AMMAN - A new certification programme to enable the Kingdom's ICT sector to compete on the regional and international level and move it one step closer to drawing $3 billion in revenue by 2011 was unveiled recently.
The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) certification workshop, held on Monday by the Information Technology Association of Jordan (int@j), comes as part of the National ICT Strategy, which aims at increasing revenue generated by the Kingdom's ICT.
The CMMI certificate is a system that grades companies on 5 levels, based on their maturity and internal organisational performance. The certification is used to determine how well a firm's processes compare to CMMI best practices and to show external customers and suppliers about how well the organisation performs.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Bassem Roussan, who attended the opening, said the workshop was important for Jordan's growing ICT sector.
"The development of Jordanian IT products and services is considered a significant step for Jordan's ICT Sector, which will leave its impact on several levels," the minister told participants.
"I also stress on the importance of undertaking new theories which run parallel with our initiatives. It is important not just to adopt processes but also to implement them. This is the only way in which our sector would be able to face all challenges and obstacles," Roussan added.
QAI, a company specialised in CMMI training, expects some 10-20 Jordanian companies to be initiatlly signed up for the certification, which they said would enhance the Kingdom's competitiveness.
When companies look to outsource their ICT work, they often look for accredited firms, according to QAI consultant and CMMI expert Mukul Madan.
He stressed that since Jordan is yet to be considered an IT-dominated country such as India or even parts of South America and East Europe, establishing accreditation will build trust with international firms.
Madan added that CMMI certification isn't geared only to large firms.
"Around 50 per cent of the countries which apply are les than 100 persons. Being a small company is not a barrier to getting certified," Madan said, noting that with accreditation oftentimes allows firms to grow.
Interim int@j CEO Raed Bilbessi noted that most of the companies that will apply for the initative will be medium-size, expecting up to 50 could eventually participate.
QAI representatives noted they are considering placing a three-year expiration on certifications, so companies don't revert to bad practices after receiving accreditation.
The workshop was hosted in collaboration with the Arab Academy for Microsoft Technologies, Optimiza Academy and with the support of USAID/SABEQ.
By Taylor Luck
© Jordan Times 2008
