The Software Factory Model Doesn’t Work Anymore
November 23rd, 2011Cesar Gon at CiandT: For Brazil to produce value in global IT – it must embrace the future, not the past.
From the Black Forest to Brazil Fever: GFT Sees Profit in Banking
November 21st, 2011By Filipe Pacheco
Santos, Brazil Country Manager, GFT
GFT is a German company focused on technology services and consultancy for the financial industry. So why would Mr. Ulrich Dietz, global CEO who founded this company in 1987 in the middle of the Black Forest, be so interested in the Brazilian market? If there is one industry in which Brazil stands out as one of the best models in the world in terms of innovation and professionalism, it is the financial business. Marco Santos, who is the country manager for GFT in Brazil, agrees that local competitors are highly qualified and the industry is well established — but he says there is quite a lot of room to grow for those who offer IT solutions in niches or application areas that are not yet adequately addressed. Mobile banking systems would be one good example.
A CIO’s Account of Nearshore, Ninjas and What Doesn’t Work Offshore
November 17th, 2011
Chris Snyder, CIO, Hulcher
Ever wonder what really distinguishes nearshore from offshore?
By Chris Snyder
I like to imagine an IT vendor selling the first screwdriver. “It can also replace the hammer, if you use the head of the screwdriver to hit the head of a nail. You also won’t need a knife for butter anymore because it will replace that as well. Crow bar… gone. Car keys… a thing of the past. A screwdriver will replace them all and you can finally standardize on one platform (the screwdriver) and reduce costs across the toolbox.”
The “right tool” approach to the organizational structure of an agile software development project mitigates cost by using arbitrage to achieve lower costs, while minimizing risks from misuse of resources – like using the screwdriver when you really need a hammer.
Brazil 2022: Five Experts on the Future Path of the Biggest Economy in Latin America
November 14th, 2011
Filipe Pacheco
In the past decade, Brazil has transformed itself into one of the fastest growing economies in the world, doubled its middle class, and taken on a fight against massive poverty. So now the big questions are: Is all of this growth sustainable? How far can it go? And what about the IT industry — will it keep pace?
Brazil IT Remains in a Class By Itself: Is That a Good Thing?
November 7th, 2011
Brasscom Global IT Forum Super Panel, last week in Sao Paulo: Corbett, Dreyfuss, Tapper, Vashistha and Laughlin.
By Filipe Pacheco
Brazil’s ascendancy as a major center for global IT services will be engineered in a uniquely Brazilian way, and should in no way aim to reproduce the model crafted by India over the last twenty years, concluded a ‘super panel’ of global outsourcing experts at last week’s Brasscom Global IT Forum in Sao Paulo.
Brazil is in a class by itself, the panelists recognized, in confronting and leveraging an entirely different set of unique circumstances compared with its “BRIC” nation counterpart, India. For instances, Brazil is experiencing a colossal economic boom – taking giant strides forward to become one of the top six economic powers on earth. (India has yet to officially crack the top ten group of leading economies).
Brazilian IT Provider Enables Credit for Cash-Starved Domestic Firms
November 4th, 2011
Totvs helps get up to $170K in hands of small-medium businesses
By Filipe Pacheco
Brazil’s key interest rate, determined by the Monetary Policy Committee, is among one of the highest in the world. Popularly known as “taxa Selic,” today it is set at 11.5% a year – but in reality the interest rate paid by business customers can rise much higher than that.
Brazil IT Conference Examines Transformative Role of Largest Market in LatAm
October 31st, 2011
By Filipe Pacheco
For a long time, Brazil was supposed to be “The Country of the Future” — or “o país do futuro,” as Brazilians have been saying for the past few decades. It is hard to be certain if the country is truly ending into this truly transformative stage – but clearly the information technology industry is playing a huge role in accelerating the changing perception of the largest economy in Latin America. The powerful role of Brazil’s IT is the focus of the Global IT Forum – one of the region’s most prestigious Outsourcing conferences – hosted by Brasscom, the Brazilian Association of Information Technology and Communication Companies, here in São Paulo, later this week.
Quality, Crime and Economics: Mexico, Brazil and Colombia
October 26th, 2011Top industry advisor Tony Mataya talks about inflation, service quality and why we’re still in the early days of industry evolution.
Brazil Races Past India in Attracting Foreign Investment
October 24th, 2011
By Filipe Pacheco
Despite a slowdown in foreign direct investment in most other markets, Brazil has managed to maintain a steady stream of funding from international interests. The country received about US$33 billion in the first half of 2011, according to new data compiled by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. That puts the country on track with investments it received in 2010, when FDI tripled to US$36 billion.
Majority of Brazilian IT/BPO Exports Go to the US
October 19th, 2011
The United States is Brazil’s main client when it comes to exportation of IT and BPO services, according to data from the research firm IDC and a new study done by Brasscom. The report also reveals that US -based multinational companies in Brazil are in the top ranks of exporters, with IBM, Accenture, and HP being the three biggest revenue earners — followed by homegrown success stories Stefanini, T-Systems, and Ci&T. Last year Brazilian IT and BPO companies exported US$ 2.4 billion worth of services, a figure projected to grow by 11% this year. After the U.S., Brazil IT providers’ biggest customers are in Latin America, followed by Europe.
