S&T Opens Competence Centre Dedicated to Providing IBM Tivoli Expertise

Ljubljana branch combines Tivoli expert knowledge

19 February 2007. Austria – Slovenia. The third of five planned S&T Competence Centres, called the S&T Competence Centre for IBM Tivoli, has now opened for business. The S&T branch in Ljubljana with 360 employees offers the successful service provider's IBM Tivoli know-how. From this location, S&T’s Tivoli expertise is made available to all of the 18 countries where the S&T Group has a presence. The Competence Centre for IBM Tivoli is responsible for proactive business, market development and respective training.

S&T has developed extensive experience with IBM Tivoli in multiple projects, in particular, in Slovenia. Planned and built in cooperation with IBM, its Competence Centre aims to expand expertise in a more focused way. 'Many of our clients are closely involved with professional information systems management, ITIL process support*, security and compliance management. IBM Tivoli enables us to provide them with advice and support in relation to developing efficient IT systems management, tailored to their individual requirements,' explains Christian Rosner, CEO of S&T AG.

International Application of Local Expert Knowledge
S&T Slovenia has successfully completed many Tivoli projects and has expert knowledge in this area. The Competence Centre will have its own designated area within the S&T branch in Ljubljana, but will work closely with local sales and marketing staff. In addition, Slovenian specialists will support projects in other countries where S&T has a presence and further develop its services on an international basis. Mitja Podlesnik and Andreij Zimsek will be responsible for managing the Competence Centre. Rosner: 'There is a significant market demand for IBM Tivoli. There are not enough experienced specialists available, particularly for certain areas such as security. We have the necessary know-how and are now using it better across the whole Group.'

Emphasis on Security
In the first few months, the S&T Competence Centre for IBM Tivoli will focus on providing expertise for the newly acquired security solutions within the IBM Tivoli portfolio. Not many companies are currently able to offer comprehensive expertise in this area. IT security still remains one of the most important issues in the IT world. Leaving aside the increasing danger of attacks, the security business is rapidly growing as a result of legal rules and regulations, compliance guidelines, etc.

Increasing Demand for Enterprise Systems Management Software
According to an IDC study carried out in July 2006, systems management software will increase worldwide turnover by approximately 10% on an annual basis up until 2010. In 2005, such software packages resulted in a worldwide turnover of US$ 6.4 billion, which will increase to US$ 10.3 billion by 2010. This will be closely followed by an increase in the demand for advice and support in relation to the implementation and application of the software. In this context, IDC predicts the following:

- There will be an increased focus on business service management solutions, in particular, ITIL processes;

- The automation of IT functions (e.g. change and patch management) will become increasingly more significant;

- There will be growing emphasis on products and services that optimise existing IT infrastructures, manage costs efficiently, and, in particular, on products that provide a quick return on investment.

S&T closely cooperates with IBM, which enables it to provide its clients with highly-qualified and the most up-to-date, expert knowledge of IBM Tivoli.

* ITIL = IT Infrastructure Library

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