, Laskowsky says.

The association, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Sciences and Technology are funding several initiatives, including a pilot program that includes six months of e-learning and classroom technical training to be followed by intensive English-language studies. Some 8,000 individuals in 14 cities are enrolled in the pilot program, Gil says.
Gil also is meeting with government officials to lobby for lower taxes for multinationals.
"An increasing number of people realize the country needs to modernize its tax system in order to compete effectively in the global marketplace," Gil says. "There is growing momentum and I think we can succeed."



Gina Ruiz is a Workforce Management staff writer based in Los Angeles. E-mail to comment.

]]> fernando Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:57:00 +0100 Brazil IT - We Do Business As You Do http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=41 We do Business As You Do”, Brazil IT, the cooperative initiative, partly sponsored by SOFTEX (Association for Promoting the Brazilian Software Excellence) and APEX (Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), is sponsoring the Gartner Symposium / ITXpo event. The 2007 edition will be held at the Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Fl, from 7 to 12 of October.

With a one trillion dollars economy, Brazil is called home by 95% of SP500 companies. The market demands created a pro active IT services industry, creating solutions with emphasis in the western culture affinity and cultural plurality, praising customer service and efficiencies. As stated by Djalma Petit, Softex Export Coordinator, Brazilians are rich in “Resolutiveness”, which is translated as the capacity to effectively deliver solutions to resolve problems.

For the 2007 edition of ITXpo, Brazil IT is bringing the following top software and services provider:


Actminds
www.actminds.com (external link)
A Global IT services provider led by a team of highly qualified and certified professionals with CMMI-5 and PMI. Actminds strengths are methodology and process, with an in-depth understanding of technology and business, as well as flexibility and adaptability to our client's needs.

With Clients such as Yahoo, Johnson & Johnson, BankBoston?, Goldman Sachs, Lucent Technologies, General Motors and Volkswagen, Actminds' development centers are in a compatible time zone with the US East Cost, only one time zone east of New York.

Lightinfocom
www.lightinfocom.com.br (external link)

Lightinfocom is the creator of LightBase?, a full text-retrieval database with RAD - Rapid Application Development, a "programming by form designing", withof multimedia - sound and images -, Internet access functionalities and full-text-retrieval capabilities. Lightbase has received 5 Brazilian Productivity Awards and was selected as Editors Choice by PC World Spain.
Lightinfocom provides full customization services and support for lightbase and has implemented its products for the Spanish National Police, Interpol, Ministry of Defense (Brazil and Spain), ISTIC (China), Barclays Bank, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Infraero (Brazilian Airport Agency), Bradesco (Brazilian Bank) and GOL (Low Cost Brazilian Airline)

Modulo Security
www.modulo.com (external link)

Successfully implementing over 4,000 security projects in more than 1000 clients, Modulo Security is Latin America’s market leader for IT governance, risk and compliance management. The company was founded in 1985, currently employing 300 people. Modulo Security received the first Certified ISO 27001 in the World, which sets the standards for Information Security Management System.

Modulo’s Risk Manager™ is a product that automates the processes required for assessing and eliminating security vulnerabilities and attaining regulatory compliance. The product is a result of a seven year of development process, becoming a mature and well proved product, being used by over 50 consulting firms and is implemented in 200+ companies worldwide, such as: IBM, Schlumberger, Santander Bank, Microsoft, Xerox, FMC Technologies,VisaNet? ( VISA ), Redecard ( Mastercard ), and New York University Hospital.

Politec
www.politec.com (external link)

Brazil, United States, Germany, Belgium, China, France, India, the UK, and Japan. For nearly 40 years the world has come to know and respect Politec's capabilities, which are also available for your company. Politec offers world-class services throughout Brazil, with 15 technology centers strategically positioned throughout the country, and innovative solutions that are recognized worldwide.

As a leader in the sector, Politec always stands behind its clients. After all, IT intelligence means thinking ahead. So far ahead that when you're thinking about the long term, Politec will be ready to take you there. Politec has more than 6,500 trained professionals who deliver consistent results for our clients and whose work has made Politec the most highly trained private-sector Brazilian company in Information Technology services.

Here are a few examples of recognition by the international community:
- World Economic Forum New Champion Global Growth Companies Founding Member (Sep/2007);
- Included in the Global Services GS100, a prestigious annual list of the world's 100 most innovative service providers, as well as named a South of the Border Leader (Global Services magazine, Feb/2007);
- Top 10 Best Performing IT Services Provider (Global Services magazine, Feb/2007);
- 2nd in Gartner’s top 15 “Emerging Outsourcing Players" (BusinessWeek magazine, Jan/2006)

Stefanini
www.stefanini-usa.com (external link)

Stefanini IT Solutions has been ranked among the top ten End to End Global Outsourcing Vendor in a survey by the Brown & Wilson Group, publishers of the best-selling book The Black Book of Outsourcing. Ranked #9 in 2006, Stefanini IT Solutions is the first South American company to enter the ranking.

Founded in 1987, with over 5,000 employees in 32 offices in 14 countries in South America, North America, Europe, Africa, and India, Stefanini has over 1000 clients worldwide. With ONSHORE, NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE Capabilities, Stefanini offers Professional Services, Managed Services, Staff Augmentation, and BPO. Stefanini was the first Brazilian company to achieve CMMI 5 certification.

The company is in the USA since 2001 with offices in Ft Lauderdale, Atlanta and New York and has more than 40american clients, including top Fortune 100 companies.

ABOUT SOFTEX (www.softex.br) - Society for the Promotion of Excellence in Brazilian Software - SOFTEX - is a non-profit organization that promotes the Brazilian software and related services industry's competitiveness. SOFTEX has more than 1,300 members.

ABOUT APEX-BRASIL (www.apex.org.br) The Brazilian Export and Investments Promotion Agency - APEX - is a government agency focused on promoting Brazilian products and the country image.

For more information on Brazil IT or on how to participate on the event, contact .

]]> fernando Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:22:00 +0100 Brazil Sponsors Gartner ITXpo 2007 http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=39 Brazil IT, the Brazilian IT services technology initiative supported by SOFTEX (Society for the Promotion of Excellence in Brazilian Software) and APEX-Brasil (Brazilian Export and Investments Promotion Agency) is sponsoring the Gartner Symposium / ITXpo event. The 2007 edition will be held at the Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Fl, from 7 to 12 of October.

Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the industry's largest and most strategic conference for senior IT and business professions. More than 6,000 senior business and IT strategists from virtually all major industries will gather to gain the latest advice on the biggest challenge: Driving profits and performance with IT.

Based on previous feedback from Clients, the Brazilian companies attending the event have high expectations. Brazil has become the most researched location for outsourcing outside India, . With a highly skilled workforce, and deep knowledge of western business models, Brazilians offer an excellent cost benefit ratio, producing creative solutions with quality and supported by industry best practices. Global providers have a presence in Brazil for a very long time. IBM for instance opened the Brazil office in 1917 and never closed, says Christine Studart from the Brazil Information Center in Washington, DC. Four years ago, according to a MIT research Brazil was the hidden jewel of IT services. Now with the presence of all global provides in the country, including the big Indian players, Brazil is mainstream, as remarked Gartner analysts at the 2006 Symposium opening section.

The Brazil IT outsourcing initiative grew from the local companies’ maturity achieved on the internal market. With many years of experience serving a 18 billion dollars industry, the presence of Brazilian companies represented a fresh breath on the offshore outsourcing market, as it was accompanied by the country's low geopolitical risk, modern telecom infrastructure, favorable business environment, and tax benefits. Brazil IT segment has growing a steady 15% a year, positioning Brazil as one of the most important technology markets in the world.


ABOUT SOFTEX (www.softex.br) - Society for the Promotion of Excellence in Brazilian Software - SOFTEX - is a non-profit organization that promotes the Brazilian software and related services industry's competitiveness. SOFTEX has more than 1,300 members.

ABOUT APEX-BRASIL (www.apex.org.br) The Brazilian Export and Investments Promotion Agency - APEX - is a government agency focused on promoting Brazilian products and the country image.

For more information on Brazil IT or on how to participate on the event, contact .

]]> fernando Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:51:00 +0100 10 most innovative Technologies for the next 5 years http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=38
For instance one of the listed trends is social software. From Orkut to Wikis, the power of these communities relies on the quality and trustworthy of the people collaborating on the development of the social environment. There is no geographic segregation on online communities, although some countries have more presence on providing server technologies on others users, no one has ever asked where the server is located, or the developers reside, nor the users, they all are online.

Gartner outlines that multiple core chips will go mainstream by 2012. Intel Tera-scale computing is a worldwide program in 11 cities, involving more than 80 projects. The goal of Intel is to produce energy efficient multicore processors achieving teraflops of computing capacity, that will be need to handle the future applications of 3D design and video.

This processing power, as disruptive as it is by itself, will also enable the enhancements of others disruptive technologies. Web based platforms attached to social software with a pinch of virtual communities are already in the hype for software companies. Online virtual worlds like Second Life or the massive social games (the Brazilian Taikodom is the newcomer) congregate millions of users, generating unforeseen business opportunities for companies. As an example a Belgium company has created a Second life real estate company that “builds” houses on the virtual environment, charging actual dollars. Companies are already accessing the possibility of establishing complete online offices. The cost of development of corporative virtual environments are offset by the savings with real estate, energy, maintenance and others real world costs.

As a final world, recognizing Brazilians as the second biggest community on Second Life, Intel celebrated its 20 years in Brazil throwing a party at the virtual environment, distributing freebies, and with the presence of celebrities and online reporters. The Brazilian Airline TAM has also launched the airline on Second Life, accruing mileage points for users that use the airline’s aircrafts to visit the virtual representation of the company’s actual destinations.
List of Gartner’s 10 most Disruptive Technologies
1. Multicore
2. Web based Platforms
3. User Interfaces
4. Web mashups
5. Social Software
6. Tera Architecture
7. Energy and Green IT
8. Virtual relationship Globals Networks
9. Video
10. Semantics

]]> fernando Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:29:00 +0100 Brazil Propels Fotolog http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=37
Yesterday, New York-based Fotolog was acquired by Hi-Media Group, an Internet advertising firm based in Paris, for about $90 million, making it the latest acquisition of a social-networking Web site and the first one with a user base largely outside the U.S.

Social-networking sites, where users post profiles, chat or join communities, have become some of the hottest properties on the Internet, making up nearly half of the world's top 10 most-visited sites.
In the U.S., Facebook.com and Myspace.com are the best-known sites, drawing tens of millions of daily visitors. Now, with the U.S. market getting crowded, attention is turning overseas, particularly to emerging markets such as Latin America, where Internet use is increasing rapidly and competition is less intense.

The deal for Fotolog also is shedding light on Brazil's role as an arbiter of Internet success. With some of the world's most enthusiastic Internet users, the South American country is acting "as a leading indicator of future trends," said John Borthwick, Fotolog's chief executive officer and a former top technology executive at Time Warner Inc. and AOL.

(Click read more below)
]]> fernando Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:54:00 +0100 Brazil Sambas onto Offshore Outsourcing Stage http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=36 Published on CIO magazine
Offshore outsourcing managers used to traveling back and forth to Bangalore may be trading in those frequent flier miles for tickets to São Paulo or Rio. And not for any much-needed R&R.

Some IT organizations experienced in offshoring are looking to Brazil as an emerging option for software development and maintenance services. In most cases, the move is part of a diversification strategy as demand continues to put upward pressure on wages in India.

In addition, some companies may be looking for a way to bring offshore work a bit closer to home in the Western hemisphere. “There are instances where Brazil is used instead of India because of its closer proximity and similar time zones to the U.S.,” says Eugene M. Kublanov, COO and managing director for offshoring outsourcing advisor NeoIT

Brazilian IT services companies are eager for the international business. The domestic market for IT work is growing at a decent 17 percent a year, according to Jair Ribeiro, president of São Paulo–based CPM Braxis, Brazil’s largest IT services company with $500 million in annual revenue. But CPM Braxis and other local market leaders, such as Brasilia-based Politec and Rio de Janeiro–based DBA, are ravenous for a piece of the offshore outsourcing market, which is growing at more than twice that rate.

These companies are contending with some much larger competitors. Most multinational outsourcers, including IBM, EDS, HP, Unisys and Accenture, have set up shop in Brazil. IBM, for example, is using Brazil as a hub for infrastructure management, employing more than 9,000 people in Campinas, 90 minutes outside of São Paolo, says Kublanov. Tier-1 Indian players, including TCS, Satyam, Infosys and Wipro, and larger Mexican IT services companies including Neoris and Softek, have moved in as well.



]]> fernando Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:51:00 +0100 U.S. tech companies give Brazil a go (From the May 30 edition) http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=35
SAN FRANCISCO — Step aside, India and China. Brazil is the latest country with an emerging economy to attract big investments from U.S. tech companies.

Brazil, which is slightly smaller than the USA and has about two-thirds the population, has long had potential to become a significant tech market. But economic instability hindered growth.
Now that's changing. Tech spending in Brazil is expected to jump to $32.3 billion in 2011 from $20.5 billion this year, researcher IDC says. U.S. tech firms moving in include:

•Dell. The No. 2 PC maker this month opened a major assembly plant near São Paulo. Dell eventually will have about 1,200 employees in Brazil — about double what it had in 2005.

•Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The prominent Silicon Valley venture-capital firm opened its first Brazil fund this month in partnership with a local venture company. It has $40 million in capital, and a second fund worth about $100 million will follow soon, managing director Don Wood says.

•MySpace. The social-networking giant, now owned by News Corp., plans to launch MySpace? Brazil this summer.

Other companies are making similar forays. Brazil veteran IBM recently announced a partnership with local video game company Hoplon Infotainment. Since Portuguese is Brazil's official language, Mozilla is touting a Portuguese version of its Firefox Web browser. Intel launched a $50 million Brazilian venture fund.

Brazil is growing fast, and, "We'd like to be part of that," says Terry Kahler, Dell's vice president for Latin America.
Brazil's economic growth has been stunted for decades by inflation exceeding 70% a month at times, says Patrice Franko, an economics professor at Colby College. Years of reform are bringing Brazil's currency, the real, under control, she says.

The financial turmoil left a mixed legacy. Brazil's per-capita gross domestic product is about $8,600, compared with $43,500 in the USA. But Brazil also has a highly developed banking system and entrepreneurial spirit, Franko says.
Now, due to the more stable currency, "We have a middle class emerging," says Elber Mazaro, marketing manager for Intel Brazil.

Growth isn't limited to U.S. companies. Brazil's largest PC maker isn't Dell or IBM, but Positivo Informática in Curitiba.
Doing business in Brazil remains difficult. Taxes are high. Brazil has a thriving market for illegally imported goods, Kahler says. Plus, the gap between rich and poor — some in drug-ridden shantytowns — is rising, Franko says. That's led to an uptick in violence. Foreign workers "are living in privatized security enclaves in order to protect themselves," she says.

]]> fernando Thu, 31 May 2007 12:31:00 +0100 Brazilian IT Market grows to US$ 18.6 bi in 2007 http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=34
The brazilian governemt for digital inclusion, reducing taxes on low cost pc and providing tax incentives for IT services exporting companes is collecting its first results.
]]> fernando Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:09:00 +0100 Brazil IT statistics http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=32
Until 2 years ago, the IT sector collected data only from IT companies, hiding that a huge chunk of IT professionals are employed by every other industry. Another issue is that a sensible quantity of IT people are hired under 1099 agreements, making them invisible to the Brazil Ministry of Labor. When the researches are completed, I will post it here. If you need some specific numbers, I will do my best to fulfill your needs.
IT Market
  • Revenues of US$ 11 bi in 2004,( 1,6% of GDP)
    • Software and Services US$ 9bi
      • US$ 2,4 bi in software,
      • US$ 6,2 bi in services
      • US$ 0,4 bi in business process outsourcing (BPO)
  • 11.802 IT companies: 1.406 in software (12%) e 10.396 in services (88%), with 97% SME
  • annual turnover in the ICT sector: less than 2% (estimated by SOFTEX)
  • number of computers: 34 million
  • Internet users: 35 million (PNAD 2005) - 21% od population Domestic, corporate and public access
  • telephone in use, land lines 43 million (anatel)_Dec 2006
  • number of IT workers: 862 thousand (IDC numbers) (dec 2006)
  • telecom infrastructure: Nationwide with satellite and fiber optics backbones
  • Number of mobile subscribers; 98 million (78 million (81%) pre-paid 19 Million (19%) pos-paid)
  • Internet domains registered: 1,029,103 (dec 2006)
  • Internet hosts: 5,094,730 (dec 2006)
  • Education'*
    • Computer Sciences Graduates: 15,600 (2005)
    • Computer sciences Registered Students: 108,000 (2005)
    • Computer Sciences new registrations: 42,000 (2005)
'* Undergraduates not considered - Source: Ministry of Education

Source: Research “Perfil das Empresas Brasileiras Exportadoras de Software”, made in 2005 by Observatório Digital SOFTEX

SOFTWARE Export
Year Revenues

1999 - US$ 60 mi
2000 - US$ 100 mi
2001 - US$ 120 mi
2004 – US$ 314 mi
2005* – US$ 400 mi
2006* - US$ 500 mi

'*' Estimated Values, based on a 6% average growth

Almost 35% of all IT exports are destinated to the US.

Source: SOFTEX – Associação para a Promoção da Excelência do Software Brasileiro



Click READ MORE below for more Graphs.
]]> fernando Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:12:00 +0100 Brazil is preferred on BRIC http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=31
Merrill Lynch's February 14 2007 published GEM Investors report established Brazil as preferred location on BRIC countries for investment. In a scenario where overall LATAM countries is down on a investor preference, decreasing 11%, Brazil is considered a destination for maintaining overweight position for as much as 85%, from a 76% last month.
]]> fernando Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:36:00 +0100 2004 Numbers for Brazil IT market http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=30 IT market
  • Revenues of US$ 11 bi in 2004,( 1,6% of GDP)
    • Software and Services US$ 9bi
      • US$ 2,4 bi in software,
      • US$ 6,2 bi in services
      • US$ 0,4 bi in business process outsourcing (BPO)
  • 183 thousand people employed in IT
  • 11.802 IT companies: 1.406 in software (12%) e 10.396 in services (88%), with 97% SME

Source: Research “Perfil das Empresas Brasileiras Exportadoras de Software”, made in 2005 by Observatório Digital SOFTEX

SOFTWARE Export

Year Revenues
1999 - US$ 60 mi
2000 - US$ 100 mi
2001 - US$ 120 mi
2004 – US$ 314 mi
2005* – US$ 400 mi
2006* - US$ 500 mi

'*' Estimated Values, based on a 6% average growth

Almost 35% of all IT exports are destinated to the US.

Source: SOFTEX – Associação para a Promoção da Excelência do Software Brasileiro


]]> fernando Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:35:00 +0100 Politec named a Global Services Top 10 Best Performing IT Services Provider http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=33

"Of the three recognitions we received yesterday, we are most honored to have been included in the Top 10 Best Performers list," said Dalton Luz, CEO of Politec USA. "The ranking features many of the best-known names in outsourcing from India, and Politec was the only Brazilian company listed. Our inclusion accurately reflects the marketplace we are competing and winning in today."


More than just a statistics-based ranking, the Global Services Best Performing IT Services Providers are companies that show a pattern of innovation and dedication to customer satisfaction. "Politec's customers already know the quality, innovation, efficiency, and range of services we have to offer," added Luz. "This is a great opportunity for Global Services readers to learn about us too."



The Global Services 100, now in its second year, is a tool for buyers of business and technology services. Judges from Global Services magazine team up with outsourcing experts at neoIT, a consulting firm that specializes in services globalization, to identify and evaluate the leading service providers located on four continents. The evaluation is based upon data provided by the service providers and third parties regarding effective operations, service offerings, client relationships and human capital. Winners are selected in each of 11 categories including service-delivery areas such as business process outsourcing, IT services and customer care. Winners are also selected in regions such as Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America.



Global Services is an integrated media brand with a portfolio offering that includes a magazine, a website, events, a newsletter and customized solutions. The audience is composed of corporate professionals engaged in the sourcing and management of business and technology services across North America and Western Europe. Global Services is owned by CMP-CyberMedia LLC. The team is co-located in the United States and India.



neoIT is a management consulting firm that helps leading corporations improve and grow their business by capitalizing on services globalizationSM. Through a blend of strategic advisory services and hands-on execution support, neoIT provides advice and management expertise on the globalization of Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services. For more information, visit www.neoIT.com. (external link)



Politec is the largest Brazilian IT services firm, with more than 6,000 employees, over $230 million in revenue in 2006, and offices in the US, Japan, and throughout Brazil. For more information, visit www.politec.com. (external link)

]]> fernando Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:34:00 +0100 Brazil Offers Marketers Opportunity http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=29 The below text was published on June 16, 2006 on ImediaConnection (external link), but it is still updated on its predictions.

DMO's chief marketing officer reports on Brazil's increasing internet connectivity and mobile penetration. Marketers, take note.

The following is the first of a series on BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China)-- emerging markets online.

With all the news lately focusing on China's lucrative internet opportunities, it would benefit marketers to start analyzing other countries in emerging markets BRIC. Brazil, for example, is the main online market of Latin America. With more than 25 million internet users, according to eTForecasts, January 2006, Brazil is responsible for 75 percent of business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions in the region.

As the tenth largest market in the world in terms of internet users, Brazil's total penetration for mobile online usage is higher than China's, at 14.1 percent vs. 8.5 percent, according to BuddeComm?, an independent global telecommunications research firm.

And, according to the Interactive Media Association, online ad spending increased 35 percent last year in Brazil. However, even with double-digit growth, online media represents just three percent of total media spend-- providing great opportunity for online marketers.

Along with internet penetration, it is imperative to note the four main facets that contribute to Brazil's leading digital growth opportunities: an increase in mobile marketing, the importance of the internet as a social platform, the growth of IPTV and the rise of ecommerce.

]]> fernando Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:13:00 +0100 Soccer, Samba and Outsourcing? - Brazil Hopes Its Strength In Computers Makes It http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=28
January 25, 2007; Page B1::::







SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Robert Lazarski, a computer programmer from Denver, met a Brazilian girl on a train in Europe. Soon they married and moved to a beach city on Brazil's northern coast, and Mr. Lazarski was looking for work.

So he hung out a shingle on the Internet: outsourcing.

Mr. Lazarski, who is 38 and sports shoulder-length blond hair, says his business writing software for small U.S. companies is doing well after a slow start — and he enjoys Brazil's "better weather and a better quality of life. Everything has worked out quite well."

Outsourcing seems to be working out well for South America's most populous nation, too. With a spate of information-technology deals, Brazil appears poised to be Latin America's big winner in the global outsourcing boom. Last year, Gap Inc. moved computer work to Brazil as part of a 10 year, $1.1 billion contract with International Business Machines Corp. Whirlpool Corp. manages corporate data here, and some smaller companies are using Brazil to try outsourcing for the first time.

With time zones and a culture closer to those of the U.S. than Bangalore or Beijing, small operators such as Mr. Lazarski and multinationals including Accenture Ltd. and IBM are betting that Brazil could quickly become Latin America's major hub for inexpensive corporate support work, and a top-five location world-wide.


]]> fernando Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:40:00 +0100 Top Brazilian e-commerce companies merge http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=27
]]> fernando Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:29:00 +0100 Google http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=26 ]]> fernando Fri, 17 Nov 2006 15:07:00 +0100 By 2010 IT will create 630,000 new jobs in Latin America http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=23
The research requested by Microsoft targeted to measure the economic impact created by the IT sector in 13 Latin America countries: : Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The results showed a world wide market of over US$1,09 trillion, with Latin American contributing with US$ 32,4 B, generating US$ 7.95 B in taxes. Brazil has 47% of the Latin American market, generating revenues of US$ 14.6 B.




]]> fernando Thu, 09 Nov 2006 17:01:00 +0100 A lot of outsourcing in Brazil http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=24
Brazil has ambitious plans to join the world's top offshore IT outsourcing destinations by 2010.

The move follows a joint initiative by the federal government and Brasscom, the software and IT service export association. It aims to tap into a global IT services market estimated to be worth more than $600bn.

The country's fast-growing IT outsourcing market is expected to generate R$4.85bn this year up from R$4.08b last year, according to data by IDC, the consultant.

Antonio Gil, Brasscom's chairman and chief executive of CPM, a Brazilian IT company, says good progress was made in the first year with marketing activities to put Brazil on the radar screen as a potential IT outsourcing destination.

But he admits that in some areas – such as legislative reforms needed to create a level playing field with countries such as India – progress is slow.

Part of the reason was the recent presidential election, which focused politicians' minds on domestic politics, he suggests.

Still, Mr Gil is confident that Brasscom will meet its goal and points to a combination of factors that position Brazil as a suitable offshore destination for companies looking for an alternative to India.

He points to stable political conditions, a world-class financial sector, costs that, although higher than India, are lower than the US, as well as a similar time zone to North America.

Brazil's population of 182m also includes the largest Japanese community outside Japan, while large German and Italian communities provide a closer cultural affinity to customers in the wealthy north than many Asian countries.


]]> fernando Wed, 08 Nov 2006 14:44:00 +0100 How Brazil Might be The Model For E-Voting Reform http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=25
Deforest Soaries, the former chairman of the Elections Assistance Commission (EAC), says voters should be concerned.

According to Soaries, the guidelines published by the agency he once oversaw fail to ensure that voting machines are accurate and secure.

Now, he said, the federal government should right a wrong by taking responsibility for developing a prototype, rather than allowing vendors to create and sell inferior equipment to the states.

"There are some things that the federal government just must do and therefore must see to it that they are done right," he told internetnews.com.

That might sound like a radical idea, but Ted Selker, a highly-regarded voting technology expert and co-director of the CalTech-MIT? Voting Technology Project, noted that this is precisely how voting machines are developed and rolled out in Brazil.

Selker said that three separate government entities in Brazil are responsible for implementing voting technology in that country.

One government agency develops the specifications, one develops the software and a third does the testing.

Private-sector companies then bid for the opportunity to manufacture the equipment for general use.

"It's resulted in tremendous improvements in their processes and equipment," said Selker.
]]> fernando Tue, 07 Nov 2006 16:09:00 +0100 Brazil saves $300 million with government reverse auction http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=22
]]> fernando Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:42:00 +0100 Brazilian Company certified ISO 20.000 http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=21
The ISO 20.000 standard was approved in December 2005. The standard is applicable to process management in IT and it is based on the ITIL best practices library.

Halogica requested the certification after ISO 20.000 became also the British BS 15000. The company embraced the standard procedures since 2003, and need just a fez steps to be certified.

In March the certification authority Det Norske Veritas conduct its first pre-audit with the final audit taken place in July. Over 150 items were checked against the standards.

Halogica joins today a very small group of ISO 20.000 certified companies, like NEC, British Crown Commission, Benit from Korea and ACS.


]]> fernando Tue, 15 Aug 2006 19:41:00 +0100 Brazil's innovation law: lessons for Latin America http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=20 from the Science and Development Network (external link)
Innovation is now widely acknowledged as an essential tool for development. Other nations would do well to learn from the political challenges that Brazil's new legislation has unearthed.


A scientist engaged in research and development at the Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil 3 August 2006

Last week, the five member countries (and five associate members) of the Latin American trade pact Mercosur agreed to work closely to boost trade, create jobs and reduce poverty. In doing so, they injected new life into an organisation that was created as the Latin American equivalent of the European Union, but has since struggled to get off the ground.

Closer technological cooperation and a common desire to boot innovation are seen as central to this bid for regional integration.
]]> fernando Mon, 14 Aug 2006 16:21:00 +0100 High Education reaches 4 million Brazilians http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=18 ]]> fernando Wed, 09 Aug 2006 21:24:00 +0100 Brazil's Internal Revenue Creates Virtual Tax Address http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=17
Brazilian tax payers holders of digital certification may opt for a virtual tax address to the Internal Revenue. There is a time advantage for corporations with multiple locations. With a single virtual address all government communications will be sent to a single virtual post office box. On the other hand, all company’s originated information to the agency will also be paperless, avoiding trips to local offices. The service is optional and can be cancelled at any time. The requirement for the service is that the users shall have a digital signature with digital certification. Digital certificates are can be bought from private companies with a cost between $20 to $100 for individuals and $50 to $200 for corporations. The difference in price relates to different services options and certificate duration. The certification companies are accredited by ICP-Brazil, a centralized agency responsible for Public Keys infrastructure.

The initiative is considered pioneer in the world.
]]> fernando Wed, 09 Aug 2006 21:22:00 +0100 Brazil IT Sponsors Gartner Financial Technology Summit in Boston http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=16 Brazil IT, the Brazilian IT services technology initiative supported by APEX-Brasil (Brazilian Export and Investments Promotion Agency) and SOFTEX (Society for the Promotion of Excellence in Brazilian Software) is sponsoring the Gartner Financial Services Technology Summit.

The Summit is a comprehensive and unbiased conference designed exclusively for Financial Services Industry IT executives and their business counterparts with a keen interest in the business value of IT. With a depth of insight and renowned Gartner objectivity, Gartner Financial Services Technology Summit hits the critical spot between strategic planning and tactical advice for IT organizations in Banking, Investments, and Insurance. The 2006 edition of the event takes place at Marriot Boston Copley Place, Boston, MA from August 28 to 30 2006.

Based on previous feedback from Clients, the Brazilian companies attending the event have high expectations. Brazil is a world leader on the IT Financial services. Brazil has the biggest online real time financial clearing system, based on Basel II regulations. Most of Brazilian transactions are cleared within 3 hours. The reliability of Brazilian internet banking is so recognized, that 97% of Brazilian internet users, are also users of web banking, operating 7 billion transactions in 2005.

ABOUT SOFTEX (www.softex.br) - Society for the Promotion of Excellence in Brazilian Software - SOFTEX - is a non-profit organization that promotes the Brazilian software and related services industry's competitiveness. SOFTEX has more than 1,300 members.

ABOUT APEX-BRASIL (www.apex.org.br) The Brazilian Export and Investments Promotion Agency - APEX - is an government agency focused on promoting Brazilian products and the country image.


For more information on Brazil financial IT services or on how to participate on the event, contact .

]]> fernando Mon, 31 Jul 2006 19:00:00 +0100 Outsourcing Institute Article - Setting Standards http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=15 Setting Standards Benchmarking ensures that even after a number of years the outsourced service is just as attractive as it was on day one
Simon Briskman, an outsourcing and IT partner with Olswang Solicitors, London
Original from OI. Click here for OI page. (external link)
When offshoring, both parties sign up complex contracts for the long term. This allows the supplier to spread its initial cost and risk over a longer cycle and the customer to, in turn, benefit from a reduced annual charge and less frequent reprocurement. Yet, a dominant feature of the traditional domestic and international outsourcing market is that many contracts are terminated early or are renegotiated. Outsourcing solutions can become outmoded or expensive in a rapidly changing market. Just as likely, the customer's business may change significantly over the term.

As a result, a good deal of time spent negotiating concentrates on divergence from the customer's original requirements, such as future innovations, continuous improvement programs, changes, flexibility and benchmarking. When properly used, they help ensure that after a number of years the outsourced service is just as attractive and economic as on day one.
]]> fernando Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:51:00 +0100 ATSA Launchs Strategy to Global Aviation Low Cost Carriers Market http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=14 ATSA (external link), a Brazilian association of IT companies, launched at the World Low Cost Carriers Congress (external link) a reach out strategy for the global avaition market.
Brazil is a leader in the aviation world, housing the 3rd largest aircraft manufacturer - Embraer, and managing the country huge airspace with a locally developed air traffic management system. Brazil is also the 2nd largest business aviation market in the world,
With this background, Brazilian IT providers have developed expertise, products and systems for the aviation market, which was restricted to the domestic market. Now with the sponsorship of Softex, the Software Export Association, the independent provdeirs created ATSA and are sucessfully marketing and selling reservation, flight operation, and other related systems globally.
]]> fernando Wed, 05 Jul 2006 20:00:00 +0100 Global IT Market reaches US$ 1 trillion http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=13 In a research requested by The Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES), IDC indicates that the Global IT market surpassed the US$ 1 trillion milestone in 2005, reaching $ 1,08 trillion.
As IT market, IDC considers hadware, software and services industries, representing 38.7%, 20.5% and 40.8% respectively of the market.
The largest world markets are US with $ 416 Bi, followed by Japan with $108 Bi, UK with $73 Bi, China with $30 Bi and Spain with $17 Bi. Brazil is on the 16th position with $ 11,9 Bi, confirming Brazil as the main market in Latin America, followed by Mexico with $7.6 Bi. The overall IT market in Latin America is $30.6 Bi. Russia market is sized in $11.9 Bi and India in $9.1 Bi.

]]> fernando Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:58:00 +0100 SIPAM will provide basis for international monitoring of the Amazon http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=12
]]> fernando Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:52:00 +0100 Vidatis presents Heathcare technology for IADB http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=10 ? Development Bank invited Vidatis (external link) to present its Pubic Healthcare systems at the conference “Building Opportunity for the Majority (external link)”, from June 11 to 14. (Click here for Photo Gallery

Vidatis is a startup healthcare company incubated by ATECH Foundation. The innovative vision of VIDATIS in heathcare is based on a pervasive technology for keeping patient recors, reducing healthcare costs and improving the quaity of service for users.
The Vidatis team has helped developing the Brazilian Health Card, an unique ID system for public healthcare users.

The R&D of Vidatis have also create a new wireless technology for providing companionship and care using virtual pets on cell phones.
]]> fernando Thu, 08 Jun 2006 15:06:00 +0100 CIAB http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=9 ? of Febraban Financial Institutions - looking for ideas, solutions and innovations in the sector.Visit CIAB Website for more info (external link)
]]> fernando Tue, 30 May 2006 21:30:00 +0100 Brazil IT Awarded Best Enterprise Vendor Presentation http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=2 ChannelVision Awards" for Spring 2006! The awards program was one of the highlights of the IT ChannelVision Spring 2006 Event that took place May 7-10 at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Florida.



Ana Martini and Fernando Cariello received the award on behalf of Brazil IT.



]]> admin Wed, 24 May 2006 14:08:00 +0100 Brazilian Software Awarded in the USA http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=7 Automatic Translation!
Some initiatives have been carried through for the Brazilian SW community for the exportation of software and services. Nothing new on that. Nevertheless, this time, I would like to share the experience most succesful that I participated.

]]> fernando Tue, 23 May 2006 18:58:00 +0100 Call Centers in Brazil http://www.cariello-usa.net/tiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=6 "cariello-usa.net"
  • 280,000 Agent Positions or Workstations or Seats
  • 3rd in the world after US an UK ;
  • 35% ousourced (in US only 20% of seats are outsourced)
  • Most seats are focused in the domestic market
  • India has 150.000 seats - 98% focused in offshoring
  • Besides portuguese, there are positions in Spanish, french, german, japanese and english.
  • Call centers in Brasil are serving US, Portugal, Spain, Latin America Conutries in general, Japan, Germany, Canada
]]> fernando Tue, 23 May 2006 15:34:00 +0100